stpbound - you picked an awesome ride for your first one! I haven't done it but have heard good things about it.

Yes re the fit and the bike and the clothes. All those things are important. The fit is most important and the bike? Well...I did about two years worth of centuries on a hardtail mountain bike when I first started riding I also rode in performance shorts due to budget and, well, I won't be doing that again.

I went to an excellent bike fit person in the Seattle area (recommended by another TE member) so PM me if you are interested.

Welcome!