With your age and stats I'd say it's easily doable. Maybe twice a week to start and within a couple of months you'll be riding almost every day.

+1 on quitting smoking. I quit when I started indoor soccer about 12 years ago, staying active with some sport helps keep the urge away, for me anyway.

I don't see why it's such an expensive 'hobby'.

I picked up an older Schwinn Prelude for a hair over $100, got a helmet, pump, spare tubes, a few tools, lock/chain, etc. for under another $100.

As with any other hobby, if you keep expenditures realistic to what you actually need, you can do a lot with just a little.

I'm in a similar boat. I quit smoking a little while back, am getting in shape, and bike commuting whenever I can. My main job is ~15 miles away over rolling foothills that absolutely destroy me... but I'm working my way up.

No. Start with one day a week, then two, ..., until you are doing it every day. 35 miles round trip five days in a row from the start is not realistic. 35 miles round trip once a week is.

Sorry to kick this thread again. Don't let people tell you it's NOT possible. If you're motivated, reasonable healthy, and take proper care of yourself (stretch, eat right, etc), you can ride that distance right away. I have a co-worker who has started riding about 12 hilly miles each way, every day, and he's ten years older than you. Your age is going to help you with your recovery time.

That said, if you chose to start out slow, with some of the advice from here, that's great too. I'm just surprised that some people would tell you it's not possible.