Back in my 30s, did group rides for 3 years and met lots of super people. We had parties and get togethers and even a couple from the group got married and all of us were invited. It was like an extended social club off the bike.

Life got in the way and stopped the rides when I moved away, so went solo. Rode solo for another 30 years, 15 of which was single track mtb.

After riding the same dozen roads over and over, decided to give group rides another try but was afraid that I couldn’t find a group that would go my speed, which as you know is not leisurely. The local Seattle bike org, Cascade, has rides just about every day of the week, and for just about every speed (social, leisurely, brisk, strenuous). Since there is no way I can ride at 20+ MPH all day, signed up for brisk, and just like the Three Bears, found a group that was ‘just right’. Everyone there is very experienced, since they are mostly in their 50s and above. And the club has parameters everyone must abide by, like calling and pointing out obstacles, maintaining a safe distance between bikes (no half wheeling or drafting too close) etc. It now is pretty much the same as when I was in my 30s except a lot more gray hair that still likes to go.