Any one on two wheels is a friend

True, but you're an old time member. My point is that it's harder for new guys to get to that level.

I don't agree, I joined a couple of months ago but don't feel any need to get in with the in crowd (who are the in crowd?) or understand the jokes etc. It's not why i come here. i come here for different opinions and knowledge about cycling and to find out whats new (and old) and ask questions sometimes - it's the asking questions bit that can be a bit fraught with sarcy comments and attempted put-downs or whatever but once you get past that and as long as you've searched for an answer to your question first (and then searched again, twice, just to be sure) it's not so bad :)