Yep, I attempt to play the game as well – although, riding a heavy homemade recumbent, and being on the wrong side of 55, I have to pick my targets... Downhill or on the flat I have a chance, but with even the hint of a hill and I’m nearly always the one who is humbled.
I was comprehensively blown away this week near the end of my commute at Sydney Olympic Park. Cruising along at around 30kph, I saw a bike turn onto the trail some distance behind. Slowed though a crowded section of PSP and he was on me. He sat there for a km or so until we came to a small rise where he blasted past and took off. The bike was high end carbon road, which is fair enough, but the rider was wearing jeans.
Passed a lady rider in full lycra heading down Kissing point road recently. I knew she would catch me on the climb out of Brown’s Waterhole, and sure enough, she came up behind me about half way up. I moved over saying, ‘you go through, you’ll be faster than me up the hill..’ She thanked me and said ‘Cool bike’ as she went past. By the time we got to Vimera Rd, she was still in sight. There was no option but to raise a full head of steam and give chase. Slowly reeled her in over the undulating terain and by the time we got to the lights I was nearly on her wheel. She noticed me and said, ‘well, you’re not that slow..’ Nicest thing anyone has said to me in a while