Hi Elrona,
I just joined on this site too and glad I did in order to learn more. I just began cycling last May 2006, with a goal to do my first 100 miles for The Las Vegas Century, Oct 21, 2006. I trained/biked consistently at least 3 times a week, watching my food intake, logging and adding miles each month. Then smashed my bike about 4 weeks prior. Drats, no bike to train! This didn't stop me, since I was raising funds for the cause. So, got sponsored with a road bike, the weekend prior (to familiarize) and weekend of the century to complete a 1/2 Century-50 miles. My advice, is even if you feel you can't do the full Century...do the Metric or the 1/2. The cycling Century group's atmosphere is addicting. Enough to just enjoy plus motivate you to want to do more. This year, I'm working my way up the Centuries, by doing the Tour de Summerlin (35miles); Las Vegas Century (100miles); and the MS 150. So don't think about holding off to ride a Century....just start riding at any distance and you'll never regret it. By the way, am almost 50 and biking and walking is the only exercise I do. Good luck.