Fifty Plus (50+) - Why so unfriendly - do I have BO??

In some fifty miles of cycling yesterday, I passed probably 20 other bikers going the opposite way - one traveling my direction who overtook me (evidently, he doesn't like exceeding a certain top speed, because, on a long downhill, he rode his brakes, so I passed him) - so, my contact was with no more than 21 bikes.

The guy who overtook me that I then passed offered first an "on your left" and then, a hearty good morning as he went by.

None of the other bikers would even acknowledge my nod of the head.

I don't get it.

One guy was even riding a bike that was almost identical to mine - I said hello, he rode by without acknowledging me.

I don't get it, really. What have we become – to what distant shore have common manners fled.

These other bikers were a mixed bag - some were decked out in complete modern riding clothes on expensive looking road bikes, others were in street clothes on old single speeds, some young and athletic, some old and athletic, others like me, fell somewhere in between (not so athletic, not so OLD, certainly not fancy). None could be bothered to acknowledge the most fleeting sign of acknowledgement.

I'm not looking for them to stop and chat, not even a hand wave - a nod would be fine. I hate to be repeating myself, but I don't get it. Why are folks so unfriendly?

BTW, I never confront this unfriendliness. I'll go on nodding hello until the day I die - accepting graciously responses from those who offer, moving on if there is none.

But, I still don't get it. Do any of you?

Caruso

Most of our bicyclers are friendly and nod or lift a finger or whatever in return. Perhaps you just had a bad day of unfriendly bicyclers?

Is this typical?

I've seen this from time to time--but usually the riders who don't acknowledge me are either elite cyclists training for an event or (maybe more likely) elite wannabes. I never get upset. I just call my cousin Vito "the hammer" Diego and take out a contract on them.

...None of the other bikers would even acknowledge my nod of the head...I still don't get it. Do any of you?

Some of it is cultural. I ride roads & paths close to the local university. Most young women will smile & retun my greeting. Most young men are too "cool" to do so. Most older folks return my greeting, but some think I'm too garish, in my bright T-shirt & spandex, to make a reply.

I'm happy to receive any friendly response that I get. I return home from my rides refreshed physically and spiritually - just as good as church for me!

I've got one fellow in particular..... I meet him 2-3 times a week. I always wave, or say hi or a how ya doin'... (like I do to everyone) and he has never acknowleged my existance. It's now gotton to be kind of funny.... I think up new things to say to him every day.... "Nice bike", "beautiful day", "yo", or just a big cheesy grin and a wave. Nothin'. Oh well, sucks to be him. :D

Cycling seems to have really taken off over the last few years and there seems to be more people on bikes. Average Joe may not yet know about our trademarked Biker Greetings. I always give the nod, wave, smile or hello whenever I see someone.

On the other hand though, there's been times I've been given the Biker Greetings but at the time I was aloof from being winded or fatigued or just enjoying the scenery and failed to reciprocate. It's always an awkward moment.

I ride MUPs, mountain trails and road. On the trails and MUPs, all the MTBers say hello or acknowledge me, about 80% of the MUP cyclists acknowledge me, about half of the road cyclists acknowledge or say hello. What can I say, others have made comments about some roadies not being friendly. From my experience, some are not.

The guy who overtook me that I then passed offered first an "on your left" and then, a hearty good morning as he went by.

None of the other bikers would even acknowledge my nod of the head.

I don't get it.

One guy was even riding a bike that was almost identical to mine - I said hello, he rode by without acknowledging me.

I don't get it, really. What have we become – to what distant shore have common manners fled.

These other bikers were a mixed bag - some were decked out in complete modern riding clothes on expensive looking road bikes, others were in street clothes on old single speeds, some young and athletic, some old and athletic, others like me, fell somewhere in between (not so athletic, not so OLD, certainly not fancy). None could be bothered to acknowledge the most fleeting sign of acknowledgement.

I'm not looking for them to stop and chat, not even a hand wave - a nod would be fine. I hate to be repeating myself, but I don't get it. Why are folks so unfriendly?

But, I still don't get it. Do any of you?

Caruso

Yes, I "get it". America is a land divided by many things now so "strangers" are to be avoided. Most
folk's you pass by try to isolate themselves in the hopes that no harm comes to them so they travel
in a "bubble" around them that lets no one in. The world is now full of nut cases that seek to do all
they meet wrongs or harm.

