Desperately seeking races/rides for August in GA

Definately consider that Roswell ride, it's a good ride with good people.

Mama's Board 'n Bike in Buford does a couple rides a week, I try to catch the Monday night ride a couple times per month.  Monday night ride is a no drop recovery ride.  Also Caffein Cafe in Buford, formerly Jittery Joes, does a couple group rides per week.  I have not done any yet b/c it has not worked into my schedule but I'm told they are good rides.

I really enjoy the Wednesday Reality Bikes ride, haven't been in a couple weeks but was planning on hitting that ride next week.  If you're going to be there let me know.

Life Time Fitness offers outdoor rides at all of its locations.   You can ride as a guest of a member once but otherwise participation in the group rides is limited to Cycle Club members only.

Sugarloaf:
- Tuesdays at noon (this is a shorter ride for the lunchtime crew)
- Tuesdays at 6:30, 18 mile very beginner friendly ride

Alpharetta:
- Tuesdays, 6:30... 28 miles

Mountain Brook (Woodstock)
- Wednesdays, 6:15... 28 miles (this will change to Tuesdays eventually)

I'm not sure about Johns Creek at the moment... still waiting on final details for that route but I believe it will be a Saturday morning ride starting in the very near future.

Additionally, there are Sunday rides with varying start points (Silver Comet, Cartersville) and distances (today there was a 55 mile route from the Alpharetta location).

Ride lots .  Yes, there are drills that can help with cadence and strength but it seems to me that if you're not feeling confident about your biking you should really focus on getting plenty of time in the saddle. The experience on the bike is what will help you build up your foundation and allow you to continue to improve your bike handling skills, speed, strength and endurance.

So the money I just dropped on tri bars isn't going to help? 

Thanks for all the advice.   Have a VERY bike focused training planning this time.  Goal:  maintain at least 16 mph on average.   Hope to see you all at one of these rides!

 BTW, also found out that the Y in Cumming does a ride on Thursday nights.

I'm not sure where you're located but Addictive Cycles in Braselton also does a women's ride on Tuesday nights. I'd really like to make it over there but haven't yet. I would echo Mila in that time in the saddle will help loads. And group rides with people that are a little faster always helps too. They provide the motivation to push yourself more than you might be able to by yourself. (well, maybe that's just me )

Someone on here has in their signature "The only way to get better at climbing hills is to climb hills." I remember this almost everytime I'm out and thinking about how climbing sometimes sucks. The more I do it, the easier it is next time.

It's not the hills that bother me (I kinda of like the hills-sick,I know).  I get freaked out by traffic.  I have route mapped out near me (about 18 miles) but have never done it because I'm chicken to go out on my own.  I keep thinking about my three y.o. and what he would do without me!  I guess I just need to spend some time on my own on the road.

BTW, I rode in my 'hood the other day and almost got flatten by a clueless teenager backing out of a driveway.  I think that the open road may be safer!