Recumbents are king



17on the flats is a casual pace u must know that....
I have a friend that moved to Modesto and has one. He brags about riding at 45 mph and since he was really fast on a normal bike I believe him. But a ride is a ride no matter what you're on. If you reduce the friction from a lower frontal area you simply don't expend as much energy. Is that what you're impressing people with? Ride up some real hills and then talk about your speed.