Part of it I think was that our group was really big, and split into two or three groups at times - I rode for a while with a really nice, very experienced rider, who I bugged for tips and advice (SK and Yellow know this about me! Questions questions!) and she very generously helped me out. And maybe it just turned out that the more experienced riders rode together in another group. Towards the end of the ride, just before Helga's accident, one of the ride leaders was spending more time in my group, very effectively keeping people in their lanes, which I really appreciated. I'm sure there weren't as many people all over the place as it seemed to me - it's just for a new "group cyclist" like me, I really noticed them.

Quote Originally Posted by bikerchick68
about hazards... I not only signal them, but the group I ride with CALLS them out... so if you need both hands you turn your head over one shoulder, keep both hands on the bars and yell at the top of your lungs HOLE! GLASS! or whatever... the front rider does their best to look ahead and signal junk BEFORE they come up on it... but we all know that's just not always possible...
And calling out hazards - that's true - I know to do that, and usually do when I ride with my usual ride partners - a good reminder to use the voice too. Thanks.

I'm probably over-analyzing it because I'm still freaked out by the accident - which had nothing to do with any of these concerns.

Thanks for the suggestions...