Originally Posted by
PepeM
Fwiw I don't think group rides are competitive at all. I do the fast ones for a few reasons:
1. Training: I usually have to push hard on group rides. While I can also push hard on my own, groups force you to push in paces where maybe you would let go otherwise. They also help me improve my pack riding skills which I obviously cannot do on my own.
2. Speed: Riding in a group is considerably faster than riding alone and riding fast is fun.
3. Measuring my improvement: This one could be considered competitiveness, but I don't really see it that way. Group rides allow me to see where my fitness and skills are in relation to others. I don't care whether I can beat this or that person, but I do like to be able to tell whether my training is paying off or not.
Now, I know some people just ride for the sake of riding and enjoying the scenery and whatnot but me, I ride to become better at it-I think of it as a sport. Group rides fit right in for me.
+1 Much the way I see group rides. To add to it, riding in very close proximity to others improves your bike handling skills and awareness of your surroundings. You can tell when someone is brand new to group rides. This is something that takes time to develop, and some take much longer than others.
Some groups will make every attempt to regroup after hills or sprint zones and all finish together. Other rides will attack and push hard with others falling off the back. These are essentially training rides for those that race. These can be competitive, but it's all good as long as you know what your getting into.