Great post, Denise! I know that this would have certainly helped me out when I was just starting to ride. I had no clue what to do and was very intimidated by all those bike parts. The best way to learn about the bike is to take care of it.

The only $0.02 I would add is that it's worth the investment to get a workstand. It makes doing all that maintenance easier. Get one that has adjustable height so it can be tweaked to accommodate whatever you are working on. At least once a week I'll put the bike in the stand, remove both wheels, clean the frame and wipe down the parts, clean the rims and cassette, put wheels back on and clean/lube drivetrain. I will do this more often if the conditions have been rather dusty. I also always check for worn brake pads, loose screws, etc. Don't want any surprises!