Hi! I just started riding at the beginning of May '06. Today, I did my first organized ride (5 miles, lots of hills). OK, I live near Atlanta, and that means there will always be lots of hills!!

I have Type II Diabetes, and need to lose a significant amount of weight. I'm hoping that cycling will turn out to be more productive and less boring than just walking laps through the park!

Does anyone have any suggestions about how to know when to increase intensity, distance, duration? I read a post that said cycling is 5% physical and 95% mental. I think I'm starting to get that. Some of the hills around here are daunting, and could also use help with the mental part. Some days I get very frustrated with even some of the smaller hills.

Thanks for any suggestions!!