Sure sure...blame it on us, we have big shoulders. Didn't know him well, graduated high school together, work with his widow. There are bad apples everywhere. I've ridden with some, and heard about others. I see your point here max. There is no one way to difinitealy improve your riding. If you want to ride with a larger group, and push youself, coocoo cachu to you. If you want to ride in a smaller group, with folks of the same experience level that is your choice as well. Some people don't learn the same way eveyone else does. Just cuz you think I need to show my work, whats the difference if I get the same answer? +1 Not an assessment really, just a different view point. On that note, the biggest riding group that I have every ridden with was four. All of various skill levels. Mine obviously being the lowest. If you do ride with me, I hope you don't mind waiting.