Road Bike Racing - Do you practice your two-handed salute?

I always feared losing control and crashing in front of the whole crowd if I ever tried to raise both hands in victory while crossing the finish line. Not that I've had many opportunities to do that anyway, but it made me wonder if any of you practice your victory salutes while training?

I usually go with a more modest single fist punch (not that I get the chance very often). I think it carries a bit more emphasis than waving your hands around like you're having some sort of seizure :D

i ride no handed all the time, putting them up over the head isnt much harder. Never had a crowd to show off for when winning a race though...

i think this mandates a link to that video of the guy faling off and loosing cause he couldn't do the salute.

unless you're a pro, or an amateur who's just won a major race, i find the practice idiotic.

This is why I'll never do any sort of victory "salutes"...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBzP5-vNOys&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMtXTGo5vgw&mode=related&search=

Only times I've been in a position to do so I've either been in a full on sprint, or seeing stars and drooling...probably not the best time to let go of the bars :D

Only times I've been in a position to do so I've either been in a full on sprint, or seeing stars and drooling...probably not the best time to let go of the bars :D

not only have i seen it happen, last year there was an idiot who did it after winning a prime.

believe you me, i made sure he was aware of what an idiot he was. again, and again, and again. :D

The "salute" will get you disqualified in races around here. I've seen it happen It is considered unsafe.

I'm a fist puncher too. I do practice the Floyd on Roids look.

I did it a few times, my girlfriend is always at the finish line with a camera, so she captures the moment.
No matter what category you are in, IMO a win is a win and should be celebrated if you worked hard to win it.
At one finish the front wheel started to wobble so I'll be punching the air in future.

I did it a few times, my girlfriend is always at the finish line with a camera, so she captures the moment.
No matter what category you are in, IMO a win is a win and should be celebrated if you worked hard to win it.
At one finish the front wheel started to wobble so I'll be punching the air in future.

not at the risk of causing a pile up on the line.

A friend of mine attacked, solo, 15 minutes into a crit yesterday. Stayed away the entire way through the 45+2 race. With one lap to go, and a 30 second advantage over the field, we told him to zip up and do whatever the hell he wanted coming across the line.

He had the biggest ***** eating grin on his face for the last three laps, and 100m from the line, he sits up, takes his hands off the bars, and like a scene from the Tour, zips up right as the announcer is saying "is he going to zip up and salute the crowd?" and gave his best Juan Antonio Flecha.

Some d-bag in the field was celebrating the field prime he won like it was De Ronde or something. The ONLY time he was ever visible was when he was sprinting for a prime when the race was up the road by 45 seconds. I hate that crap. Especially over a box of PowerBars.

Very distinct difference between the two.

Hand salutes are required. Even on training ride sprints. It's all part of how purists roll.

I've got different ones for different types of wins.

solo - hands out to the sides like it was easy, palms open
small group - hands up and out, fists clenched lightly
big field sprint - fists clenched, biceps curled, etc

I'm working on this salute to victory

http://www.getreligion.org/wp-content/photos/BuddyJesus.jpg

You zip then sit up to show off your advertisers. That's why they sponsor your team, right? Exposure? If you wipe out, you'll probably end up getting double. It's win-win.

I once did it as I passed a bunch of kids.. Does that count?

I likely won't ever win another race, so it's probably a moot point for me.

For the races I won this past season, I just kept both hands in the drops and looked straight ahead all the way down the road. Lifting my arms or gazing from side to side after crossing the line would not have in any way increased my sense of satisfaction.

--Steve

Against the rules in all categories except pro 1.

I haven't really raced since the spring (stupid tri season)....but I salute at every county line. You always win when you train by yourself.

I likely won't ever win another race, so it's probably a moot point for me.

For the races I won this past season, I just kept both hands in the drops and looked straight ahead all the way down the road. Lifting my arms or gazing from side to side after crossing the line would not have in any way increased my sense of satisfaction.

--Steve

Gerat response from someone with winning experience. But, winning is hard for most of us (although it seems commonplace among many BF members). IMO, an unplanned show of emotion is fine, a planned or orchestrated "oh so pro" celebration is uncalled for and unsportsmanlike.

Gerat response from someone with winning experience. But, winning is hard for most of us (although it seems commonplace among many BF members). IMO, an unplanned show of emotion is fine, a planned or orchestrated "oh so pro" celebration is uncalled for and unsportsmanlike.

