ugh... I feel for both you ladies... you just ride your own pace and KNOW you are doing more than 1/2 of America!
as to the warm up... only a mile? really??? all my ride friends know that it takes me about 15 miles to really warm up. After 15 miles tho... watch out! I just suddenly feel like I can ride forever. Until then I wonder why, oh why, didn't I take up KNITTING as a hobby???