How long are you a "Beginner"?

[Subotai72]

It's struck me on one of my frequent visits to the Beginners threads that at some point I'll cease to be a "beginner": but when?

I was re-introduced to cycling 3 years ago in January and still consider myself a beginner. I don't intend to race, I'll try my best to avoid the worst hills, I've done a couple of sportives (the easy/short routes though!), live too far from work to commute (more's the pity), have done 1 Century (metric) ride and can just about change a type but get the LBS to do everything else! I love riding but don't take it too seriously. So defintely a beginner I'd say and probably always will be!

So I'd just be interested to hear how others perceive themsleves and when do you become, for the sake of argument lets call them, intermediate and/or expert riders?

Cheers

Matt

 

[Markymark]

I'm never a beginner.

 

[Dayvo]

When you start to wear lycra (optional, of course, as there are many 'serious' cyclists who opt not to)
Manage confidently with clipless pedals.
Can decide for themselves whether a helmet is useful or useless.
Has an impressive vocabulary ready for use at any miscreant who crosses their path.
Enjoys the cycling more than worrying about being in control.
Has two or more bikes.
Has a reasonable knowledge of bike maintenance.
Keeps the bike(s) in the house - just in case.
Etc. etc.

 

[Sharky]

There so many different disciplines and abilities within cycling. When you've reached your target level, wether it be commuting, touring, racing etc, you can call yourself an expert. If you switching disciplines, then you back as a beginner.

 

[Subotai72]

When you start to wear lycra (optional, of course, as there are many 'serious' cyclists who opt not to)
Manage confidently with clipless pedals.
Can decide for themselves whether a helmet is useful or useless.
Has an impressive vocabulary ready for use at any miscreant who crosses their path.
Enjoys the cycling more than worrying about being in control.
Has two or more bikes.
Has a reasonable knowledge of bike maintenance.
Keeps the bike(s) in the house - just in case.
Etc. etc.

Everything but the last two points applies to me!

 

[Saluki]

You mean your bike has to live out of the house Do you not like it?

 

[Tin Pot]

When you have completed your first TdF.

 

[Subotai72]

You mean your bike has to live out of the house Do you not like it?

It's my wife that doesn't like them! They live in the garage

 

[martint235]

I count myself as average. I'll become expert when I'm better than any cyclist I know.

 

[Saluki]

It's my wife that doesn't like them! They live in the garage

Ah!
If Hubster wanted my bikes to live in the garage, he would have to take a bedroll out there too. He's pretty good actually and our bikes are on the living room wall. They look lovely there

 

[Subotai72]

Ah!
If Hubster wanted my bikes to live in the garage, he would have to take a bedroll out there too. He's pretty good actually and our bikes are on the living room wall. They look lovely there

I have quite a nice garage...

 

[Sbudge]

When you start to wear lycra (optional, of course, as there are many 'serious' cyclists who opt not to)
Manage confidently with clipless pedals.
Can decide for themselves whether a helmet is useful or useless.
Has an impressive vocabulary ready for use at any miscreant who crosses their path.
Enjoys the cycling more than worrying about being in control.
Has two or more bikes.
Has a reasonable knowledge of bike maintenance.
Keeps the bike(s) in the house - just in case.
Etc. etc.

Hmmm 7.5 out of 8 for me ....still think I'm a Beginner though

 

[Supersuperleeds]

When you start to wear lycra (optional, of course, as there are many 'serious' cyclists who opt not to)
Manage confidently with clipless pedals.
Can decide for themselves whether a helmet is useful or useless.
Has an impressive vocabulary ready for use at any miscreant who crosses their path.
Enjoys the cycling more than worrying about being in control.
Has two or more bikes.
Has a reasonable knowledge of bike maintenance.
Keeps the bike(s) in the house - just in case.
Etc. etc.

I'll always be a beginner then as I have no intention of going clipless, meet all the other requirements though

 

[MontyVeda]

When you start to wear lycra (optional, of course, as there are many 'serious' cyclists who opt not to)
Manage confidently with clipless pedals.
Can decide for themselves whether a helmet is useful or useless.
Has an impressive vocabulary ready for use at any miscreant who crosses their path.
Enjoys the cycling more than worrying about being in control.
Has two or more bikes.
Has a reasonable knowledge of bike maintenance.
Keeps the bike(s) in the house - just in case.
Etc. etc.

TBH... the only answer to this question is ...until you remove the stabilisers.

 

[Subotai72]

I count myself as average. I'll become expert when I'm better than any cyclist I know.

I suppose if I compare myself to a couple of people I ride with then I could be regarded as the Chris Froome of the group but then I could just as easily be the Chris Tarrant...