[sharpee]

Maybe you can ride with Stanley Brodaric. An amazing biker. biked across America not the easy east to west but south to North (See the story below). Since then he biked from Siberia to Nepal. He was hoping to get to the Black Sea but the area was in turmoil. Biked party way around Australia but it was just to hot.

http://peninsulaclarion.com/stories/081902/ala_081902alapm0060001.shtml#.VXVq089VhBc

[Cboldt]

-- ... but South to North --

That's uphill all the way! Just look at a map!

As a casual rider (maybe 100 miles a week at my peak), I concur with the suggestions for gloves (I wear fingerless padded palm style), rearview mirror (I clip one on my eyeglasses), and would add that a decent pair of riding shorts or pants with chamois or terrycloth crotch will make a difference, especially on the few-hours long rides. I also agree with the advice to think of your legs as spinning, not pushing. Get and use toe clips. My comfortable cadence is 90-110. You'll get more mileage out of yourself with less effort by choosing the gear that allows you to spin with modest effort.