You know when I was shopping for my first bike I did have any problem getting people to pay attention to me. Thye all wanted to sell me something, but none wanted to sell me a road bike or a mountain bike they all wanted to sell me a cruiser or something along those lines. Then I went to a shop that actually listened to me and what I wanted to do and what my goals were and guess what I have spent lots of money there. Now after not riding much last year because of family issues last year , I waiting for the weather to cooperate and get back on the road. I am ready to get back losing weight and get some of my old form of when I was young and skinny Guess what the shop that worked with me is still there and there are plenty of ex-clydes that are their encouraging me and other cyldes, no judgement no looking down their nose just fellow cyclists.