Another book : The Female Cyclist by Gale Bernhardt. Place a hold for it at your local library.

She draws from the previously mentioned Joe Friel's The Cyclist's Training Bible.

It has some chapters with pictures and instructions on a begininng set of 9 weight training exercises, complete with a workout schedule - how many reps, at what speed, at what machine, in what order, etc and how many weeks of each type of workout. She starts with a simple "adapting your body" to move on to workouts for speed, endurance, hills.

Your gym should have a person that can show you how to use the weight machines listed, without having to pay a personal trainer (pricey). When you have conquered the beginning part and are ready to branch out to more challenges, you could work with a PT on free weights. You might find a friend to split the cost/time with, if the pt is ok with it.

I consider one of the most compelling reasons to weight train to be that is increases the stability of your joints.

Lets all be arnoldettes. 9ouch that chick just kicked sand in my face.)