America is now a "land of strangers" so the friendly folk's of old you may have known are now long
gone. To a large measure America's sense of "neighborhood" is dead. :( :(

I've got one fellow in particular..... I meet him 2-3 times a week. I always wave, or say hi or a how ya doin'... (like I do to everyone) and he has never acknowleged my existance. It's now gotton to be kind of funny.... I think up new things to say to him every day.... "Nice bike", "beautiful day", "yo", or just a big cheesy grin and a wave. Nothin'. Oh well, sucks to be him. :D

The a$$holes I meet on my regular ride are typically elite wannabe's. There are a few from a team called North Hills Velo and I figure maybe they are too focused to return a greeting? I dunno. However it seems to me that if I was training and going all out, I probably wouldn't ride on the bike path at the local park; I'd be hammering some "real" roads.

I too run into several of the same rides every day and after a few times of being ignored, I find it humorous (to me) to smile and ding my bell as they pass. I bought the bell just to be an a$$. I have fun hammering past these guys on the hills too. (I ride a fixie, so hammering is the only option for climbing.)


*Ding-Ding!*

Most of our bicyclers are friendly and nod or lift a finger or whatever in return. Perhaps you just had a bad day of unfriendly bicyclers?

Is this typical?

More like a normal day. 1 out of 20 is about right.

I've got one fellow in particular..... I meet him 2-3 times a week. I always wave, or say hi or a how ya doin'... (like I do to everyone) and he has never acknowleged my existance. It's now gotton to be kind of funny.... I think up new things to say to him every day.... "Nice bike", "beautiful day", "yo", or just a big cheesy grin and a wave. Nothin'. Oh well, sucks to be him. :D

Keep it up. The guys twin brother lives here. I tried for years to get a hello from him.

One day, out of the blue, he said to me, "You got a computer on your bike?"

I said yes.

He wanted me to measure a portion of a new exactly 40 mile route for him, because there was some construction where he normally rode. He rides exactly 40 miles every single day over the same exact route.

Since then, he and I have gotten more friendly. I did find out that he is much more friendly to the ladies. He is 2 years older than I - 68yo.

I will always at least give a nod, most times I'll wave. Sometimes I'm caught up in my ride or looking at my computer and someone will slip past without acknowledgement, but not often. I don't know if their unfriendly or what, it doesn't matter to me if they acknowledge me or not. I actually find it funny to wave to someone and watch how fast they turn their head and pretend they didn't see me. I have no idea what may be going through a persons head at any given time.

Gotta admit to a few times where I've been so toasted with a deathgrip on the bars and a body petrified with weariness that I failed to acknowledge other riders. Most often, however, other riders & I usually wave. Although currently increasing in numbers, there still aren't all that many riders in my area. (At one time, meeting another rider was so rare it was almost reason to stop.) Perhaps in more rider dense areas (some of the hilly roads in the S.F. Bay Area) riders are so overpopulated nobody bothers...like waving at a fellow sardine. Nice to maintain the Brotherhood of the Spoke with at least a head nod.

A bit of snobery I suspect. If your "kit" or bike wern't up to thier standards, they won't wave. I've had it happen with guys passing me. Sure makes me feel good to blow right by them in return. Nothing like getting all dressed up in your color coordinated team outfit and having some over weight over age guy in a LL Bean shirt leave you in the dust.

I live in NYC where most people will not say hello to you on the street (why, because there would be too many people to say hello to on any given day?...don't know) but I haven't met the same response from cyclists that I meet on the road. Most are friendly and will acknowledge you. Is it because, in a way, we're members of the same fraternity?

It could also be a cultural thing depending on what part of the country you live. When I went to college in Oklahoma in the late 60's I was literally dumbfounded that people I had never met would take the time to say hello. I'll admit that it caugh me offguard for awhile and I don't believe much has changed since then.

As an aside, NYC was recently proclaimed "The World's Friendliest City"...go figure.

With me it's situational. Sometimes I make a point of saying "Hello" to every rider I encounter, sometimes I get into a zone and don't. Sometimes I ride where there are just too many other riders and I get tired of saying "Hello" to all of them.

As an aside, NYC was recently proclaimed "The World's Friendliest City"...go figure.

Were the judges all from Newark or Camden?

Were the judges all from Newark or Camden?
I heard that the judges were from Baghdad.
I try to be cheery to one and all when I am riding, including pedestrians. But there are times when I am riding that it turns into a meditation.....bicycles are good for that and on those occasions, sorry, you get nothing back from me.

Around here it is only 20 something wannabe's and 40 something-never-was in Lance drag that don't return greetings.
On my frequent after dinner rides on the local MUP . Some evenings I encounter a local right wing radio talk show host who is out walking with his wife. I ignore him and greet his wife in French, she smiles, he frowns. I'm told it has pissed him off enough to add to his latest on-air anti-French rant.

