How can you tell.....

[e.e.cummings]

In my mind, this is what clues me to a person who is either 'new' or may not be exactly new, but not that serious about riding:
-does not wear a helmet
-wears a helmet but does not fasten it
-cannot turn head to check behind without going off course
-cannot drink from water bottle without getting wobbly
-entire kit is spanking new - bike, clothes
-wears underwear under cycling shorts
-odd wearing of clothes - once saw a guy with a long cotton sleeveless shirt tucked into a pair of cycling shorts
-rides too fast for the situation (although these might not be new, just knobs who don't care about their safety or others)
-is not at ease with clipping in and out - really fears stopping
-someone who weaves around, is unpredictable in their riding
-takes being passed personally - hard to imagine that it is an experienced rider - or maybe just someone with a very large ego!
-someone whose bikes is overflowing with gadgets and gear, or has huge panniers for a day trip (granted, my husband is experienced, but he cannot seem to go for a day ride without packing the kitchen sink. All I need is my wallet, my keys, my cell phone, and my undersaddle kit. )
-training wheels (LOL)

[Aquila]

I look in a mirror

Or down at my right leg, where there is ALWAYS a mark from my chain, even if I haven't gone 10 feet yet.

[BluOrchid2]

I'm not new to cycling, but in about 3 weeks all of my gear is going to be brand new. So be careful who you are poo-pooing and calling newbies.

I've had a hybrid bike for about 9 years. Rode it a lot for the first five years, pulling my daughter behind me in a Burley. When she got too big for the Burley, I didn't get to ride much because she was too little to keep up with me on rides obviously, and I didn't want to go off by myself on rides in the evenings when my husband finally got home from work. So haven't ridden much for the past 3-4 years, until this year.

This summer I've ridden several 20-30 mile rides, most with my husband on his hybrid bike. We decided a couple of weeks ago that we needed and deserved nice road bikes. And today he ordered them. In about three weeks, I'll be riding a 2011 Dolce Elite Apex Compact.

My helmet is also 9 years old (I know) and I'll be getting a new one to match my new bike colors as soon as I can find one. I bought new gloves because I lost one of my old ones. I'm getting new shoes because I'm going to have clipless pedals. I guess I can still ride in my bike shorts that I have; no need to buy new ones of those.

But I guess when I take a drink and can keep from wobbling, you'll all know I'm an old pro. LOL

[Crankin]

Me, too.
I started riding in 2000.
Guess I'll always be a newbie to some.

[lisathew8lifter]

I look in a mirror

Or down at my right leg, where there is ALWAYS a mark from my chain, even if I haven't gone 10 feet yet.

i thought that was JUST ME! that happens to me EVERY ride! what the heck?