They don't "want" me to wear a helmet, they demand everyone wear a helmet, always and everywhere. That created the gap, and their vehemence regarding them widened it.
This thread is about CM, not helmets. I'm just pointing out that CM offers an unrestricted group ride experience to those in the city that don't want to "gear up" to do it. Are there "tools" riding amongst the vast majority of good, fun-loving casual cyclists that define CM? Yes. Do they ruin it for the crowd and its purpose now? Yes. Are there aristocratic and arrogant "tools" riding with bike clubs? Yes, plenty.