Dave, welcome to the forum! It gets easier and it's a ton of fun, esp because you're upstate. I'm in the Charleston area and we have NO hills so the rides are flat at best. If you make it down to this area there is a local group of Mtn bike enthusiast called the Low Country Fat Tire Freaks who recently opened a trail in Goose Creek that's a real blast. There's a group up there called Clydesdale Cycling Club in the Greenville area (
http://clydesdalecyclingclub.com/), those guys will defiantly help you as you come along. Congratulations bud! If you ever make it down to the Charleston area shoot me a PM and we'll ride.