I've found out that my university does in fact have a cycling club. They try to do organized road rides every week until mid-November, when impending finals and the weather make it nearly impossible to get out, and they have the email list, so if you want to, you can find a riding buddy. I'd like to be able to get out of the immediate campus area (I've been doing loops) and find some longer riding routes.

I am, of course, apprehensive. Most of them like doing 30+ mi rides, at 14-16 mph. Fine, I can work up to that. I prefer to ride alone, but sometimes having company is nice, especially if they know the roads better than I do. My main concern is that it's mostly (if not all) guys. I don't like riding with DBF, because he insists on trying to coach me. It's well-intentioned, I know, but it annoys me, and I'm a little worried about the club guys trying to be "helpful." I'm also concerned about being dropped, especially in trying to climb back out of the valley. Finally, there's the testosterone-fest atmosphere that I really have no patience for.

So, should I tell them that I'm going on the next road ride, or just avoid the group?