I am basically a long distance runner but the last 2years have gotten into road biking more. I still run but now like to go on longer rides. The trouble is I always ride alone except a couple of times a friend and I road together. I would love to go ride in a group but this idea of etiquette has me a little worried.

Normally we runners just run and anyone who happens along can run with group no real questions it is great to have company. Now with biking it involves being careful and safe, where can I find out about these things? I also see various post about packs and keeping up, getting dropped, ect.... With running at least for the 30 years I have done this in all kinds of groups you just stay with those of similar ability and if you go with someone faster then you have to make some allowances. I run with fellows that were much quicker than myself but for some training runs they don't mind going slower. My own motto was you can always run with me and our group we can always slow down but we may not be able to speed up.

Riding with someone else when I went out was fun and this person was not in as good shape and I simply went a little slower on the bike. It was still a good pace we ave about 16mph and I usuallly go between 17-21 so no issue. I also spent most of the time breaking the wind to help.

Now what would I do in a group and is it ok so simply join a group if I see them on the roads and at nearly the same pace? The local bike shop has a group that goes out and the list the pace and I would like to go with them but I don't want to go anything weird. Since I ride alone I usually always love to go as fast as I can down any hill. I just like to do this and on open roads with no traffic it is safer. Do they do this in pace lines? I can guess I am a decent rec rider I have plenty of stamina and wind but I don't sprint as such. I also never stand to pedal unless I need to get off my butt for a little relief. On a hill up I just keep going to lower gears and sit.

I usually like to ride 25-60 miles depending on the time but do groups agree to go a certain distance? I guess you can just keep going if they go less than you need or drop out. I suppose the marathoner in my has distance as my thing and it carries to the bike. Long post sorry but I really enjoy the bike and would like to ride in group just to have some other riders around. It would help when I go longer just as in running.