Originally Posted by
bigfred
You admitted to being the contrarian.
This is where we will disagree.
It has been my experience that as long as those "slower" groups are comprised of less experienced or serious riders they remain less predictable and more challenging to read and react to. Put 8 less experienced riders together and someone will freak out when a truck passes way too close or a dog runs out into the street, giving chase. PUt a few experienced riders together at whatever speed and you could have a Peacock attempt to take flight through someone's front wheel without a single rider going down, as happened last Saturday.
You say we disagree, and then you change directions.
Slower-paced rides do not necessarily mean less experienced. I know of a few local group rides that are made up of primarily older riders who simply maintain a slower average speed than the one the OP briefly joined. Conversely, one of the diciest group rides around is made up of experienced racers - lots of experience and lots of heightened risks, requiring quick reflexes.