Noob seeking some advice

[Chadvdw67]

Hey guys, I am a noob to cycling, prefer MTB riding but I can only do that once a week, currently I go out on a Friday afternoon for a ride, anywhere from 20-45km and then I try go out on the road on a Sunday afternoon for a 20ish km ride, but trying to get the distance up on that. My question is this, for the Sunday ride, would it be better to do shorter distances with steeper hills, or do longer distances with less steep hills?

[eddy]

At this stage, I'd suggest getting your distance up and later if you are comfortably riding a few times a week for some duration and want to "race" , then cut back and add some quality.

[DJR]

Agreed with Eddy. In more scientific terms - build the base fitness/endurance first before you increase the speed/power. But for a first time rider, I would say to just go out and have fun, and not to worry too much about specifics. You will improve. If you find later, in a few months perhaps, that you reach a plateau, THEN I would start with a more structured programme and aim for specific goals. 

[Me rida my bicycle]

Riding no matter how long or steep is good for you the more you ride the flatter everything(with some exceptions) will feel anyway????

[Chadvdw67]

I was kind of hoping you guys would say that, will try push for more distance, I dont like climbing all that much, haha, still loving riding and I go out every chance I get, it may not be that often, but it is much more than what I was doing, been riding now for just over 2 months and the improvements are already substantial I think, so pretty happy so far, just looking on how to make every ride count

[Mojoman]

If you are a bit tight on time to get some extra rides in, I find that a couple of 5km runs a week help me get through the winter months when the days are short....