Whenever I inquire I get responses that I honestly believe are written to discourage me from attempting to participate in any number of numerous group rides available in my area (I live in Austin, Texas). I've only been actively cycling a little over two months but in that time have gone from my first 30 minute ride covering about six miles to in less than a week, consistently riding on the trainer five nights a week for between an hour to two hours. I've also been doing 20 to 30 mile road rides almost every weekend. I even completed my first 50 mile ride (my time wasn't terrific but I finished in just under four hours and well within the allocated time).

I believe I have long since left the beginner category and possibly even the intermediate. From the ride descriptions I feel confident saying that since they talk about six to 15 mile rides that take from one to three hours. However, when I read the information or inquire about the more advanced rides going between 25 and as many as 60 miles, I feel I am not there yet or get told outright, we prefer you not join our ride as you will never keep up.

I never want to find I'm the rider who is consistently holding up the entire group because it's a not drop ride and I also do not want to finish so far behind, I'm riding alone most of the way. But I really want to join some kind of riding group or find some group rides that are good fits.

How does not determine where they really are in terms of beginner, intermediate, advanced? I read information about some rides saying the riders do 18+ mph the entire ride (which I know I cannot) but then again I live in central Texas and there is not a road in 200 miles that lacks significant hills and lots of them. Do those riders really maintain 18+ mph speed the entire way?

Should I really just suck it up and accept that a six to 15 mile group ride is where I need to be or should I jump in and work hard to keep up knowing that will help improve my endurance and speed and if I hold up other riders, so be it?

Advise?