Good Morning?

[Chrisc]

Is it because I'm not wearing lycra or riding a road bike, or is it just not the done thing to nod, wave, smile or otherwise acknowledge the existence of another cyclist as you pass each other on a morning ride? Or am I just surrounded by miserable buggers and serious old Hectors?
As a motorcyclist of 25 years I'm used to giving a nod to anyone on two wheels, even Lambretta riders...no discrimination, we're all on two wheels after all but on a bike it seems not to happen. Not everyone I meet is like this of course, some folk are happy enough to wave or smile and that simple acknowledgment can brighten your day a little, but the majority, and in particular small groups of road riders either ride along eyes front or chat amongst themselves, even as happened this morning, looking in my direction whilst ignoring my wave and hello as if I were from another planet. Very odd?
Well come spring I'll be on my own road bike so we'll see if that changes anything!

 

[wilko]

Sadly that's just the way it is. Some will acknowledge, others it's as if they can't see you. I'm a motorcyclist too and it's the same thing there. Some do and some don't. I used to take it quite personally, but now it doesn't bother me so much.

 

[Wavey]

Same here, must be 90% of motorcyclists nod to each other, exept Harley riders of course, but when out on my cycle it is very rare to get a nod in reply. Miserable buggers.

 

[potsy]

I get 1 or 2 out of every 10 that will let on,I too don't wear lycra but have a road bike.
I don't let on to pavement cyclist's or those with no lights

 

[Arch]

If I nodded to every cyclist I see on my commute, my head would drop off, and I wouldn't be properly concentrating on traffic. I don't nod to every other pedestrian I see when I'm on foot, or every driver when I'm driving, so why every cyclist?

I do tend to nod to others I see out on a country ride, when I'm riding for leisure, but I'm not too bothered about whether they respond. I don't see what's 'sad' about it - it's human nature, some people are friendly, some not, some are just wrapped up in their thoughts.

 

[HJ]

If I am out for a leisure ride while wearing Lycra, I generally greet other cyclist, but if I am commuting mostly I only talk to others if we are stopped at traffic lights. Commuting is usually to rushed for the social niceties, unless I am using an off road cycle path.

 

[Garz]

I encounter quite a few ignorant ones who stare back as I wave/nod, seems alot of miserable buggers I agree (dont excuse them for being 'in the zone' or training etc as if they have time to stare at me then they can acknowledge in some way).

 

[lukesdad]

It depends where my head is at that particular moment.

 

[John the Monkey]

I tend to wave, unless I know I'm waving at a miserable bugger who won't never waves back (and tbh, sometimes I even wave then).

 

[Bay Runner]

I don’t pass many cyclists; but when I do, I always acknowledge them, if fact I acknowledge joggers and walkers.

I remember many moons ago I commuted between Plymouth in my friends Robin Reliant, not only was it the procedure to acknowledge other Robins it was mandatory to wave

 

[Bayerd]

'Hi, look over here, you're just like me!' (whether you like it or not).

There are times when I acknowledge, times when I don't and equally times when the other rider either does or doesn't acknowledge me.

Just because someone's riding a bike...

 

[darkstar]

I often nod to people when cycling but don't expect others to return the gesture, it's not a necessary thing imo. Just like when i'm out driving or jogging i don't expect strangers to wave at me.

 

[redflightuk]

I often nod to people when cycling but don't expect others to return the gesture, it's not a necessary thing imo.

+1

 

[wafflycat]

When I'm out for a walk I don't expect every pedestrian I pass to wave at me or pass the time of day. When I'm driving I don't expect every other driver to acknowledge my presence with a flash of headlights. Why should I expect every cyclist I encounter whilst out cycling to acknowledge this? If someone is in full Lycra-kit on a road bike it may just be that they happen to be out training and are concentrating on that. Does this mean they are rude? Of course not. As darkstar says above, I don't expect strangers to have to return the gesture.

 

[PpPete]

I remember many moons ago I commuted between Plymouth in my friends Robin Reliant, not only was it the procedure to acknowledge other Robins it was mandatory to wave

Never understood that - didn't upset the balance ?