This subject always makes me think....however
good or bad fast or slow you think you are on a bike (and at 51 with an average speed of 16mph ish over 40 miles..i dont think i'm that good)...i rarely get overtaken.
Sunday morning training ride groups i nearly always scalp...but theyre probably going for mileage rather than speed.
I scalp those same groups on the home run, having done 30 miles plus. A few weeks ago a group of three riders were on the home run, last few miles. I shot past each one...and each in turn tried to get on my wheel...and failed
On one of my routes, i used to see a couple (i assume), looked like triathletes on a training run. Both looked very fit..scalped them a few times, but only just
Another local guy on a Via Nirone, he's had me..i've had him (ooer missus). Always look forward to seeing him
On the recieving end...
A few years ago, on my country route, uphill...a guy swept up to me on a tourer (i'm red faced and trying hard on a roadbike)...chatted for 10 minutes....then swept off into the distance
That made me realise my limitations.
Similar circumstances with a guy on a Cannondale..i couldnt live with his speed.
Scalped a couple on a hill once (they were on skinny tyred hybrids) and kept a good pace for several miles. Then i became aware someones behind me....its that guy. He's dumped his partner and chased me
. 5 miles after i scalped him....the barsteward scalped me....then prompty turned back and went back for his partner
Fair play to him....he was dogged.
The ratio overall....probably 100 to 1 in my favour. But then, a good proportion of them are BOBs on MTBs and hybrids. Its still good fun, but not as satisfying and scalping a fellow road bike rider. Still, done a good few 'proper' cyclists...more than have done me