Annette, I can't speak for everyone, and I have to tell you that my primary cycling interest is in racing, but I can say that I find your post perfectly appropriate and that there are plenty of OBC members, lots of them racing types, who will be generous in helping you become a better cyclist... and have fun doing it.
"Elitist" is a relative term; to the extent that it means "connoisseur" or "specialist", most members of the OBC are elitist. To the extent that it means "snob", my experience is that the term is an inaccurate prejudice of non-members. OBC club rides are road rides and most of us have bikes which are quite a bit more expensive than yours. As long as your bike is well maintained and holds together so that the group does not have to keep stopping for you, you will be well received. We all started out as novices and, though some people may sneer at your Costco bike, most will not care what kind of bike you ride. Your speed is probably on the slow side for the club as a whole but you will get stronger and you will discover that you can go faster in a group. We do have groups that are aimed at your level though we need more like you to maintain a critical mass of novice riders so that these rides can continue to be fun for all of you. I hope you will come out, have fun, and learn to be a more proficient cyclist. I suggest you start budgeting for a new road bike but there is no hurry yet to buy one. And please join us at our annual "new members" social on Wednesday, May 8th to meet the executive and other members. There's a small charge for this but I can't tell you how much. We hold a social on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the Naval Officers' Mess on Lisgar at Cartier, start time is 7pm. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Annette" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [obc] Is this right for me? > Hello all, > > I am a novice at cycling. This is my second summer cycling regularly. > I have started communting to work which is a 35 min ride one way. I > plan to commute all summer. No more busses for Annette. I have a > mountain bike which I purchased at Costco for 150.00. I can travel at > about 20 km per hour for quite a bit on straight roads. I would really > like to join a group that I would fit into. I enjoy meeting new people > and learning from others which is the whole point to joining a group. I > have been reading the newsgroups and the website and I am not sure if I > would fit into the Ottawa Bicycle Club. > > Could I get some feedback from you members as to whether you think I > would be an addition to the club? > > I hope this posting is appropriate. If not please let me know and I > will not post again. ------ Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Web/mailing list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb/Newsletter ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
