Sulis, I started riding last April and did my first longer ride in June for the Diabetes Ride - about 42 miles. Weekly training rides of about 20 miles seemed to be enough prep but I was tuckered out at the end. That's when I found out that (1) I needed to cool down at the end (almost keeled over when I just jumped off the bike with my heart racing, trying to keep up with a speedy friend) and (2) I needed to refuel with the right protein/carbo/fat ratio right after the ride. I felt like I was dead for about three days after the race because I didn't want to eat afterwards and I was too stupid to eat much while I was riding. Eating later didn't do a bit of good - it was too late to make a difference to my muscles.