Hi Miranda - the others here will probably have some useful tips for you. I just joined a club recently after many years of riding alone, and was pretty nervous about doing something wrong Turned out it was no problem at all. I started with an easy Sunday ride, and made it quite clear to the ride leader that I was new at group riding and to please TELL ME if I was doing something wrong, not just mumble behind my back... In fact the ride leader briefed us all on what to do in advance, and yelled LOUDLY if something needed changing, like if we were going too fast or somebody had flatted.
Whenever I rode next to somebody I asked how long they'd been in the club (surprisingly many were newbies like me) and the ones with experience I then asked about why are we doing this, what's the procedure for that etc.
Basically I just talked to people, rode in a straight line, made no sudden moves, paid attention both forward and behind me, kept my nose clean and all was well And if somebody flatted or had trouble I stopped to help, good karma and all that.
Winter riding is much less about badassery and much more about bundle-uppery. - malkin
1995 Kona Cinder Cone commuterFrankenbike/Selle Italia SLR Lady Gel Flow
2008 white Nakamura Summit Custom mtb/Terry Falcon X
2000 Schwinn Fastback Comp road bike/Specialized Jett