The ride was listed as "easy" for DH. So, I understood that we wouldn't be riding at 17mph - but seriously - some of these people hadn't been on a bike in a very long time. We felt bad for going off on our own but even DH couldn't stand the snail's pace and he is usually the one who rides slowly & stops to look at everything. I would never go on a running tour, even if it was listed as "easy" because I know I'd hold up everybody.

I did a cross state tour (9 days) many years ago and the suggested riding levels were very specific - able to ride 65 miles/day, through heavily trafficed small towns, etc. This was with a club, not an actual tour company, so nobody's livelihood was affected. Most of us were at that level & we had very few stragglers.

In the end - I'm pretty much a solo rider. I don't even really care for riding with large groups in town because I have to watch other peoples' wheels rather than enjoy the scenery. I have a few people I ride with but for the most part, riding with groups is too much trouble. Plus I like to leave & come back on my own. I rarely stop, so multiple "rest stops" become annoying. I like to leave on time too, so when people come screaming up at the last minute & need to unload their bikes and...oh yeah...air the tires, eat the energy bar...c'mon folks. Maybe it's my issues around people being late & assuming their time is more important than mine. Or maybe I'm overthinking this. Or maybe I really am turning into an old curmudgeon. I think it's the latter.

Crankin - you're the one who told me about Newburyport and the B&B "Blue" I think. That's the reason we went to Newburyport instead of Gloucester. Very good advice, as we did go to Gloucester and it wasn't what we thought. Newburyport was charming.