Racers aren't the only ones with drop bars, too. Long-distance riders often use them, and often for the same reasons, even though they aren't going to be doing 35+ mph sprints. Not only is it nice to have the option of ducking out of the wind after eight hours of riding, but the variety of hand positions helps for relief, too.

Not all drop bars are the same, of course. Track bars, like a couple Nitto models, are really only good for riding in the drops. The tops aren't flat, but droop downward, which doesn't leave much of a platform for the hands and kink the wrist into uncomfortable angles. I've got a bike with that style of bar, and it's the only thing I hate about the whole bike. I do enjoy them while in the drops, though, partly because the curve of the tops helps leave more room for my arms.