Originally Posted by mollusk

Getting dropped in a casual setting really doesn't matter and anyone that thinks that it does is totally delusional. I can give you a real life "for instance". About two years ago I was out on an off season training ride with a friend where we were out for a "moderate" effort ride of around 40 miles. In the process we happened to pass a rider WAY better than us who was probably out for a super easy recovery ride. I won't say who it is, but this rider just defended his Mt. Washington hill climb victory and is currently a Jelly-Belly pro. I would be a total idiot to think that in anyway we pwned this guy because we happened to pass him that day. He is so much better rider than I am that I can't even imagine the difference. It ain't a race unless everyone in it says that it is.