So if I ever manage to win a race I shouldn't get off the bike and do an endzone dance? All that practice down the drain, I was even keeping the keo cleat covers so I don't fall and look like a fool.

So if I ever manage to win a race I shouldn't get off the bike and do an endzone dance? All that practice down the drain, I was even keeping the keo cleat covers so I don't fall and look like a fool.

Even makes Jerry Jones, get super fly

So if I ever manage to win a race I shouldn't get off the bike and do an endzone dance? All that practice down the drain, I was even keeping the keo cleat covers so I don't fall and look like a fool.

I think end zone dances and sharpies are not part of the regular pro celebration so you might get away with a technicality. I would wholeheartedly encourage this practice sans cleat covers just for the youtube value of such a video.

Do you practice your two-handed salute?

hell yeah baby, in front of my mirror and apartmentmates all the time!

So if I ever manage to win a race I shouldn't get off the bike and do an endzone dance? All that practice down the drain, I was even keeping the keo cleat covers so I don't fall and look like a fool.
Didn't some pro who won a major race off the front cross the line only to stop, dismount, and then kiss his saddle?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2004/tour04/stage12/S-McEWENARRIVO12a-2878.jpg

No, you don't practice. If you can't handle your bike when you have won, you should not even attempt the celebration. Me? I had enough practice just winning. Kinda like PizzaMan. :)

unless you're a pro, or an amateur who's just won a major race, i find the practice idiotic.

More correct. :D

Great response from someone with winning experience. But, winning is hard for most of us (although it seems commonplace among many BF members). IMO, an unplanned show of emotion is fine, a planned or orchestrated "oh so pro" celebration is uncalled for and unsportsmanlike.

I have no problem with whatever sort of celebration someone wants to display so long as it doesn't endanger other cyclists. In general, I think lifting both hands is safe enough that I wouldn't fault someone for it. It's just not my own personal style.

--Steve

Me? I had enough practice just winning. Kinda like PizzaMan. :)


Except that PizzaMan was in an open category. You were Kramer at the Dojo this year. Any plans to upgrade?

--Steve

I lifted my hands above my head for the couple of races I won (Cat 4 and Cat 3 races). I actually raised my hands after crossing the line, not before. I didn't think about it until after I had already raised my hands - I was just caught in the moment.

Except that PizzaMan was in an open category. You were Kramer at the Dojo this year. Any plans to upgrade?

--Steve

Oh no you didn't. :D

I've "saluted" a rude motorist with both hands before.

I was blessed with a good season this year and got to do both the Cippo hands-in-the-air and the Floyd 'roid-punch. Neither were planned, I was just really effing pumped. Oh, and the officials 'round these parts (CA) don't have a problem as long as you're OTF when you salute.

Still haven't figured out which finish line picture was cooler though. I'm inclined to say the 'roid-punch.

(And I'd like to add that I absolutely approve of amateurs doing this. Winning a bike race is the 2nd best feeling in the world and you should get to celebrate).

Whenever I win, I don't know it until I get the rest of the times, and when I do win a RR or crit, then I flip everyone the bird.

Is this your reason for practicing? Or os this actually you?

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EaJMr26F5w

Whenever I win, I don't know it until I get the rest of the times, and when I do win a RR or crit, then I flip everyone the bird.

?

How would you not know whether you won until you get the rest of the times in an RR or Crit? You either crossed the line 1st or you didnt.

He was referring to TT's. In an RR and a crit, he flips the bird...

Is this your reason for practicing? Or os this actually you?

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EaJMr26F5w
damn work filter. I'm going to have to wait until 4:00 to see this.

damn work filter. I'm going to have to wait until 4:00 to see this.

It's exactly what you'd expect.

It's exactly what you'd expect.

A goat?

I'd like to see someone cross the line, stop and "do a Pete Townsend" with their bike.

http://132.204.113.176/upload/zqd2Et_petetownshend_thewho.jpg

I dismount my bike and spike it like a football

I dismount my bike and spike it like a football

i think pasty boy david millar beat you to that one.

I'd like to see someone cross the line, stop and "do a Pete Townsend" with their bike.

How about set the bike on fire a la Jimi Hendrix?

Throwing the bike into the crowd? If I were rich, I'd do just that.

It's exactly what you'd expect.
Ah yes, I've seen that one before. Loved it!