Thanks for all the advice, Jyl!! I appreciate the saddle padding explanation, and that's REALLY great info about getting used to riding in the standing position when appropriate. I've got a lot of work to do and I will definitely keep that in focus! I'm still at the point where getting on and off the bike is a struggle, lol!

Now that's pretty cool.

Jyl is right about not parking on the saddle for the entire ride. If your bike is set up properly, it should be fairly easy to lift your backside of the saddle slightly for bumps or to pedal in the standing (not standing upright, just butt off the saddle) position for at least a short while. Practice doing a few pedal strokes out of the saddle every few minutes until you get used to it. Eventually you will be able to ride out of the saddle for longer periods, but even if you do nothing more than stand and coast for a few seconds once in a while, it will reduce the soreness on your backside. Pedaling out of the saddle will also come in handy going up the hills you mentioned as well as giving you extra control in corners. Generally, you should shift up a gear when standing unless you are climbing a significant grade.

Congratulations on your journey. I had that experience when I first got in to road biking, that first bike had a full out racing saddle. I dumped the saddle, so I would recommend that as well as a beginners bike fit. Now I ride racing saddles, but it has taken time to get bike fit and fully rotated. As far as a prophylactic measure, I use a Tri cover from time to time on a minimal saddle, its very useful to have. An example would be spin class where too often you end up sitting on some horrific plastic hatchet, or riding wet, or a recovery ride after a long distance effort. I'm not talking about one of those gel monstrosities; less is clearly more in this instance. Just enough thickness to take the buzz off. Here's an example, and I am in no way associated with the seller: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BLACK-neopre...item5af47ab694

The transition period going from upright to rotated is not a lot of fun, many of the recommendations seem counter intuitive. Just hang in there, it gets better and you gain a good deal of insight about how to fit yourself on a fast bike properly. You'll be riding a fast 30 miles pain free in no time.

When starting or resuming after a long layoff, give yourself a couple of weeks of very short rides to get acclimmated. My first ride was measured in blocks, not miles; and it took me months to build up to a 20-mile ride.

I had a cushy saddle cover at first to improve my comfort on a stock men's saddle that wasn't a good match for my anatomy. The cushy cover felt great from mile 0, but on rides over 8 miles I had all sorts of discomfort and problems caused by too much pressure and built-up heat over soft tissue never intended to bear my Athena bodyweight.

I have had good luck with the Specialized Lithia saddle but as others have posted it is a personal decision.

Absolutely beautiful bike! I've notice you are riding with the stock saddle... few people are able to do that and I'm sure others have already recommended looking at other saddles... personally I can't say enough good things about the Terry Butterfly. Women specific, just enough cushing but not too much, wide enough to support your body but not too wide.

As everyone else say lots of ways to improve your riding... I am going through this now with a friend. Look for a good bike shorts with a decent (not too heavy) chamois - recommend Terry TShort or Shebeest, do not wear anything with the short (no panties). Also your positioning (as suggested) on the bike will help out but know ever for experienced riders, there is discomfort. Just got to know when to stand up and stretch out, give your privates a break.

Lastly, are you "mashing" or "spinning"? Sometimes mashing, you are putting alot of torque and pressure on the crotchell area (you will tend to rock more on the saddle)... if you spin your body tends to stay more steady, in place on the saddle. You want to spin anyway since that makes cycling aerobic and there fore aids weight loss and adds fitness.

And I always say you just have to build up "calluses"; toughen things up. I notice if off the bike for any period of time, it always hurts to start riding again. Just keep at it; it will get better!

Lastly since you have an REI in your area, take the beginner's mechanics class. Learn how to change flats, maintain your bike etc. It will be invaluable. Make sure that cycle instructor allows you to put the rear wheel on so you get the concept. BTW, I (its a girl thing) always turn the bike upside down to put the wheel back on. I can't put it on with the bike upright unless the bike is in stand.

VERY NICE BIKE!

My SO has a Dolche, and has put a couple thousand on it. She's as enamored with as on her first ride...

Is your saddle wide enough?
 

My first bike the second time around was a hybrid -- so my experience may not be relevant. But after the first 6.5 mile ride (practicing my commute), the stock saddle on my Specialized Vita Sport clearly had to go. It was wide: 155 mm -- but not wide enough for me. It was pushing between my sit bones, not supporting them, even though when I sit on a butt-measuring device, it looks like a 155 should fit me. I got a 175 mm saddle of the same model (Specialized Sonoma) which was immediately comfortable for 2 hour rides.

The bike was not comfortable for longer rides, which was partly due to the saddle, and partly due to the geometry. Now I ride a Brooks B-17 with a cut-out on a roadish bike. It never feels like an easy chair, but it feels no worse after 80 miles than it does after 1 mile (100 miles was another matter), and I have never had a problem getting back on the bike the next day.

I have rented another road bike with a more typical roadie saddle, and had very unhappy iscial tuberosities the next day, even though I rode no further on the rented bike than I was used to doing on my own bike.