I will have to be careful because I do seem to have a bit of a weakness in tendons/ligaments. In the last 12 years I have had torn rotator cuff, ACL, MCL, Achilles Tendon, and ruptured quadriceps tendon. They heal, so not the end of the world, but all entail a long layoff.
I've made up my mind to give it a go in January (I've even dug out my old racquets from the loft). I will take it easy and if, after a few weeks, I am struggling with the old problems will call it a day. I do not want to harm my enjoyment of cycling.
I will report back in a couple of months.
Thanks for all the advice.
"with my history of tendon and ligament injuries and the metal plate in my neck,"
Check with GP or other Med' Pro' first (maybe you have?) as none of us on here can really advise without the full details of those conditions.
Re; wife. I believe in doing your own thing in a relationship but I try to avoid unnecessary worry to Lovely Wife. I used to climb and scramble (unroped climbing) with the latter in the higher grades. The latter doesn't go down well these days on the home front so I have backed off and keep to moderate grades these days plus I have also stopped my solo activities in the mountains unless it is straight-forward hiking. I'm happy with that and so is she. Love & life - full of compromises!
For me it was walking and cycling.