I'm a new rider (as of my May 20th purchase)....
When I brought my new bicycle home with a pair of stretch bike shorts, helmet, and gloves.... I jus' HADDA take it for a ride the following morning. But that wasn't enough, I wanted my butt to get used to the saddle ASAP! so I took the new bike out for another ride the following day. And the next day, and the next......

I finally realized that the hunger, the desire, the 'need' to ride (for me) hadda be mellowed, I needed to slow down and ride every OTHER day, not daily. I have also made it a point to stop riding sooner than my strength or enthusiasm might allow.

I try to keep it interesting, I try to leave myself wanting for MORE, I'm trying not to burn out so early in the game of my new-found hobby. I could ride every day, but I'm alternating instead; I could ride 20 miles, but I'm limiting myself to only 16 miles right now.

Jus' trying to stay hungry for my next outing.....