Reading these responses reminds me that group riders can loosely be broken into two groups:
1) Cyclists who enjoy getting in a few miles with other cyclists, but who would be out riding regardless of the group ride. If the group is too fast or too slow, these cyclists will simply go off the front or fall off the back and enjoy a nice solo ride or ride with whoever else was riding at their pace.
2) Riders who see group rides as an opportunity for planning and decision making. These riders have very specific goals for the ride, and enjoy the process of achieving the goals as much or more than the actual ride itself. I suspect these riders also enjoy line dancing.
FWIW, I realize the real world is more complicated than this, but as I am firmly in group one, riding with too many people in group two can take some of the fun out of a pleasant day on the road. I've also seen the same distinction in other sports and group activities I enjoy. Some people really do enjoy rules.
__________________
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
