Originally Posted by wolfpack

. . .
just because i grew up (the last 4-5yrs) as a roadie, doesn't mean diddle-squat. do you know what it's like riding in a paceline of 15-20ppl or in a huge group (40+), following the Cane River in western NC, but you're rolling at 28+mph and have no chance in hell of seeing anything along the route except the butt & legs of the cyclist in front of you??? no way are you going to take your eyes off the person(s) in front of you or even attempt to sit up, no hands on bars, fish around in your jersey pocket for a camera to take pictures - just a recipe for someone getting hurt. been there, done that twice for the Burnsville Metric. it's a beautiful route for the first 45mi, but i have no pictures and i can't tell you anything about that part of the route.

would i like to take it easier and be able to see the scenery? hell yes. but, i've never been given that opportunity because < you were influenced > to do these organized rides and they all end up being races. *shrugs shoulders* i think i'm being given an opportunity to see another side to cycling and i'm excited & scared about it all at the same time. . . .