Inspired by family who are cyclists and facing my senior years with no fitness program (my dogs walk very slowly, and I am just not a gym rat), I set out to reconnect with my love of bicycling.

It has been more than 30 years!

In my quest for a bicycle, I visited bike shops all over the Valley. Truthfully, maybe because I am over 50, salesmen did not spend much time with me or explain much about the latest cycling technology.

Does anyone else remember the old Schwinn Varsity? Things sure have changed!

Then I found our own Fountain Hills Bikes. I was greeted by shop owner Doug Carlson, and he provided me with up-to-date bicycle information and gave me recommendations that would fit my cycling needs. I had found where to purchase my bike!

Doug set me up with the shop’s professional bike fitter, Jake Grantham, who uses computerized technology and measures body geometry to determine the correct bicycle fit. I learned that the fit is essential to comfortable riding. Cycling has never been so enjoyable!

Fountain Hills Bikes had everything I needed – helmet, gloves, lights, clip-in pedals and, yes, my “monkey bottom” cycling bibs (you gotta have ‘em).

Doug taught me how to change a flat tire on the roadside and how to safely use clip-in pedals.

I have been riding two months now (sunrises are amazing) and logged mover 100 miles and one trip of 25 miles. I feel terrific! I am now training for my first charity ride: El Tour de Tucson in November.

This year the roads, next year the mountains? Thank you, Doug and Jake, of Fountain Hills Bikes! You have made it easy and even enjoyable to support my local bike shop!