I'm beginning to rethink the whole group ride thing. I have joined the local bike club, which is quite large. They had a "beginner" ride, which is basically for new riders and new members. At this ride (there were about 15 of us), the leader clearly explained the rules of the road and talked about safety. This guy was very conscientious and worked hard to make sure everyone was OK and safe, and even well-hydrated. As riders, we all made sure we notified others of cars, debris in the road, and when we were going to pass, and we road single file, for the most part, even when there were no cars around. It was a very pleasant experience.

This past weekend I went out on one of the club's regular rides. There were 100 - 200 people present. Before the start, one of the officers of the club made announcements, and then spoke about something, but I couldn't hear because a bunch of guys in team garb were chatting up a storm nearby (violation of the rule of courtesy!). I'm assuming he was briefly going over rules of the road, but I never heard it...

On this ride, very few people let me know when they were passing...even though I have a mirror, I was amazed how bikers could come up behind me without me even seeing or hearing them...I was startled more than once to suddenly have someone about 6 inches away from me whizzing by...I saw many groups riding two or three abreast...a truck that politely passed me actually had to beep his horn at a group in front of me to get them out of the way...it was on a curve and the truck could have been rear-ended if another vehicle came up suddenly! At one point I had a paceline of 6 or 7 riders go whizzing past me without so much as a word! It was late in the ride, on a big curvey downhill run, and I was getting pretty tired...I was all alone at that point, and they came so fast I never saw them in the mirror or heard them! What if I had to swerve around a hole or something? That could have been a disaster!

What really gets me is most of the people who behave this way are experienced riders who should know better!

I'm beginning to think I'll just stick to riding alone and with my friends, except for the century I've entered in the fall.

By the way, I'm quint's sister...we've been ranting to each other alot lately...