I'm a leader for AMC, not this club. There's a lot of cross over between the groups, and I wouldn't have to "pass" any tests. My issue is that today's shorter ride was advertised at a relaxed pace. In this group, this means slower than the established "regular Wednesday Wheeler pace." The people who show up for anything advertised as relaxed tend to have squirelly bike skills and they scare me! I would have gone on the shorter ride, if it had been the regular pace. I am always in the front of that group, mostly because I climb better than a lot of them. Part of the group splitting stems from 2 things: one, a lot of the original people are too old to ride (like 80+ or dead!) and this group of people around my age have become more visible. They do nothing but ride, long crazy rides every day, but they don't want to give up doing this ride. They are very nice and encouraging, but... the other reason is the groups were getting so big, that we have had the police called on us in a few towns. Anyway, next week is just one ride, up the NH/Maine Seacoast, led by 2 women who ride at about my speed. I haven't been into driving far to rides, but, it's summer and I love this ride.
I really don't want to get involved with leading for another group, but I will mention this to someone who may be able to do something. I guess, if push comes to shove, I could lead a slightly slower paced version of a long ride. I also think i need to commit to getting out with the faster group in the winter, if the roads are OK, or at least start out with them in some of the early season rides.