About 20 guys show up for a 24 mile, 1,000' climb pretty brisk ride.
I've only finished with the lead bunch when the fast guys aren't there, last night they were.

The usual group shows up; three teams represented and a few generally fast guys who don't race or aren't with a club.
One mid-50's guy, new, shows up.
A bit paunchy, flat bar road bike... uh oh.
I introduced myself, he mentioned he missed the Monday ride so he thought he'd come to this one.
Monday is the slow, beginner 15 mile ride one of the shops host.
It gets a great turn out; 40 - 60 show up and they make it fun.
Tuesday is not fun

I told him this ride is a bit more brisk than Monday's ride.
Yeah, he said he figured this group might do 18mph and he's used to 13 or 15. (ohboy)
I told him I try to hang on as long as I can and when I can't, I ride by myself.
"Well, I'll just end up with you then."
...um, ok...

I don't think he made it 2k

Very happy that on the first climb, a 3 minute solid effort, I stayed with the group.
Took my turns at the front, and just felt solid the whole evening.

On the second riser the two Columbian kids went to the front... they don't weigh a buck thirty... and just killed it!
A split and I'm with the back group.
Two of us caught two more and then we worked together.
Dropped one guy off the back, and with 500 meters to go my right shift cable broke.

Came in 50 seconds behind the front with a 21.9mph average.

Best effort to date on that loop

Midpoint I was at the front taking a pull and saw three chickens on the side of the pavement and dutifully called out, "Chickens up!" and made some racket to shoo them away.
Two moved right, one moved left.
I clipped the stupid poultry but only grazed it.
The chicken appeared to be unhurt and I didn't go down so no harm, no fowl