Woohoo, MH!!
I have been on my first two rides with the local club in May. The first was a TT, so essentially I rode by myself, but the second was a road race and it was a bit intimidating - but once I got there, and started, it was fun and exciting and i am looking forward to the next.
The race last weekend was cancelled due to atrocious weather (heavy driving rain almost impossible to see in) so I am hoping for better weather this weekend. Its a flat course (my main weakness is hills).

Looking forward to reading more about your club rides... as for advice on hill rides, have a look at this current thread

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=6323

and if you want more, do a search for hills, because they are mentioned not infrequently in this forum