Does it count that I feel inferior to my bike?

Cuz I sure do. I haven't made as much progress as I'd like in technical mountain biking, but I ended up getting a ridiculously sweet ride*, and -- this is the really over the top part -- it's gold anodized. I feel pretty self conscious doing what are considered lightweight local rides (still pretty hard, I suspect, compared to most terrain in the US) on this beast of a bike.

A friend of a friend talks about how his bike must be so bummed to be stuck with him as a rider. Sometimes I think my bike feels the same way.

Also, I got a free jersey from the bike shop from which I got my ridiculously sweet ride, and I am nervous about wearing it. Because it's a high end bike shop ...

It doesn't help that there are so many competitive riders in the area. It's entirely possible that the guy or gal who just passed you is a pro-level rider. Drop that to sport level, and it's almost certain =P

Ah well. I've ordered the Hill Slug jersey to avoid any accusation of false advertising.

Yeah. Really need to get over it. What matters is that I'm out there, right?

*Ellsworth Truth with hand-picked components