Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 1
From: Orange Park, FL
Bikes: Ever changing..as of 2-24-09: 2003 Giant TCR Team Once, Sampson titanium, 1992 Paramount Series 3, 2003 Cervelo P3, 70s Raleigh Record fixed gear, 70s Fuji SL-12 commuter, mid 90s Klein MTB. Plus two or three frames lurking, plus 5 wife/kids rides
Keep at it; you'll improve and I hope you'll find that the group rides are enjoyable, as most of us do.
My observation (with no proof to back it up!) is that women are more bothered by -- or at least more willing to express their feelings about -- getting dropped. My wife is training toward riding the MS150 on her single bike this year (we rode it last year on the tandem) and she gets very upset when she can't keep up, even if I'm along and we know the route.
Just know that you're not alone and you will get faster.