Methinks Madeline I believe you are a stronger cyclist than I, based on some of your bike trip stories.

Anne, a low-impact exercise with some sustained and vigorous cardiovascular benefits, plus balance is helpful..well to me. I returned to cycling since I was 32 (I'm 50 now). Before moving to Vancouver 7 yrs. ago, I did not cycle at all in the winter, since I am not a snow cyclist and it was just alot more snow in Ontario.

It's a great sign, Anne that your knee pain went away, when you were cycling on stationary bike! I can't cycle on a stationary bike, because usually the bike geometry is too big/wrong for me. Maybe it might give you some future ideas? Keep us posted here. I'm sure Madeline and I (and if cyclingirl would also return to BMWS too) can give you some pointers here over time. Not sure if chatty has started up cycling with her little group.

The benefit of cycling often of course, is helpful to hiking and in the winter, snowshoeing in the mountains. By the way, I don't hike/snowshoe with much weight in my backpack. It's just me. I don't like carrying much weight on by back. Nor do I cycle with a backpack. All these years I've been using bike panniers clipped on bike rack at back of bike.

For myself Anne, cycling also is a clear lifestyle choice and ...a real transportation necessity since we choose not to have a car. So cycling is like walking alot to do errands, etc., it becomes integrated and seamless into one's daily life.