One thing I have learned is that it is always easy to find excuses not to exercise. It's too cold, or too hot, or too humid, or too dark, or too windy or too expensive or too time consuming or something. What I figured out is that if I'm going to get any exercise, I've just got to do it anyway, regardless of how cold/dark/wet/hot etc. that it might be. And I think that's what the posts above are getting at- it takes the right attitude, not just the right routine.

I've ridden a couple of centuries now, and figure if I can, just about anyone can. The main thing is just get to riding. Any kind of leg movement you do is going to help, but if you can just get out and ride actual hills in real wind, that'll do as much good as anything. It'll also help a lot in knowing where you stand and how fast you're going to be.