Quote Originally Posted by lauraelmore1033 View Post
I had been feeling pretty confident about my riding skills and physical condition until then, but that e-mail destroyed my confidence....
I felt like I was just such an idiot who had no business on a bike by then and the rest of the climb proceded at an agonizingly slow crawl. We did finally make it home after about a hundred years, averaging only 11 mph on a ride that was very hard, frustrating and demoralizing.

I guess it is better to experience these things now rather than on the tour so we can access our (my) weaknesses and work on them
Lots of people would "rise to the challenge" of this and train HARD for that tour next month and they'd say "go for it!". But I think a little differently. If i were in your place I would try to cancel the tour based on what the email said about average speed.
I like a good workout and a challenge, and I like pushing myself to my next level...but when it becomes something that is demoralizing to me and just makes me feel BAD I might decide it is just not a positive situation for me to put myself in. Biking is supposed to be fun? There will always be plenty of rides and tours to go on in the future. Do you think your husband would support you in this decision if you explain to him how you feel about it? Many men would become annoyed and urge you should at least try, feeling they were encouraging you by doing that. Other men might be more sympathetic, adaptable, and supportive.
Myself, I consider a 9-13mph pace a "stop and smell the roses" speed. In fact that's my usual average range with hills, ...and I don't even stop to smell anything!
You should decide what is right for YOU and then go with it, whether that means giving it your best shot and working towrards it, or cancelling it.