I started cycling fairly seriously about 7 years ago at age 58. I quit smoking, dropped 65 lbs, about 5 or 6 inches in my waist, and have kept it off. Last year, I rode a little over 6,100 miles between my two road bikes. I've never been known as an athlete. I started out being really proud of riding 5 or 10 miles on paved trails on my mountain bike. It can be done.