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@cliveo
For starters yes.
A few years ago I was seriously overweight and unfit. I am now simply overweight and not as fit as I would like to be.
One thing that really helped me in those early days was to have a target. My very first was the London Cyclothon for Leukemia. A "mere" 26 miles around London. I thought it would kill me. I bought a cheap hybrid and went out, alone, to practice. I just rode around London, never too far from home but I used a cycling computer - just a cheap one. I could see how far I was going. I rode fairly slowly but covered more miles than I would have thought possible. I found, one day, that I had riden 40 miles. The 26 flat miles were easy when i came to do them. I then set my target as the London to Brighton. Gradually upping my training distances before the ride until I was doing more than the 52 miles necessary and also taking in some hills. I did London to Brighton. My first year was difficult, the next far easier. I then was challenged to ride to Paris. This is when I bought a proper bike and the rest led to London to Monte Carlo.
Long steady miles. You will go further than you think you can. Riding alone is not a bad thing as it allows you to go at your own pace and to cover your own distance. Look for distance first before hills. Use a computer. Wear lycra. Carry water. Enjoy.