In my experience , confidence is the biggest issue -followed by route finding.
I ride quite a bit with my wife and her mates and they are nervous before EVERY ride . We then proceed to do 50 or more miles often round the North Downs and including the climb of Coombe Bottom which is pretty tough but they are terrified each time.
Then at the end of it they all say what a great time they had.
A week later -it is the same all over again. These are middle aged women who have only started riding a bike in the last 5 years . They do ride for 4-7 days each year , unsupported carrying all of their stuff, through France doing 100- 120kms a day.
My point is they can all ride a bike, usually not with a fast average speed, it is just they lack confidence .
I am determined to get them to do a 100kms audax this year . But it will not be the Tour of the Surrey Hills ( for those who don't know is 2100m of ascent in 100kms)! I am confident that they would be made to feel very welcome.
Would a women's only audax be allowed under the rules?? They all did Davina MCall's women only sportive a couple of years ago and loved the atmosphere of that.
PS
Phil do not let Nicola mention she can run a marathon in 3.20 in the article in Arrivee!! She is clearly an athlete of no little ability and that will not help persuade less fit riders ( of either sex )!