Thinned out to 10 riders in the front very quickly despite it being mostly downhill for the first few miles, and we worked together without issue pretty well. We missed a couple turns cause I was at the back and I don't shout loud enough apparently. No issue though, no one went very far off course. Some of the short and techy descents early on were nearly a problem as a couple riders nearly slid out but made great saves. Apparently though I learned that behind our group on the descent to the stop sign on Tanassee creek road, a couple riders ran into a Tacoma and had injuries, although none life threatening. Down to 8 at that point we descended to the Tuckasegee river pretty fast and worked together well to get through the 107 section fast. On Tilley creek road the group broke up as it always does, with one rider(I think his name was Jordan) went off alone up the road and I slowly pursued at my own pace and soon enough found myself about 30 seconds back and with about as much to the 3rd place on the road. I just kept climbing at a hard but reasonable pace for me and actually nearly caught him near the top, but i had to stop and pee and fill bottles, and he didn't stop long at all and the next two riders didn't stop at all either. I blazed the downhill because I know it very well, and caught everyone except the leader. I caught the other Ti bike rider(Renny) near the bottom and we worked together in the valley along the Cullasaja river and were fairly close to catching the leader. I rode at a the same reasonable pace trying to not blow up on Walnut Creek road. Everything was going well until I decided to shift into the big ring and got my chain all tangled up and had to stop to twist it back right, and Renny continued on, saying he'd wait for me. I only stopped 20 seconds max and try as I might, the gap remained right there for the rest of the climb. We both caught and passed the leader who looked very tired by this point. I caught Renny on the downhill on Pine creek and we worked together well and crossed the line together, cause it's not a race. :) Had a great time and was very glad to finally have good legs again after years of riding this thing slower than i'm capable of. This was the second fastest i've ever ridden it. Very pleased with myself.