A few months ago, I began doing long bike rides on one day a week for 12 miles, 6 to Target and 6 back to my house. And then recently I started adding in one to two more daysof riding, however, I started doing smaller trips that were 3.5 miles each way, so 7 mile trips. An alternated the days with strength training with days off.
Now, I'm doing the doing the 12 mile ride 1-2 days a week and riding the 7 mile trip the other days. I also now do the strength training on alternating days with the ride.
And I feel really good, and don't feel like I'm over doing it. In fact on days that I thought I was going to take a rest day, I still found myself on my bike doing my trip. LOL. I'm addicted now!! I also feel a lot better now than I have in a while, and I also started moving faster on my bike as well!!!