Why I hate Group Ride (Cyclists)
 

[VENT]

I like to ride solo, mainly because I like to ride when I want and not part of a schedule. But I can see the alure of a group ride as it allows learning techniques from more experienced rider and also you get to hit higher speeds.

When a group passes me, I sometime try to keep up while keeping a distance (about 5 or so bike lengths), as I'm sure they wouldn't want a rider whose experience they don't know riding their wheels. After a few miles, since I'm not drafting, I fall back and continue my solo ride.

This morning a group passes me (no 'on your left', but that's ok) and after only about a mile they slow down while we're riding down a small slope, so I pass the group (about 8 riders) and start riding at about a 30mph clip. The group leader decides to immediately pass me (again no warning) dragging his group behind him with one of them passing me within a foot of my handlebars ("3 feet — It's the Law!")

This looked like a "C" group, "B" at best and not the best of moves, but what can you do. But, again, immediately after passing me they not only slow down, but spread out! Well, I'm pissed, so I pass again (giving 3 feet), and as I'm about to pass the "leader" we're approaching an intersection and he's raising both arms (amateur move in any non-event situation), and I then sprint pass him as the light turns green. I go straight, they turn.

….and we wonder why drivers hate us.

[/VENT]

They were either chasing

A. STRAVA KOM

B. Pokemon

Once you pass them set the cruise control on the power meter for 350W and don't look back.

groups
 

Sometimes it just boils down to social skills....

I have seen that many times before with the “you pass me and I pass you back” macho game. It is no more than a dick measuring contest. Most fast boys like kind of game and most of the time they think they own the roads. Life is too short…just move on to enjoy the ride.

I bet at least a few of the guys on the ride were as irritated by the "ride leader's" behavior as you were. I've had to apologize to slower riders before when the dumb jock on the front of our group scares the crap out of them as he goes flying by. The weekday morning ride in St Pete has crashed into slower riders in the bike lane on more than one occasion because no one points them out. One of many reasons why I steer clear of them.

Exactly

But that's not what occurred (which led to my "venting").

That may very well be the case here. It was lead that was dragging his riders with him past me, then slowing the group. I only really got pissed when one of the riders who he dragged past me came too close to my bars (he may have seen me too late as the group was swerving around me).

I'm having a hard time seeing what the deal is here. Folks passing you and slowing down, getting in your way? A foot from handlebars sounds fine.

Sneaking up on another rider and passing a foot away is not cool.

I hate group rides because the dudes with aerobars.

"Rider up" "Rider up" - repeated through paceline. Hip pat - hand signal. "Passing left". "Last rider" "Great day for a ride". "Jump on if you want."

Seems simple .... ?

I'll summarize:
I'm @ 25mph. Group passes me.
Group Slow to 20mph. I pass the group. I'm now going 30mph.
Group passes me again. Group slows back to 20mph again.
All in less than 2 miles.
Leader was a dickhead (raises both arms in the air as he approaches intersection).
Only words from either me or anyone in the group was when on the first pass the last guy in the group gave a friendly "Hi, how's it going?"

Why pass that close with no traffic in either direction?

Your title is "Why I hate Group Ride (Cyclists)"

Tony T, having a hard time understanding why the hate from what you've summarized above.
Leader raising arms may just be trying to get a laugh out of you.