Since I lead a beginner's ride I can tell you how I approach it. I started to lead the ride because the other rides were too fast for me. I now can ride with the moderate group but still lead the beginner/easy paced ride. We have a wide range of riders that show up for this ride. Some are very strong riders that want to socialize but still get in a good ride and some people who are truly beginners who can only go 10 mph. If we have a true beginner we usually split into two groups and the faster group goes on at it's pace. If we decide to stay together as a group the stronger riders are encouraged to go ahead at their pace but are to wait at the next turn or else turn around, come back to the group and then go on again. That way the group can stay together and everyone can ride at their own pace. Most of the time there are a few of us who will do another loop after the ride gets back to the start point. That way the faster riders don't mind going slow the first 20 miles because they know that they can go faster the 2nd 20 if they want.

I'd suggest that the beginner group not even try to stay with the fast group if you all start at one time. That would probably encourage them to just go on at their pace. If Max would ask his riders not to pass him until the group splits up that might help.

I can't imagine that a beginner ride would be a drop ride...kind of defeats the purpose of a beginner ride. I think the group should make every effort to stay together unless there is someone who is obviously much slower than the rest of the group.