This is a somewhat serious question, but feel free to have a little fun with it. I rode a 50 mile event today. There were about 500 registered riders. I was riding solo rather than with a team. About 4 miles into the ride, well matched groups started forming. I found myself with a "team" wearing the same jerseys. I was latched onto the back of the single file line. There were 8 in the group. The guy taking the pull broke off the front and started falling to the back in normal fashion to let someone else take the pull. We were running 20-22.

First question. Do most of you consider it okay to have interlopers in rides like this?

Second question. Should I have opened up a space and let the team member stay on the wheel of his teammate?

I did open up a space, but he didn't take it, so I closed the gap back up.

We soon came to a 90 degree curve. They didn't stay in single file through the curve and I found myself up front. I took a pull, but felt like I was in a bit over my head, as we were no longer 20-22, but closer to 19. I gave it a good go then dropped off to the back. After a few more miles we came to a U turn. Again they were slow and disorganized through the turn, and I found myself back up front. Now we were taking wind on the chin. There was a rest stop about 1.5 miles ahead, so I hammered into it the best I could, and stopped at the rest stop. They continued on.

I chatted them up at the finish. They were very gracious and said they appreciated the pull in the wind. They were genuine.

This particular group didn't mind someone latching on, but I wondered as all of this was going on what the right thing to do was. During the first few miles, a lot of different groups formed and dissipated somewhat naturally as everyone was finding their groove. With so much changing so rapidly, it would have been out of place to ask about joining in.

I am interested in your thoughts.