true, to a point. hell, my first group ride i did this year, at the time, was the hardest ride of my life so far, and it was 50ish miles, maybe 800' of elevation, at an 18.2 average. i could feel congestion in my chest the rest of the day, couldnt breathe for shit. now, i can go out, do 4mph faster and feel pretty damn good. here's my personal best this year
http://ridewithgps.com/trips/834026
rode tonight, about 32 miles, watched one buddy of mine pass a few of us on the left, another guy and him rubbed tires and he went down (the guy who was not passing, just riding). i watched him slide across the road and almost hit his bike sliding down the road. shit sucked to watch.