When Melissa Dopp hurt her back and was unable to do aerobics, she was left looking for a different way to stay fit.

The 62-year-old Enfield resident turned to her bicycle, and began to explore the many area trails. She's now turned that passion into a new activity at the Enfield Senior Center.

Since May, a group of a dozen Enfield senior citizens have been meeting about four times a month for two-hour bike rides on area trails. Dopp said it's a great way to stay physically active and meet new people.

"There are days where my back freezes up on me but there's no stress on my back whatsoever when I'm bike riding," Dopp said. "Biking is good for your heart. It's good for your knees. It's an overall very good activity."

The group has ridden on bike paths in Southwick, Mass., and in the Farmington Valley. They plan to try a trail in Northampton, Mass.

Werner Glatz, a member of the biking crew, said he has been riding trails since the 1970s. Glatz, who often takes his bike out on errands around Enfield, is 75 years old and looks at his bike as another way to stay in shape, in addition to his frequent trips to the senior center's gym.

"The other day we took about a 16-mile trip," Glatz said. "It was on a rail trail. That really is not very challenging. We don't go that fast, because not everyone has the same ability."

Glatz bikes along with his wife, Donna Glatz.

Dopp said there's a mix of riders in their 50s and 60s, male and female. In a short period of time, they have become close friends, she said.

"We are a group and we want to look out for each other," Dopp said.

Read more:
Bike Group A Way For Seniors To Get Out And About