I've never done any organized group rides. All our rides from the LBS are very disorganized and loosely based on 20+ years of friendships and shared experienced. The clubs around here that I know about advertise their ride speeds in terms of what an individual can maintain by themselves.

In all the posts above here - When an average or "on the flats" speed ... or whatever is posted - Is that the speed of the group as it rides together or the speed an individual rider should be able to maintain on their own with no group or paceline?

For example - I can easily maintain 17 - 19 mph on level ground by myself for long periods and can do 20 - 21 mph by myself for several minutes (leading a pace line?) so would I be looking for a group with a 17-19 cruising speed or somewhat higher since I would not be pulling that higher speed for extended periods.

Just curious about how these things work.