I can sympathize friends, but must say from my own experience, pre-weight workouts, hard to ride my new bike. Four months of weight training (and muscle building) and I was SHOCKED to see the difference on the same terrain. However, still lag behind friends who have been riding for years and are generally more athletic.

It may be in the physology - different muscles strenghts between the sexes. Don't let it get you down though - measure progress against yourself only and it will help keep you encouraged.

and keep riding!!