My first race will be an a 20 mile road race in fall. Last year there was about 90 riders, only 3 in my age and sex group (non usacycling deal, thats how they divy up the riders instead of catagories). Doing it with a friend, were planning on working together. I'm not worried about being a clyde as the course, while being 20 miles, is almost perfectly flat. The steepest grade is 1%, a total of 308 ft of accent over the 20 miles. The winner last year had an average pace of around 25 mph over that course. I think working a paceline with my friend should allow us to finish well.
Will post results and pictures when possible. My friends have promised to sit on the course (which entails getting out of their dorm room as the route goes through campus, and take pictures / ring cowbells.