Hi Caramelkitty! I have been riding my bike to the gym, around 14 km total, instead of driving for a couple of months now. I absolutely love the trip to the gym but I'm lucky because I have a bike lane. I don't trust drivers and I usually go by the sidewalks too. Before that, I was driving to the gym to do my spin class there but I so much prefer go cycling and have time to do my yoga at the gym, hehe.
I'm pear shaped too. I think I notice the bike effects more in my butt than in my thights. But I have to say that the bigger changes are coming from strengh training. I mean cardio is very good for your health and I love my trips on my bike but to see real changes I had to go the strenght training route.
Anyway hope you get your confidence with your bike and have fun. I also think being outdoors is so nice for you just to clear your head, get some sunshine and if you have the opportunity to go with your boyfriend what's better than a healthy date with your bike, stopping for a picnic somewhere, getting to know new places. And I have to say whenever I see people riding bikes leisurely they all have such a beautiful smile on their faces, I love that.