Cyclist greeting each other

[the_mikey]

Round here it is traditional for riders to bare a single buttock in greeting. Should ones hands be busy, for example, indicating both left and right simultaneously, then a small, polite fart is deemed acceptable.

I've seen people (*two people, not on the same day, could've been the same person?) in rural Shropshire cycling around with a face tattooed on their arse (*it could've been a marker pen) , they had their shorts pulled down especially, maybe it's a common rural Shropshire greeting?

 

[blackrat]

I've given up waving following a rather nasty experience a month or two ago:

I was riding along a quietish country lane (yes, with my lad), enjoying the unseasonably dry weather and clear skies, if not the unseasonably high temperatures. The route chosen had worked out well, we were both in a good mood, legs were feeling great, and our lunch stop had been nutritious, delicious and warm. A few birds were practicing their spring songs and the air was smelling great before the field fertilising really started. We were having a good time out together.

I noticed in the not too far distance as we rounded a slight bend in the road another cyclist heading towards us on what looked like a reasonably serious bike, if not a full-on carbon racing machine. He was keep a steady pace, not bimbling but clearly not on a self-imposed time trial, clearly enjoying the feeling of freedom as he sped along the country line as well as the sights and smells, much like us, although probably slightly slower.

Now, because I am a friendly and polite person, and want to set a good example to my son, I prepared to acknowledge his presence. I am on my road bike, so a generous wave, as per a Pashley rider, would have been inappropriate. I wasn't in full training mode, so a subtle lift of the finger would be equally inappropriate. Instead I mentally prepared for a four-finger lift (almost, but not completely removing a hand from the handlebars), a slight tilt upwards of the head, and a barely audible "hi", which would be the most appropriate, I judged.

He approached further. There is a perfect time to start the wave. Too far away and there is an awkward pause from then until the moment you actually pass when neither of you knows what to do. Too close, and it looks like a "passive agresssive" "Why didn't you wave first?" acknowledgement.

We entered the zone of perfect timing. Muscle memory kicked in, fingers and head moved without being individually directed by my mind, and the vocal cords tightened and did their thing. And then I saw it.




He was riding an e-bike. An electric assisted bike. One with a motor.

There are some things that you cannot take back once delivered, and the tilt and wave were two of them.

I NEVER want to find myself in that situation again, so until the government mandates a different coloured helmet, or use of a warning drone above the head of all cyclists using electricity to help them, I shall not acknowledge another rider, at the risk of making the same almost fatal mistake again.

Hope you, and anyone I might meet on the roads will appreciate my fears and not judge me too harshly because of it.

I never, ever acknowledge an ebike except sometimes to call out, 'ride a proper bike and get some exercise'. I believe it is important to make a stand against degradation on our streets.

 

[Drago]

I've seen people (*two people, not on the same day, could've been the same person?) in rural Shropshire cycling around with a face tattooed on their arse (*it could've been a marker pen) , they had their shorts pulled down especially, maybe it's a common rural Shropshire greeting?

In Shrophsire the traditional greeting is a quick flash of the testicle, but the men give a normal wave.

 

[steveindenmark]

Some do, some dont. I think we should.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I never, ever acknowledge an ebike except sometimes to call out, 'ride a proper bike and get some exercise'. I believe it is important to make a stand against degradation on our streets.

WHAT??


On which point

occaisionally someone says something - possibly witty - as we pass

I pretty much never understand what they say

by the time I have registered that they are saying something
and linked into the accent
then I have no chance of understanding the words
especially as the tone is often changing as they pass and there is wind noise and all that

I did see an "educational video" many years ago as part of a training thing at work

It said that when people answer the phone then they hardly ever understand the first few word said when they put the receiver to their ear

which is why sales people are trained to start with something like
"Oh - Good Morning - how are you - this is xxxx from yyy"

so it gives your brain time to start understanding - before saying who they are

which is probably also why the scam calls often start with
"This is xxx from yyy"

I have noticed that they hate it when I stop them and ask them to repeat what their company is - they are trying to make it clear that they have said - but don;t want you to KNOW what they said


maybe I should have done psychology at University and not Chemistry????

 

[Binky]

see very few cyclist round here, (done about 1600 mile so far this year and I think I seen my first other cyclist lat week warmer weather) will see more as the weather warms up, I always give a nod or something, most people return the acknowledgement (if they hadn't made it first) - the 'roadies' don't, could be a waste of a couple of watts or something, or even as I am learning this morning, they could be too busy studying their heart rate monitors.

Oh dear.

