When is a Noob Not a Noob

[Shut Up Legs]

@Voyley: learn how to replace and maintain your various bike parts. Personally, I think that's an important step in losing "noob" status . Plus, it frees you from depending on bike shops' schedules, because you can replace and maintain bike parts when you want to.

 

[Cycling Dan]

You stop being a noob when you no longer make rookie mistakes

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

And old-timers find a pub with decent beer and outside seats and look vaguely amused when beginners trying to be intermediates roll past.

 

[summerdays]

I've never joined a club but I would start with the beginners myself, just because of not being aware of the rules and techniques for riding in the group. I'm sure that they will encourage you into the other group if they feel you would be better there. But ask them where you would be best to start.

And as others has said, you can always learn something new.

 

[Voyley]

So the short answer is that there is no specific line to cross just keep learning, trying to understand and maintain your own bike, get used to riding in a group and keep learning. Well up for all that TBH, do any of you still class yourselves as Noobs?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

So the short answer is that there is no specific line to cross just keep learning, trying to understand and maintain your own bike, get used to riding in a group and keep learning. Well up for all that TBH, do any of you still class yourselves as Noobs?

I don't even class myself as a cyclist and I've been riding bikes, off and on, and more on than off in recent years, for more than 40 years

 

[JasonHolder]

No. But always learning new stuff. How ever basic.

OK I am a newb. Lol

 

[Voyley]

I don't even class myself as a cyclist and I've been riding bikes, off and on, and more on than off in recent years, for more than 40 years

Brilliant answer

 

[Voyley]

No. But always learning new stuff. How ever basic.

OK I am a newb. Lol

Funny that's what I mean, by many peoples standards were all Newbies just enjoying cycling and learning - my big lesson today never take the father in laws bike out - Fact

 

[JasonHolder]

Funny that's what I mean, by many peoples standards were all Newbies just enjoying cycling and learning - my big lesson today never take the father in laws bike out - Fact

Borrow bike but say "i may crash it, is that a problem".

 

[roadrash]

AHHH grasshopper....... when you can take the pebble from my hand.......

 

[Danny]

A good indication is when you stop asking daft questions like this one...

I have some sympathy for the OP.

IME the way some cycling advertise themselves don't make them feel as if they are very welcoming of newcomers, or make it very clear what they expect from new members - so is a beginner someone new to cycling, or new to cycling with a club?

Nor are they very good at explaining how a true beginner can get themselves to a point where they are able to join in on group rides.

 

[Voyley]

I have some sympathy for the OP.

IME the way some cycling advertise themselves don't make them feel as if they are very welcoming of newcomers, or make it very clear what they expect from new members - so is a beginner someone new to cycling, or new to cycling with a club?

Nor are they very good at explaining how a true beginner can get themselves to a point where they are able to join in on group rides.

Thanks Danny, that was kind of my point, if I roll up to a club ride and they say are you a begginer/newbie, when would the answer not be no! after thousands of miles/several years of riding, racing etc. Or is it down to experience of club riding or both. I suppose based on the responses it will be down to a club to categorise you within their begginer, intermediate or advanced groups - which begs the next question, what if a youngster with incredible natural ability rolled up and had the raw pace to ride with a good level advanced group, they would clearly be classed as a newb.

Maybe it is a stupid question after all as it depends on, who, how, what, where and when and will differ for everyone! I am doing a road cycling awareness course with work tomorow and would class myself after that as a well rounded road cyclist, a complete newb to group riding, and with one sportive under my belt a novice in general at best. All I know is that I love cycling and want to learn as much as I possibly can.

 

[Danny]

Thanks Danny, that was kind of my point, if I roll up to a club ride and they say are you a begginer/newbie, when would the answer not be no! after thousands of miles/several years of riding, racing etc. Or is it down to experience of club riding or both. I suppose based on the responses it will be down to a club to categorise you within their begginer, intermediate or advanced groups - which begs the next question, what if a youngster with incredible natural ability rolled up and had the raw pace to ride with a good level advanced group, they would clearly be classed as a newb.

Maybe it is a stupid question after all as it depends on, who, how, what, where and when and will differ for everyone! I am doing a road cycling awareness course with work tomorow and would class myself after that as a well rounded road cyclist, a complete newb to group riding, and with one sportive under my belt a novice in general at best. All I know is that I love cycling and want to learn as much as I possibly can.

I would tend to go along with what @summerdays said earlier. Have a chat with them first to get their advice on where to start, and suss out how friendly and welcoming they are likely to be.

But also you can't really go wrong with starting with the beginners. The worse that could happen is that you quickly discover you are more experienced than you thought and need to move up a group - but along the way you'll probably learn something useful about club riding and meet some nice people. And the chances are you'll find other beginners who are in exactly the same position as you.

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

It's taken me some months to work out that noob is pronounced newbie and what it means. I guess that's because I'm too old to keep up with all the new fangled lingo that the newbies are inventing, much like I'm too old to keep up with them on clubruns.