Progressing furthur

Welcome! Join in on the beers and the rides. You'd be amazed how fit you get just by commuting each day. I have a similar commute distance to your and managed the Brighton ride this year without any major problems. I wasn't the quickest but I made it. The long distance thing is more of a mental barrier until you do it.

and that's straight from Aroogah - a bloody nice guy and general all-round good egg.