I did the CU Buffs group ride when I lived in Colorado at the tender age of 14. I can still clearly hear it in my head - "Learn how to ride or get out of the way". I was told this ONCE. It's never happened since.
Everybody need to learn sometime, but that doesn't mean go out and try to hang with the local cheetahs. If you can't hang with a group without blowing yourself up every time you take a pull, you should move to the back.
If someone says anything to you, it's for your own good!