newcastlecycling

I just think that i'd lose heart starting in c and being thrown off the back in the first 10 metres

Don't give up so easy.

You can't do any worse than me.

After spending almost a year learning to ride track (granny-aged women can be slow and timid learners)

I got lapped every race for almost a whole track season.
The next season, I nearly got lapped for a lot of that season.

Now that the make-up of D grade has changed in the last couple of years,
I STILL  get lapped  more often than not.

And I hate getting lapped.  I keep on hoping that sometime I'll score a place. 
winning IS much more fun than coming last.

AND there are a couple of "administrators" who I am aware of who would be happier if I didn't show up.
You are younger than me and you would be faster than me.  They would be more than happy for you to compete.

Just give it a go, one step at a time. (to avoid any more relapses). Don't try too hard the first few times, and before you know it,
you'll be successful in C grade.