Getting women to group rides

[lgibster]

I mostly ride by myself. I have switched to a Specialized Ruby Elite Compact Apex road bike from my Specialized Vita Elite. I am pondering more group rides but here are my concerns/wants for a group ride. I am a larger lady (5'7" and about 225) and don't climb hills well. I challenged myself last year to ride a local cancer charity ride of 32 miles. I made it and then rode the 25 mile leg of the Hotter 'n Hell in TX. I like longer rides and would like to challenge myself to ride a metric century this year. I would love to ride with a group but I am concerned I don't ride fast enough. I can average about 14 mph over 20-30 miles, but only on the flats and sometimes need more breaks than most people. I would prefer:

Longer rides for slower people. We can make the distance but can't hold an open road speed of 16-20 mph for 30 miles.
Group ride for people who want to train for a metric century as a challenge for themselves, but are not in great shape.
Rides that list the TYPE of terrain the group is riding. (Flat, gradual hills, steep hills, etc)
No drop rides that have multiple levels of riders. Some days I want the challenge of "keeping up" and other I just need to ride within my abilities.

The social aspect is key as well. Nice ladies that want to pull you along with them as you learn and improve vs. the see if you can keep up attitude.
I have experienced the "hey look at that fat chick on a bike" while riding our local trail system and I think most larger ladies are just afraid to put themselves out there. There is a big opportunity to bring every women into the world of cycling not just people who are already fit and I think a good group of women is the best way to say "if we can do it so can you".

PS. Last week I finally heard someone on the trail say "wow she was moving". HA

[Penny4]

Lgibster, I am very similar to you! I can keep up just fine on the flats (and I pass everyone on downhills ), but as soon as we hit an uphill I fall behind. I am not scared of hills and will do whatever is on the route, I just fall behind. I have improved dramatically, but still waaaay behind on most group rides. Thankfully, I've found some groups that are more laid back and will wait for me. I can do the longer distances too but a 16mph avg is not in the picture yet. I also seem to need more breaks that most, so I am trying to improve my overall conditioning.

I do enjoy riding with the faster groups b/c i know it is the only way I will improve, but agree there are days that I just want to have a comfortable ride.

Good job on the HTH ride! I would not enjoy that heat at all.