I love the big ring! That's where I get all my speed! The guys I ride with always chastise me for riding on the big ring. It's not like I do it excessively, but I'm very confortable there on the flat. If I'm more comfortable and not taxing myself or the bike on the big ring (and I get exhausted spinning on the flat like they do), why not use it? Why do they put a big ring on the bike if not to use!

The big ring is my friend.