I retired from the local MS 150 ride after it ballooned to more than 7,000 people. Just got WAY too crazy. There were plenty of crashes every year and lots of "near misses." When an ambulance would come speeding by you were certain to come upon a crash scene somewhere down the road.

My last year some guy almost took me out trying to pass me on the right because he was blocked by riders to my left. He was so determined to keep his pace that he didn't care about his own safety or the safety of others. I was so far to the right of the road that he brushed against foliage and hit some sand at the edge of the road.

The following exchange endued:

Me: If you do that again I will knock your teeth out.

Him: Don't threaten me!

Me: I'm not threatening you. I'm warning you.

I realized at that moment that the ride was no longer for me.