I'm a newbie that wears a camelback once in a while, my knees stick out almost past my belly and I do wear SPD mountain bike shoes on my roadbikes, simply because, I was into MTB first and thought it would be cheaper just to buy a couple more sets of pedals, than another pair of shoes. I don't own any spandex or Jerseys at all (they don't come in those sizes)... and I ride an Allez comp double (w/ultegra-Dura mix).
Should I feel like I'm not good enough to fit in with all you cycling elite who snicker names like "Fred", "Barney" or "Harvey"...OP...whatever etc. That is the problem with this sport... check this, YOU WERE ALL NEWBIES ONCE and yes ALL FREDS HARVEY BARNEYS AND YADDA YADDA at one time or another, get off your perches and just wave to everybody on two wheels and greet them with a smile.