Quote Originally Posted by RoadRaven
As for the stir that Lenusik made, well - I read the post and agreed with her... alot of the averages here are slow for me... now.
But I'd like to say to all the beginning riders... that all pro-riders started at a beginning level...
And to those who are not motivated by speed but rather by enjoyment and the pleasure of getting on a bike and increasing personal fitness ... don't get put off by people, like myself, who are obsessed with PBs (and beating my sister-in-law or my colleague at work).
So, when MP and Nanci average only 13.5 miles an hour over a 600k, they're only beginning riders?

13.5 maybe slow for you on your course with your equipment, terrain, age, weight, winds, etc., etc., etc., It can be damn fast in other situations. When you can ride a 600K faster than that, let us know.

Sorry, but you sound like the Bike Club president who told me I wasn't a serious cyclist because I don't ride ultra-distance events. Well, I haven't noticed Lance riding brevets either. You start out your post by agreeing that the variables are critical, but you end it with implying that slow speeds make you a beginning rider. You want to re-consider?