At what point are we no longer newbies?

[Steph]

My husband says we still are. We have been MTB'ing for about 6 months or so and still riding some low end hard tails. We only get to ride once a week so are we still newbies?

[KnottedYet]

I don't know. Do you feel like a newbie? If you don't feel like a newbie, then I don't think you are.

As far as I know, "newbie" is a self-determined thing.

[caligurl]

oh... i'm STILL a total newb at MTBing!!!!! and i first got one over a year and a half ago!!!! i tend to ride the road bike more... since getting my new stumpy in december i'm riding the MTB more now... but still feel like a total beginner!!!!

[SouthernBelle]

I started riding in a 'serious' fashion last spring, maybe March. Still consider myself a newb for most purposes. I can help out a total newb, but there are lots of things I have to learn.

[7rider]

I started mountainbiking about 10 years ago - once a week. I got okay. Never great. Had a bad crash. Ride rarely now. Haven't been in the woods in ... well, in a loooooong time. My own head is my worst enemy in the woods. Total freak-out with obstacles. Yeah. I'm a newbie. I suspect I always will be.
On the road....I've been riding for about 15 years. Sometimes, things click and I can say "hey, I'm a cyclist and I have my act together about this." Sometimes, I ride with folks who really have their act together, and I feel like a total dork. Then I say "I'll always be a newb."
So, yeah. Being a newbie is a state of mind. No one hands out diplomas or anything.

[Kalidurga]

I've been riding on a fairly regular basis ever since I was a kid, so for that reason I don't consider myself a newbie. But last year I bought a new bike, got clipless pedals & a computer, and discovered TE. I now think about what's involved in going for a ride, and I've learned so much that I never knew before. For that reason, I do consider myself a newbie.

No matter how much I learn or how my riding skills/endurance/etc continue to improve, I'll always read the newbie section of forums like this just because there's so much good information to be had.

[bcipam]

To me a noob is someone who is just starting to ride. Basically within the first month or two. After that you become a beginner, advanced beginner, etc.

I do newbie road and mtb rides. On my newbie road rides I have people who still have to stop and walk across the street at lights. I had one woman who had to stop in order to turn her bike so when she got to a corner, she had to stop, and turn her bike in order to make the right turn. The average speed, even on flats is 4 - 5 miles an hour.

If you have advanced beyond that you are no longer a newbie roadie.

Now mountain biking is another thing. I been riding since the original rigid bikes came out and still consider myself a newbie. Last Saturday just trying to stop on a flat I fell. In front alot of people. I was embarassed but I did a stupid newbie thing and deserved the ridicule. Basically I would say if you can do 5 - 6 miles of trail with some climbs, ruts and sand, and know how to descend, you are no longer a newbie MTBer.

This almost sounds like "You know you're a redneck if..."

"You know you are a newbie if... you are riding dressed in a Pink and Blue Hello Kitty t-shirt, matching sweat pants, Skechers tennis shoes and a helmet from Wal-Mart..."

"You know you are a newbie if... shifting even a 3 speed is beyond your comprehension"

"You know you are a newbie if... your helmet is sitting on your head backwards" (although I have seen this on experienced riders as well)

"You know you are a newbie mountain biker if... everytime you approach horse droppings in the middle of the trail you stop and walked around..."

You guys add your own! Note all the above occurred on my rides...

[Bluetree]

"You know you are a newbie if... you are riding dressed in a Pink and Blue Hello Kitty t-shirt...

Actually, I wouldn't mind having a jersey like that.

[KnottedYet]

do helmets from Wal-Mart have to meet the same safety standards as helmets from bike shops?

I just shudder every time I see someone riding without a helmet. Any safe helmet in good condition is ok by me!

I've seen too many head injuries in rehab to be nonchalant about helmet-less riders.

[jobob]

Well, my avatar is a bike with training wheels.

It's there to remind me that there's always something for me to learn.

[Trek420]

do helmets from Wal-Mart have to meet the same safety standards as helmets from bike shops?
.....

I've seen too many head injuries in rehab to be nonchalant about helmet-less riders.

They do! I think they'll even help backwards As long as it's ANSI or otherwise certified any helmet protects your noggin.

Main difference between a $20 and a $120 helmet is less weight, more vents and of course we have to have the latest style/color and Hello Kitty pattern.

[inatree]

i guess i'll stop being a newbie when other roadies stop treating me like crap.

[bcipam]

i guess i'll stop being a newbie when other roadies stop treating me like crap.

I've been riding for 30 years and have completed 100's of centuries and week long rides and some roadies still treat me like crap - so don't let that be your criteria. I just consider any roadie that treats another rider poorly is a poser in my book!

[Trek420]

inatree, you're just riding around the wrong folks we'll do a bay area ride soon I bet, and c'mon out and ride with us.

[LadyinWhite]

So, yeah. Being a newbie is a state of mind. No one hands out diplomas or anything.

Wouldn't that be awesome if someone did though??