imo, this has little to do with the mythical lance-alot mamil intimidating some poor newbie and everything to do with cliquish behavior of "bike culture" folk. i have personally seen newbie bikers who were turned off to biking entirely by well-meaning hipsters who took them on rides in their "normal" clothing on crap bikes and then wondered why they did not have fun sweating buckets and being chafed to rawness.

the whole idea of "normal" bike clothing is also completely tone deaf. lulemon is everywhere. elastic tights/shorts are everywhere. moisture wicking shirts are everywhere. tweed cycling britches and merino wool knickers, not so much.