You're still a puppy. I started riding in my late 20's. I started racing maybe a year after I started up riding and my only aerobic activity before that for many years was riding horses (doesn't get you ready for bike riding/racing). Raced mostly in my 30's off and on. Got back into it again in my early 40's - did a lot better - now I don't race anymore except for a few cyclocross events.

It really depends on what you want out of racing. What kind of racing do you want to do? Mountain/Road/cyclocross?? Do you want to race into shape or are you the kind of person who just can't stand being beat? I'm the kind of person who got beat for years before I ever got good enough to be competitive and that was okay. I was never really super competetitive but I have had my moments.

Road racing will be harder - cause you have to keep up with the pack and if you get dropped its very discouraging. Mountain biking you can race at your own speed and it is not as discouraging. There are all levels of racing and you should start out at the bottom to find out where you are. Cat 4 (mix it up with younger 20's girls); The masters women are usually just as fast at the 20 girls in 4's and sometimes 3's; and they have more experience. Some of hte master girls are 1's and 2's so beware you can hit a field that is really fast so don't be discouraged when you move up to masters. Masters are USUALLY Safer cause they usually have more experience (there are always exceptions to be careful)

Anyway, racing should not be all about winning! It should be about improving on your personal best at first. If you start winning, Yahoo, that's icing on the cake. Try a time trial if you are road racing. It is safe, you are by yourself and you can gauge your fitness against your peer group. Mountain biking, just enter in your age group, beginner and see where you stack up.

Any more specific questions?