Rapid Cycler:

Does your LBC offer a "new riders clinic?" If so, this is a great place to learn the ins and outs of riding in a group and to build your confidence. If they do not, why not ask the powers to be to add this to their schedule?

As far as "ride captain" duties I can only tell you what my local club expects. Ride captains are expected to provide a detailed cue sheet. The cue sheet should include directions (left, right, straight, etc), street names, distance, and comments (cautions, special notes, etc). We are not required to mark the route but are encouraged to "paint the roads" to reduce the chances of someone getting off route.

On club rides people typically call out and point to holes, bumps, gravel and road kill. We also call out turns and speed ("braking" and "slowing").

Do you know any experienced riders you could ride with? Maybe they could show you the ins and out of group riding. Maybe they have a small group that would welcome you in to their fold.

I'm sorry your LBC does not make new riders welcome. I wonder if this is a common thing in clubs across the country for even my local club makes new riders feel very unwelcome and isolated. Had it not been for my ex-BF sticking me the first year I rode with the club I most likely would have walked away with a bad taste in my mouth.