first commute today with a Carradice Super C saddlebag instead of my standard rack and panniers and I felt like I was flying! or at least felt like I normally do when I ride on weekends without my commuting gear on the bike.

then, some guy with a modified Specialized Allex with flat bars + bar ends passed me just as we entered Lexington on the Minuteman Bikeway and just kicked my ass. he was do a high cadence 22 mph cruise and I was almost sprinting trying to stay on his wheel. Eventually, as we approached Bedford and 128, I took a turn at pulling him and brought things up to 27mph. Then he said, "one of the straps on your bag is coming loose" and as I raised up to check it out, he just blew past me again.

Felt like someone pulled the cyclists' version of "your shoelace is untied" on me.