Training & Nutrition - Advice on training or riding

I have a question on riding. I have not completed my base miles yet and I am working on that but in the mean time I am looking at some routes I would like to do. There are a couple of small hills routes I can take and will take before my base miles are done. Quick status on myself. I am overweight and most of my trouble right now is on hills. I commute now at least 3 days a week 24 miles roundtrip. A couple of small climbs for me on my route. One that gets me pretty worn out and that bugs me. I am getting stronger and my cardio is getting much stronger than when I started riding.

So my question is should I consider doing a ride like the profile below before I complete my base miles? Or should I be trying for more rolling hills with flat for longer seat times and endurance? This seems like some pretty serious hill climbing which is where I really want to improve but this might be way to much or maybe it is not.

Look at the profile and tell me what you think about it. The ride is just over 10 miles.

Also is Veloroutes a good tool for planning routes like this or is there something better?

The great thing about cycling is that you can mix it up. There is nothing wrong with that profile, but I would definately try to add a few more miles to get your distance up. It sounds like you are doing a great job with your training. I wouldn't get to involved in looking at profiles and just go out and put some miles in. You can do a flat ride one day and hit the hills the next. You may want to put in one day of hill repeats (up and down real hard several times) or intervals. Don't forget to rest!

Riding some base miles in the hills is a good thing. Just find a pace that you can maintain comfortably and don't worry about it if you think you are going slow.

On days when you go into the hills don't worry so much about miles, but track how much time you were out. If your commute is 24 miles, you might find that your 10 mile hill route takes almost the same amount of time.

Well, that is a pretty decent climb for someone starting out. The main thing is that you have low enough gears to do it. But think about it. What is the worst thing that can happen? I mean you climb x distance and poop out so you have to stop, turn around and ride back the way you came ... DOWNHILL. Even if you are really tired, downhill should be easy.

The best thing that can happen is you will climb it and feel elated at achieveing something you were intimidated by. The worst thing that can happen is that it is a bit much for you for now. You will get into better shape later on and you can try again.

Thanks for information. I am going to work this route next week to see how I do and my only goal is to complete the route the first time. I will be out of town until next week or I would ride this route this weekend.

I also have a 20 mile stretch of rolling hills and flat ground that I can add to this route as I get in better shape. I think once both of these routes are one route it will be just over 30 miles.