How can you tell.....

[azfiddle]

I was a newbie last summer (a re-newbie, because I used to ride a bike a lot during high school). You could tell I wasn't one of the "cool kids" yet because I didn't wear a jersey - I was in the "t-shirt club" still. You could tell when I fell over 3 weeks in a row from my clipless pedals (although it was only on group rides). The constant refrain of "On the left!" as every other rider would pass me. Except that one time when I passed a very senior citizen on a vintage 3 speed bike.

[kcmpls]

A lot of the "newbie" things mentioned I see in my neighborhood all the time. But not by newbies, but by a) Latinos b) Somalis and c) Mormon Missionaries. All three of these groups ride their bikes a lot, but they never learn the rules of the road. They (except the Mormons) never wear helmets, are always on the sidewalk, have 3 or more people on a bike, and are on bikes that clearly don't fit them. Lots of adults on kids bikes and kids on adult bikes.

Of course, I also see a lot of people, not the missionaries, on what appear to be stolen bikes that don't fit them. Like 12 year old girls on 56cm fixed gear Surlys. And that's not just the ethnicities listed above, that's the white and blacks in my neighborhood too.

Anyhoo...

I've mentioned numerous times to bike advocates and bike groups in town that those are the groups they should be targeting for bike safety and rules of the road type outreach. But they like to stick to their English only programs and don't target the real bike commuters around the city, the low income immigrants.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Of course, I also see a lot of people, not the missionaries, on what appear to be stolen bikes that don't fit them. Like 12 year old girls on 56cm fixed gear Surlys.

When I was 12 I used to ride my big brother's 10 speed that was way too big for me, when he wasn't around. It wasn't stolen.

[kcmpls]

When I was 12 I used to ride my big brother's 10 speed that was way too big for me, when he wasn't around. It wasn't stolen.

That's why I don't call the police or bother them. It could be a legit bike. But since most of the neighborhood are on bikes from Kmart and Target, when a little girl is riding at $1000 bike, it stands out.

[snapdragen]

When their helmet is on backwards I'd guess they were new. Yes, I've seen this on a supported ride. :/

^^^This^^^ I've seen it too.

[Biciclista]

In Italy i saw lots of people riding on flat tires too. doesn't necessarily mean they are new riders, just with bad access to a tire pump..

I know someone is new when they are riding a decent bike but stop short in the middle of a big group ride on a hill... (that's when we rode over them!)

[Catrin]

hmmmm, these days I am sure what marks me the quickest as a new rider is my speed Especially in the hills, though it is overall I think. I start at the rear on organized rides because there is where I will very quickly be - so saving the time or others to pass me

[nscrbug]

hmmmm, these days I am sure what marks me the quickest as a new rider is my speed Especially in the hills, though it is overall I think. I start at the rear on organized rides because there is where I will very quickly be - so saving the time or others to pass me

Oh...you would NOT be alone back there, as I would likely be back there with ya! I've been riding steadily for 3 years now...I average about 5k miles a season and I still suck at hill climbing. But I'm pretty slow "overall", too. I don't really consider myself a "newbie", at least not in the same sense that I would in regards to somebody that literally "just started" biking.

Linda

[redrhodie]

I see plenty of fast newbies. Telltale signs of a newbie for me are riding against traffic, riding on the sidewalk, riding in flip flops, and running red lights.

[ny biker]

I see plenty of experienced cyclists running red lights.

Ultimately, we might think we're seeing someone who's new to the sport but we never really know one way or the other.

And we were all new once. And who cares what others think anyway?

[Catrin]

And we were all new once. And who cares what others think anyway?

Yep I must admit though, it is a little humbling to see everyone getting further and further away from you until they are just, gone. Thankfully I enjoy riding by myself

[Owlie]

Yep I must admit though, it is a little humbling to see everyone getting further and further away from you until they are just, gone. Thankfully I enjoy riding by myself

Perhaps I can join you? I'm a slowpoke and I sort of huff and puff and swear my way up hills. (Depending on the hill, of course.)

[Catrin]

Perhaps I can join you? I'm a slowpoke and I sort of huff and puff and swear my way up hills. (Depending on the hill, of course.)

You would be quite welcome

[sundial]

...I can just blame my fears on my neurotic Jewish family of origin.

You do know that Jews have been awarded the highest number of Nobel prizes, right? Look, Julia Child admitted she couldn't boil water before she figured it all out. Einstein was bored with math and performed poorly in school. I think there will come a time when you will have an epiphany and your life will never be the same again. Each day you add another page in your life. Perhaps soon you will turn a page and begin a new chapter in your life.

[Crankin]

Geez, I was sort of kidding. My family (at least my mom and dad) were very normal. And my mom was far more athletic than I ever was, at least when she was young.
Don't think I'll ever win a Nobel Prize, however. I might learn to hold a line while descending down a curvy, steep hill at some point, but when, I am not sure. I did hit 33 mph yesterday, on a downhill though. Thought my head was going to fly off . I am just not sure why I find this so difficult, when the other parts of cycling have come fairly easy to me.