I've been trying to figure out why I'm getting hung up on the numbers. It's not like I'm THAT competitive a person. It isn't as if I am perceiving an actual "race" going on (whether "slow and steady" wins it or not). I do always tend to get hung up on the numbers whenever they are involved in anything ( grades, weight, times,speeds, calories etc...) and it never gets me anywhere. My husband has pointed out that "the numbers" as far as cycling goes, are meaningless since there are sooo many variables. I know that is true, but I guess my real interest is in getting fast enough to join a group. I never can seem to work up the courage to go on any of the group rides I see posted for various cycling clubs in my area. Most of them are "too fast" for me. although there are also many that aren't, I still don't go. I don't know if getting faster would remedy that anyway.