Hi Elliot, I think us modern folks like to think we are "civilized" but the opportunities for focused pack/tribal male activities are few and treasured in ones lifetime. I raced bicycles in the '80's also. Learning to ride in a pack brought home on a very immediate survival level the need to have a minimal level of riding skills (maintain position, predictable handling,etc.) but also a basic understanding that you are a part of a social group. Guys that turned nearly every training ride into an ego opportunity were often a danger to themselves and others, but most often turned a "recreation" into some kind of ongoing therapy including others, not fun.