Mileage theory

[Geonz]

And it's not a question that lends itself to a simple "X calories" answer - and different people are more suited to different kinds of riding.

Here's a factor that I"m dredging up from the past, which I remember 'cause it's basically true for me. I don't *like* speed for long distances... I have to pay too much attention to the riding and those fast rides have a different attitude, which I enjoy now and again but not as my main fare.
If I'm doing high mileage I would rather ride *hard* at 15 mph on my hybrid than 18 on my ... light hybrid ...
The neat thing about having both kinds of bikes is that my options are *so* expanded. I can get in good shape riding my big ol' thing and have a good "social" time. If all i had was the fast bike I wouldn't ride as often (this is just me!) - because I'd have to be in the mood for fast.

On the other hand, I have gotten strong and fast. Having the slow bike gives me more optoins for groups to have fun riding with. When I started - for those first five years - it would have been really nice to have a faster bike so that I could have kept up with the medium-groups and had a good time. It might not have taken five years to get strong and fast