Cheers for all the support guys.
I went along to a local bike shop after spending a lot of time on their website, unfortunately, I didn't check the address properly, even though it was in the name of their shop (Picton cycles in Liverpool... on Picton Road) and walked for 25 minutes to the shop I THOUGHT it was, only to discover it wasn't, and that that shop has closed down. 25 minutes to walk to a disused building. haha.
For the chap who asked, I'm in Liverpool mate. And I would love to partake in some rides with groups of cyclists, but it wouldn't be for a while. Not only is it an ability issue, but a confidence one too. Once I am comfortable with riding and feel a bit better about myself, I think joining some guys for a ride would be something I would greatly enjoy. I can't see it in my immediate future though!
I'm going to view a new place to live on Saturday morning with the Mrs. Its really close to the bike shop I mentioned (the actual one... not the abandoned building...) I'm also waiting on some new funds to come in which will be used to purchase my bike. But I'm going to need a lot of advice from these shop guys before I walk out with something usable. I'd love to say that I'm not utterly intimidated by this project. But I'm also really exited about making a transition form an old life to a new one. I have every intention of chronicling my progress by both weight and mileage so that in 2, maybe 3 years time I can see how I have learned to crawl, walk and then run. I REALLY do believe I'll be 'crawling' at first too. Not only am I large, I am extremely unfit. Walking up gentle slops absolutely kills me, so its going to be a challenge, but thats cool man, I'm looking forward to it.