Sorry to be a downer, but I had an experience tonight that kinda shook my happy life of cycling...
I was riding back home tonight from a team ride, naturally wearing my team kit (spandex) while on my road bike. Totally minding my own business and not trying to be Speed Racer in any way, shape, or form, a scraggly dude comes up from behind me on his fixed ride and yells at me -- "how much did all that **** cost?" -- in a downright nasty tone. Then he starts gesturing at me to race with him so he can (presumably) berate some more.
I was so taken aback that I just kinda sat there not really wanting to catch him to explain the finer points -- that I ride for a college team, that my road bike was bought used off eBay, that yes, I too have a fixed gear that I ride to and from school everyday, and that I probably even once raced with this guy at the Ghettodrome. Sadly, I have a feeling this wouldn't have ever happened if he ran into me earlier in the day while riding to school on my trusty Steamroller in my usual shorts and t-shirt.
I think it's bad enough that everyone else (pedestrians, police, cars, et al.) are against us as cyclists. We definitely don't need to be sniping each other, especially when it's just about what someone is riding or wearing. I'm no hippie, but I think when it comes to cycling, we should be spreading the love (or something).
shoulda just talked to him for peace of mind instead of posting about it,
but then again maybe he post here too, will read this and will feel bad