Thanks for the safety advice. I know that when it comes time to buy a bike, I will have to budget for leathers, boots, helmet, and gloves.
Right now, I live in a very small town. I can walk faster to my office than I can drive to it. And about three miles from our house is the Natchez Trace. It is a national park (if you can call a roadway a national park). The speed limit on it is 50 mph...and trust me, they hold people to it. So most of my initial riding, I plan on doing out there...and not in inclement weather.
I ride my road bike out there all the time, and feel really safe. I wouldn't use it as a daily driver - just something to get away from the house on the weekends when I have had enough family time.