Quote Originally Posted by chicagogal View Post
I....It's kinda crazy, but there are so many little faux-pas that roadies use to identify other "real" roadies. As in, real roadies don't wear camelbacks, don't have reflectors, don't have mirrors, don't wear cotton, don't have tri bars, etc, etc. Show up on a group ride with any of these things and don't expect to feel very welcome. I know, it doesn't really seem fair That being said, the "discrimination" is partly because group riding requires so much trust of the riders around you, that often times, these faux-pas are red flags that a rider is new to the road . . .
I guess that I will never be considered a "real roadie" then, that's ok. I love my Camelbak and my bar-end mirror. I feel much safer/comfortable with both - and pretty soon my lovely steel touring steed will have fenders and a rack (and eventually a bag of some type)- and he is meant for and will get some serious mileage. If this means that some won't consider me a real cyclist, oh well, that's ok. I am having fun and learning a lot as I go along I will show up for our club grand touring rides in the country, for that is what interests me. Probably not the club dinner/breakfast rides as I don't care for urban riding - though that may well change in the future.

Thanks to all for their different perspectives on mirrors!