Originally Posted by
BookFinder
On two different occasions while on group rides I've had negative experiences with people who seem to resent my pace. They want to go fast, and pressure everyone else to go fast. It's an ego thing and they are apparently blind to it. So, I ride with my wife, or with a few close friends who enjoy a leisurely pace and the conversation that can go with it.
I don't think it's an ego thing, at least not at the heart of it. I do about 100 group rides per year, 1000 group rides in 10 years. I started with this club in 1989 when I was 35. People age out and younger people come in. If the ride isn't organized with specific rules what happens is whoever is feeling good will go to the front and hammer. Those who can keep up, suck wheel, or trade pulls will dictate the pace. People like me get dropped. It's not personal, it's the nature of fast group rides.
I am friends with some of the fastest people out there. They wait for me most of the time (eventually). Nobody "resents" my pace. If they do, they can go off by themselves or speak up.