Thanks to everyone for your responses!!

Jocelyn - that's wy I'm tryign road racing, to get some different types of riding in to improve my bike splits on triathlons.

Salsa - The race is just east of Salem OR.

Shefly, Eden and aicabsolut - I really appreciate the pointers you've given. Lots of good stuff here. Some of it I knew and some of it totally new to me. The ebb and surge is why I'm doing this, I think it'll shock my system in a different way that'll help with my overall speed and power for triathlon. I've been practicing pacelines and riding in some bigger groups but I'm still nervous about the pack thing and I'm thankful for all your input.

As for doing great. Thanks for the vote of confidence ladies, but really the point of this race is some good training. I plan on sucking a lot of wheel and letting the people around me determine my pace. My goal is to stay in the group and hopefully finish with the group. Oh, and not crash!!