Since I got back to cycling 2 months ago, I realized how the difference on how heavy I was, especially when going up.
I didn't take as much effort climbing hills before, but of course I am now 50+lbs heavier..

On the race I joined last Sunday, the lighter riders (almost half my weight) would pass me on the hills -- I was already on my granny -- most of them were on their mid-ring.. (imagine the speed difference and how much I needed to make up).

I figure I could pass them on the downhill, I could get the distance between us closer, however, I could only do so much as they were pounding just as much power on the down slope and on the flats..

I guess the only way to beat the smaller (more physically fit) riders is to train harder than them -- and to drop as much weight from my belly.. lol.