Yeah, I started on junior-gearing and haven't progressed much taller than that. You gotta learn to spin anyway. My highest speeds in a crit are usually around 40mph in a sprint and that's using a 52x15t gear. About a 50/14t on compact cranks. Junior gearing works fine except for maybe downhills with tailwind drafting an 18-wheeler. But you're better off coasting after 45mph anyway.