After digesting the range of comments regarding the Mambo, I thought I'd finally
add a few of my own…. Take them for what their worth, my two cents:

First I want to throw out a few of the critical "best riding practices" that
should be adhered to regardless of how fast or slow the group is going – though
if everyone executes them seamlessly, the peloton will ride faster (better and
safer):

1. Every rider in a paceline (whether a single- or double-paceline) has a duty
to provide a draft to 2 riders – the rider behind them when they are moving up
the paceline AND when they are pulling off and rotating down the line. (Thus,
you never do anything that will result in opening a gap between you and the
rider behind you)

2. Every rider moving up the paceline MUST take their pull at the front, but in
doing so, MUST keep the same steady pace – DO NOT surge, attack, sprint, or in
any way shape or form let your testosterone interfere with your ability to ride
your bike like a normal cyclist

3. Once you have completed your pull at the front (when you have moved past the
previous leader's front wheel), move over to provide that rider with a draft and
only slightly ease off on your pace/soft pedal. This is NOT a time to coast to
the back of the paceline, but rather, the next leader will move over in front of
you in a matter of seconds, thereby providing you with your draft – and this is
the only amount of "rest" you deserve during a hard ride like this.

4. Riders who are not able, or willing, to share the responsibility of providing
a pull can still ride with the paceline, but must rotate at the BACK of the
group. DO NOT move up the paceline (as some do) only to decide once you've
reached the 4th or 5th slot that you then want to move to the back. This f@*ks
up the paceline, because you end up causing a rather large gap for those behind
you to have to work hard to fill and/or cause someone who has just lead the
paceline to move back into that line and provide another leadout without
sufficient rest. This is unfair, unwise, and down right dangerous, since it is
often unexpected. Remaining at the back will still provide a hard workout, will
allow the stronger riders to work more smoothly, and will be safer for everyone.

Now let me say a few things about the pace. There seems to be a divide between
those that want it to go as fast as possible (and if this means dropping riders,
so be it) and others who want it fast but ultimately feel the group should be
able to stick together until the end. I've been rather ambivalent about these
two positions over the past week, but when it comes down to it, I think there is
a way to accommodate both POV, at least for part of the ride. Here's what I
propose:

1. For the ride out to Nyack and back to Piermont, the group should ride as a
well oiled machine, working on performing a flawless paceline at a very high,
but manageable pace. This allows everyone to contribute and improve their
skills, as well as work hard.

2. When the group exits Piermont and makes the turn onto Piermont Road (under
the 9W overpass/bridge) this is the opening-up off the "Attack Zone" leading up
to the sprint in Closter (on Ruckman Rd.).

I've come to feel rather strongly about the second point, in part, since there
is not a ride during the week where we are forced to go all out. All over the
country, Tuesday is a typical day for a "sprint" ride, and no-where I know do
groups keep the pace down for everyone to have a chance to participate in the
sprint. This would also make being in the mix at the end all that much more
rewarding, and something to aim for for many riders.

Chris