Geez, I'm a wall flower too. But if those women will ride with you, they will ride with you! It won't be a gab fest.
now to answer your questions.

Quote Originally Posted by beancounterbeth View Post
Stats:
1. I've been riding a road bike for a little over a year.
great!
2. Just got back on my bike recently due to a non-cycling injury that kept me off for a while.
but you're riding!

3. I ride clipless but my DH says that it is a problem that I unclip with both feet and not just one at each intersection. (fell a few times so now I always completely unclip).
The other gals aren't going to give a hoot whether you unclip or not. Sometimes I unclip both feet. Why would that bother your husband?
4. I haven't figured out how to stand and pedal going up hills. DH says that might be a problem when tackling the 3 sisters.
some people NEVER stand up and pedal on hills. With some bikes, i have found it difficult myself. I might ride for days without standing up on hills, and I live in hilly country.
you don't need to stand up.

5. My rides usually consist of 20-30 miles at 13.5-14.5 MPH avg.
you sound like a pretty strong rider to me!


So what do you think? Should I just jump out there and try it.
yes!

I'm pretty nervous about feeling like I'm slowing the other's down or just in general looking like I don't know what I'm doing.

I'd tell them up front that you've never ridden with anyone and you have no idea if you'll be too slow or not.
You'll know from their reaction if they are going to want to ride with you or not. If it was me, I'd say, sure, we wont' drop you if you don't drop us!