New to boards and cycling! Suggestions for length of first long ride?

[10yearstogether]

Hi!

About a week ago, I got my first road bike! I named her Penny, I'm already in love with her! She was a little out of my initial budget, but I justified it by saying that it felt better than any other bike as far as the fit and my reach.

I'm planning on training for a sprint tri next year and hopefully a duathlon or a bike race in the next year or so (I'm a runner, somewhat)

It's a Trek Pilot 2.1 WSD.

I rode the Specialized WSD and the Trek 2.3 and 1.2 but the Pilot was definitely the most comfortable to me. Plus, she was a 2008 and I got a 10% discount for Team in Training so all in all, I felt it was a great deal!

Now, I'm new to this and am a little scared on the bike because it goes SO FAST!

Any tips on the length of my first long ride on the bike? I'm guessing shoot for 15 miles?

Should I avoid hills initially?

Thank you!!

*Diane*

[Jallora]

My first "long" ride was 11 miles. I thought I was going to DIE before it was over with. There were some hills on it but nothing major. Or at least not major to me. My major hills may be nothing more than little bumps and dips compared to some of you that live places other than Florida.

[wolfak]

My first road bike ride was about 10 miles, but I could have done more. I was already hybrid-riding 10-15 miles daily though. Let us know how it goes!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

You don't tell us whether you've been riding a bike before this, or what kind of shape you are currently in, etc.

If you have little biking experience, I would suggest you start with a very short perhaps 5 mile ride in a low traffic area with no big hills. Be sure to eat a little first, and bring water, sipping it frequently.

Enjoy!

[Fujichants]

My first long ride was 20 miles. I was so tired at the end, that I lost my concentration and fell (to date, that is my worst fall yet). The path was also very windy and sandy, so that contributed to me falling.

Where abouts in So Cal do you live Diane? I don't mind joining you for your first few rides and giving you a few pointers and tips here and there.

[10yearstogether]

THank you for the responses so far!

I would say I am in pretty decent/good shape. Just last week I reached my weightloss goal of 38 pounds! (been trying since January 2007). I have good cardio capacity, I race half marathons and shorter distances, have done 1 marathon, work out 5 to 6 times a week.

But cycling is so new to me and I feel slightly unsteady. I've ridden bikes before, last long ride was a mountain bike ride in about 2006.

Should I do it by time and not mileage? Aim for a certain cadence?

[10yearstogether]

My first long ride was 20 miles. I was so tired at the end, that I lost my concentration and fell (to date, that is my worst fall yet). The path was also very windy and sandy, so that contributed to me falling.

Where abouts in So Cal do you live Diane? I don't mind joining you for your first few rides and giving you a few pointers and tips here and there.

THat would be great if we could meet! I live in south orange county but I would totally drive! Where are you in LA?