Help with First Road Bike for my 70th Birthday!

[marmac]

i have sram on my dolce because i had the very small hands issue with the other shifters.
i find the sram shifters pretty easy to use compared to the rapid fire shimano's on my vita.
the ruby would have been a nice option for me but i didn't want to spend the $$ since i didn't know
how much i would love the road bike. someday......
congrats!!

[Citycyclegal]

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone! I alternate between being excited and terrified about learning to ride a rode bike with clipless pedals. I'll be fitted next week, and have safe places to practice, bike/walk trails along the Charles River and a rail trail on the Cape. Since circumstances do not allow me to travel on a bike tour this year, I'm hoping to go next year, in celebration of the big 70 in January. By then I should be a pro! LOL The pooch and I will have to do some road and camping trips instead.

[Citycyclegal]

Thanks everyone for all the encouragement and info on shifters! I know I'll get the hang of it, because I am persistent and patient, and believe that age is just a number,LOL. I'm thinking that after I get fitted next week for the clipless pedals, I may put regular toe clips on. This will give me a chance to feel confident with the shifting and being on a road bike, rather than a hybrid. Maybe I'm feeling over cautious, will have to think about it. Thanks again!!