How do I train for my first cycling event?

[Zen]

I would recommend, however, Gale Bernhardt's "The Female Cyclist: Gearing up a Level"...

I have that book.
Maybe I should read it sometime.

[RoadRaven]

I have that book.
Maybe I should read it sometime.

Yes, Zen... you should

[Andrea]

It sounds like you're physically up to the challenge!
I would recommend calling up your local bike shops & see if any of them have some beginner level group rides that you could try out. Riding with a group is great because you can motivate each other, help each other out, AND, as a bonus, you can actually travel a little further and faster than a single rider.

A few group ride hints...
#1 be predictable
#2 call out road hazards, turns, changes of speed, etc. (kinda goes with #1)
#3 don't overlap your front wheel with someone's back wheel (sometimes called "halfwheeling"). If they swerve to miss a pothole or other road hazard, your wheels could hit & cause a wreck. The same goes for someone riding near you- if they are overlapping you or generally riding in a way that makes you uncomfortable, tell them to stop. It's better to be a little "rude" (even though they may be the rude ones) than to let someone cause a wreck involving you.