[rccardr]

Hmmmmm. Right tool for the job, as my beloved grandpa used to say.

For local rides, which are certainly hilly but not, um, mountainous, a standard 53-52/39-42 with a 12-28 works just fine. So does a compact. Hardly ever have to shift into the small ring.

For more steeply rides, a compact with 12-28 does the trick, Skyline Drive, Thunder Ridge, long relatively steep pitches, the 34-28 combo does the trick with a bailout just in case.

For truly difficult climbs, like in Southern Wisconsin or Eroica, pull out the jams: either a 50-28 ring combo with a 13/28 freewheel, or a 38-36-24 triple with a 13-32/34 cog set.

Oh, and I'm 68, so I understand about the whole age thing.