OH... on the fasty peeps coming back, that is sorta funny. In an interesting way. That is my guy buddy to a degree.

At first it's all about the performance. That's a good goal. But, it's not everything. Thus, they come back. Or, like my guy pal, they cave when they are lonely and had enough. Soooo... that's my point... why can't you just hammer your brains out on the "alone ride" and scale it back for the "company ride"?

Makes sense to me. I do a bit of that with my new ride pal GF.

Seasons past she tried a group ride w/speedy guys. None waited. Totally left her. She got lost. Was just miserable experience.

Well, she wanted to re-try the group. Only if I agreed to meet up. We did. The leader was eggin me on to take the lead. I wanted to. Could have held it for a bit. But, my GF was struggling with the heat. I was not going to leave her. I was on a "company ride". Not a contest. Thus, I hung back. We rode our own thing. I know she was discouraged. We got to chat... I didn't care.