This past October I rode with several experienced riders who were on road bikes and I was able to keep up with them on my NWT. I don't find it too difficult at all riding with 'the best of them.' I believe that's what makes the BF's so unique - (from their website: "It's all in the gearing. a single turn of the pedals on a Bike Friday will cover the same ground as that of a regular wheeled bike - the small wheel just turns a little more. The gears on a Bike Friday are configured to match the ratios of a regular bike.") People are usually skeptical at first when they see the small bike, but then when you're able to keep up and ride right along with the roadies, you get asked lots of questions about the bike.