2019, the last year I rode with a fast club a few times a week. We'd often do a few sprints.

Since then I took most of 2020 off from group rides due to the pandemic (I'm vulnerable to respiratory bugs due to an auto immune disorder and history of lung scarring), but TBH I was glad to see my friends still enjoying group rides.

By the time I was ready to try fast club rides again my neck was shot -- serious C1-C2 damage from being hit by cars in 2001 and 2018. I can't handle aero bars or a drop bar road bike in the drops or with a slammed stem anymore, and can't keep up with the younger, faster guys and gals from the more relaxed setup on my favorite road bike.

I did okay on some Strava climbing segments and snagged a few top tens in 2020-2021 riding solo, so the speed was still there as long as I didn't need to tuck into the drops or similar position.

But my body got old in a big hurry by late 2023 and it's pretty clear by now the former me ain't coming back. Fun while it lasted, though.