Getting back into cycling

[struth]

Thanks Riding position is less upright than mountain/gravel bikes (more streamlined - like that makes much difference at my age ). I like drop bars though as they give more options for hand positions than flat bars.
When I first got back on a racing bike I spent most of the ride "on the tops" or "ramps" as I was no longer flexible/confident enough to get my hands "in the drops". After a few rides though I managed to, and it led to a faster and more exhilarating ride

I have about ten bikes, including a couple of MTB's - old school, steel and no suspension. One of my frames was built around the same time that I was born: work of art, fast and comfortable
There is something about classic steel bikes imo.

This is the state of my Mercian before powder coating and rebuilding (a gift from another member of https://www.cyclechat.net)

looks like you broke it