The first time I rode with a group, I didn't know the signs and sayings. We were riding on a narrow (gulf-cart/multi-use) trail and every time someone would yell "bike up" everyone got in a line - so I thought that 'bike up' meant 'line up on your bikes'. I was so intent on fitting in, I didn't even think about the logic of my conclusion. Anyway - after a few "bike ups" someone yelled "dog up", I figured that must mean get in 2 lines
My local group was very supportive, yours sounds great. You won't have any trouble.
My first ride with a group was 35 miles, I had stupidly changed out my shoes right before and the new shoes resulted in knee pain. The last 10 miles of the ride, 2 of them club members hung out with me and encouraged me and talked about the scenery or whatever, never leaving me alone on the road. At all times on the road, I had at least two experienced riders hanging around me.
(I found out later that one of the men practically coasting up hill and being so encouraging was Bill Painter - and he'd just walked up Mt. Rainier at 80 years of age - he's since broken his own record
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...imbers23e.html )