Bought my first road bike last year. This year was my first year riding regularly and with intent. It also has taught me some things that other newbies might find interesting to consider. Who knows, maybe even others will benefit?

>"Better" as defined in road cycling is mostly a matter of small weight differences and much larger prices. Little or no performance difference in the hands of all but the most competitive racers. Even then it is questionable whether it is the rider or the bike that made the difference.
>Most of what is published about bicycles is snake oil designed to lubricate the exchange of money from me to them.
>Cycling has its' share of snotty snobs. Best handled by giving them a tissue and suggesting they blow their nose.
>Cycling has more than its' share of really nice people who are fun to be around and to learn from.
>Don't sweat the small stuff; whether that be crank length, seat height, gearing, or, especially, bike weight.
>There really is such a thing as riding too much.
>Bike jerseys and spandex bike pants are actually useful even if they look and feel weird.
>If an age peer asks about your cycling beware an adverse reaction when you tell him you rode 40 miles that day. Especially if he is round and puffing after a trip to the buffet. Tell him anyway. You may temporarily lose a friend but save a life.
>Learn to find places to urinate (pee to the rest of us). It is amazing how hard it is in some places to find a place without risking law enforcement action.
>Riding on the road with cars is safer than riding on MUPs.
>No matter how good it looks don't get sucked into mountain bike trail riding unless you like having body parts in casts (the plural is deliberate).

Most of all for a person who started this cycling thing when over 70 it has been a very mind altering experience and to be recommended to all.