Getting dropped is good for me!
I've been a bit remiss on my bike training (I'm a tri guy) as of late due to darkness, but have been trying to get in weekend rides. However, I've normally been riding with a group that's comfortably in my pace, well actually, below my pace, so I can stay with them for finding out about new routes. That's been great, but I haven't been challenged at all in the past few months. I did a sprint triathlon as well and was hoping to get some bike challenges there, but I unfortunately swam so slowly that all the fast guys took off even before I started.
Went cycling today with a few new guys who I met randomly at a common start location in LA. We started at a nice leisurely pace, and then all 3 of 'em dropped me pretty hard on a tough climb. Nothing for motivation like getting dropped hard - makes you really want to get back on the torture trainer to get your butt back in gear despite the darkness and cold!