I would also suggest you join the Bike Journal. www.bikejournal.com.

There are some riders from Florida that you might get some good feedback from as well.

I also recommend clipless "float" pedals and carbon sole cycling shoes. I have arch supports in mine and have had few problems with my arthritic knees.

Yes the IT band is a difficult one to cure. I have a cycling friend (on the Bike Journal as RoboRider) who has terrible IT band problems. He says the only remedy is rest when it flairs up. He also takes Ibuprofren when he rides long distances. This guy is 61 years old and still doing long rides. In fact he is planning to do RAAM this year with 3 other riders. So with care, you to should be able to ride!