I think I know which guy I was talking about in the above post where he did 250 watts for 60 miles....well, now I have a bit more experience.
It's not all about watts!!!
For example, that guy weighs a lot more than me. That means he has to do more watts to reach the same watts/kg as me.
Moreover, if it is the same guy, I performed about as well as him in a "race rally" last summer before I had put in serious miles. It's a rally that is not a race, but treated as a race.
And here's probably the most important part. It's kind of dumb to idolize guys who are top finishers in Cat 4/5. If they are that good, they are going to cat up to 3 when they first get the chance. If they are not so good, they are going to hang out at 4 just to win beginner races.
So what does that mean? No one need idolize me. Several podiums in local crits in my first 12 races. Just means I am one of the fastest among the slowest racers.
It's more of an achievement to be fast among the fast guys.
Having said that, there's a HUGE jump from being a rec rider to being on the podium as a Cat 4. However, as I have demonstrated, with serious training over less than one year, one can make that leap.
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