I'm on the opposite end of your situation. My training partner rides much faster than me and enjoys riding with the faster group. I encourage her to go and let me ride with the slower group, I'm happy with that but she insists I can do it. Many times I let myself get talked into it and then get dropped after a few miles and end up riding alone. I try to explain to her that I'm not interested in riding that fast and actually ENJOY my rides with the slower group but I think she feels guilty because we started out cycling together and she's progressed quickly and I haven't. But the thing is, we joined a club and we've met great people to ride with - both slow and fast.

Maybe if you find others to ride with, your friend can find some slower folks to ride with and then meet you and your group after the ride for socializing.

Good luck,
Patty