So I'm going on my first group ride tomorrow. Weather promises to be spectacular, so I suspect there will be a pretty good turn out. Got a couple questions on proper etiquette:

How do riders of all abilities stick together? Do the fast folks slow down and the slow folks push themselves hard so all ride together? Does everyone just go at their own pace, and the string of bikes spreads waaaaay out? Do they divide into subgroups of ability and those subgroups stick together? I'm guessing the answer is "all of the above" depending on how a particular ride is organized, but what's the most common approach you've seen?

What happens when someone gets a flat? Does the whole group wait for the fix? Or does the rest of the group say "See ya!" and leave the poor flatee on his own? Does this depend on the attractiveness of the flatee?

How does drafting work? Am I OK just sticking in other riders wake, or will I be expected to break wind once in a while ... wait, that didn't come out right ...

If I'm in a particular group that's either too slow or too fast for my natural cadence (most likely the latter!) should I break off from the group? Suffer through slowing or speeding to match the group? Or insist that the whole group match my cadence?

What other questions should I be asking but am too inexperienced to even think of?

Thanks all!

If it's an organized group ride - there will be a group ride leader. Talk to them. Tell them you are new. They will ask how much/how often/what speeds you ride. Then put you somewhere appropriate. If there is no group ride leader, talk to the people around you to get an idea of what the ride is like.

Other questions... Yes, they should split up into ability groups if the group is large enough. Someone (usually all) will hang around with you after you flat while you change your tube (don't bring a patch kit - bring a tube). If it is a "no drop" ride, if you fall off the back, they will wait for you, or someone will try & bridge you back to the group. If it is a "drop" ride - you'd better know where you are.

Drafting - if there is a paceline happening, try to take a pull at the front, even if it is just for 20-30 seconds. If you can't, just pull through & go to the back.

Bring enough water/gatorade/food to get you through the ride. Bring a tube, tire levers & something to inflate the tires with. Either know where you are going, get a map or stick with the group.

Have fun!

I've seen some of the rides where it's sort of a big mob instead of a paceline, not sure if that's intentional or not.

If you're slow, look for a "no drop" ride, although there have been previous complaints from people getting dropped on them as well.

`No drop' is really just a goal. If they're nice, they'll do what they can to avoid dropping you, but it may still happen.

Ultimately, if you're the slowest guy, you tend to be at the back where people can't see you, and if something goes wrong (like you get caught at a light or drop something or whatever) you can easily be dropped and they can be long gone before they're even aware of it.

Face it -- if you're the slow guy, you're likely to get dropped occasionally, even on no-drop rides. Even by nice guys who don't want to drop you. The best defence is to have a map of the ride and a cell phone along with the number of a few guys riding. With the map, you can continue on the route and catch them at a break (or where they stop wondering where you went) or perhaps you get a short cut and catch up to them that way. Or with the phone, you can just call and ask where they are, ask them to wait up ...

I think I can sum up the answer to all your questions in two words:

It depends!

If it's not a 'no drop' ride and you aren't sure you'll be able to hang with the peleton, then make sure you get a route map or that the route is well-marked. Have fun!

It really all depends. I do some rides that are officially "no drop", and they try to put you with a few people according to skill level. This is annoying, it usually just involves long times waiting on the sides of roads.
There's also some in my area, one called "Wednesday Worlds", that is an intentional-drop ride. You get dropped, and you go home.

My advice would be to choose a group ride that is geared for your level. Many rides are rated somethig like: slow, medium, fast, or race. That being said, I usually just try to ride with a group of friends, but if you think organized group rides would be fun, definitely go for it.

And make sure you have a tube, pump, and tools. Take everything you'd need for a long solo ride.