Perhaps didn't make my point very well. but what I was talking about was people who are passionate about cycling and those who are not. This does not relate to how much you spend on a bike; as you know it is possible to pick up a decent retrobike for little money that may not have disc brakes and 140mm forks, or 11spd and carbon rims, but is light and enjoyable to ride and in many ways is more of a connoisseur's bike.
Let me give two examples:
One of my clubmates bought a carbon Focus road bike, and when I pointed out that the chain was worn and that by replacing it he would extend the life of the drivetrain, he told me that he intended to run it into the ground then buy another bike for the summer. He might have had an expensive bike, lycra, Oakleys, etc but to me he was not a cyclist since he lacked any connection with or passion for his bike.
At the now gone Eastway cycle circuit, one guy used to turn up to the Thursday evening crits on a Halford's Apollo road bike, with trainers and clipless pedals, and used to hang on and always finished in the bunch. I had much more respect for him than someone who rides a £5k road bike in a 4th cat road race.
The reality is that the majority of people who I would not class as real cyclists are not on expensive bikes and kitted out in lycra, and this is what seems to rile people. This is my opinion, and I don't look down in any way on them, I just feel that although we are both riding bicycles we do not necessarily have anything in common so I don't acknowledge them with a nod. It's my choice, and I don't think it's rude; like I said, no one nods to other car drivers, do they?
