Originally Posted by
jadmt
I just turned 65 and got back into riding last year after a 25 year break. Was a serious cyclist in the 80’s and 90’s but kind a quit cold turkey. Went from zero to 60 pretty fast and last year did 7000 miles. I wanted a quality steel bike but ended up getting a canyon endurace cf8 and while i like it i regret getting it and wish i would have bought a nice steel bike. I am not sure what fast is as i ride solo but i did 3 100 milers averaging 18-19mph and really am shooting for a sub 5 hour 100 miler this year. Something about steel just looks right.
100 miles solo at 18-19mph is fast. With a few aero tweaks (body position, clothing, wheels, aerobat clip ons), it shouldn't be hard to go from where you are to a 5-hour century.
But you chose a good bike for going fast and long. Steel would have made you slower.