Originally Posted by mikesdca

Given the number of ass monkeys I`ve seen on this forum (*hint hint, thread starter), I happily call myself an ex-cyclist. When I WAS still a cyclist I guess I would have been a Fred. I waited for slower riders, I talked to newbies as equals, I kept groups together by pushing the weaker riders over climbs.

Somehow, in midst of being this complete Dork/Tool/Fred, I managed to take a few medals from the So. Cal championships, a couple medals from Junior Nats, and made a trip to the `88 Junior Worlds in Odense, Denmark. Even squeezed out a win or two while riding for a small Belgian amateur outfit based in St. Niklaas.

I rode side by side with Tom Steels and Peter Van Petegem while they were still just 19 year old `strong boys` from Flandres. Tom, as all you `serious riders` must certainly know, went on to Tour victories, etc., while Peter...need I say more? My engine was not of that caliber. I took my shot. No regrets.

Keep it up you `real cyclists.` Keep looking down on the new folks. Keep laughing at the guy who shows up in knee socks and tennis shoes to his first race. You`re all just so cool.

Mike