I agree with Paul. I go out with all the groups, and it's great how everyone looks out for each other on the clubrun, intermediates, K ride etc, and that's absolutely the way it should be, but I think the training ride is a little different. I'm not saying we abandon someone who punctures or something in the first 10 mile, but once we turn for home you really do need to be fine with getting back by yourself if you get dropped. With so many groups to choose from why would you start with the training ride if you're an inexperienced rider?
I've said it before.. at times the training ride is like a Howard or intermediate ride for people who don't want to do a cafe stop and want to be home for dinner. Too much emphasis is placed on practising through and off at times, (and yes 3 hours of it is too much), instead of drilling it, and putting some hurt in the legs, then racing won't come as such a shock.