Hi Cheri -- you've gotten a lot of good advice on this post from experienced riders. I would chime in on 2 points here. One, about increasing your riding distance too fast. If 20 miles is far for you, do shorter distances. Watch your cumulative mileage for a week & increase gradually. Big jumps in distance or intensity will hurt a bit. Second, it was very humid out when you rode. I ride between 150-200 miles a week, and I know that when the humidity is high, things on the bike bother me more. My bike fit is fine, it is a custom fit, but humidity seems to magnify discomforts. My shoes are very comfortable, but on a long ride they will start to hurt in places if it is humid. My shorts are fine, but I will get ansy in the crotch if it is humid out, no matter which pair I wear. The list goes on and on, even the wheezing. It is harder to breathe when the air is heavy.

So the bottom line is, don't try to fix everything at once. Increase your speeds gradually, & identify problem areas that need addressing when conditions lend themselves to a fair evaluation. And don't be hard on yourself. You're doing great.

Do you know where Knapps bike shop is in Lawrenceville? One of the owners is a woman, who can be very helpful if some of your issues continue. Also, she leads a women-only bike ride out of the shop on Thursdays after work. We do about 20 miles at a leisurely pace. Sounds like a good ride for you, so come on out & ride with us!