So there ya are riding along enjoying the groove on your bike. Life is good. Oh look here comes someone else on their bike so when you get close to them you wave and say "hi"!

No response, it's as if you don't exist...

Wow, an immediate under arm check ensues. Nope it aint that. Weird, and you pedal on.

Why is it some folks whiz on by as if ya don't exist while others are nice as can be?

I suppose like the rest of our demented society there are social butterflies and there are recluses. Me? I'm the former for sure! I love the culture and community that is cycling!

If you're broke down on the side of the road without a spare tube I'm the first to stop and lend a hand. I might yack your ear off while we work to get ya back on the road but at least I stopped!!

I posted this in the Road Cycling forum and thought I'd also post it here. I bet I get a different tone in this forum!

Maybe they think it's just like passing someone in a car. you don't wave to everyone in a car. Wouldn't take it personal. Personally I say hi. I don't take my hands off the bars....unless I need use the cell phone

Ever go from a big city or popular tourist destination to a small town a few miles away? It's always a minor culture shock, either way. Walking down the sidewalk, and everybody says, "Hi" or "How ya doing?" Then you go to "HELLO!! Can I get some service since I'm standing in front of your cash register with a couple hundred bucks of stuff in my hand!??"

Some riders are big city types. It's a survival mechanism -- you literally can't say hello to everyone you meet, and their attitude carries over when they're on a bike. Some are from medium sized cities, and they adapt when they climb on a bike. Then some riders are from small town (or long distance tourists, where you learn the behavior!), and want to stop and chat with every other bicyclist they pass.

Oh, and you can never guess just by looking which one is which!

From my own personal experience, if the other guy is on a road bike, in full kit, on a carbon frame, the chance of him waving back is slim to none. Neither a finger wiggle nor a nod. I get more waves from guys on Harleys. I guess it's just too hard to be just a little bit friendly.

I always wave to Freds unless I am in a no waving zone. I definitely wave to guys on Harleys and Ducatis but not so much Hondas or Suzikis unless they are in full leathers.

I like when folks recognize a hello. Even if it's for the briefest of moments, a feeling of community fulfills a need we have of belonging. Having anyone, a cyclist or other, not respond to a greeting, can cause that small disturbance in the universe. No big deal, it's just nice to be nice and to be around other nice people.

I usually nod at cyclists going the other direction and may say "hey" to those that I am passing. It really depends on the circumstances though. If they have just blown a red light or are riding stupid I probably wouldn't bother. Also, when passing I will announce, but may not have time to chat if the speed diff is significant.

Everybody that has ever passed me has never given a friendly nod or wave, but I did get yelled at once. It seems that stopping for a red light causes panic for those who couldn't pass you otherwise.

-Gary

Sometimes I just put out a vibe... No wave, or even a nod; just a good vibe. Perhaps one should be more receptive to the good vibes?

Some folks wave, some don't. some wave sometimes, not others. It's all good.

Okay, so how many others let out an audible groan when they saw this thread?

To the OP: This is one of those beaten to death topics that are periodically once again beaten to death, hence the facepalm reactions. Since you are new, and this is a cordial area of the forum, people are being pretty nice. I'm sure you got a more 'candid' response in the road forum, but, by the way, cross-posting to more than one forum is a no-no. Pick the forum that fits (and most things fit fine in 50+) and only post it there.

Why do you care? If you need more attention get a dog and just let other riders do their thing.

If someone gets on a bike and rides then they have done enough to make my day. After that, I don't care if they wave, nod, wiggle a pinkie or snarl. It truly is all good.

Some folks are like that.

I caught up recently to a cyclist on the MUP. As I pulled up alongside, I said "Good morning". He barely turned his head and I am not sure now if he even nodded, though at the time I thought he might have. The thing is, this is a guy I see almost every Monday through Friday as he rides his bike when I am running. So at the time, thinking that he had nodded in response, I asked, "How far do you usually ride ?". He didn't respond, never even turned his head, as if I wasn't riding along side him. So off I went.

I figure he's like that. The bicycle is incidental.

Wow. What is it that the OP said that makes you think he doesn't let other riders do their thing?

I'm from and live in the south and yankees and left coasters are surely different To me, waving is akin to getting on an elevator and saying hi or at least smiling to the person(s) already there. It's just being friendly. Now I don't wave to anyone on the greenway, there's way too many of us out there. I do smile and sometimes nod though. On the country roads here where I live, a bike rider is quite a bit more rare. I'd guess I typically see 0.5 riders per outingride. I always smile and raise a hand.

After the better part of a year riding, my observation is that people riding hybrids are most times smiling and friendly. Those on road bikes appear emotionless and stern. I can get a wave out of a road biker in the south, but you'll NEVER get one if there's more than one of them together. It's a sign of weakness you know. I still wave and smile. And I still say Hi when getting on an elevator.

I hope you didn't.

(raises hand)

There is a culture within cycling in that you stick to your own groups. MTBers will wave at any one- I suppose it is because they get so lonely up on the hills all day. But then what sort of MTBer. Coming down from the hills after a mornings ride- covered in mud and flying down the road as it is all downhill from here on- and you don't recognise any one that does not have Mud all over the face- the Bike and the back. Probably because after 4 hours of mud plugging you don't have the energy or competence to ride one handed while waving to someone.

But when in this state- Never wave to a roadie. In fact if you are not on a road bike- Don't wave to a roadie. They do not recognise anyone other than another rider on a better bike than themselves.--

That could be the OP's problem. Looking at his profile- he has a Madone-in red. It is not a Cervello- or a Pinarrello or a Madone in the correct team colours. Very particular lot these roadies--Unless you are an EX mountain biker and can't get out of the habit of waving at everyone you meet.

It's all a matter of perspective. I'm one of the carbon fiber roadies. I wave at everyone, and I don't find that the MTBers I see on the road wave back very often. Maybe they wave to other MTBers? The least likely to wave to me are kids on their BMX bikes, though some do. Right behind them are the young women, who no doubt sense I might turn around and follow them if they waved or smiled. They probably do wave to other women. Nice to know the younger generation of women is growing up with good common sense. The most likely to wave to me are roadies, unless they have aero bars. Tri-guys never wave to anyone. I think they'd fall over if they did.

I feel your pain. The 23 something, good looking military blonde lady, did not even say hello when she passed me this morning.

She was not using cleats, but did use toe straps, so she must know something about old style.

PS - She did not pass me because I was going that slow, this gal is faster than most of the 20-25 yo military guys on my commute.

There are The Rules, after all...

Great post! I am one of those guys who lives in a small town. I rarely see another rider or anyone who might even ride. When I go to the local market, the proprietor will mention "we had a biker today from New Jersey, I mentioned your name and they didn't know you".

I guess it's a big deal when we get a new person in town, even for a visit, we want to meet you and learn new things.

I see riders when I start an all day ride,they are heading out from a B&B. We are heading out also, riding 25 to the best 3 egg $5.00 breakfast in southern vermont, next, heading south 25 mi. to an apple orchard for uber-rare heirloom apples baked to perfection for snack (perhaps a nip of cider) then continuing for total 65 miles of pure New England scenery to Burdicks chocolatiers for coffee or a handcrafted beer in the afternoon.

Go ahead and be too busy to talk to the locals. You're the boss...

The roadie forum has been remarkably gentle to this cross-posted thread!!

I'm new here so please forgive me. I understand.... Twas just wonderin tis all...