The first mile sucks.

[EvilTwin]

When I got my bike in March, BF would take me out for training rides. He was/is incredibly patient with me. He would ride his heavier touring bike, while I was on my lovely new Giant OCR 1.... I have learned how to draft from him, how to increase my speed and spin, how to climb, get into my zone for hills, and all of that. With that said, what I remember most from those first initial rides was that as I was behind him riding my heart out and wanting to die, he looked like the wicked witch of the east (west?) from the Wizard of Oz when she was the cranky neighbor on the bike. You know, with the music going doit doit doit doit do do doit do doit do do or something like that... anyway, the visual has stayed with me whenever we go out.
Barb

[RoadRaven]

Just reiterating what the other gals have said...

Get slicks or semi-slicks when you ride on the road... start in a low gear...

Take it easy for the first little while... before a race I make sure I have about 30 mins to warm up and ride slowly (between 22 - 27kph) just to get the legs remembering that I am on a bike and thinking about what I am going to ask of them.

On a training ride or recovery ride, I expect my legs to feel muddy for 20-30 minutes and then all of a sudden every thing feels much easier.

And sitting in behind someone once you have warmed up is a great way to train, particulalrly if they go just a fraction faster than you usually do...