Nice job, OP. You've taken the first step on a long journey.
I remember the day that I was on the local hammerfest and the big horses ramped it up and I was struggling mightily to hold the wheel in front of me. I managed to hang on and when I got a chance to catch my breath I looked back and I was the last guy in the front group. I had no business being there, but there I was. That was an
epic day.
Oh, and by the way:
My world: My 3 year old twins, my lugged steel fixed Trek 660, and my Honda Odyssey.