Originally Posted by Serge *******
Gene, how are you "better" than the students and folk cyclists? What skills do you have that they don't have?
What is it about the Lance wannabes that make them "better" than you? What skills do they have that you don't have? Do you have any skills that they might not have?
Depends on how you define "better" doesn't it.
By "better" is it meant that I can change gears smoother and climb hills faster? Or is "better" defined by how one rides or does not ride in traffic (I am sure that is your definition, in spite of the fact that some of these folks only encounter traffic as a pedestrian would). Or is "better" defined as those who get to their destination more often. (which might include off road skills)
I chose to define "better" as the actual output I put into riding... the "horsepower" put into the ride. As another example: RegularGuy stated "I am much more experienced than I am skilled." He chose "better" as the ability to handle the bike in a varity of situations (skill). RegularGuy probably can outpace any of the folk riders I mention due to his experience.
The Lance wannabes are climbing hills "better" than I; they are going faster than I; in a race, their "better" would win. But how would they do compared to say a delivery rider in NYC? Earlier in my life I used to hang out with Veledome riders... I marveled at their sprint ability, they on the other hand could not stand to tour for a hundred miles over an 8 or 9 hour day. Different skills... we were each "better" in a different way.
Of course a combination of all the skills... speed, traffic handling, and the desire and ability to ride every day, and the endurance to do long miles, and of course the ability to sprint, could be defined as the optimum "better."