Hi, Shnebs! This is Powerhouse welcoming you from Portland, ME! The goals you mentioned sound admirable. Keep at it and you will soon realize them. I have to admit that I have my own as I've just taken my bicycle out of winter storage and started riding again. First, I hope to be doing rides of at least 20 miles or more, spend some time training on Mount Desert Island, and doing the Trek Across Maine.
Now that you're here, you might like to put yourself on the map. While the records show there are over 50,000 members, a link has been started of a world map showing all the members who are interested in posting themselves on it. The link is as follows.
www.frappr.com/bikeforums
Hope to see you around the boards. Good luck and good riding.
Powerhouse