To ride with the pack is safe.  You can predict the effort required to finish the race.  If you are feeling strong you can go to the front of the peloton and set a pace that benefits those following.  If you are feeling weaker you can be sheltered from the wind by stronger riders.  To ride ahead solo is daring and uncertain.  It takes commitment to a vision that the effort of of pushing ahead will have its rewards.  Those who seek the unknown are often overtaken by the pack.  But on occasion they are rewarded in the most spectacular fashion.  Finding themselves arriving at the finish solo, celebrating the outcome of molding the unknown to meet their belief.