This kind of thing always makes me laugh, but in a good way. On my commute, or just on a ride, or to and from the trails, I LOVE chasing down the people I see in front of me. Sometimes I make it, sometimes I dont. But it is always fun.

One thing I have noticed since I started commuting was how much stronger the bags and rack make you. I love it, since I dont have time to ride to the fitness level I want to be at if I dont bike commute. A number of years ago, I was very fit from a winter pounding the pedals at a gym all winter long - I could sprint for 3/4 of a km off road and not get winded. It was great fun chasing down people on tri-bikes and road bikes using my then only bike (a mtn bike...).

The commute has been great for helping me be stronger, and faster when I want to be. (Well, when unloaded... It is early days for the commute, and I am not that fast yet loaded.) Thus far, almost every person I have seen on my commute has cruised past me - commuting racers on their carbon bikes with backpacks to those on their cross bikes (saw a sweeeeeeeet cross bike the other day for a few seconds as the guy passed. nice bike.) I dont know about the rest of you commuting with racks and bags, but I have found that I can climb MUCH stronger now than before when out riding unloaded.

Anyway, it is good fun so far, and hopefully, I will be able to keep it up or at least maintain the mileage when my job situation changes (which it will.....)