There is a guy in town, his bars broke last year and while it was the shop getting fixed a friend had pink bar tape put on it. At the next ride, he traded pink glasses glasses and socks... of course, he can crush pretty much any of us.
I enjoy doing 25mph on my $179 Fuji Hybrid with Alivio & slicks. Although I agree with the folks who give me that look - flat bars really don't belong in a tight group.