I think it's also a bit self-selecting because a lot of the slower folks who'd be in the bottom half aren't on Strava in the first place. So you're mostly comparing yourself already to the top like half of anyone doing the work.

Fair. There are a couple of deeply obscure segments that I've accidentally come near the top of but otherwise I mostly get "local legend" which I tend to read as "cycle with more imagination!"

I track everything on Strava not because I am a Very Serious Athlete but mainly to keep track of where I've been and what I've been doing and connect with other people biking, so poking at the segment stats mainly dominated by pros is just for fun, and often funny.

I used it to track a New Year resolution a few years back - ride every day for a year - and then just got into the habit! Love seeing what folk are doing on their rides...

Always fun to see others' rides, especially touring or bikepacking, for inspiration. Also fun to see just how badass some of my friends are when they post a random saturday 150+ mi ride like wtf.