Originally Posted by Cognitive

New Clyde-pony here, 224 lb, need to get to under 200... Started cycling nearly 2 months ago, slowly building from 3-4 miles a day to 8-9 now. I'm doing around 8-8.5 mph on relatively flat ground, bike trail. If I go slower, like 7.5-8.0 I can ride all the way to California and back, I do not get tired at all. No sweat, funny pains, etc. But I need to get to the magic 10/10, i.e. 10 miles at 10mph.

First we have the logistics - as I mentioned in another thread, half of my 10 miles is on extra wide pavement with the usual bumps and up/down cutouts for peoples' driveways and the like, occasional traffic lights... The other half is a cycling dream trail (Monon Trail in the northern Indianapolis area).

So... What should I aim for, longer distance and build stamina at slower speeds or or try for higher speed? should I do more inclines to get my rear end to work harder?

Any suggestions?