Originally Posted by DonChuwish
In my first ever Cat5 race (a crit) early this spring a 'unattached' rider launched off the front about 2/3 of the way into the race. With a stiff headwind leading into a short climb, everyone let him go 'knowing' he'd be back. Every lap the time gap just got bigger and bigger. He won easy. Turns out he'd recently completed a loaded (trailer and all) ride across America. Wicked strong and knew how to solo for sure. Beware the guy with the bags!
Hahaha, ya definitely. Take anyone who's done loaded touring/commuting, put them on a 16 pound race bike and then get out of their way. There's at least one guy in Toronto who's a messenger during the week and then does the "Donut Ride" every weekend. That's a century ride that a huge pack of roadies does on Saturday and Sunday. So this guy does like 700/week "just 'cause" ... I can't even begin to imagine what his legs must look like, but I've heard some stories about how easily he drops the full kit carbon guys every weekend.