Welcome aboard!
And yes, your LBS can be your best friend - and definitely bounce questions off them. Before too long however, you must watch for that dreaded disease of bikeitis - terrible affliction - kinda has the same symptoms as when you were a kid and had the Sears Wish Book in front of you or the Sunday paper Toy Store flyers .... mMmmMMM bikes. I have a bunch around me, each may specialize in carrying a certain brand(s) of bicycles, clothing, etc. They must all be visited
Oh, and never, ever, visit one on payday.