I guess I am very sensitive. No, let's say I know I am sensitive. Even though I say I am not competitive, I hate it when it's "in my face" that someone is a better rider, even though I don't necessarily have the desire to put in the time or training to get faster. It just kind of reminds me of my limitations, which I don't like. I try and put it in perspective and think about my friends who are not active at all; they think I'm an Ironwoman.
I find that women often give more of these veiled compliments than men, although, I have had a couple of comments like NW_Meg received, on hard rides.
I even feel this way when I ride with DH and he might charge up a small hill ahead of me. I am a pretty good climber for an old lady, but I know I will never be able to do what he does. It's not that I sit around all day thinking about this, but secretly, I think I would like to be like all these strong, fast people, but I just started too late in life.