So sorry about that rant, Meg, but cattiness and mean gossip is so un Bike. Being in exactly the same place I can totally understand the enormity of coming back, It's scary to get back on the horse and ride. A good club is a good idea. Go around and check them all out in your area. I used to ride with the touring club before I got run over, but I've been talking to guys from the hard core road racing club in the gym (I'm back in the real gym!) and they're really supportive and have a beginner development program they think would be right for me. Other slow fat awkward people. I would never have thought to talk to that club, but they've got a big non racing membership and stress individual potential. And they go mountain biking. So check around, you want the group with some structure AND people who are nice to you. I'm still at the barely makes it eight miles stage, but these guys have a coach who can tell me how to use the gym over the winter to come back faster. The body remembers. Also, if you do some upper body strength work it'll do wonders. Spin class works the heart, but on the road you need the strength to manage a moving bike.
I have two and half years invested in reconstruction and PT, so the gym was a doctors order. He was right- I'm coming back really quickly. A few days ago I went out for a whole hour and rode well, good leg speed, good bike handling from all those crunches and bench press, hopped a hole, I'm so sore I can't move. But I'm so happy!

missliz