I can remember racing and training on Michelin SuperCompe HD's in New York State in the late 80's. Those were 23's. But I was in high school, and 6'2" and 128 pounds rather than in my late 40's, 6'4", and sixty pounds heavier. And, I swear, the roads aren't as good today as they were back then. (As a country and state-by-state, we've not kept up our infrastructure.)
So yeah, I'm now running pretty much the biggest tires I can fit in each bike. Or fit under fenders. But I like 700c 32mm tires on a day-to-day basis. They're way better on Seattle's beat-up roads, don't mind gravel if I can find it, and don't really cost any speed.