I feel like the bad guy tempering the enthusiasm.
I think that looking at the times of 40-44 year old masters can be misleading and disheartening to a beginner. 35-39 and 40-44 are (arguably) the fastest age groups for masters racing. Top riders can post times close to some elites.
A rank beginner will post slow times. Period.
When Chris rides his first few flying 200s that will likely be 14-15, that may disappoint a man expecting to be in the 11-12 range. And he may lose interest.
As one of the top coaches in the US Kirk Whiteman told me, It takes a trackie four years to become good. Eight years to become great.
Be careful not to compare yourself to those who habe been riding for a long time. They have already worked out their kinks.