road rides
Waterlilli,
If you can ride on low-traffic roads, so much the better. But even then, always be listening for traffic. I highly recommend a rear-view mirror of some sort. I have one that clips onto my sunglasses. Don't remember the brand name, but it is a square mirror, not one of the round ones. Tried those, hated them. This one is great. It is secure on the glasses, I can see the entire road behind me with barely a head twitch to the side. I feel much safer knowing what's coming up behind me.
I second the idea of finding a group to ride with that knows roads in the area that are good to bike on. Once you get comfortable, you can start to branch out on new roads. Have fun!
Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived." Captain Jean Luc Picard