Everything Dickie and Rob say.
But don't be worried about getting mugged by really quick riders, unless you're starting in the fast group! A handy tip if you're worried about that would be to wear an orange bib, that way people should be polite enough to give you plenty of space. But in the novice and inters groups it really shouldn't be an issue.
Start slow and build up, ignoring what might be going on behind. Enjoy it, get home and get on the dog'n'bone to book a few more! Then get yerself a monster and enter DesmoDue next year!
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