Most of the people I ride with don't race. And most of my rides are hilly, so a huge effort may be maintaining 10 mph going up hill. When I ride flatter routes in a pace line, people are REALLY focused on maintaining safe riding conditions. In both situations, the major effort is trying to keep pace with the fastest person - not passing anyone. Most of our efforts are no more dangerous than trying to out-do the person next to you on a treadmill in the gym. But they're a lot more fun!

But, as safe as we try to be when riding in a group, there are always certain people who cross at red lights when it's just not appropriate, or pull out across oncoming traffic without enough room. Makes no sense to me. On EVERY ride, there will be several instances where I have to catch up with the group when I come to a dead stop at an intersection and wait until traffic is actually safe.