Headed home today, I caught up to a trim woman riding a steel fixie.  Not unusual here in Portland, except: she was about to go up Terwilliger Parkway and she had a full head of grey hair.  She appeared to be a strong rider and I wasn't sure I could stay with her once we started going up.

But that never panned out.  I came alongside and said it was good to see a woman my age riding a fixed gear.  We chatted a bit, then I pulled in front to let a car by.  She said I ought to try it then immediately corrected herself as she saw my bike.  We chatted the rest of the hill, exchanging ages and gears.  (60 & 58, 42 x 17 & 42 x 19.)  At the top, she pulled off to climb some more.   (We'd been doing a 5% grade.  Now she was starting up 10% and more.)

Wow!

Ben