Interesting thread that I have only just noticed. Let me tell you a story. Try to stay awake at the back!
Last Sunday, I cocked up the meeting point for the B ride. I usually ride this because it is easy going with plenty of stops. I'm big, heavy and ancient and don't regard myself as a fast rider at all. Nobody at the meeting point! Then an A rider turned up. Saying he was going to meet the A ride some 15 miles away at the coffee stop. I should come with him. Said I would be fine. Well ok. We set off at a hundred miles an hour [or thereabouts]. I motored through the Cheshire lanes, up and down hill, breathing hard, at the side of the Froome lookalike on his carbon steed.
After coffee, unbeknown to me, I was in the fast pack for the ride to the lunch stop. Jeez...
Crazy, to me, pace. But I stuck it out all day even having conversations. Must admit my thighs were on fire. The day finished with some 70 miles under the belt and an average speed of 17/18Mph. And I was still there, but a wreck! I sometimes think we don't realise what we are capable of. I changed gears without noticing and stayed with the TDF minded guys. My bike? A 1980s Dawes Super Galaxy with heavy standard wheels and Marathon thick treaded tyres. I was supposed to be doing some Off road with the B's. I was on a 7speed triple, don't even know the size but it's a standard bike with DT shifters. Where am I going with this? I think it's the heart, lungs and legs we should look after.
Took Monday off though. knackered.