OK, I am in the unusual position of being annoyed at some fellow cyclists. It makes me feel guilty, but I have to vent. I went to return some books at the library in the next town, in my car. This involves going up Strawberry Hill Rd., a curvy hill that is a very popular route for riders. Early Sunday morning, i expect to be on the outlook for riders and I was. Passed one respectful gentleman who sprinted up the steepest part of the hill, to let me pass. As I was over the top, slowing to a stop at the next cross street, there was a group (15 or so) riders ahead. They were spread out across the road. Since we all had to stop, this didn't bother me, since the road is also beat up here and pot holed, from recent rains. But, as I was stopping, they sort of spread out through and across the intersection. I was going straight and had to pull up, to check for cars on the cross street. The leader was riding around in circles, talking and they all looked clueless, many of them refusing to put a foot down. A couple went right, the majority went left. There were a few cars behind me. I didn't say anything, but what started out as a situation where I was ready to wait, give them time to cross the intersection or turn, turned into a situation where I really didn't know what they were doing. No one signaled or even looked back at me to say, "thanks for waiting, hold on a sec."
I returned my books and was headed to a different shopping area, when I saw the same group, going up the street I was on in the other direction. They were still riding 3-4 abreast on this road. There weren't any cars right behind, but they were approaching quickly.
This really annoys me. The new law here says you can ride 2 abreast if you are not impeding traffic. When I lead rides, I still keep everyone single file, except on the most rural of roads. These are busy suburban roads. Am I an antiquated old person?