Originally Posted by ovoleg
OH, lol...That is taking it a bit far. Most people that I have met haven't had too much of a problem helping newcomers. The club rides that I go to always help out the new guys and introduce them.
Maybe from racers this isn't the case but that is all expected with any sport. You think a good racing swimmer is going to be training new people on how to swim?? Think about it.
PS: I'll try it out, I will let you guys know...We are going out this Friday. I told him 20miles to see where he is at, we will do more if he is comfortable. No hills and half will be on a bike path that has a light every 1/4 of a mile(Oxnard parallel to the Orange Line if anyone knows what I am talking about).
All you need do to see my point is to read the replies a newbie gets here in this very forum to a question which, to the experts here, is ignorant. It's the same type of attitude which causes good riders to shun lessers, newer riders.
Now I'm not there at your work to see the interaction between you two so maybe I generalized you personally into a case where you don't fit, but that doesn't mean I'm wrong in the general case.
Here on this board I've seen (and myself done) folks go into the 50+ forum to ask new type questions not beause they are over 50, but because the folks there are courteous to new type questions.
I've personally been snubbed by guys in Lycra plenty of times because I used to ride in shorts and a tee or maybe because I was going slowly. No way would I subject myself to the abuse I'd take if I were to try and join one of the riding groups locally. I suppose I'm ok enough a rider now to join and keep up, but the atmosphere isn't for me.
Look at how wonderful bike riding is and how few folks do it. Look how many folks have bikes in their garages with flat tires for not riding. Why does almost everybody try this, but then drop out except for a very few?
I can tell you that for me it was meeting my ex pro racer in another pursuit. So he helped me get started and had the patience to ride with me slowly. That hooked me. If I'd been on my own, I'd probably have that flat tired bike in the garage now. This sport is hostile to newcomers- even if you personally aren't.