At the risk of sounding misogynist, it may be a Venus vs. Mars communications matter.
Women seldom say what they really mean. They'll approach a subject obliquely in order to minimize the risk of hurt feelings.
In bruce19's case, she may be saying she can't keep up with the club, when what she really means is that she can't keep up with you when your adrenaline pumps and you head off with the break on the club rides.
Pure speculation, but I'm citing that as an example of the way it works.
Back to the climbing thing, she may be saying she can't climb, when what she means is she doesn't like to climb. Not everyone enjoys the challenge of the climb. I know guys who will ride ten miles out of their way to avoid a 200 foot climb. They just plain don't like it. But guys will say so directly.