+1 on checking out the Clyde/Athena forum. There are lots of riders there that are starting out riding for fun and fitness, and are a very supportive group. Start out easy. Don't try to ride too far at first. It is better to get some than to have to walk back because you exceeded your abilities to ride.
Since you are a novice do check out where you will ride ahead of time. You may think a park with a nice MUP (multi-use-path) may make a nice place to go for a ride, but you it might turn out that on the weekends they are so full of pedestrians, roller bladers, and cyclists that it may be challanging just to deal with the traffic.
Happy riding,
André