Welcome! There is not any shame in taking time off.

Where do you go?

Now that this weather is in on us head over to MEC this weekend and get a Planet Bike Superflash Turbo LED Rear Light - Mountain Equipment Co-op. Free Shipping Available and a MEC Cosmic One Watt LED Light - Mountain Equipment Co-op. Free Shipping Available

These are the best bang for your buck I have found over the years (I have used them and their older sister for 8 years or so). They are easy to use and easy to take off with you (must do or they will be gone when get off work). I usually use two now a days, one flashing and one solid. I also use two rear lights (sometimes three); at least one flashing usually two.

Fenders are a nice addition as are MEC Drencher Shoe Covers (Unisex) - Mountain Equipment Co-op. Free Shipping Available

With them and comfortable rain gear you can go all year if there is no ice.

On the hills as long as you keep pedaling and are in the right front gear (chain ring) it will be easy enough to keep going. Find he right cadence (rpm of pedals) that works for you on the hills; it should be effective for forward progress but not get your legs burnt out from spinning or mashing (too fast pedaling with little progress or too hard pedaling with gains but too much effort).