Seems you have an issue with roadies? Or maybe just those who may or may not be glancing at bike computer. Although how would you know which metric they were studying? Eagle eyesight eh.
Who are you classifying as a roadie, those on a drop handlebar bike wearing lycra? If so guilty as charged.

As a "roadie" I always give a wave to other cyclists, joggers even those taking a leisurely stroll along a country lane.

Which cyclist are you may I ask? I assume you don't ride a road bike given your comment.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Oh dear.

Seems you have an issue with roadies? Or maybe just those who may or may not be glancing at bike computer. Although how would you know which metric they were studying? Eagle eyesight eh.
Who are you classifying as a roadie, those on a drop handlebar bike wearing lycra? If so guilty as charged.

As a "roadie" I always give a wave to other cyclists, joggers even those taking a leisurely stroll along a country lane.

Which cyclist are you may I ask? I assume you don't ride a road bike given your comment.

depends on the "roadie" to me
in the same way that I don;t expect a jogger/runner to respond - probably too exhausted and if they stay/get out of the way then that is fine by me

I don;t expect an acknowledgement - it is just nice when it happens

I was only asking because there seems to have been a reduction in the number of times it happens round here
It always used to be more common in winter - sort of "at least we are out here" sort of club

 

[Binky]

depends on the "roadie" to me
in the same way that I don;t expect a jogger/runner to respond - probably too exhausted and if they stay/get out of the way then that is fine by me

I don;t expect an acknowledgement - it is just nice when it happens

I was only asking because there seems to have been a reduction in the number of times it happens round here
It always used to be more common in winter - sort of "at least we are out here" sort of club

My reply was to Marchrider.

As it happens I also give a wave/say hi to those on ebikes. I'll probably get drummed out of "roadie" club for that.

I think the waving thing will depend on where you ride. Where I live and cycle not that many cyclists certainly compared to other areas so I will give a nod whenever i pass someone on bike or jogging etc.
When I cycle over in Mallorca for example I rarely bother as sometimes coming across 100s of cyclists so gets a bit much.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

My reply was to Marchrider.

As it happens I also give a wave/say hi to those on ebikes. I'll probably get drummed out of "roadie" club for that.

Thing with an ebike is that you don;t actually know whether they are pedalling or not
I generally run on Eco mode - so I am "cheating" but probably putting in over half of the effort of a "normal" bike

people who look in disgust often do it when I am going faster - when I am doing all the work myself as the motor cuts off at those speeds

whatever - I am out in the fresh air and it is exercise

 

[yello]

This is an age old debate isn't it? Not that it's not still relevant, clearly it is, but one that I've probably been hearing since pretty much day 1 as a cyclist. Someone summarised nicely for me upstream; do it or don't, whatever, but don't judge, much less let it bug you. Folks is different innit?

 

[Venod]

Seems you have an issue with roadies?

This is one of my pet hates, why are people classified as belonging to certain groups, I ride a road bike, I ride an MTB, I ride tracks etc on a CX bike (not gravel bike) I would hate to be labelled a gravel rider.
I don't mind been labelled as a cyclist because that's what I am, but this tribalisation into sub groups is just pathetic.

 

[Binky]

This is an age old debate isn't it? Not that it's not still relevant, clearly it is, but one that I've probably been hearing since pretty much day 1 as a cyclist. Someone summarised nicely for me upstream; do it or don't, whatever, but don't judge, much less let it bug you. Folks is different innit?

This.

On occasion I've come across someone coming in opposite direction, I'm looking at them and they are looking straight at me and I give a little nod or wave and they continue staring straight at me but no reaction at all. Impression is they are purposefully not waving as opposed to those head down fighting into a headwind or preoccupied etc.

Again, ultimately irrelevant and as you say we're all different.

 

[Binky]

This is one of my pet hates, why are people classified as belonging to certain groups, I ride a road bike, I ride an MTB, I ride tracks etc on a CX bike (not gravel bike) I would hate to be labelled a gravel rider.
I don't mind been labelled as a cyclist because that's what I am, but this tribalisation into to sub groups is just pathetic.

I think you need to address that to Marchrider to be honest.

 

[yello]

I don't mind been labelled as a cyclist

I remember when I first considered myself as a cyclist. It was my brother's influence. He introduced me to Marco Pantani (not literally), pro cycling, clipless pedals and lycra (shock horror!) Before then, I was simply someone who rode a bike in trainers and civies - to university, commute, around town, etc. It was a mode of transport.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

To me, if you are on two wheels and pedalling then you are a cyclist

even ebikes count as long as you are pedalling - if you are just twisting a throttle and sitting there then - not so much!!

but road bikes, mountain bikes, cheap carp "hybrid" bikes - don't care - you are cycling