Possibly the op has poked the bear here(many here as he has described). Personally, each to their own, its your money, but where I live, there are groups of cyclists with all the kit who ride in large peletons(abusing many road rules, such as safe following distances etc) and do frustrate the motorists that get caught up in their antics of taking up the whole road etc. For me as a cyclist, that puts me in part of the hate group for some of these motorists who see myself when cycling alone as someone to take out their anger on.
and just quietly, riding around on a minimum weight(tour de farce) road bike.........its like driving a formula one car on public roads, not really fit for comfort, purpose.