1. My first thought to this question was that I don't try to create any impressions when I ride. But then I realized that isn't exactly true. My main reason for riding is because I truly enjoy riding. Although, I do like the idea of being seen as the guy blowing by on a 30 year old steel bike.
2. When I see others on C&V's I think how cool, someone else is rocking an older road bike. I then go on to think that he/she must have others and that they must have an interesting story about their bike. And let's be honest, we all like to talk about our bikes.