Originally Posted by
dutret
I couldn't disagree more. On the track you're stuck with the other c's or d's who themselves aren't comfortable on the track and won't ride close to each other. Further total time actually riding shoulder to shoulder is limited to at most an hour a week. Group rides are longer and you will be surrounded by more experienced riders.
you're at the wrong track then...
I see a lot of experienced roadies who are uncomfortable when they get on the track, but people who come out and spend time on the track come back and talk about how much the track improved their road riding.
And I occasionally see people with slotted cleats away from the track, including the odd elite rider. Anybody with a moderate amount of experience on them should be able to use them in a group ride on the road without any trouble.
And the 7400s and sneakers thing? So what. He'll figure it out really quick that he wants real bike shoes if he spends any time out on the track. We get lots of people who show up their first few times in sneakers, and then if they keep coming back they get better shoes and or pedals. If you spend any time over at fixedgearfever, there are quite a few people still using 7400s and other slotted systems.
You really don't need to have such a bad attitude towards new riders.