I have found that I ride faster when I am riding with others. My husband is a much stronger rider than I am, so he rides his mountain bike when he rides with me (I have a hybrid). While I may only average 12 mph riding alone, I typically do closer to 14 with him and I don't seem to feel like I work harder to do it. I think it is just easier to watch the clouds go by and cruise along while alone. I haven't had a chance to do an organized ride yet, but I suspect it will be the same. I am supposed to do one in early May. My husband is going to pull the kids in the bike trailer on the mountain bike and I'm just going to ride. I'm just recovering from back surgery, so I have no idea how fast or slow I will be moving by that point, but I intend to try the 25 mile route. I figure as long as the sun is still up when I finish, I'll be just fine !

Best of luck from one hill slug to another !

P.S. Don't skimp on the shorts! Good shorts may make you so much more comfortable that may be able to speed up by that alone!!!