Originally posted by FranklynMint I have always cycled, but have only recently (12 months) taken up regular recreational cycling for health reasons (dodgy knee means I can't jog or play footy, and swimming lengths is tedious). I have a 35 quid mountain bike, bought 2nd hand because i am not well-paid, and couldn't afford to splash out. I usualy road-cycle, occasionally going off-road when the fancy takes me. I wear cheap but functional proper cycling gear. All mountain-bikers will give a cheery wave and hello, but I have noticed that people on road bikes will often totally ignore you as you pass in opposite directions in the middle of the countryside miles from anywhere. I don't understand it. I have no wish to harbour negative thoughts about other people, or spoil anyone's enjoyment of a wonderfully fulfilling and healthy pastime, but why would anyone want to ignore another cyclist, especially if there is nobody else around! I have started to grow a chip on my own shoulder, and now get enormous enjoyment from overtaking road-bikers in all the latest gear, on the latest, flashiest bikes, who are not as fast as me. Hur hur. Can anyone explain or help me get rid of the shoulder chip?
I don't think you can say it's roadies who don't acknowledge you. I find that when I'm out on my mtb, some cyclists wave/ nod/ speak, others don't. I always try to do so myself, but as someone posted above, if you're really going for it, or on a hard climb, it can be difficult. I find that the worst offenders are the riders wearing jeans & T shirt, with saddle set far too low, and cadence of about 30 (so they're hardly going flat out)
: Seriously, I ride near 100% if I'm commuting and it's an : effort to speak.
I used to do this. Now I just content myself with the knowledge that the guy that has just gone streaming past me is actually slower than me and I could catch them if I want 🙂
I find I go much faster now I don't batter myself commuting but go really hard when I go hard.
Arthur
-- Arthur Clune clune.orgclune.orgOpen ↗ "Technolibertarians make a philosophy out of a personality defect" - Paulina Borsook
On Mon, 7 Jun 2004 19:08:07 +0100 someone who may be MSA <[email hidden]> wrote this:-
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Simply tell yourself that they are idiots and continue to be yourself.
Just out of interest, why idiots?
If one wants to feel superior to the person who does not wave back then it is best to think of them in derogatory terms.
As I implied later on in my posting it doesn't bother me either way. Some people commit random acts of kindness, others do not.
-- David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.
All mountain-bikers will give a cheery wave and hello, but I have noticed that people on road bikes will often totally ignore you as you pass in opposite directions in the middle of the countryside miles from anywhere.
Hi Franklyn
When on my road bike I have my "Hi's" returned by others on similar bikes. When I'm on my tatty MTB no-one replies.
Unless I'm in "eeek, traffic" mode, I always say "hello", grin or gesture in some way towards other cyclists. Of course, I have more time to both notice and wave to other bike riders when on quiet roads than I do when circling busy roundabouts, for example.
Hi there: I only ever cycle in rural northumberland these days (though I cycled in London for years), and I was just interested in whether or not there was some unwritten code I wasn't aware of. I guess its a case of some people want to say hello, others don't. Thanks to all for your replies, and for making me chuckle along the way! Cheers FM (no padding required)
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Hi Franklyn
When on my road bike I have my "Hi's" returned by others on similar bikes. When I'm on my tatty MTB no-one replies.
Unless I'm in "eeek, traffic" mode, I always say "hello", grin or gesture in some way towards other cyclists. Of course, I have more time to both notice and wave to other bike riders when on quiet roads than I do when circling busy roundabouts, for example.
Hi there: I only ever cycle in rural northumberland these days (though I cycled in London for years), and I was just interested in whether or not there was some unwritten code I wasn't aware of. I guess its a case of some people want to say hello, others don't. Thanks to all for your replies, and for making me chuckle along the way! Cheers FM (no padding required)
I've spent the last couple of days cycling between Durham and the dales and I've met a mixture of friendly waves and nods and complete ignorance. The funniest, on Sunday, was a road over the top of the moors, real middle-of-nowhere stuff. I had stopped to check my map and GPS as I was trying to locate the edge of a 1km grid square---you'd think the OS would paint them on the landscape! My bike was clearly in view, propped against a snow pole, and I was stood in the middle of the narrow road. A cyclist was climbing the hill. It is a fair drag and I appreciate the head down effort required, but he just went straight past me. His eyes never left the road in front of his wheel. I had started to say something before I realised that he really didn't know I was there despite the fact that we were the only two human beings for miles around.
On 7/6/04 2:04 pm, in article [email hidden], "FranklynMint"
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All mountain-bikers will give a cheery wave and hello, but I have noticed that people on road bikes will often totally ignore you as you pass in opposite directions in the middle of the countryside miles from anywhere. I don't understand it.
The problem is that all those road bikers who COULD explain why they ignore you will just, well, ignore you so you won't get a helpful response.
It's an us and them situation. When I am on the road bike the roadies say hello and the MTB'ers ignore me. And vice versa.
..d
I don't wave to people wearing helmets. Motorist-running- dogs.
Whingin' Pom <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:
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Or a recumbent. Everybody waves. :-)
No, that's the sign of the cross as they try to scare away the evil wheeled monster ;-)
I look forward to the peasant mobs gathering on the front lawn, attempting to persuade me back to the light side and UCI-sanctioned redemption.
I shall brook none of their nonsense, however and leap onto my trusty Rolls Canardly, B&M headlight blazing and utter my best maniacal laugh as they scatter in the face of my mighty chainring, hurtling downhill into the night at Ludicrous Speed, beard and CAMRA membership card flapping in the breeze...
...until the next climb where the pursuing mob catch up with me.
David Martin <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
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On 7/6/04 2:04 pm, in article [email hidden],
FranklynMint said:
All mountain-bikers will give a cheery wave and hello, but I have noticed that people on road bikes will often totally ignore you as you pass in opposite directions in the middle of the countryside miles from anywhere. I don't understand it.
The problem is that all those road bikers who COULD explain why they ignore you will just, well, ignore you so you won't get a helpful response.
Not guilty. I always try to not and wave hello to riders passing in the other direction. I thought the attitude of the national squad riders mentioned in a recent u.r.c post was a bit off, especially considering the fact that not so long ago, I would often encounter Stuart Dangerfield training on the back roads around Wolverhampton; despite being a time triallst of considerable reputation, it clearly wasn't beneath him to say a quick 'hello' to cyclists passing by. Indeed, he did offer to help me out with a puncture once, and on another occasion Dad and I had a chat with him in the beer garden of the New Inns at Kiddemore Green (between Brewood and Bishops Wood). Needless to say, being a dedicate athlete he opted for a soft drink, whilst we were on pints of Burtonwood! Also, his supposed 'training' bike had a top-notch TTing wheel in, which put us to shame....
David Martin <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
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On 7/6/04 2:04 pm, in article [email hidden],
FranklynMint said:
All mountain-bikers will give a cheery wave and hello, but I have noticed that people on road bikes will often totally ignore you as you pass in opposite directions in the middle of the countryside miles from anywhere. I don't understand it.
The problem is that all those road bikers who COULD explain why they ignore you will just, well, ignore you so you won't get a helpful response.
Not guilty. I always try to not and wave hello to riders passing in the other direction
Oops; for 'not' read 'nod'; didn't wish to convey a negative attitude!
