Finally got my hands on a singlespeed bike, a large sized, somewhat used surly 1x1. I have been carousing single speed boards, checking them out on the local trails and felt it was time for a change of pace away from my two full squishes. I found a good deal on one in craigslist and bought it after a parking lot test. And I think I am somewhat in love, hopefully this wont be a short term fling!

So I took it out on my first singlespeed ride and boy was I hurting, I took it on the same trail I would bring my 3 ring, 6 " travel Nomad and I ended up doing more hike-a-bike then riding. My questions are:

For being a super n00b to singlespeeding should I take it easy and slowly progress?
Or should I just try to power through the trails I did on a 3 ring bike and over time I just will grow enormous quads?