Newbie Rider

[Tonkers]

I've been cycling since about mid April of 2006. So far, I have clocked about 650 miles. I have completed two tours this year -- The Tour de Tulsa and The Duncan Dhydrator. Both rides were 30 miles. I am currently riding 1 hour to 2 1/2 hours per day. I average about 10 miles per hour.
I not really concerned with increasing my speed, however, I would like to ride in a 8 day 400 mile tour called The Free Wheel in June of 2007. Do you have any suggestions that would help me achieve this goal as far as training goes?

:fight:

[twahl]

Invest in good shorts if you haven't already, and keep riding. Your speed suggest comfort bike to me, which are anything but comfortable over long distances, but they can be helped with a saddle replacement. If this is the case, find one that isn't squishy. A lot of people like the Brooks leather saddles and I think that they are well applied on a comfort or hybrid bike. Of going to a road bike is an option for you, consider it. You will find your average speed increased by 50% in short order. If not an option, consider narrower tires that can handle higher pressures, this will help some. I believe that an increase in speed will help a lot. Look at it this way, if you are riding 2 hours at 10 MPH you can go 20 miles. If you can increase your speed to 14 MPH, you are going 28 miles. Makes those longer distances easier to achieve since it sounds like your saddle comfort is the current limiting factor.

[will dehne]

Following "twahl" good advise I like to add this:
Not so long ago I did what you did. I toured at 10 MPH average up to 100 miles/day.
I did that for years. At some point I decided to speed this up a bit to join a tour going across country at 120 miles/day.
All I can tell you is that I have a lot of fun doing that.
For training I use a Trek Hybrid 7700 with 700 x 38 tires (on limestone paths)
Brooks Pro saddle.
Aero Bars.
Pearl Izumi shorts.
SDI and Shimano Mountain bike shoes.
With that bike on limestone I can do 50 miles at 17 MPH with comfort and fun.