Haha yeah that's much more like it and much more like what I'd expect from you! You where allowed to push on the pedals that ride?!
Mostly just banter between the regulars on here, I was pulling his leg as that was a very easy ride for Jonny (looking at avg speed & power) as he's been putting the hammer down the rest of the time in some fantastic form! I'm just jealous!
Cycling is extremely elitist, every club and group ride will have some elitism to some extent, depending on the amount and type can really determine the 'feel' within the group and your experience will depend on how succeptible to it you are and how it makes you feel. Keeping a good sense of humour, a thick skin and often getting involved in the banter is the best way!
The fact most of us are here (these particular forums) will determine that we're on the intelligent side of things with probable interest in the technical and data side of things. I am especially, but then I've always been drawn to that side of things. Yet most of the 'club' guys I ride with, although there's tons of banter and elitism when it comes to bikes, there's very little interest in the technical or data side of things and when it boils down to it they let their legs do the talking. The social group rides I generally prefer are much more laid back, zero elitism, far more light hearted banter only between the regular riders but far more humility - if someones having a bad day or a newbie rider is out with us the rides will be at their pace, not the groups.
At the end of the day, cycling is what you make of it, 'unfortunately' much of the recent interest from guys getting into the sport from other sports like golf, football and cricket has driven up the amount of elitism. The riders who've generally been cyclists far longer either completely ignore it, look down their noses at anyone on a bike less than 5 years old or are ignorant to it. I'd like to think mostly the former.
