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    $\begingroup$ I was tempted to write something like this too, but puzzling.SE is about the puzzle, not about modelling reality. The boost from riding in a large bunch is unbeliveably astounding, but the puzzle presented here doesn't go that far. Please don't be put off by the downvotes here - for real riding there's bicycles.stackexchange.com $\endgroup$
    – Criggie
    Commented Jan 27, 2023 at 8:54
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    $\begingroup$ @Criggie it is always nice to see different interpretations and the puzzle presented is not clear about that limitation (is it a riddle or a straightforward math puzzle?). The puzzle provides information about an energy saving trick and does not say that this works strictly only for a group of 3. It is not too weird to interpret the question as allowing for bigger groups. With this answer I was very minimal in making further assumptions, it is not like I am extrapolating for further speed improvements when they drive in larger groups (they might even go faster than 10 minutes) $\endgroup$
    – Sextus Empiricus
    Commented Jan 27, 2023 at 9:45
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    $\begingroup$ A better way to pose the question, to avoid this ambiguity, might be, "find a combination to divide the group of 11 cyclist into groups of size 3 and/or 1 that minimises the amount of time needed to have every cyclist finish the race." $\endgroup$
    – Sextus Empiricus
    Commented Jan 27, 2023 at 10:26
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    $\begingroup$ Even for lateral-thinking puzzles—which this is NOT—the solver is not given free license to invent their own rules or scenarios. Especially for puzzles not tagged "lateral thinking", the right answer to a puzzle will be the one that uses what the puzzle gave you or hinted at, without inventing facts, rules, or interpretations out of thin air to make a "solution" work. Puzzle posters can't close every loophole… and shouldn't have to. $\endgroup$
    – Rubio ♦
    Commented Jan 27, 2023 at 11:33
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    $\begingroup$ @Rubio I get that, but there's also a gray area. Not closing all loopholes is different from leaving all open. I don't consider this so much as lateral-thinking. I am using the information and am not 'making up information'. Assuming that the cyclists can ride as a single group of 11 is not more assumption than that they can ride as independent groups of 3. (If this would be track cycling, then the different groups will be interfering with each other in the bends) Anyway, I won't mind if my answer is classified as 'clever, but not what the question intended', but more than that is exaggerated. $\endgroup$
    – Sextus Empiricus
    Commented Jan 27, 2023 at 11:47