Welcome and congratulations on the new bike and ride! I live in NC also and wanted to give you some websites that list trail riding groups and events. I'm not sure what part of NC you're located in but the Raleigh, Triangle area has www.grid.com and www.tmtb.com The first is an all women's mountain bike groups. Both will host skills clinics and I believe both have roadie pages also. So many riders do both. There is a women's club in the Charlotte area too. Here's their info... http://www.dirtdivas.net/ I hope you continue to enjoy your ride!!