That's a great story! I remember my first time biking to work too! OMG Was I in ever out of shape. It was a 5km ride. Going to work was easy since it was all downhill. But going home!? It took me 50 minutes! I could've walk home in about an hour! So imagine. Now, that ride takes me only 15 minutes. So you know it'll only get easier.

And yes, please try and ride on the road. It's so much better then on the sidewalk.