Originally Posted by
coominya
Well if you're riding a racer (roadie) then ditch it for a road hybrid. You'll go slower, but get the same exercise value. You will be able to go places others can't, and you wont be caught up in all trends that have evolved around racers.
I'm riding a Cyclocross bike which would be far more capable of going off-road than most road hybrids. But I'm not quite sure what you're tying to suggest...I need to follow the course, and can't deviate off-road to take a short cut! The group I was riding with are long-distance randonneurs / Audaxers - I certainly didn't perceive any kind "road-racer elitism" - just a group of guys and gals who are serious endurance riders, and good company (when I could keep up with them....)