How can you tell.....

[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.