I am a fairly new rider. Snow is gone so just started riding outside in the last two weeks. Thursday I rode for 29 miles, Friday I rode for 38 miles and Saturday I rode for 25 miles. I want to go out now and get a few in as there is a break in between two storms we are to get but my legs are hurting. Do I just buck up and go or take a rest for a day. I think if I got out there my legs would feel better after a few miles.

Do not burn yourself out. I was riding too much when I started out in December. I haven't been able to ride since February because my quads haven't been able to recover yet. I took the end of February, all of March off, and tried riding this past week (a VERY light ride around my neighborhood) and my legs have been killing me all week. So I'm seeing a doctor this week.
Some people on these forums will tell you that you just need to build up that strength but I'd let your legs feel back to normal before riding again. If they are sore, don't ride. Otherwise you will end up with an amazing new bike that you can't ride. I'm so stir crazy right now and you don't want to be in this position. Start off slow.

I would go for a recovery ride. Something along the lines of 10-15 miles, small ring, very low intensity, riding on the bar tops or hoods (no riding in the drops!). Recovery rides always help me feel better.

the key is to be disciplined and take it slow. don't be tempted to ride hard, no chasing other roadies, and such

HTFU!

I mean really? What would Sean Yates do?

Storms are coming, go ride and quit complaining!

If you have been sedentary in the past, you will need to build up base miles slowly, to avoid injury.
Be patient and have fun.

I actually started last June 2010. Before that I did no exercise. This winter I did a health club and worked out every other day sometimes everyday. Also bought a trainer in February. But no riding of longer trips since last fall. My longest single ride is 71 miles. I think I will go out and do ten or so slow.

Don't forget recovery rides.

If you can't get "The Stick" use a real stick or broom handle to roll the lactic acid out of your legs. The sooner after a ride you do it the better. Try drinking a protein shake or choclate milk at the end of your non-recovery rides for muscle recovery.

yep- hard not to fall victim to "Keeping up with other roadies" on a recovery ride. everybody hates to loose.

Well I went out for thirty minutes and did 5 miles. Kept my cadence up some but geared down, way down. My legs within 5 minutes started feeling great and felt like I should do more but I didn't.

As for Protein Shakes I drink one about an hour or two before and one right after I ride or work out. If my ride is a really hard long one I will drink one with two scoops after the ride. If I know I won't be riding for the day or working out I will have one in the morning and one in the evening.

Just rest.

Also it may appear you are drinking too much protein. Unless you're bulking up.

Not bulking up. But I am diabetic and watching/controlling my Blood Sugar with diet/exercise. No insulin or medication. During workouts or hard rides I will get Liver Dumps. The Whey Protein helps me control that.

Gotcha. That's what I get for talking out of my ass.

I really mentioned it because I picked up some whey at GNC, and they were all, "you need 3 scoops a day." Lol. Right.