He told me off for "not making progress". In other words (apparantly), stick to posted speed limits, but when out in the "National" limit, go as fast as you want to according to the road and traffic conditions.
National limit in UK is 60mph, unless a lower limit is posted or when on a motorway (70mph), so being actively encouraged to ride at 85 (which we did) on broad, open, bendy roads was exhilarating.
Break the limit in a built up area though and it's an instant fail.