The first time I had any sort of interaction with other cyclists, I was at the Maine Bike Rally. I had the only Xtracycle at the rally. I found out that I am mostly slower.
Turns out that is not a bad thing. I found myself volunteering to ride sweep. A lot of people don't like to ride sweep because they have to ride slower.
I didn't feel that the folks at the rally were looking down at me, even though I was the only "Fred" there. By and large my experience indicates most cyclists are decent and friendly folks.