I started riding casually about 4 summers ago and 20 miles was a loooong ride, one day we did 28 and I was patting myself on the back for weeks (for about the same length of time that my butt and legs hurt, I didn't have cycling shorts back then)

I had a total of 336 miles on my speedometer put on in 2.5 seasons (I was riding a leisure bike) and thought I was doing pretty darn good. And you know what I WAS!

Last summer I bought a road bike and a transformation took place - I loved to ride my bike and wanted to do it all the time. I started with 10 - 20 mile rides but did them regularly until late Oct accumulating 600 miles from mid July to the end of Oct. Just riding our city bike trail can add up to 10 miles and it is pretty so I don't feel like I am riding far

I continued that pattern this spring and found I was gradually adding miles when I didn't have a time limit. I know a lot of good quiet rural routes and would decide how I felt at an intersection to see if I wanted to keep going or turn and go home. I rarely have a plan that I am going to go out and ride x number of miles. I also mostly ride loops so I can bail and go home any time.

You ride hills I ride against the wind Sometimes the wind dies down but the hills never move But as was said previously you will get stronger faster !

To make a long post longer

What worked for me:

1. Learning how to shift and pedal efficiently at a consistant 80-90 rpm cadence
2. Winter season Weight Training to increase leg strength
3. Winter season swimming to increase core strenth
4. Getting my bike fitted so there are no pressure points
5. Going out with riders better than me to pick up any pointers I can and push the speed and distance a little - I still know my limits so I don't over do and I can bail at any time
6. looking at the ride in smaller increments that I know I can easily handle
7. Goal of training for a week long tour that averages about 60 miles per day ( coming up in two weeks hooray

Hope some of this helps!

Good luck, you are doing great ! Hang in there the distance will gradually build

Christine