HopedaleHills

On one of my rides this past weekend I was riding through Hopedale Center on a leisurely 12mph pace when I passed an older gentleman walking in the opposite direction on the sidewalk next to me. He had on on a pair of old dirty chinos, white tee-shirt and baseball hat, with a cigarette hanging from his mouth. As I passed he moved his arms in a cranking motion (kinda like the traveling penalty in basketball) and yelled "Get crankin that thing". Geez, I though "what's his deal", either:

1. He just felt like bustin my chops
2. He is a certified loon
3. He is a past "Tour de Somewhere" winner that would have dropped my ass in a second on his bike.

About 10 miles farther I was on a back country road which has some of those expensive yuppie sub-divisions off of it. I passed a very attractive blond jogger going up a hill and in a pleasant, enthusiastic voice she yelled "Good morning, beautiful day isn't it, nice bike, have a good ride". So either:

1. She is just one of those eternally happy, overly friendly people
2. Thought I was someone else
3. Likes old guys riding in a beer tee-shirt and cargo shorts

I guess I'll never know. Damn, I love riding....

BTW, none of the four other bikers I passed going in the opposite direction returned a wave.

capejohn

Some wave, some don't. Some give such subtle acknowledgement that we may not notice it. Not to worrry, life goes on.

NOS88

Yeah, the bicycle gets you out and about in the world. You can travel more miles and see more people and things than you can on foot, and unlike a car, you have more access to the people you pass. I love riding too!

no motor?

I've notice that few of the other bicyclists will wave or say hi when I'm out, but most of the joggers and walkers will. Quite different from bikers, who will usually wave and talk with each other when we're out riding for fun. I'm wondering if that's due to the fact that other bicyclists feel less connected with their environment and each other than bikers do, or if the bicyclists are waiting for that end of the trip endorphin rush like I am!

serotta

I wave at everyone I pass in either direction. If they don't wave, it's no big deal. Riding always puts me in a good mood, I guess that's one of the reasons I continue to ride as much as possible over the last 25 or 30 years.

Big Paulie

My favorite "person I met out on the road" was a guy on a thrift store bike, towing an ungainly bike trailer, moving about 4 MPH.

You now how sometimes you see someone with a floor pump or even an entire wheel in their bike trailer, and you think to yourself, "Man, that guys is really prepared!" ?

Well, this guy HAD A SECOND BIKE IN HIS TRAILER!!!"

NOS88

The ultimate spare! I guess if you don't have a team car with extra bikes on the roof rack, this is the way to go.