This week my wife and I begin to climb the Swiss Alps on our way to Rome, started in Canterbury. It began with me riding 2 to 4 miles a couple of times a week and getting winded. This is a fairly flat ride. At the time, it was a knee surgery recovery. I was a bit younger than you are now and having difficulty. I found another who also was new and we just rode to coffee. After a while the routine became boring so, I set a goal to ride an “event ride”.
When you can ride 25 miles, and it does not take as long as you might think, you can ride anywhere in the world. I’m not making this up. You are already ahead of the game. You’ve started and you are asking questions. If you wish you may follow our journey on crazyguyonabike.com. Practice shifting. Practice breathing (two smaller inhales, one large, hard exhale in a rhythm. It has to do with CO2 build up). When you get around to it, a cadence counter for your your computer is valuable, it keeps you from lugging down. When you begin to climb steeper inclines, practice standing as you pedal. If you do not know how, it is simple. Shift or stay in the gear that makes it hard. Then, while pedaling, put your head over the front tire. You’ll stand. It helps me to rest while pedaling up hills. Have fun. You are on your way.