I wouldn't think of flying for the first time without an instructor
But I also wouldn't expect just to go to the field without being prepaired.
I read the books, mags, look on sites like this one for info and go over my plane trying to learn all I can
I spend time at the LHS and discuss things with other flyers I know
In the mean time the sim does offer a chance to get familiar with the radio and how a plane will be effected by various conditions.
I don't expect to know everything when before I do solo but I will understand a lot more faster.