hibiscus09,
I think anyone can start these. Usually if no has started a thread when I read ir in the AM, I'll start it.
I usuually ride early in the morning, and I don't have breakfast before I ride, so I would also think you're ok there.
my ride today:
13 miles - more fog, I tried to take to take easy, as I have a century on saturday that invlovles 8000 feet of climbing (Orange County Wheelmen's Ride Around The Bear). Noticed a lot more cars the usual.