Hey Wannabe... keep at it and you'll do fine. As a couple of the grrls mentioned, learn about the bike and learn how to fix some of the things that can happen out on a ride (flat, thrown chain, etc).

There's a store called REI that gives bike maintenance classes... I think they are either free or very inexpensive. They start with Beginner maintenance and go on through upper levels. I took the liberty of searching their site for stores in your state... hopefully you are near to one of these:

Niles
8225 W Golf Rd
(Four Flaggs Shopping Center)
Niles, IL 60714
(847) 470-9090

Oakbrook Terrace
17W160 22nd St
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
(630) 574-7700

saddle up grrlfriend! you're gonna do fine

spazzdog