I vote for the false sense of security, it was what I also was thinking. maybe you should plan an extra ten minutes and make friends one morning. Bring some bugs and cracked corn and let him know you are a friendly.

I had a nice commute this morning. I had a mild head wind, but the temperature was great. I do not miss the eastern hot and muggy summers at all.

I saw a friend on my one small uphill this morning, she drove today and I go by her work. She caught up with me and we had a nice chat uphill at about 18 km/h. She does the hill usually with a trailer and a heavy Swobo and she could not believe how fast I was going. I did not feel fast, but I picked up the pace to match more of her speed. It ended up being my PR on the hill! It is nice to see good friends when you do not expect it on a ride.

I tried the middle ring on my way up the hill heading home yesterday. I worked hard, but was not faster. I just feel better in the big ring. I did pass a guy then I mis-shifted a bit later and had to slow a bit. He then passed me and I was unable to pass due to traffic. Kind of annoying, but at least he was only a small fraction slower.