caloso

I look at the rider. You can tell straight away whether they can ride or whether they just bought a nice bike.

mcours2006

Perhaps so, but sometimes it's difficult to tell if a rider is m or f when she/he's all kitted. I'll assume that nine out of ten rider I see is going to be M.

mcours2006

Do enlighten me, seriously. What are the tell-tale signs?

cthenn

I get nervous when I see a rider coming the opposite way...gotta keep an eye on the rider. WILL THEY WAVE AT ME, I HAVE TO BE READY TO WAVE BACK IN CASE THEY DO!

mcours2006

I always wave, or at the very least, an unmistakable nod.

caloso

Smooth pedaling action, no rocking hips, quiet upper body, elbows and shoulders loose.

BenPS

I look at the kit first, face second -- to see if I know them, bike third -- to see if I've worked on it

wphamilton

Neither one, I look at what they're doing, how they're riding.

FullGas

there's something really, really pathetic about this statement.

but, at least you recognize you have issues.

smarkinson

Likewise. I live in the country and when I moved here a few years ago I was surprised that the occasional cyclist (I usually see none on a ride or maybe a handful on the weekend) would wave at me so now I gotta time my wave just right, not too early or they won't see, not too late or it will be rude.

Back in the city you wouldn't wave because there were too many cyclists to be waving at everyone. Plus, it's the city, you don't act friendly in the city.

OnyxTiger

I look at the rider kit. Helmet, glasses, shoes, socks.

Then the bike... especially if it's something exotic. S-Works and Treks don't do it for me as much as a nice Colnago or Willier or Look or titanium. Seen some strong riders pushing classic/vintage (ie Faggin) with chrome seat stays in full kit... for some reason that left an impression on me.

Bandera

Yep.
A properly fitted, positioned and experienced Cyclist is identifiable by their riding style at a glance in either direction of travel.

What flavor of Hardware they are operating is of little if any interest to me.

-Bandera

bakes1

I am 51 and ride shirtless in warm weather.
Nobody looks at my bike when they see me.
I am sure some people have needed therapy afterwards.
icgaf

Clipped_in

TMonk

I am sure that you love thinking that

Shuffleman

If I am in my town, I look to see if its a rider that I know and then it is the bike. If I am in another town, it is the bike.

TimothyH

Wait for it....

Hypno Toad

I'm always looking at the bike first. I was talking with a buddy about this the other day, we laughed as we recalled the time we randomly saw each other... Both of us were looking at the bikes before looked up at each other's face to say "HI!"

corrado33

Oh I'd love to hear your psychological evaluation of me. Please Mr. Internet Doctor, tell me what's wrong with me.

Sounds to me like what I described was perhaps a bit too close to home?

silversx80

If approaching a rider from behind, or see one head on, I notice the rider first, their form, their effort, their kit and how well they carry themselves on the bike.

If I can make out the triangles I almost always notice the bike first.

seypat

It varies. Whatever comes into focus first. I live in RVA. My commute between home/work and the surrounding area puts me on some of the main cycling arteries of the greater Richmond area. It appears that looking as "pro" as possible is the main thing these days. Gone are the days of a black pair of shorts/bibs, some kind of jersey and either black or white shoes. What I am seeing is that everything is matching from helmet to shoe AND, the kit has to match the bike colors. Maybe these companies have multiple color kits like "home and away" colors and whites.

That is what I am seeing.