JB ....
Whilst I still enjoy bike riding (of course!), I don't really get that much of a buzz from 'going fast' any more.
For me, the buzz, the arm pump in the air, the enjoyment and satisfaction I get in my riding comes from being smart and working things out. To me, a really good ride is one that's peppered with little .... ummm .... challenges? Is that the right word? tests? Little conundrums to work out and solve?
When you've got that beautiful flow going, and it's man and machine working beautifully together, you come up behind something thats just a tad slower than you, and you seamlessly, effortlessly, but
cleverly ... work out how to pass him like a swan on the water, that's a good feeling, and it's a good skill.
In my Rapid days, we often spend a lot of time working on that following, overtaking position, the transition between the two, the idea of lining up the planets and 'arriving' behind the vehicle in front in the right place, at the right speed, at the right time.. just as that bend opens up. When you get it right .... ahhhhhhh .... effortless .... passing vehicles by applying brain power and playing a smart game of chess with the traffic.
I know where you're coming from. I know exactly, your point. Boy, have I followed some plonkers in my time that just hoon from the start, have no touch, no beautiful acceleration sense, ham fisted overtakes and everything is speed speed speed .....
It doesn't have to be like that, it shouldn't be like that, but a
good rider, that swan on the water ride, that's smooth, pacey, easy, wonderful flow .... He (she ... Fran ??!) will be able to demonstrate that he can pass a vehicle in front with no dramas and carry on with his journey.