Around here it is only 20 something wannabe's and 40 something-never-was in Lance drag that don't return greetings.
On my frequent after dinner rides on the local MUP . Some evenings I encounter a local right wing radio talk show host who is out walking with his wife. I ignore him and greet his wife in French, she smiles, he frowns. I'm told it has pissed him off enough to add to his latest on-air anti-French rant.


:roflmao: :beer: I'm lovin' it...keep it up!

I ride with a right wing, conservative person....who happens to also be one of the most generous and kind people I know. Perhaps we shouldn't judge others on opinions, but on personal actions. Why, I suspect there might even be worthy people riding zoot bikes with zoot kit.....

BF50Plussers are old enough to know, if not best, then better.... I'd like to think we hold ourselves to a higher criterion than those sometimes in-your-face twirps on other forums. Nor do we need to be milksop, wishy washy. Just fair.

Why hasn't anyone addressed Caruso's original question -- could it be that he has B.O.? I mean, that would explain his observation, right? :D

Lol :D

Around here it is only 20 something wannabe's and 40 something-never-was in Lance drag that don't return greetings.

It is the same on the bike paths around here, especially if I am riding my hybrid. But if I take my sweats off and let my prosthetics show, some of the non-greeting roadies change their attitude. One non-greeter in training eyes lit up and gave me the thumbs up sign. :eek: Quite the contrast from the first time I passed them.

Riders in training can be too caught up in their exercise or too snobby on their expensive bikes.

I gotta admit, I used to wave but stopped. I am 'in my own world' when on a bike, purging my mind of troubling anger and heavily dispensing all of the days troubles in the wake of my dust settling back down on the road. Good thearapy and no offense for not waving, but getting these troubles off my mind saves me a bundle instead of buying prozac or similar.

After several miles on a hot day, we ALL have B.O. I'm sure I could start growing things in my bellybutton-- well, providing I could ever find it! Har!

After several miles on a hot day, we ALL have B.O. I'm sure I could start growing things in my bellybutton-- well, providing I could ever find it! Har!

A long ride leaves the chamois in my shorts smelling like Taco Bell.

And I thouight "BO" meant Bicycle Obsession!

FWIW, I've found NYC to be quite friendly, lately. My daughter (& son, now that I think of it) went to school in the city - so I often would take my bike up on a weekend and we would do a mini tour together. I remember when I was their age. NYC was this noisy, smelly place where everyone was so busy getting from here to there that if you did speak, to someone for directions or whatever, you might get your ears lopped off.

I don't see that attitude, anymore. Gone are the street corner trolls who would come up to your car and take it upon themselves to wash your windows whether you wanted them to or not - then, look for a tip for their "services."

More than anything, the city on a weekend reminds me of some giant, overgrown resort - lots of people out just to enjoy the day.

My daughter lives on Riverside Drive just below the GW Bridge. Our favorite rides are over the bridge and up (I think this is right) Highway 9 overlooking the river or across town or downtown or whatever to the Brooklyn Bridge - both bridges are sights to behold (especially to this transplanted country boy).

As far as riders speaking to me - I really don't care that much, it just strikes me odd - to each his/her own. I just can't imagine going through the day being so aloof.

I understand when traffic is so dense that your neck muscles might cramp up if you tried to nod at just half those passing you. But, yesterday was sort of an exceptional day. I'd guess the only ones out were some of us diehards. The weather was beautiful, but roads were a mixed bag due to the flooding earlier in the week. Some roads were closed - many bridges were closed - and some spots on the MUP were impassable unless you got off and walked.

Right or wrong, my inner self assumed that I shared a sort of kinship with anyone willing to be out on such a day.

If it helps, I'm going to switch to a new deodorant, LOL.

Caruso

Three of us old guys were riding this morning and passed, going the opposite direction, a small group of casual riders, all of whom waved or nodded, EXCEPT the attractive lass at the end of the line. My two friends blamed it on me.

I ride with a right wing, conservative person....who happens to also be one of the most generous and kind people I know. .

I didn't say this guy was a bad person, probaly a decent guy off the air....I just seize the opportunity to feed him some of what he dishes out. Besides his wife apparently enjoys it.

A few months ago a guy did not wave back and I gave him a sharp look. One hand on the handle bars, check. The other sleeve pinned up, Oops :o . My bad.

