I wasn't going to pipe up, but seeing as Julie has kicked it off again I'll throw my oar in.
The problem, Julie, is one of expectations.
Maybe you didn't expect the ride to be as fast or technically difficult. Maybe you also expected the people at the head of the group to ride at your exact speed all the way around.
That this expectation was'nt met is not the groups fault.
It seems to me that the other riders did *everything they normally would do* to ensure the group stayed together. And indeed from what others on the ride have posted the group indeed seems to have stayed together over its course.
One of the things that makes North Leeds such a good group to ride with is this open, relaxed and considerate style. I feel this episode has tarnished this reputation - it would be a real shame for new riders to be put off becasue of 1 (out of the 100's who have ridden with North Leeds) opinion.
You should really find it within yourself to swallow your pride and understand why others may feel (quite rightly) unfairly criticised by your backhanded comments to people on another ride.
If you feel the responses have been "agressive", consider why. This is something people care about, and to have someone, who by her own admittance "[doesn't] feel in a position to criticise those who have been doing this for some time" to begin casting aspersions and badmouthing people they are bound to react robustly.
A ride leader can't be expected to manage this on his/her own.
Not been out very much recently (well, have done *one* ride this year ;-), but sometimes (in the past) as ride leader you get the impression that some peeps just expect to turn up and and be shown about as if they were paying for a fully marshalled ride with signposts and stuff.
People really need to understand that it's their responsibility to keep note of whereabouts they are in the group (particularly those towards the back), and pipe up if they are last to arrive or if there is someone missing that nobody else has noticed.
el boufador, jeyboy bender
