You only have to go fast if you are racing or have men pushing you to go faster. I am a little different highly competitive when I ride with others or actually timing myself over a section. But there are also days that I ride slow just to enjoy the sunshine and the trees. On the other hand to me the sound of the wind rushing by my ears as I go faster and faster is like music that urges me on. It is all up to the person and who they are not what others expect of us.

By the way good job to the orginal poster those are fine accomplishments. I can empathize about loosing weight cycling I have lost 65 and have 40 more to go.