Originally Posted by Red Baron
when I re-started serious riding 2 years ago (BTW serious cycling is rying to fit in 2K miles/year with a high stress job) I was amazed at the number of fellow roadies who ignored my 'wave/greeting" But I find myself now doing the same. Why? I think its because I am so focused on what I am doing that I just don't notice much else. I focus on my body, my mind, my thoughts (great stress reliever, and have solved many work problems on the road) to the point that I ignore everything else -except traffic.
I often pass someone who waved before I have a chance to wave back.
BTW- I'm a 'lone wolf' rider and like it that way.
I'm a new roadie, and I noticed that some people wave and some don't. Sometimes people wave and I don't have time to return the favor if I wait for them, so I've adopted the practice of just waving first to everybody. If they're friendly I usually get a wave and appreciative smile, and if they're not, who cares - screw 'em.
I'm also a lone wolf rider. I have an old Peugeot road bike that works well for me, and I can't afford all the slick fancy biking clothes at the moment. Maybe after I lose some weight and get faster I'll start going on group rides that my LBS sponsors. I've noticed a little snobbishness at the LBS because I'm not dropping hundreds if not thousands of dollars on bike equipment. My ultimate goal is to be able to complete in mini-triathlons and be able to participate in century road races, and until I get a little better and faster, I'm quite content riding as a lone wolf.
Matt