Training / Fitness Question...Vinny or Carl???

[Ant]

Ok, so after riding for the last couple months (bicycle) I have a few training questions.

1) It seems as though if I take a day or 2 off from riding I can rider harder and longer the next ride. If I go everyday I seem to dog it a little. Should I put set rest days into my sched.? Or should I just go real easy on the off days?

2) I live on a road with a big hill .25 miles from my house. Am i doing more harm then good by starting my rides going up this hill?

3) How hard should I be pushing? I mean I went home yesterday knowing I'd ride about 7 miles because I was pretty tired. Should I be pushing myself more for better fitness? Or are we back to the rest thing? Yesterday was day 4 of the week with 1 day rest and 17 miles ridden the other 3 days.

Thanks.