Actually, if you find there are lots of riders passing you on an event, it just might be from stale air in your tires.  Warning however, do not replace the air in your tires on a humid day since humid air weighs more which might make you slower then before.
Really this is true.  I had lunch with Lance and we discussed this very issue.

Cycledawg wrote:

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Are yall still using air??? Oh my, Yall need to get up to date. All serious bike riders know that Nitrogen is the ONLY way to go. Nitrogen doesn't expand when it gets hot. Think about that when you are going down that steep hill @ 40+ mph and the wheels are red hot from all that braking, POW. Also, nitrogen is lighter, cooler, cheaper and keeps the rubber softer (better grip) and doesn't leak so you don't have to fill up everyday.
Cycledawg 

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Nah, make your bike lighter!  Use helium!  Of course that little atom is pretty agile so you may find yourself having to add more before every ride.  Be sure to put something heavy on your bike when you get off if you have fat tires.

You could use hydrogen for even more lightness, but since it is flammable that may not be a good idea for the downhill sections where you might be getting those brakes pretty hot.  Might turn a blow out to a blow up! 

I started using hydrogen this year. My bike is much lighter. Did have one blow out while in a pace line. Lucky for me it was the rear tire. From the reports I've gotten the guy behind me is going to make a full recovery from the burns.

Has anyone else rotated the tape on their handlebars? I find I tend to wear out the tape on the left faster. Must be cause I'm left handed. So if I rotate the left and right tape it lasts twice as long.

I have found bar end streamers make a bicycle more areo.  Playing cards place in the spokes decrease side wind resistance.  Both will increase your average speed.  Warning however, you MUST use Bicycle Brand cards for the spokes are they will not work.

You know all joking aside. In my other life I was a aircraft mechanic on two engine jet fighters and in the mid 80s we (the US Air Force) whiched from using compress air for servicing tires, landing gear struts and the various systems to using only N2 nitrogen. It was only to help prevent corosion (rust) in the various systems that could lead to a mechanical failure. Bad news if you just happen to be the one landing a 33,000 lb F-15E. 
      I have heard that they are using n2 in NASCAR tires now?

I'll just stick with plain old air in my tires, just save me a spot for my tent. I will be in sometime before sunset. Playing cards in the spokes sounds cool. see ya in a month. 

Try metric air. 

Claude wrote:

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Be sure your are ISO 8573 Air Quality compliant.

http://www.domnickhunter.com/scientific/articles/iso8753.1.asp

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Oh yeah, I wanna camp near you guys! Should be some lively campfire chats. Seriously, look me up at camp so we can discuss this. You won't be able to miss me; I'll be in a tent.

Hey Air Head,
     Ever heard of heavy water? Maybe there is somewhere you can get heavy air. I am sure you will need to be cerified in heavy air use and may have to displayed a placard at all times on your wheels.

I've tried using heavy air in my tires. Had it imported from Florida in the summer. Did not work well. Way too much moisture. When I hit the brakes hard all the water from the humidity would slosh to the front of my tires. I've found it much better to use a lighter air imported from the arctic.