Starting out

[Catrin]

You are doing great! I just learned how to ride in December, and it took a couple of rides for me to go as far as 5 miles The others have given great advice, just remember to have fun and enjoy as you ride as much - and as often - as you can!

[Bike Chick]

My first ride was 6 miles. DH and I had just bought hybrids and took them out for a spin. When we got 3 miles from the house, I was in a panic because I didn't think I could make it back home so we turned around and went back. When we got home, we collapsed exhausted on the couch and thought we had really accomplished something--and we had. A month later we were riding 30 miles on our hybrids and bought road bikes; five months later we did the MS150 (75 miles 2 days in a row); a month after that we did our first century. You can progress pretty fast on the bike.

Just enjoy yourself and ride your bike. PamNY gave you some good advice. Don't forget to hydrate properly and eat--especially if the weather is hot and you are stretching out your miles. There are many threads on TE about hydration and nutrition.

Have fun!

[Lesley_x]

You guys are really helpful!

The area where I live in Scotland is really quite hilly, so I felt intimidated by that. There are very few flat straights. But already I'm getting to know how to use my gears and take my speed into the hill and I even feel like I've made improvements from yesterday - at least in confidence!

Today I managed 3.13 miles in the one go

And you're right, the most important thing is definitely to have fun! I think I'm addicted already I even appear to be working up a little suntan!

[annielynn]

Have a great time!! I think that you have gotten some great advice so far. I am going to stick with what everyone else has said.

Hills are intimidating. I have been riding since August and I hate the hills. But I have just recently gotten a Coach and I training for one the most awful hilly rides around here. Take it one step at a time.

[Owlie]

My first ride was 2.3 miles...I wasn't used to the bike and the stock saddle tried to kill me, I swear.
I have a love-hate relationship with hills. I love the feeling of getting to the top of one, but the climb up is a different story.

[ny biker]

I used to hate hills, until I did a few long rides that were totally flat and decided I hated that more. I'm still very slow going uphill but I don't mind them anymore. At least I get a break on the downhill side.

[Catrin]

I used to hate hills, until I did a few long rides that were totally flat and decided I hated that more. I'm still very slow going uphill but I don't mind them anymore. At least I get a break on the downhill side.

Yep... 25 mph on the down-hill side more than makes up for the 8 mph on the uphill... also great for the legs

[momsquared]

My first ride was 2.3 miles...I wasn't used to the bike and the stock saddle tried to kill me, I swear.
I have a love-hate relationship with hills. I love the feeling of getting to the top of one, but the climb up is a different story.

I just took my bike for a new saddle. I had been riding with the stock saddle and it was okay, but I knew I could be more comfortable. HOLY COW! What a difference! I also finally found a local bike shop that I really like and they are super about advice - everything from what things to buy to which local roads to avoid. What a help!