When someone thinks you are a newbie... and you have been riding 4 years.

[cooprn]

If I saw you riding and noticed you had salt, I'd think WOW this chick has been riding a long time and wish that I had the same signs of a long distance ride. Don't take it personally and keep going.

[blondiebiker]

My experience last week... I had problems shifting and took the bike in. I said, "I noticed that my cork tape was torn after taking my bike off the rack at my last race. I'm afraid that when that happened the shifters may have been damaged at the same time. Would you look at them for me?" Reply: "Oh, your handlebar tape doesn't affect your shifters." Duh! Maybe I wasn't clear enough, but it would be nice to get the benefit of the doubt once in a while... Although after years of fighting with car mechanics over my truck, I'm used to it!