I like the story, but I don't like that you are perpetuating the idea that those guys are trying to buy their performance with equipment. In my experience, the old guys have the most expensive equipment because they have the most money!
Ditto. Interesting read, but in addition to what umd said, some of those 50 year old riders might have a couple hundred thousand miles under their belt from over the years, compared to your two years of riding, which might contribute to why they are pretty damned good riders. (Forty three year old guy on $5,000 worth of bike speaking here
)