I have to agree with Velocipedio. He isn't judging someone's entire persona based on their bike, he's assessing their ability. ANd I think it's reasonable for the guys in the bike club to have reservations about someone who they don't know, showing up in a walmart bike. It doesn't seem likely that someone on a heavy, department tore bike is going to be able to keep up with riders on lighter road bikes, especially on hills, and they're probably thinking, 'I'm going to have to keep going back and making sure this guy doesn't get dropped.' It doesn't mean he can't ride at all, but those bikes have limittions. I wouldn't attempt it, personally! He may be able to outride the guys in the club but I doubt it if he's on a walmart bike.