In my very first race, about 23 years ago ( not cat anything, just a loosely organized road race for anyone who wanted to compete) I showed up on my original kestrel monocoque with dura ace. I was the only guy of 50 on carbon.

When the *** went off I went out full blast. After 3 minutes, with the certainty I was way off the front, I finally turned my head to see half the group right behind me. Then 30 seconds later I started to slow and the passing began.

After 20 people went right by me, and realizing I was in way over my head, I faked a mechanical and walked my bike back to the start / finish (making sure plenty of people saw me with said "mechanical") , threw it in my car in disgust, and went home. I managed to block the memory until just now.