Originally Posted by
idoru2005
If you want to ride fast, you need to ride with faster riders.
Nope. You need to ride harder. Psychologically that's easier when you're chasing some one but you have more opportunities to ride harder when by yourself. Some people also find it easier to push themselves on hills.
If you're an average or larger sized rider in a pace line where you're working to keep up you're going to get dropped on the first climb where you can't cheat by sitting on some one's wheel.
If you're in a group where you have to work hard but can keep up on the climbs, you're going to be soft pedaling in the pace line.
If you're smaller than your group you may not work hard except when pulling and you won't be doing much of that since your power to drag ratio is going to be a lot worse.
Riding solo you can go as hard as your fitness and discipline allow or as easy as your need for recovery dictates.
Group rides are fun but you'll get a better workout by yourself if you have the discipline to push hard and recover when appropriate.