I second tsl's recommendation of Hurst's book. I only disagreed with one thing in the book. If you want some hand's on help, you might check out a Road 1 course given by a licensed instructor. Check out the League of American Bicyclists website.

My current ride take me through all kinds of situations including heavy traffic narrow rough streets, 8 foot wide shoulders with smooth asphalt, steep up hills and long rolling down hills, with a couple of miles through a very tranquil park. Just this morning, I got pwnd by a Great Blue Heron as he flew over the river and I rode along on the bank. He's fast for such a big bird.