An excellent post. But it doesn't alter the obvious elitism in the post to which I referred.
Using bicycling to improve one 's physical condition is fine. Of course maintaining/improving mental conditioning may be just as important in some cases. I find surprising the angst so often expressed on the BF, including this list, about the "required" pain and strain (and equipment purchases) necessary to attain some arbitrary goal; a goal often set by self appointed experts to achieve the exalted state/"image" of "Serious" cyclist.