Foo - How to approach a fellow cyclist?

I have a thread in classic&vintage http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=202767 about my run in with a Nishiki rider. I posted my second version here, because its pretty off topic. What is a good way to approach a fellow cyclist? I was thinking to just say Nice Nishiki to see if he says anything back, or just speeds off. He had the "roadie" face on, but I probialy did too :p . His "wife" or somebody was jogging beside him, so no friendly race :( ,and man was she hard to pass. Any suggestions of what to say. And remember, I am 14, and he looked 40ish. This thread should be called "How to make friends" :p :rolleyes: ;)

I nod, say "hi" at stop lights to almost everybody and generally behave like friendely person with other bikers. It works like a charm. Asking them about their bike is a good bet, but the weather, traffic or route is also a good starting point.

Notice the bike is a good start. Maybe ask if they ride in the area regularly, and might they like some company sometime. I think that you'll find that most adult cyclists would be more than happy to help foster your interest. As a matter of fact there's been several occasions on group rides where I am occupied poking a hole in the air for my wife and daughter and my son will hook up with some of the faster riders and ride with them. He's 14, and I've taught (well, continue to teach) him good riding technique and ettiquette, and every time this has happened I get good reports back from the other riders and they seem genuinely happy to have had him ride with them. I take him out for hammer fests sometimes too, just him and me, and I know he can hold his line and speed fairly well.

hehe im 14 too and i rode my bike to school and back on friday, the last day. its about 20 miles so its an ok ride for me in the morning befor school. i was riding with one of my friends and this old guy came speeding by, "we were on the bike trail" and he had his cf rode bike and all his gear on,but he was only maintaning like 20mph so we sped up on your stuby tired mt bikes and passed him at about 24mph, then he didnt say anything just grunt and he stood up on his bike to get more speed, so we did too and it was like a street race, only with bikes and in the morning. hehe it was great. he didnt greet us in a nice mood, so we thought wed give him something to think about

I do most of my cycling out in the country so any time I see anyone up ahead I am always very happy. The first reason is because I wanna see if I am able to catch up to them. The second part is the reward I get for working hard to catch up, I get to talk to a like minded individual, so I never have trouble starting a conversation.

Usually I like to strike up a conversation about the routes around the areas that we are biking on. By doing this I have learned of some really awesome routed in the area that I am biking. Of course if I get the feeling that they don't want me around I do my best to try and drop them, or if I have to draft to keep up I lay off. If they are rude about it and don't want me around I tell them to drop me then.

Blow by him and give him the "Armstrong-Ullrich" look back.

Just kidding. Usually I give a quick two finger salute when they pass me (I'm always the slower one)

Blow by him and give him the "Armstrong-Ullrich" look back.
heh, first time I saw him I did something like that. Because he was going about 5-7mph, because he was with a jogger. I passed him at about 10, because of the jogger, and did one of those cool low turns to get into the bike lane again,then I sped up then looked back. I bet he was wishing he could try to drop me.

But next time I am going to go up behind him, and then get close, and go on the side of him and try to talk. If he dont want me there, I will drop him. :D

You could always ask him if he lost his good bike in Katrina. :P

Actually, it sounds like you have the right idea.

btw - why was the lady hard to pass?

btw - why was the lady hard to pass? On the bike trail there is 3 lanes. The 2 ways for bikes, and a jogger/walker lane. The guy was in the bike lane correctly, but the lady was weaving from both lanes. I had my freewheel clicking, because its a loud one and can alert people, and she still didnt move. so I used my getting around cars skills and weaved around her.