Group Riding At Any Pace

It is possible. It can be done. 
Don't believe me? We do it each week.

With riders as fast as I know, and beginners alike, we manage to keep the group together for most the entire ride! Of course there will be gaps where you drop a new rider, climbs that break the crew and downhill bombs that chase away the beginners, but the group doesn't have to end there...and you don't have to sit and wait around either.
How do we do it? Here are a few tip on riding as a group and keeping everyone together.

-Choose Your Position Wisely

Pick your position wisely- Try to be in the 1/3 front of the group. If you are up near the front you benefit more from the slipstream and if you end up not being able to hang with the leaders up a hill, this gives you a chance to bow out of the line and slide back slowly without losing the entire group. This not only works logistically for you and the rest of the group, but it will also work out in your head mentally because you aren't getting dropped, but moving back a few spots.

-Hill Attacker

Try to lead. If you begin in the back third on an uphill, the stronger riders book up it and gain distance down the other side by the time you crest. If you start close to the front, you may still be passed, but you're more likely to see the top before the last rider rockets away.

-Steady Your Cadence

Shift into a bigger ring and slow your cadence. You should be able to push bigger power without making your heart explode. This will allow you to hang with the pack for a longer period of time and still have the energy to surge if you start falling back a little.

-Eat As You Ride

Often times riding in a large group carries the weight of trying just to keep up. You forget all those things you practice while out riding solo or with a few buddies. Like eating.
Make sure you keep your food handy and even pre-opened if possible. This will allow you easy access to eat while you ride so you don't hit the wall and have to finish the ride all alone.

What are some things you do while group riding to keep the pack tight? Share your tips and tricks with the community!