Hi Kumari!

Welcome to the wonderful world of cycling! I suggest you check out the Tarwheels bike club as it is based in the Chapel Hill & Durham area of NC, right where you are (and me too!) They have new member/beginner rides nearly every weekend, and you don't have to be a club member (though I highly recommend joining eventually) to ride. There is one this Saturday, in fact!

To check them out, go to www.tarwheels.org. You can click on "Club Rides" to see all the scheduled rides. They are lots of fun and you'll meet nice people (though the demographics tends to steer towards folks older than yourself - 30s to 50s mostly - but anyone who likes to cycle is welcome).

Good luck - someday you'll be joining us on the B/C pace rides and I'll get to meet you in person. I ride with the Tarwheels nearly every weekend!

By the way, what type of bike did you buy?

Emily in Efland, NC