ugh, is that real?
that is not a very cool bottle either.

yep. https://www.joeydurango.com/pixpages/squirrelpage.htm

ya I know those frame mounted pumps are ugly.

I don't think this is even remotely true. Try going down to a city park and getting into a pick up basketball game. Now try it out of shape and wearing penny loafers and see how many times they pass you the ball. Isn't this similar to what the OP did?

Ever just walk up to a bunch of soccer players getting ready to start a game and see if you could join them? Maybe hop into a volleyball game or a softball game? Would you usually be welcome? Cycling is one of the only sports where a complete outsider is welcome on most rides. Yes, there are a few "elitists", but there are far more friendly and welcoming bike riders and racers.

We of the Road Nazi Gestapo are watching this thread. We are taking names.

You have been warned.

Actually that's not a bad comparison. It might be lost on this crowd though because the only "ball" sports that any of us have participated in are the ones we do alone late at night....while reading BF.

I just soaked my laptop in coffee.

I'd agree with the above statement. My carbon fibre bike is expensive to fix and chances are should I crash the frame is likely toasted. I can't afford another. More important, crashes hurt, it takes time to recover, one could loose a whole season due to a newb not being able to handle his/her bike.

I'm plan to try my hand at racing later this year but fully intended to prepare with many months riding with a group to ensure my saftey and that of others. I'm pretty good in terms of strength and endurance but definately need some tighten on the close quarter riding skills.

While there is ego and those just wanting to look "cool" types in cycling, there are many more great riders willing to help if asked. These "Dealing with elitists" statement seems to be more like a "I need to be loved"..... Suck it up and get back out there !

Offer them a bag of weed! You'll be accepted.












It can be grass clippings from the your lawn dried with a little peppermint oil.

It's elitism... sort of.. in the sense that (from what I gather) you're not nearly as good as them and are basically in the wrong place... You are not paying money for a training group, they don't owe you anything. Letting you ride with them might be crueler if you just end up lost in the middle of nowhere while they blast past you going 25 mph for a 70 mile ride.

That sounds about right... A strong rider will be able to keep up with the group and not cause problems, regardless of the equipment. But more often than not, the equipment is indicative of the rider. If someone shows up to the local hammerfest on the OP's bike I would be skeptical, I may even give them a funny look. If I still see them later when we are going 30+ I will have a completely different opinion of them.

And regarding the self-preservation, that's a very strong factor. I drifted a little bit on Saturday and bumped into a rider coming up behind me on my left on a descent. I wobbled a bit but didn't go down, and he yelled at me to hold my line. He gave me looks and a wide line the rest of the ride, and he knew me. I don't know why anyone would come into a situation as an unknown quantity with equipment that screams inexperienced and expect people to not have some hesitation of your abilities.

Yep its real.... one of those old fashioned frame pumps.

"The trouble is with experienced and fit riders that they don't always remember what it was like when they were starting out."
Some fit people haven't ever been unfit, so it's not memory, just lack of experience with being unfit in the first place.

Suggestion: Look up all the charity rides within a 100 miles of you and go on them. Based on the ones I've been on, you have a bunch of fast people that promptly lose you, and then you wind up riding with people of similar speed, and there's a bunch of them, too. You're not necessarily riding in a tight group but you're not the only bike on the road either.

That is by far the handsomest devil of a squirrel I've ever seen.

When you can actually start somewhat hanging with them and not disrupt their rhytm, your opinions will more than likely change. Been there, done that.

Ill be honest with you..... The slower folks on century rides around here are bigger pricks than the racers. They travel in elite little groups and don't want newcomers around.

being in shape, and being bike fit is not the same thing.

i've been riding with a bunch of triathletes lately. i have no doubt that they can outrun me, out-swim me, and athletically just about out-everything else me.

the one thing i know, is that most can't out-ride me.

Where's the original poster?

I think he never asked for advice, he was just ranting!

But I'll give mine anyway! Even if they are muscular but have nice faces and smooth hands... you may keep up with them. If they look like they came from PCAD's Road Nazi concentration camp with chicken legs and sunken cheeks, holes in the lycra and bloodshot eyes, you don't stand a chance.

wow, this picture is even more telling of what happened:



that must have hurt

You see, some stereotypes are in place for a reason. They automatically judged you because not only do all people judge others on the first impression, but because they've seen out of shape guys on touring bikes before and most, if not all, have left the same impression before.
Nobody in their right mind is going to think to themselves "Wow, if that guy was in shape, he could probably keep up with us!"
This isn't elementary school where the teams are picked at random like in gym class, this is cycling. Those riders go to that ride to get some training miles in and improve their fitness, why should they wait for just some guy they haven't met before?
Did you even get acquainted with the group before setting out? Because if you did (which I'm guessing you didn't) they'd be warmer to you.

i agree. when i started playing league racquetball a few years ago i subbed one night up in the 'A' group where i was pounded mercilessly by serious and experienced players. but after each 15-0 ass kicking, each guy took the time and very kindly gave me some really important pointers on how to actually play the game correctly at a higher level. for the next few months i had to check my ego at the door before playing, but i got better in a hurry.

With peers like that, who needs enemies?

I always figure most guys on bikes are d*cks. I have no problem with women riders though, they seam to be more social. Guys are always trying to prove something even when they are out supposedly enjoying a bike ride. I never understood it. When I give a simple "Good morning" it is rarely returned. But thats the way its always been with bikers, theyre very snobbish.