Originally Posted by
noteon
Another is that I might not know how to deal with someone drafting.
Right.
The commuting forum is really a melting pot of cycling cultures and this is one of many situations where the cultures can clash.
Roadies are comfortable with pace lines and someone on their wheel but they don't feel any obligation to acknowledge the existence fellow cyclists heading the other direction. A non-roadie will wave to every cyclist they encounter but is made uncomfortable by one sitting too close behind him. I'll leave the difference in clothing and leg hair for other threads.
As for me, just because I can keep a 20+ mph pace doesn't mean I've had any group riding experience, - I haven't. I do triathlons. In triathlons drafting is usually a no-no. Further, for the most part my commute is one of the few times of the day where I can be alone with my thoughts. Other cyclists whizzing by don't bother me, but one on my wheel is violating my space. I'm not on a group ride, I'm going home.