I can only think of one instance
I can only think of one instance in which my riding was belittled. I was just getting back into racing after an extended bout of chronic fatigue syndrome and Epstein-Barr virus (I am recovered now thankfully). I was at my first race in a few years.
I have a beautiful '97 Ocoee Litespeed mountain bike (12inch, so don't feel badly whoever owned that 15.5" LOL). I didn't want a huge 2 carat diamond engagement ring like my hubby wanted to get me (men always have to outdo their dads LOL), so I asked for every biking girls' dream bike...
Anyway, I asked for a half carat diamond and a new mtn. bike...I always refer to my Litespeed as my engagement bike LOL. Well, there was a hairy section of trail in this one race so I walked it and did the cyclocross hike a bike bit. This one smarty gal on the side of the trail said, "Oh, that must be why you have such a nice bike because it's lighter when you have to walk!" Nice, huh? I replied, "No, it's my engagement bike that's why it's nice and why aren't you racing right now?"
Talk about a cheap shot...I pedalled away but I did cry for a few miles...It felt so demeaning and dehumanizing...I figured "what's the use?" But, then, I found my inner biking Goddess again...Maybe one day I will return to mtn. bike racing...
BTW, read that book "The Four Agreements" by M. Ruiz...don't ever take anything someone says personally! :)
Hugs,
Lisa