Originally Posted by
NOS88
Sorry to hear of your bad experiences. In my own personal experience I've come to understand that if I think someone is riding in an unsafe manner, I have a responsibility to protect myself (after all no one has more of a responsibility to do this than me). Hence, I probably would have slowed down and indicated that he should ride in front of me. If we wasn't willing to do this, I think I would have pulled over to the side of the road and had the "argument" you worked to avoid. (Although I suspect it wouldn't be much of an argument if I simply indicated that I was not going to continue to ride in the manner I deemed unsafe.) I don't think group riding in and of itself is bad. I think there are some bad riders out there.
+1
When this happens, I slow down and/or pull over (when it is safe for those behind me). I just don't tolerate being put in this position by another rider. There is no argument...I just won't ride that way and I will slow or stop until the problem goes away.
Last weekend I rode with the the fast group and a new rider was drafting near the front but swerving back and forth...Really squirrelly. Everyone behind him backed way off. Course, he couldn't see the effect he was having and was totally clueless. Someone finally took him aside and explained the rules. He actually appreciated the advice...Not like the idiot who apparently knows everything described by the OP.
I really believe in following the VC as the safest way to bicycle. Take the lane when you need it, ride in a predictable way and don't let anyone else put you in an unsafe position.