On hilly courses where you know you can catch the group on the flats, the best tactic is to be at the front of the group going into the hill, so that you can slide a little bit backwards on the climb, and not have to chase as much once over the top. I employ this strategy A LOT (I'm not a climber, nor have I ever played one on TV). When the finish is on the top of the hill, same strategy coming in - be at the front, and then you just need to try and push yourself through the final uphill pain.

As for the competitiveness - happens to me too. I don't get angry, but I am VERY competetive when on the bike. I can push myself to places in a race that I can't in a training ride. I look at this as a good thing.

And to your original question - I agree with Eden on this one, given the distances between the groups. If the group behind had been closer, I would have advised waiting so that you could work together. It sounds, however, that the groups were far enough apart that you did the right thing in just hanging on to chase. This, for me, is not always a bad thing as I have some good TT skills, and will chase as if my life depended on it. If there are parts of the course where you know the pack will slow to recover, when you are on your own, use those places to be really agressive - this should help you to bridge some time on each lap.

Congrats on getting out there! Sounds like you are doing well.

SheFly