I always assume everyone on the road could whup my @ss ever since I tried for 3 miles to catch up with someone who had at least 40 lbs. worth of beer gut over me. But we seemed to be going about the same speed; he did catch a break at a couple of traffic lights, though. (yeah, that's it, I would've won? if it hadn't been for those darn lights)
I've noticed that my mtbing has improved a lot since I took up road cycling. I haven't hit the gnarly trails in a while but on the mountain top trail I'm much faster yet I haven't crashed into any trees(yet).
__________________