bikemig 

You can't really go wrong by trying out a vintage MTB (one with a rigid fork). They're not so great for single track but they'll do fine on fire roads and gravel roads. Heck they were gravel bikes before gravel bikes became a thing. Plus they're cheap. If you look around on CL, you'll find a good one likely for right around $100. Plus it's a perfect bike to run errands on, just throw a rack on it. You can always buy a fancier (and much more expensive) bike later if you decide that's what you need/want.

bikemig 

I'm a big, big fan of vintage MTBs and the price on them is pretty good even for upper end models. In the last few years, I picked up an '87 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp, a 1992 Stumpjumper, and a 1992 Trek 950 for $100-$125 each. Just throw a fat cushy 26 inch tire on them, a comfy saddle, bmx pedals (so you can use any shoes you want), and a rack and you are good to go. The bikes come stock with all the gearing you will need. Plus these bikes come with stout wheels that tend to hold up pretty well.

If there is a downside to vintage MTBs, it's the handlebars. They're good for control in offroad riding but not all that comfortable for longer distances. There are a couple of ways of dealing with this: drop bar conversion, ergon grips, bar ends, and a trekking bar. I like all of these solutions but it's hard to beat the humble trekking bar. It's cheap and comfortable. The bars don't cost much and all the original MTB parts (brake levers and shifters) will work. Just think of it as a drop bar squished flat.

This is my '92 Trek 950. I paid $125 for it but I've obviously modified it (mainly the cantilevers and the trekking bar). The tires are 26 x 1.75 Continental Travel Contact tires. Good tires for mixed surface use.

OldJack9211

our winter

Digger Goreman

Another fan of old mtb's! Started with a $30 outlay, in 2013, and still riding it today....


FRANKENTREK rolls on!


When I finally am ready to roll
obligatory disclaimer: ignore the silly front bag experiment....

osco53

If your not seeking sensual single track or white line fever look at recumbent trikes and bikes.

I did,

absolute comfort with no damage to your man parts,
or neck,
or wrists,
and falls are not really a concern either..

OldJack9211

hahaha.....thanks. but i am stuck on mountain bikes for now. i hope anyway.

Classtime 

I suggest that you check out the Rivendell Bike site and then get a Rigid Mountain bike from the 80s early 90s and put some new fangled riser swept back bars on it. It will be a very nice dirt road all rounder for little money.

ChrisAlbertson

I've retired also. I find that now I have more time to train and also we all have a much better understanding of how to train and we all own heart rate monitors and such that simply were not available years ago, so I'm doing better than I did in the past. Bicycling is an endurance sport and because of that, it is well suited to older people.
I think with logging roads a full suspension bike i not needed. Better to go with those really bir wheels and tires and gearing. What they are calling a "cyclecross" bike wold be ideal. They are fast but also tought enough and geared for drt roads. The true mountain bikes are made of single track trails.

woodcraft

I'll disagree with the vintage mtn bike idea.

Get a modern hardtail mtn bike- no fuss, no repairs or hunting for parts, full range of cost/spec.

Adjust tires to your conditions. Get a drop bar bike later if you get the bug.

Personally, I ride a cross bike on dirt, but we don't really have winter here.

Something like this:
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/ro...ext=91220-3304