And remember Beryl Burton, Seana Hogan, Muffy Ritz, and all the other crazy-strong-distance ladies who whoop men when needed.

Sometimes we beat men, sometimes we don't. If anyone gets on your case about it, they're a jerk and not a good training partner. I will repeat the wise words of IronHorse213 (hiya, IronHorse!): it's most important to compete against yourself and yourself alone. If I let myself get down when anyone outpaced me, I'd never get on a bike again. No thanks--I love riding too much.