mstateglfr 

You answered your question.

Flipper_

That is exactly it for me, but it's interesting to note how your rides relate and even compare to other riders, equipment, styles. My main focus is MTB on flowing local trails which is outrageously great in every way but now that I'm feeling stronger, I've started to do limestone trail out-and-back rides and have been observing my surroundings and, occasionally, getting blown off the trail by faster dudes, chicks, children, single-speeders and unicyclists.

3alarmer 

...you'd remember if you were bullied, no perhaps about it. I, too, get passed by an assortment of riders on e-bikes, many of which now resemble motorcycles, out on the MUP. Their common characteristics seem to be that the majority seem to be a little plump, they're all going 25 mph, and lately every darn one of them has one of those irritating little "ding" bells, that I can hardly hear. This is their substitute for a vocal announcement that they are passing me on a blind curve.

My solution so far has been to momentarily slow down, so they can get as far ahead of me as possible in the brief time we share the road together. YMMV

Flipper_

That's a great window into exactly what I'm getting at. It's all relative, but I sometimes think we're all racing, whether we realize it, accept it or like it. I actually think that's kind of the fun- good for that dude for going all out (I probably would have kept my Hybrid comments to myself) good for you for retaking him, good for both of you to be on the trail and getting after it. I'm 8 years and 5 surgeries past my earlier prime (am 51 now) but I actually can barely quantify the joy of being back out there- now on limestone as well as flowy MTB- it's amazing beyond words.

Rolla

Evidently so. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

terrymorse 

Here's a science-ish answer from the Kreuzotter Power & Speed calculator:

livedarklions

I've ridden a comfort hybrid and a fitness hybrid. I passed and dropped plenty of road bike riders who obviously thought we were racing on the fitness hybrid. The fitness hybrid (2017 FX 3) was especially great for climbing on a road.
I'm definitely a little faster on my road bikes, but the FX was a lot closer to a road bike than it was to a comfort bike. They're just not the same type of bike at all.

A few years ago, I encountered a young guy riding a Walmart MTB in Worcester, MA in the mid-20 mph range while I was riding my road bike (I honestly don't remember which bike I was riding). I passed him as I was coming into town and didn't think much of it, and then I suddenly realized he was right with me about 10 minutes later when our routes diverged at the other end of town. We had a very quick laugh when we both commented on being surprised how fast the other guy was.

livedarklions

But a little mutual Cat 6 can be fun, and sometimes a conversation will break out.

genejockey 

It all depends on what you want out of riding a bike. Sometimes all I want is to be outside, enjoying the fresh air and the scenery. Sometimes I want to go as fast as I can down a sharp descent. Sometimes I want to getas aero as possible and pound along the flats for a couple miles. Usually, all in the same ride. I don't try to compete with other riders, but most of us will mark someone ahead of us as a motivator. If I catch and pass them, it doesn't mean I "won" against them. It means I succeeded at a challenge I set for myself.

I ride road bikes, not just because they're faster and more aero, but because they're more comfortable - I have my choice of hand positions, the weight balance between butt and hands is better, and with the right saddle and fit, I can ride for miles comfortably in the drops.

Where I live there are A LOT of cyclists. Every ride, you'll encounter riders who are younger than you, and older. Skinnier than you, or fatter. Faster than you, or slower. My personal goal is to be the "Older, Fatter, Faster" rider for as many folks as possible.

And then some older, fatter dude passes me.

3alarmer 

.
...if you ride an older, more colorful, and nicely restored road bike, sometimes the people passing you will slow down a little to look at it and comment on it. That's the best I got.

Daniel4

I get passed all the time by people on ebikes, e-scooters and uber eats.

Riding slowly helps avoid getting right-hooked sometimes.

koala logs

You'll be left-hooked instead.

caloso

There's always someone faster.

indyfabz

And I have passed people on road bikes while riding my touring bike while it was fully loaded.

I finished what I consider the last day of a nearly four-month, unsupported trip across the U.S. and then some by participating in a charity event to reach the New Jersey shore. I was still carrying all my gear. I had people drafting me. Oh, to be 34 again.

indyfabz

I smell something....Well. You know.

DonkeyShow

When I ride my road bike I get passed by cars all the time. I guess I could just drive my car instead...

wolfchild

I think you should just focus on enjoying riding your bike and stop worrying about getting passed...Upgrading to a better bike is nice, trying to get fitter and faster is good too... but you need to remember that no matter how nice your bike is or how fast you are or how fit you are, there will always going to be somebody out there who is faster, fitter and stronger rider than you.

LarrySellerz

So OP shouldn't do some cat 6 racing because there is always someone faster? I think he's figured that out.

Reflector Guy

And sometimes you're just about out of steam, at the end of a very long ride, trying to make it that last mile to make it home.... That's when it seems everyone comes out of the woodwork to pass you. It just is what it is.

Mojo31

Especially if you're on the Left Coast and meet Larry.

freeranger

Just the opposite here-- I keep getting passed by hybrids while on my road bike! Possibly because they're 30-40 yrs younger? Or maybe I'm just cruising along enjoying the ride.

rumrunn6

haha yeah. was out riding in the forest w friend & we kept inching forward of the other each time making us both faster. by time the ride was over we both had a solid ride. I think I didn't snack or drink as much as I usually do & I was really toasted at the end

VegasJen

Can someone please tell me what the hell a "MUP" is?You bring up an interesting point, the height difference. I'm 5'4" but I'm pretty strong. I like riding because it's a good way to convert strength into speed. But I struggle to keep up with guys, even with my strength. I know guys tend to have more upper body strength but I don't think, pound for pound (or gram for gram), your legs are that much more powerful than ours. So I'm left to conclude that the height difference is a significant factor. But I can't figure out the mechanics of it. I mean, generally speaking, aren't cranks fairly standardized? I know there are different lengths, but don't those tend to be more specialized? If I'm 5'4" and riding a bike with the exact same wheel size and crank throw as a guy who's 5'10", but he's faster than me, is it a strength issue? Or is it a leverage issue? How would having longer legs on the same length crank be an advantage?
I get where you're coming from. I don't consider it a race, but I always like to either pass or keep up with someone who passes me. It's not about a race, it's about pushing myself harder than I would if nobody was around. I tend to use other riders, when I come across them, as "rabbits". Keeps me from getting lazy.
Interesting info. Thanks for posting.
That's how I finish all my rides, wishing they were just a couple miles shorter.

caloso

MUP = multi-use path

3alarmer 

...it's like Death Race 2000, but on bicycles.