My post is specific for trails and the Midwest. I immigrated here and had to figure what to do about this greeting. (I come from a very densely populated region in Germany, no greeting is normal there)
The local Midwest specific greeting was explained to me thus:
If you are on a trail and it is populated sparsely, a Hi is code for: I mean you no harm and you can count on my help if you need it.
I thought this explanation made sense and I have adapted this for many years.
Now, this does not make sense on a densely populated trail with hundredths of bikers such as today in Lansbury, Minnesota (Root River). If one were to greet everyone, you would be busy and feel silly.

A long ride leaves the chamois in my shorts smelling like Taco Bell.

And I don't even want to know how you came by this jewel of knowledge... :p

I don't get it, really. What have we become – to what distant shore have common manners fled.

Lets find out and then bomb the s#&t out of them! That'll teach 'em.

A long ride leaves the chamois in my shorts smelling like Taco Bell.

Please. Dear lord, please. Keep the fact that you sniff your chamois to yourself. Have you no decency? Do you want the value of my shares in Ortega Seasoning to plummet?

I once again decided to do a ride on the American River Bike Trail from Folsom, CA heading toward Sacramento. As I rode, I recalled reading the response to this thread. As usual, it was pretty much a mixed bag. Some say hello and some don't. I typically just nod. I figure if the other person is expecting a greeting than they got one...and if not...well it was just me moving my head for no apparent reason...;)

For me, responses or non-responses seem to come in bunches. Some days 90% one way, the other 80% the other. And I can never guess who's gonna blow me off, or wave back. Sometimes the humblest looking people will look right at me, and then not wave back...even on a desolate road with no one else for miles. Other times, OCPers will wave back like they're 10 years old.

II'd like to think we hold ourselves to a higher criterion than those sometimes in-your-face twirps on other forums.
I'd like to think I knew what "criterion" meant... :o

What have you done with Granny Gear, mister??? :D

I'd like to think we hold ourselves to a higher criterion



I'd like to think I knew what "criterion" meant... :o



It is one of those "educationese" words. Like "learning environment" and "interface" and "Socializational Development," "Values Education," "Critical Thinking," "facilitate," "terminal objective," "cognitively interact" and a bunch of others (http://user.mc.net/~kwentz/eduspeak.html). There is no meaning to the words. They are designed to specifically fool the public into thinking that educators know what they are doing. (Been there, done that).:D

Critereon=famous race horse

I wave at every rider I meet. Most of my rides are on rural roads the local cycling club has cue sheets for, so I meet a lot of people. The only ones who return my wave are the olders guys and women. Most of the young guys in full kit just look at me and ride on. I'm either wearing a tee-shirt or a Nashbar plain jersey, so I guess they can tell I'm not one of them. It gives me a chuckle but I will keep on waving. I'm determined to bring a little more friendliness and good will toward others into the world.

Al

I don't wave to other cyclists. I'm riding 20 kph down one side of the street hardly recognizable in my helmet and sunglasses and they're riding 20 kph down the other side in their headgear and we're both watching for broken glass, potholes, pedestrians, cars or whatever, or checking our computers or preoccupied wth our thoughts. Who has the time or energy to acknowledge everyone you pass?

And what would be the reason for doing it? Because we're both on bikes? I don't wave or say hi to all other car drivers when I'm in a car, or to all the other shoppers when I'm in No-Frills, or to the other passengers on the subway car, or to everyone else who resembles me in being balding or overweight or wearing glasses, and for the same reason I don't acknowledge everyone on a bike. It would be meaningless. Plus in a way it would be an imposition on them...it creates an expectation that they have to respond or be considered rude or snobbish.

And I'm always a bit surprised by that assumption when this topic comes up over and over...that those who don't acknowledge you must be snobs. They're in team kits or riding expensive bikes so they must think ordinary riders aren't worth noticing. That's nonsense. They're out riding every day, it's not a novelty to them, they've probably nodded to or waved at thousands of riders in the past, and then realized that it's an unecessary and burdensome gesture to pat every newb on the head lest they be thought elitist. They're there to ride, not socialize.

I live in NYC where most people will not say hello to you on the street (why, because there would be too many people to say hello to on any given day?...don't know)

Exactly - if I walk to the subway in Toronto I pass dozens of people. I don't say hi and I don't expect them to say hi. That's the cultural norm here because there are too many people to acknowledge each one. If I walk from the hotel to work in another smaller city I often consult in, I might pass one pedestrian, and of course I always say hello. That's the norm there.


As an aside, NYC was recently proclaimed "The World's Friendliest City"...go figure.

