that423guy

Stepping further outside the box, I've always laughed at other riders in this sport (having been a cyclist for 30ish years) think they are literally better human beings overall simply due to their ability on a bike. I raced for a team that pretty much treated you like crap if you weren't in the top 5 of their riders and then when you were, it's like you were a God. It truly was not a "team".' In our local bike shop scene, I would refer others to multiple shops in our region based on their needs and closest location. One in particular, I kept getting bad feedback and friends disappointed that I recommended they go there. I finally approached the owner and mechanic about this feedback with a very "don't shoot the messenger" attitude, only to get a very hostile response. Oh well. I don't even mention they exist anymore. I won't even get started on Trek stores. It's like walking onto a new car lot. What really pisses me off is when they send their employees to infiltrate our local NICA chapter......and the kids start telling me how they are treated different based on what brand they ride. Egos in this sport are often the downfall of the sport in areas. As time goes on, I ride with a smaller and smaller circle of friends, and ride deeper into the backcountry where the egos are too lazy too go.