Riding with a group is better for you, and safer, for several reasons;

1. If you do go down, or even if you just get a flat, they'll be there to help you. (our last bike club President crashed while waving to a friend and hitting a pot hole at the same time, and broke her pelvis, hip and coxex, needed an ambulance, one other rider called 911 for her as she was unable to move)

2. Cars will 'see and avoid' a big group (but be more pissed off) than they will see a solo rider, and with today's Texting Drivers, that's a big problem. Solo, you are invisible to most cars, so be sure you stay way off to the side of the white line when you can, and NEVER assume they see you.

3. You will ride longer, and harder, with the group than you would ever ride alone, you can draft when you are tired, you can pull when you are strong, and you will want to 'Represent' so you will push harder than you will alone.

4. You will make new friends and learn a lot from them.

I have found that there are many similar type A (and AA, and even AAA) people in both sailboat racing and bike riding, (and flying airplanes too!) so you sailors will feel right at home with the bike guys! Oh, and several in my Bike Club love to drink beer too, just like sailors, (and pilots) so there's that....