At the end of a 154 mile event, I once wound up in a group with 3 racer boys. We set up a rolling paceline and rather quickly built up a group of about 50 followers. However, after 25 miles of that, we'd ridden them all off our wheels. We'd done the 25 miles in exactly 1 hour. I was 59 IIRC. Good times. Every time I hit the front it was like being hit with a fire hose. I just prayed I'd last until the next guy pulled over in front of me.

I don't really care about people taking my wheel. Not my problem, their problem.

I love doing group rides. The group dynamic adds a lot of interest to cycling. You can know a person really well and never speak to them. You see their heart. I look at it this way: You are standing on a vast plain. You see bright colors, dust in the distance. A group of running warriors/hunters comes into view. They pass you and disappear once again into the distance. That's a group ride, and is the way we simulate that experience today. I see a small dog ahead and give the command, "Lower lances!" Lunch!