I am new to cycling (again). As a child in a small town (25k) I rode everywhere and spent many summer days (and winter weekends <but mom, the snow's only 6 inches deep>) just riding. Rode a little through college (even spent one summer car free), but quit riding after a very unnerving ride in the suburbs of a large city. I'm now 43. I bought a cheap MTB, and last year I put 200 miles on it including a lot of time with my four children (got a "Co-Pilot by Kent" for the now-six-year-old) and a fund-raiser ride for the American Diabetes Assoc (25k). I also hoped to do some bike commuting, but couldn't figure out how to ease into a 30 mile round trip commute with the 5 miles nearest work being very busy, narrow, black top roads (I am a Cobb county/Johnson Ferry/Mount Vernon commuter for those familiar with Atlanta).

I discovered this forum while surfing from Ken Keifer's site. This is great, a Commuting forum! You all are inspiring. Since then I've discovered a bus route with a park-and-ride about the middle of my commute. That means I only have to get in shape for a 7-mile each way ride (and on the widened part of Johnson Ferry). I can do that! So this week I started riding 2 miles 3 days a week in my subdivision. I will add distance each week. When I get to 10 miles, I will start biking to the park-and-ride. We'll see where it goes from there, but at least it's a start and I have a plan.

Sorry to get so detailed. This is the first time I have put my plan in writing.

Here's the question. I am reasonable fit as I do 20 miles per week of fitness walking (I park 2 miles from work and walk the rest). Biking uses completely different muscles, so the two miles of bike riding seems like a good place to start (that is, I'm not starting the day with "jelly legs"). What recommendations do you have on how much distance I should add each week?

Thanks,
Kevin S.