I looked up your account and read it. You are a very good writer, I can't wait for the movie!
I am in my second season of road biking, and am approaching 54. The best I could do was just under 15 MPH. I am very satisfied with that.
To make this season better, I spent the winter riding to the top of either Bald Peak or Rocky Point every single weekend, no matter what the weather. Almost blown off my bike several times. I am still not fast, but it made the weather conditions of the 2006 RACC seem really tame in comparison!