I'm not competitive and don't want to be (I'm to old). I just enjoy getting on my bike and riding 25 - 30 miles around where I live.

About once a week I will get together with some friends and we will cycle somewhere (about the same mileage).

Sometimes I'm really hard on myself because I'm not competitive and can't (even if I wanted to), keep up with most riders. I find I'm in sort of a "no man's land" when it comes to cycling.

I can out climb some people but certainly can't keep up a fast pace with most people. I don't want to ride with people who are REALLY slow 8 - 9 mph and only ride for 5 miles. That leaves me with very few options when it comes to riding partners.

The ladies I do ride with are very tolerant of my slowness and will wait up for me at certain points in the ride. My average speed is usually around 11 mph. I find myself riding alone more and more, which most of the time I don't mind.

I try and remember that I should just tell myself "are you having a good time?"