First of all... you are training for the Lifecycle, so I totally agree that YOU ROCK!

No worries about gear, and fashion, and terminology... it does not really matter much unless you plan to go pro
You ride and enjoy riding and that is just fine.
Believe me, there's plenty of people that ride $20 used bikes in plain street clothes and they leave the 'fashion police' in the dust every day
Ride and be proud and most of all be happy!