Had to jump in here with a question. I wonder what the snobs would like the rest of us to do? Would they think better of us if we just stayed home on the couch and became couch-potatoes? Or, should be spend a ton of money on bikes that we don't really have the experience for?

I was starting a ride a few weeks ago in a parking lot loaded with tons of roadies gearing up or cooling down. An older woman rode up to the car next to me. She was probably in her 60's, and didn't appear to be in great shape. She was riding something that I can only describe as a tricycle. She was sitting upright, with a big (as she called it) tractor seat, huge baskets up front and behind, and, of all things, a canopy top! She seemed to be very self-conscious of her ride, but I started to talk to her and she was a blast! Told me she shopped for months to get this and was so happy to be able to get outside. It was the only exercise her knees could handle. After talking a few minutes, her husband rode up on a road bike, in full gear. Would the snobs have had a field day with her? Don't know, but what's the point??? We had a great talk, she warned me about a hazard out on the path, and thinking about her had me smiling all day. Gotta love anyone who does anything it takes to get out there and RIDE! Isn't that what we all want?

I guess that's my point! What do you get from looking down at others?