Don't start at the back! You'll likely be staged behind the riders doing a longer distance anyway. If you start at the back you'll have the demoralizing feeling of seeing everyone pull away from you.

If you start in the front of the 25 milers, then you will be with a group longer. You might get swept along quite a ways and it will be much more fun. You will be passed a lot--don't let it bother you. You'll probably find out you're not as slow as you thought you were!

Have fun and good luck!

Karen