Alot of rusty and/or inexperienced people out there riding now. Most are trying to get fit enough to do something circled in their calendar like the MS150. They know virtually nothing and often get in over their heads when they need to make a decision.
Stay away from groups unless you know who the riders are around you. A good barometer was once what kind of bike someone had in regards to what kind of rider they were. Out the window now. Alot of fresh off the turnip truck riders have $5-7,000 bikes.