I used to participate in a lot of the organized OR group rides. Even though there were select members I’d ridden with many miles and felt comfy with, on the larger groups it never felt right.
Then on one ride someone went down who was behind me. They were basically fine but you know.
The very next ride a guy from Michigan on a new Ducati went down bad right in front of me. I watched him slowly ride wider and wider in a sweeping left, until he rode right into the ditch. Rode the ditch right into a steel culvert pipe under a driveway ( sure some reading this remember). I saw that Ducati go airborne in two pieces, front end separated from the rest with his body cartwheeling alongside. He was just about to hit the ground as I passed. I called 911 in my helmet.
never rode another group ride again.
I’ve certainly ridden with others since then, at times complete strangers who spoke different languages. It can be fun. Or suck bad