Will be in the same situation as you but with recovery from neck fusion surgery after a hit and run accident committing back from work. Recieced clearance from doctor I could resume riding after 3 months in a neck brace tried 2 weeks ago to ride my road bike but could only do about 5 miles very ackward riding it .sucks that I can't use the road bike yet but can ride the uprite commuter bike ok .am used to riding upwards of 300 miles on a good week now it's hard to get a 10 miles ride in .but will be doing like u said and riding every other day for a month or so then try and see how a fifty mile ride feels hope I can still do it sucks gaining weight LoL hope ur back soon to riding how u want to be able too