Dear person in my pole dancing class,

There are times it takes nerve to take this class. I realize you are much younger and apparently run marathons in record time (according to you), easily do things requiring arm/ab strength, and don't appear to have time constraints put upon you by working. There are times I struggle because I am the oldest one in class, am definitely the least flexible, and am working to getting back into the shape I was in before moving to Washington.

Imagine my surprise when I saw your Seven bike as I was going into class yesterday. I didn't know you cycled! I asked you questions about components (you didn't know what you had), gear sizes (ditto on not knowing) and you were able to deflect all by announcing that the bike was built for YOU!!! I asked you about hill climbing which has been my nemesis this year as I am getting into shape and I noticed you had a double with a fairly small cassette in the back. You said you had no problems at all with hills and the bike flies up them.

All of that is ok until you said loudly, with other people around and in a patronizing tone, "it's ok, you will climb hills better as you start to lose weight".

I don't know if you realize it but I'm pretty much the same size I was when I was working out a lot. I also don't know if you realize that I probably have a longer riding history than you do. And maybe you don't realize that I know I need to get back into shape which is why I'm riding 100+ miles a week, and have also started running, and am doing things like taking pole dancing class.

It was all I could do to stay in class. In a group where you are a bit vulnerable due to the nature of the class, I think your comment was unwarranted and uncalled for.

Oh and fellow classmate? Not that I'm spiteful but when I tearfully told DH what had happened, I gave him a brief description of you. He remembered seeing you from the one time he dropped me off at class two months ago. He said at the time that you looked like a high maintenance b&*^% and that is why he remembered seeing you. It doesn't make it all better but it goes to show that there are people who see you for what you are.