There are two sides to this coin - riding with the guys can make you very strong, but it can also burn you out too. It's very common for new racers to train too hard right now. Train harder get stronger right? It is actually a little more complex than that. While I don't feel I am knowledgable enough or have enough time to really go into it here, this time of the year it is generally recommended to not go out on those lung burning, leg burning, zone 5, kinds of rides, but to do zone 1,2 rides instead. So for that reason alone you may want to cut down on the number of rides you do with the boys. Yes, it can be hard to cut back. I really want to go out and do longer rides, but I'm being good -mostly ! (I just started with a coach and she's watching!)

Of course none of that gives the guys any excuses to treat you poorly. Just ignore the ones who are snotty. It can be cliqueish - but if you stick with it even the ones who seem a standoffish right now will probably thaw out in time. If they don't, its their problem not yours. Focus on the ones that are nice and ignore the nasty ones.