Sorry, but this pseudo-competition always makes me laugh, just a little. I mean, I can see wanting to improve because maybe it means you're more fit. But hey, King of the Segment? Really? Relax, enjoy life. Maybe I'm just old and tired and in the way, and I know for sure my opinion is worthless.
Your opinion makes perfect sense. As long as you're not playing, then
of course it's just silly. What we're talking about here is a game, or sport, and the essential nature of such activities is that they only fully make sense to those who WANT to participate or take an interest in their outcome; they have no other purpose. Of course cycling can be functional, like transit, work/exercise or 'meditation time,' but it can also be a game - recreational, enjoyable, relaxing maybe, and otherwise totally pointless. Nobody said you have to play any particular game, but all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.