I found the book, Every Woman's Guide to Cycling: Everything you need to Know, From Buying Your First Bike to Winning Your First Race by Selene Yeager to be a helpful book.
Awesome book. I highly recommend it to beginners and even non-beginners. Lots of good basic info on all aspects of cycling.
GO RIDE YOUR BIKE!!!
2009 Cannondale Super Six High Modulus / SRAM Red / Selle San Marco Mantra