Building base on the bike

Ok, here's a couple things:

1) when you ride, go explore.  Go someplace you haven't gone again.  make it feel like you were 7 years old

2) to build a base you should be riding at least 3 times a week in zone 1 but NOTHING above zone 2

3) you should ABSOLUTELY not ride the entire session at the fastest pace you can hold, then you won't be building a "base" like you mentioned you want to do.

we all have the our "choice" sport and yours may just not be biking...but don't worry, I'm sure that will change with time...

is there a local cycling club in your area?  hook up with them once a week if you can. 

One of the famous sayings on the website, (courtesy of The Bear) is Ride Lots.  Well, what does that mean.  The goal I've been working towards is to ride 400 miles a month.  This usually means 3 rides a week, 2 for 25 miles and 1 long ride for 50 plus.  Doing this for a whole month is hard, with family and weather.   Of course, you can't start at that level and have to build up to that much time in the saddle. 

For pace level, read this thread.  http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=25733&posts=202&start=1.  I can't emphasize enough how much heart rate training has helped me.   Read TH3FRb's logs for how HR training can help. http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/index-weekly.asp?memberid=6360&year=&month=&day=

As far as getting bored.  Once you start putting in serious time, you learn to almost self-hypnotize.  I go into almost a zone where time goes quickly and you miss the zone when you don't get to spend time there.  Wow, dude a little too philosphical there.  For me getting into that zone while swimming is hard.  Plus I lose count on my laps.

Ernie

Exploration combined with achievement is the key for me.  I have an "ultimate goal" for a round trip one day ride and whenever I can do a long ride I head out on that route and go a little further each time.  Sometimes I add little side trips, whatever.  But exploration really is what interests me in those long rides. 

I for one love to ride.

I love the feel of going fast, being one with nature, seeing things I miss while driving. I feel like a kid when I used to ride everywhere.

Finding a place good to ride is key...some roads I feel more comfortable and safe riding and enjoy it more. Nothing is more wonderful to find a new route that rocks!

Ask a LBS for ideas where to ride. Buy books or maps with bike rides for your area. We bought a pocket book of rides to do in MA 6 years ago and finally figured them out this year. There are two near our house that are two lengths 15 and aboug 30 and they can connect. I have figured how to adjust them, all on safer roads, so I can ride hills and/or flats and go up to 60 miles ...it has made my riding more fun this year.

While riding around I find painted bike arrows on the ground and sometimes I just follow them.

For me I didn't really like swimming or running, but doing it more and improving I do like them. My  hope for you is that comes with cycling this season!

I build base on my commutes.  When I ride to school, I'm on my mountain bike.  I have no computer on it, so I just ride leasurely and easily.  I don't worry about speed or cadence, I just pedal comfortably (naturally comes out to 75 to 80 rpm).  The rides are the most enjoyable rides ever.  I'm not working hard, I'm just cruising through the park, looking at the sights.  On nice days I extend my ride further to put more time in.  My commute to school can last as short as 15 mine (hammering on the roads) or as long as an hour or more depending on my mood and what part of the park I want to see that day.

So for you initial base building, forget everything and just go ride to have fun.  As long as you are putting the miles in and not grinding the big gear, you are building base.