Haha...just got back from my ride; showered; and read all this! I love this forum!

I am doing the best I can and certainly can take it...no problems. I was doing 3 miles once a day, now 5 miles twice a day...it is more based on schedule than anything else. I cannot ride to work as it is 40 miles away with no route to even attempt it (requires two highways to get to).

My goal is to get up to 7 miles next...then 10 then......

I'll get there; the other reason for two a days is to go out with the family the second time around. Have to keep my two girls interested!

Appreciate all the responses.

Correct.

You don't need to stretch before 5 miles at all -- just start out and end slowly and you'll be fine. Not knowing what kind of condition you're in or if there are any physical issues, you may be able to handle considerably more.

FWIW, it takes me almost 10 miles to warm up (seriously). Your muscles will feel a lot better after you've been out for a bit. So I agree with those who think one 10 miler is better than 2 five milers. But if you enjoy doing two shorter rides, whatever keeps you out there is good.

I just came in because of the stretching thing.

Stretching before exercise is not only not necessary, it's more likely to cause injury than not stretching. Static stretching also limits your muscular force and reduces performance.

Before exercise you want to warm up slowly and do some plyo type stuff. The stretching you really want to do is after the ride, to enhance flexibility and prevent injury. I think it helps me with soreness, the research says otherwise, whatever.

Solid plan given your stated reasons

Go ahead and ramp up slowly but don't be afraid of or fixated on distance. Just go out and use the time you have. More time, go easy and longer. No time, speedy to the end. Your distance WILL increase. Try to get a weekend longer ride in if you can. The lengthier rides really help with endurance (for your "outside" as well as your "insides") and are fun.

No; that's how I get to work and back every day.

I did 45KM, cut my lawn, & wanted to go out for another 45kms, but I had to take the dog for a walk.
If I'm doing anything under 20-25km I'm doing hill, & sprinting intervals.

+1
Same here!

Just drop it . . . differences of opinion and differences in interpretation of sarcastic and snarcastic intent.

Thanks again for all the advice...this is a great bunch I am glad to be a part of.

I will try my next ride without stretching....see what happens!

Okay so I took your advice and increased my ride today! I got home from work; ate dinner...relaxed for about 30-40 minutes and went out...I ended up doing 7.05 miles (new high) with an average of 15.5 MPH!

I know, I know....not much compared to you guys however; it was a new high for me by over 2 miles in one ride while maintaining my usual average. I changed gears to make it easier to pedal/maintain and did NOT stretch beforehand.

Very nice. 15.5 mph is all I average in solo rides, nothing wrong with that at all.

Add zeros to those rides so they're 50, and now we're talking a real discussion about 2 a days.

I regularly did a two hour session and a three hour session in the same day.

[QUOTE=Noize4;14544678]Intolerance and berating the new guy trying to get in shape for the lose. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Keep it up, rvk5150! Bump 'em to two seven milers, one 15 miler, then a 20 miler. You can pull this off in less than a month. Have fun and good luck.[/QUOTE

It is funny how fast people forget where they started. My first group ride this year I got dropped couple of times. Now I can lead it.

When I commute, I ride 15 miles twice. Ride in is difficult, takes about 1.25 hr. Ride home is easy, about 1 hour.

Some days I go for a 30-60 minute ride at lunch and then for an hour or so with my wife or friend after work if it's nice.

The beauty of riding- you can do alot of it w/o beating yourself up, and it's easy to set a good pace that doesn't kill you.

I guess this would work, unless your job is 29 miles away. In that case you'll have to add a 7 mile wak each way...