Riding in the peloton saves roughly 30% energy compared to riding alone at the same speed — that's the physics of drafting at scale. But the peloton isn't just an energy-saving exercise; it's a tactical battlefield. Position determines everything: sit too far back and you burn matches chasing every acceleration through corners; sit too far forward and you're exposed to wind with nowhere to hide. Crashes propagate from the back, splits form from the front, and the middle is where experienced riders sit — close enough to react, sheltered enough to conserve. Group rides simulate peloton dynamics on a smaller scale, which is why riding in a bunch is genuinely useful race preparation, not just a social spin.