Sounds exciting! Congrats on the road bike. I know it's a long way away, but I just wanted to add to make sure not to go out too hard on the day. It's easy to get carried up in the excitement and to want to ride with a group of cyclists, but if they're going beyond your ability, you're better off to slow down so you can complete the ride.

And trust me, there is no one who will boo you for going "too slow." I've gone so slow up some hills that I feared I'd even fall over.