wow, sounds like you were with some mismatched partners.
It sounds like you made yourself pretty clear... about that you weren't going to stop.

Perhaps you were a convient target for other unknown issues?

I don't see how they can complain if you were behind them the whole way - me I would have probalby said something to them regarding that.
I've gotten to the point where I am pretty direct with people:
You set the pace, why are you complianing when you are in front of me. Why is it a problem for you if I chose not to eat? We talked about this last night, you said you were ok with... and so on.
It sounds like they own the problem not you.

One thing I have found over the years is that sometimes it can take a while to find the right folks to ride with... and that as we get to different places in our sport our needs can change.

Penny S