I think I started this whole argument when I questioned the need to be competitive - so I'm sorry. I like going as fast as a I can (which isn't very). I like riding with people who push me to go faster. But not always. I like hanging back sometimes too and getting know another rider better. In some groups there are usually a few riders who need to "prove" their the fastest. To me that is boorish behavior but I really don't care. If the group has a lot of hyper competitive bikers, then count me out. So to conclude, while I enjoy pushing myself and being competitive at times, I refuse to feel OBLIGED to be competitive with others. My comment to the OP was that I sensed he was feeling an obligation to "keep up" (compete) with the rest and that he didn't need to feel that way.