lack of women on a group ride w/ pro rider

[loopybunny]

I normally don't do group rides because I'm slow and I don't like people having to stop and wait for me. There are also different dynamics in a group ride that I don't quite understand. I'm never sure what the etiquette is and really don't want to commit a faux pas.

However, I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to ride with Chris Horner of Team RadioShack on Saturday. It was a relatively flat, short 10 mile ride. There were maybe about 20 of us in the group, but there was only one other woman.

There were quite a few women at the start/finish with bikes and in gear, but they didn't join in the ride with Chris. I'm wondering why this is. Do you think maybe they were intimidated that the pace was going to be too high to keep up?

Surprisingly, it wasn't. Chris even said he was there to have a fun, relaxing ride. Our average speed was 12.5 mph, which is slower than I normally ride.

Not to say I wasn't expecting to be dropped immediately, but I decided I'd rather try and get dropped than not give myself the opportunity at all. Would you turn down the opportunity like this because of the fear of being dropped?

[bmccasland]

If it was an open ride, I'd give it a shot. A 12.5 mph ride is a lazy ride, even I could do that on a bad day. Heck, I'd be right there no matter what the estimated speed was. Beats me why people didn't start rolling. Good for you for riding, pooey on those that didn't ride.

[ny biker]

Omg I love him!! I want to take him out for a burger. I would totally have shown up for that ride.

[ScaldedCat]

I would have joined the ride like a shot, 12.5 mph is pootling down to the shops or shared use path speed. I'm really envious.

[loopybunny]

He did say he was going to take it easy. He was interviewed the morning before on a local station and I jokingly submitted the questions, "Will you rise slowly enough that I can keep up?" He said he, "I can." But his definition of slow is different than mine.

I was a little worried that there wouldn't be many other women, but I felt comforted when I saw quite a few. That is, until we got out on the road and I realized that they didn't come on the ride.

I just can't understand the thought process behind not coming. They were registered for the ride anyhow. Why not give it a go?

[arielmoon]

OMG go for it!

I am usually the only girl on group rides and right now I am the only one on the A ride. The guys look out for me and I never have to change a flat.

[pll]

How fun! I don't understand why anyone would show up and then not ride.