Originally Posted by Seattle Forrest

Ok, but I've avoided doing so out of politeness. I find them irrelevant to recreational cyclists and even to people racing at anything but the highest levels. People who race at the highest levels (in any sport) are genetically gifted people who can wipe the floor with any of us even without training at all. As you keep reminding us, their goal isn't maximizing their potential, it's just going faster than the other guys.