Politest, (http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=900822006) actually. "The Big Apple scored 80 per cent in a series of tests, including dropping papers in a street in a busy area, seeing how long it took for someone to help, noting whether doors were held open and if shop assistants said thank you after making a sale. " So where it counts...New Yorkers come through, and where it's meaningless, they don't waste their time. And Toronto, believed by the rest of Canada to be a rude city, came third internationally in politeness.

I don't wave to other cyclists. I'm riding 20 kph down one side of the street hardly recognizable in my helmet and sunglasses and they're riding 20 kph down the other side in their headgear and we're both watching for broken glass, potholes, pedestrians, cars or whatever, or checking our computers or preoccupied wth our thoughts. Who has the time or energy to acknowledge everyone you pass?

And what would be the reason for doing it? Because we're both on bikes? I don't wave or say hi to all other car drivers when I'm in a car, or to all the other shoppers when I'm in No-Frills, or to the other passengers on the subway car, or to everyone else who resembles me in being balding or overweight or wearing glasses, and for the same reason I don't acknowledge everyone on a bike. It would be meaningless. Plus in a way it would be an imposition on them...it creates an expectation that they have to respond or be considered rude or snobbish.

And I'm always a bit surprised by that assumption when this topic comes up over and over...that those who don't acknowledge you must be snobs. They're in team kits or riding expensive bikes so they must think ordinary riders aren't worth noticing. That's nonsense. They're out riding every day, it's not a novelty to them, they've probably nodded to or waved at thousands of riders in the past, and then realized that it's an unecessary and burdensome gesture to pat every newb on the head lest they be thought elitist. They're there to ride, not socialize.

Courtey of m-w:

Main Entry: snob
Pronunciation: 'snäb
Function: noun
Etymology: origin unknown
1 British : COBBLER
2 : one who blatantly imitates, fawningly admires, or vulgarly seeks association with those regarded as social superiors
3 a : one who tends to rebuff, avoid, or ignore those regarded as inferior b : one who has an offensive air of superiority in matters of knowledge or taste c : bicyclist riding expensive bike in team kit
:D

And I'm always a bit surprised by that assumption when this topic comes up over and over...that those who don't acknowledge you must be snobs. They're in team kits or riding expensive bikes so they must think ordinary riders aren't worth noticing. That's nonsense. They're out riding every day, it's not a novelty to them, they've probably nodded to or waved at thousands of riders in the past, and then realized that it's an unecessary and burdensome gesture to pat every newb on the head lest they be thought elitist. They're there to ride, not socialize.

Oh believe me, there is a bit of snobbery that goes on. I started riding again early last year after finding out I had type 2 daibetes. I rode my 30+ year old LeJeune which I had rattlecanned ice blue. Wore some loose biking shorts my son had given me and a beat up Campag t-shirt. I was using clips and straps. Went riding, was friendly (nod of the head) to the spandex clad going the other way and no acknowledgement. Even passed one going the same way with a friendly "Morning" and got nothing.

Wife bought me some bibs and a jersey (solid color, nothing garish)...me on the same bike, same people and instant visibility. One guy stopped by to check out the LeJeune. He could not believe how light "this old steel bike is" and called his friends over to check it out. Of course I had to explain LeJeune to him, but at least he had heard of Reynolds 531.

BigPaulie above,

Because Joe's server (H.A.L.) hates me, it won't let me "reply with quote" this morning.

criterion: actually momentarily attaining that level of behavior your young children and pets think you live at daily.

Having been virtually killed by H.A.L. (aka Joe's server), I have returned transfigured (kinda sorta like Gandolf comes back all white and everything in LOTR). GrannyGear, fallible and so sadly limited, is gone forever. In his place is CrossChain. ..........not to be trifled with, Paulie. The Diego clan is on notice.



;)

Why hasn't anyone addressed Caruso's original question -- could it be that he has B.O.? I mean, that would explain his observation, right? :D

Good point! Maybe he's waveing too enthusiastically. I find that when exercising, like bicycling, it's best to do a relatively low key wave with your elbows held against your sides.

I've got one fellow in particular..... I meet him 2-3 times a week. I always wave, or say hi or a how ya doin'... (like I do to everyone) and he has never acknowleged my existance. It's now gotton to be kind of funny.... I think up new things to say to him every day.... "Nice bike", "beautiful day", "yo", or just a big cheesy grin and a wave. Nothin'. Oh well, sucks to be him. :D

Is it possible he can't hear you?

funny it use to bother me too when I would greet someone on the road,a casual wave, nod, smile or how ya doin, and they would not reply.
So I came to terms with the unpleasantness because
I just figured they were gasping for breath or totally toasted and it would require to much of a expendeture of energy for a reply, regardless of what they rode, or wore.