Well, to each his own. My Raleigh Sojourn has 50/39/30 up front and 11-34 in the rear. I almost never use the big ring. I have to be going about 30 mph before I need it, and unless I'm going downhill, that just isn't happening. With the 39-11 combination, I can only use that with a tailwind and that'll be pretty comfortable cruising at 21 or 22 mph (and my average for a ride normally won't be over around 16 mph or so). Maybe you're just faster and stronger than I am and need bigger gears, but I suspect I could get along with your gearing just fine on a brevet. I'm more apt to run out on the low end.
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"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."