I agree! I started as being a group rider and couldn't fathom going for a ride all by my lonesome. A friend tracked down a great bike to start commuting with at a great price, helped me get it set up and working (he worked in a bike shop at the time) and I gave it a go. Quickly learned that being alone was fantastic (I was a bit put off of group riding for a bit after a fatality in one of the larger clubs and since then I still don't like to be in the middle of the pack). It also gave me more time to spend with the wife...instead of getting home and jetting out to a group ride and being gone all evening, I got in those miles while going to/from work.

At the time, I don't think I even know Bike to Work Week was a thing. And it is sure to get a few converts, but for many it is a novelty. "We don’t want it to be something people do once a year out of a sense of obligation, like paying your taxes or calling grandma on Mother’s Day." - sums up my feelings.

BikeSnobNYC is always fairly cynical....I read his blog daily.