Ouch!
Sorry it was as tough as that! Try the morning "Nice and Easy" rides, your energy levels are generally higher in the morning, and take some carbs to keep the blood sugars up (It's also cooler!).
Stay hydrated as well on your ride, sip every chance you get, at least every 10 minutes. Drink before you get thirsty. If you do get thirsty, you are behind on your hydration curve if you waited until then to drink. Accelerade, Twin Labs Ultrafuel, and other Maltodextrin base sports drinks are your friend as well. If you don't need them, they taste HORRIBLE
, but if you do need their electrolytes and carbs, they taste like the "Nectar of the Gods"!
View this as a challenge and you'll win it. Your idea of horribly long will also increase as your fitness and capabilities increase. You've seen this already.
