aplcr0331

Were they aware of the "race"? You passed them right at the start of their ride? Did they "chase you down" and "curse" at you for passing them so rapidly?

caloso

Ooh, I hope he gave them The Look.

genejockey 

Do we no longer drope hamers hereabouts? Or dial it up to 400W?

10 Wheels

Came upon them at the bottom of the climb. They each had on Club Kits Red w Yellow trim and Yellow Socks. Not a race I just had more up than they did.
They were in their 20's. I had 45-47 years on them.

tomato coupe

We didn't know they were wearing Red Kit and Yellow Socks! They were probably pros, maybe even world tour level.

Outrider1

That had me laughing out load. Great timing in the thread! To respond to the OP with my experience, I often ride my heavier, lesser equipped (quality) hybrid bike with my girlfriend over the same course I enjoy on my better road bike. What a difference! If you appreciate quality mechanics and precision tools over those that will just get the job done, then you know what I mean. While I get a similar physical workout with my hybrid, I'm exhilarated and excited after riding my road bike. Appreciation for the quality tool so to speak. If you're a runner, you can run in flip flops or nice, higher end brand name running shoes. Both will do the job, but which do you think will make the run more exhilarating and be an extension of yourself when you're in "the zone."

wolfchild

It's impossible for a human body to burn 4000 calories in 1 hour.

tomato coupe

Piece of cake ... you just need a really heavy bike.

Koyote

It might be possible with a blowtorch.

Eric F 

I'm still confused...Is wearing a club/team kit and indicator of fitness level or cycling abilities? It's cool to hear that you're in great shape (as evidenced by your ride across the country). Keep on keeping on, man.

In related news...My Ford Explorer is so fast it beat a Corvette in stop light drag race the other day. I'm pretty sure the Corvette driver didn't know it was a race...but I still beat him.

guachi

Fat is fit!

tomato coupe

A win is a win. It's his fault he didn't know it was a race.

Eric F 

I'm expecting to receive my trophy any day now. It's going to be glorious.

genejockey 

The old PenVelo jersey in my closet suggests otherwise.

Koyote

I totally wasted a couple riders the other day, and I'll bet I had 50 years on 'em. 'Course, I'm 58.

caloso

This reminds me how sometimes I'll see people on FB or Twitter claim they burned 900kcal in an hour-long Peloton or Soul Cycle class.

genejockey 

I confess to enjoying passing other cyclists who I deem to be younger and/or more fit than I am. Sometimes I even get a kick out of shifting to a higher gear as I pass. But I have no illusions they couldn't smoke me on the next rise if they wanted to.

tomato coupe

I love doing that! Sometimes when you give them "the look" they start to cry.

indyfabz

I got caught and dropped by a Spanish team while climbing the Puerto del Viento on a fully-loaded bike on my way from Ardales to Ronda, former hangout of Hemingway. I asked one guy if he would help me with my bags. He smiled, politely declined and left me in his tracks. What a wuss.

Koyote

That's rather inhospitable. I hope you sent a strongly-worded letter to the US Ambassador.

Sy Reene

Though, is a longer 'workout' also a 'better workout'?

genejockey 

Were they dressed like bellhops?

Kapusta

That’s not how Cat 6 works

bikehoco

I understand not buying a cheap Walmart bike as it won’t last many miles. But unless you’re racing, why pay thousands of dollars extra for a super lightweight bike. I suppose some people just have money to burn.

genejockey 

There's always an argument to be made for things that are merely "Really Good!" over things that are "Really, REALLY Good!!!". Mostly these revolve around affordability vs diminishing returns. But, you know, some people DO have the money to burn, and can, or think they can, feel the difference. If you have the money to buy a Specialized Aethos or similar, why not?