OK good news.
I made my debut with the local cycling club last night. They hold a weekly TT on a 9.8 miles course, fairly flat with bits of rolling hills. I posted approx. 26:05, which was def. better than the 30 min. I was hoping to squeak by under. And that...on a lunch of pizza and Ben & Jerry's. Last time I try THAT! These guys are pretty nutso. Almost everyone has full aero gear...I guess tonight I'll transfer my clipless pedals from my mtn bike to my road bike and get a little more serious.
The club prez seems to feel that with that time I might be able to hang with the "C" group on the informal Tuesday night races they hold. They alternate hilly and flat courses, so I could start out on a flat course and just see how it goes. If I get dropped, I get dropped...
I think it sounds like a pretty good way to get experience.
Also, the club's more mellow contingent gets together on Sunday mornings for tours, and I'll be joining them this weekend.
Yay!