superted

Well as some of you know I got my first road bike on Monday and today was the first time I got to ride it. I went to this bigass park where all the roadies go to ride and I was a bit worried/ intimidated because of seeing alll these guys on full carbon frames, going pretty quick etc.

However, when I got there everyone was really friendly, came up and said hi, nodded, smiled as they went past. At a traffic light outside the park on the way home, bloke on a custom fitted ride pulls up and just starts chatting to me, even though his wheels alone cost more than the whole of my bike...

Anyway, I was really pleasantly suprised and wanted to share this.
So I'll probably go back tomorrow.

wrote4luck

Sounds pretty cool. Here in the states you will encounter both positive and negative comments as a new rider. It's cool though, that's just the way the sport seems to be. Keep riding and you'll be helping a new guy soon enough.

Cycleman1958

Its like welcoming a new comer to a church. Wait until you hit the spiritual demension along about mile 60. Or perhaps it will come to you on that long climb when you are up, out of the saddle, hammering the pedals and doing things you did not think possible.

secondsaway

That must of been a really nice feeling. I hope I get the same vibe when I join in a few local rides soon.

TXCiclista

Remember this so when you get "yelled at" some day, you don't lose heart. 95% of us out there are just enjoying ourselves. It's the 5% that can get you down.

Welcome to the club!

slynkie

That's very cool, I wish i'd had that experience. so far i've gotten mostly silence, but then again, i'm a quiet guy. i'm looking forward to trying club rides this year, though.

rollin

"bigass park" Richmond Park?

I have to say that in my 20 years cycling (low grade competitive mountain biking in the UK and recreational road here and in the UK) - I have never had any -ve sentiment that bothered me from any other cyclists. even most of the ribbing on this forum is usually good natured... As another poster recently said "we're in this together"

Remember this feeling and make sure you reciprocate when you meet some new rider in a couple of years when you are riding a new Orca with lightweight wheels!

Ride safe...

secondsaway

Thats true. You cant really thank all those guys for making your experience such a positive one. All you can really do is pay it forward and have the same impact on another newbie some years down the track when you are the old hat

Dont forget the experience

EventServices

Welcome to the best sport in the world.
When the pedal comes up, push it down again.

patentcad

You need a nice dose of NY City racing scene elitism/snobbery. Then we'll see how much you love road cycling : ).

Go with the flow mate. If they're friendly in London, keep going back. There's plenty of great people in cycling. Most of them. When you run into the pinheads, don't let it get you down.

And of course, welcome to the madness. If you're lucky you'll live long enough to wonder how the hell you can free yourself from this addiction. And why you'd ever want to.

FIVE ONE SIX

get a job!

j/k

good luck with the new bike, and always keep your chin up. like someone said, about 95% of the people you see will give you props, and the other 5% of the people you see would be pissed off if they won the lottery!