You can also use the ride with your slightly slower than you buddies as an opportunity to test ride some more tourist oriented bike builds. I have a 1999 Cannondale CAAD3 R1000 that is retro set up with SunTour 3x8 XC Pro/Command shifting and a cobbled together Dura Ace 7410 crankset into a 1/2 step + granny triplizer triple with Salsa chainrings and a 12/26 SunTour Accushift rear cassette.
It can most definitely huff it and ride spirited if called upon for the speed. However, the funky fun Command paddle shifters are different enough from every body else’s STI that it ends up lolly gagging really well too.