Actually, I don't think [MENTION=6684]valygrl[/MENTION] has a problem. I think she might be trying to express something I've been feeling more and more myself lately- that it's not about the numbers, it's about what you can do on a bike. Not necessarily racing for everybody, but what you can do on a bike, how well you can do it, based on whatever it is that you want to do. Race, rando riding, just improving fitness, socializing with your friends, spending time on your bike.

Strava at its worst makes cycling about counting, quantifying, and comparing yourself to others. How many miles? How much elevation? What speed? Who does a segment fastest, given infinite tries over varying conditions? After all, what does it mean to get a KOM on a segment in a 40 mph tailwind that no one else had the benefit of when they rode the segment.

Add a power meter into the mix (which you know I won't even ride without, so it's not like I'm not a fan) and suddenly people start chasing watts and blathering on about their FTP or sprint power. When none of that matters as much as how well you perform. It's not about chasing numbers or worrying about anyone else, unless you're racing. And if you're racing, just race. What happens on Strava is irrelevant.

I think for me, the revelation comes from the fact that sometimes I can go out and ride a TT course faster on the same power. What does that mean? It means I'm getting better- better position on the bike, better aerodynamics, riding smarter, better adapted. And that's where I should be seeking success. Not from my placement on the Strava leader board or the numbers I see on my power meter.
[MENTION=6684]valygrl[/MENTION] is an incredibly nice person who 'gets' what cycling is about, in a similar way to how you get it and I get it. OP is an entry-level racer and I think all she was saying is race your races against appropriate competition and don't worry about the guys on Strava, because you have no way of knowing who they are or how appropriate it is for you to compare yourself to them.