Originally Posted by H_Roark

I've been mountain biking for years, but am a newcomer road biking and to this forum. In a relatively short time, I've come to a few conclusions:
1) I love road cycling.
2) I want little or nothing to do with other roadies.

The reasons for the first should be obvious. Reasons for the second have a lot to do with the attitude of some cyclists.
To illustrate the difference, I'll compare cycling to another hobby of mine-sports cars/amateur racing.
Car people appreciate fine automobiles. We are quick to drool over the latest Ferrari or Lotus. We also appreciate less expensive cars that have a high fun quotient. A well-maintained 80s RX-7 will not attract the attention that the Ferrari will, but will still be appreciated. Also, no one will be sneered at for owning the cheaper car.
In the roadie world, other bikers' tolerance of a rider seems to be based to a large extent on the equipment they have. Someone riding a new carbon gee-gawed bike with the "appropriate" gear is more likely to be treated with respect than someone riding an older, cheaper bike. Owners of less expensive bikes are likely to be sneered at, at the very least.
In amateur racing, what matters is that the person is out there doing it. The only real pre-requisite is a love of the sport. People who make silly mistakes are corrected, but no one makes fun of the bottom finishers. Here, I hear frequent comments about who is and is not a serious cyclist. Beginners seem to be viewed with annoyance at best.
In all, road bikers seem to form the most insular and intolerant community of enthusiasts I have run across. In fact, I've got a few predictions: someone will suggest I just go away. Someone else will criticize me for loving cars as well as bikes.
Perhaps amidst all this, someone can offer a reason why I should make an effort to join other cyclists, rather than just riding by myself.