Originally Posted by zimbo
My recommendation is to first focus on developing a base level of cycling fitness.
Once you feel comfortable on the bike (this varies from person to person) you can do a couple of stort rides each week where you focus on improving your speed. You might do a 1 hour ride where you warm up for 10 minutes, go 15 minutes at a sustainable but fast pace, go easy for 10 minutes, go fast for 15 minutes, and then cool down for 10 minutes. Then once a week you should do a longer ride (2 hours at first, increasing by 10% or so each week until you can do 4 hours) at a nice and easy pace.
The idea is to build up a base first and then work on your stamina and your speed in separate workouts.
--Steve
+1
I agree...being a new rider myself and riding in both Houston and the hill country outside of Austin. You will soon learn of that wall!!!! Mine was at 40 miles. I did several dozen rides at varying speeds, hills and flats. But the first time I decide to push it...man I ran into trouble fast!!! Work both angles like the comment above. It will put you in better shape for whatever your goals may be. BTW my goal was to ride the MS150!!! I made it too...on a hardtail TREK 4500 too!!!!