hibiscus09:

My opinion is that you should only do what you are comfortable with and enjoy. Otherwise, what's the point? I have been told that I need to get off the bike path and out on the roads, but every time I venture out, I am more stressed about the traffic and I don't enjoy the ride nearly as much. I prefer the scenic bikeways, so that's pretty much what I stick with. Go the speed you can handle. As long as you are riding and enjoying it, who cares how fast you go?