Tooling along on my way to work, I was passed by a motorcyclist
with a silver helmet. I kind of wondered, in my expanded consciousness which stems from oxygenated, endorphine/adrenaline enriched blood (and so on, etc.) if he saw me as a distant cousin of his, or exactly what I looked like from his view. Well, he had a motor and I didn't, so he passed me and went his merry way.

10 or 15 minutes later, in the heart of downtown Atlanta, there he was, waiting his turn at a 4-way stop. I couldn't resist rolling up next to him, waving and smiling. He stared blankly at me (I guess it was blankly, I couldn't tell from behind his shades, but I say, "blankly" because he looked at me for quite a while.) He smiled back.

Maybe we are not so distantly related after all.

(Then again, maybe he was thinking, "I'd better humor this crazy fool!" )

that would be my guess.....

Most of the motorcyclists I encounter are more like car, truck, and SUV drivers. They roar past me way too fast and sometimes too close for comfort.
When I see a motorcyclist at a stop light I'll nod or wave but usually don't get a response.
Distant cousins? I don't think so.

I ride motorcycle and bicycle and usually wave to everything on 2 wheels. The attitude from motorcyclists is not reserved for those on bicycles only...I get it on my motorcycle from other motorcycles if they feel theirs is better than mine. It's a great hobby, but filled with out of proportion egos; too many people measure themselves according to the size of their bike payment. I suppose you see that in the auto world too.

I was sitting my place in line at a light Wednesday when a guy on a sports bike came weaving up through the traffic and stopped next to me. He was lost and needed directions. We shot the poop at the light until it changed. He knew nobody in their cars would give him the time of day. He sought his two-wheeled brother. ...didn't he?:cool:

I did this to a two-wheeled brother once when a severe thunderstorm was heading straight for me and I took a detour south to escape it (fat chance, but it was an effective strategy later as I finally escaped it.)

Me and my Bro' were pedalling down Memorial Drive downtown in rush hour traffic through (or around, more accurately) violent gullywashers that were deep enough to immerse your feet in warm water on the downstroke. I followed him until I found a familiar route, then we went our own ways.

Ron--truth is, I was showing off to this guy. I wonder if he recognized me as the same cyclist he passed 10 or 15 minutes earlier?

Bikenriden: I had the same thought recently and pondered a thread about how our "one upmanship" attitudes are displayed in our appetite for cars that are more expensive/powerful than our neighbors' cars (or clothes, or even bikes.)

I too have noticed this.

I think the subject of rivalrys between each other as far as rides go is in pretty much everyone subconsciously in some amount. Yesterday I pulled up to a stop sign next to a teenager on a BMX bicycle. penis rivalry or something of that sort came up, and I "smoked him" pulling away from the stoplight. Almost immediately afterwards I wondered to myself why I did that. Is it a testosterone thing or something? It just seems stupid that I wanted to prove myself to a 15 year old on a BMX bike.

Don't worry about it Devster maybe you wanted to prove to yourself that you've still got it.

I saw Silver Bullet again today!

Once.

Oh, well. One thing I like about him, he doesn't crowd me and doesn't accelerate fast when passing.



A friend of mine asked me if cyclists have a "wave" they give each other. He said motorcyclists ("bikers") hold up their fist.

Do we cyclists have a "wave?"

i have a middle finger.........

That's interesting as I have also had people in cars ask me for directions, I guess they figure we probably know our way around, also we are very approachable compared to some one in a car with the windows up.

Imagine sitting in a car at lights and trying to get the guy next to you to wind down his window to ask for directions, he will probably yell at you "What's your ****ing problem" before you can even ask for help.

CHEERS.

Mark

I get this during the tourist season. The thing that really annoys me is when they try to argue with the directions I give them. People, if you know so much about this area why are you asking me?

It's traditional to raise a few fingers from the bars when passing.

I used to be a cashier at a gas station. I was the head direction giver. people would argue with me that north was south and west was east(what?)

the funny thing was, if you took a right out of one part of the parking
lot, you would be on a skinny road w/ no turn offs for a mile.

if they were being a real pain, telling me my directions were wrong(i was the one
with the map) I would send them down that road.

Other day when I was heading east on my morning ride
a guy on a Harley in full leather regalia, sunglasses, helmet,
etc gave me the thumbs up as he headed in the opposite
direction. Cool.

Seems like all the runners and cyclists (no matter what kind) all give an obviouse smile, nod, or wave to each other here in Memphis. That's been the wierdest part of being a new rider- people actually being NICE and friendly and it isn't even forced!

Yeah, I'm gonna start doing that this summer. "Yes, you are right, there is a surf beach at Murwillumbah..."

I think cyclists and bikers share the same problems. Both are invisible to traffic. I have owned a motorcycle when i was a young lad (I want one again!) and have noticed people did not see me. I know many bikers and they feel the same way.

I also have a bumper sticker on my car that says "Share the Road with Bicycles" and not long ago I saw the same thing for motorcycles.

So there I feel we are brothers, 2 wheels, same problems, not caged in, more alert, etc. Ya know funny thing after talking to many bikers and cycles, many of them state that they feel safer on a bike (engine or no) than in a car. I always thought that was because you're up higher and can see, hear, experience, and sense more. Although I think that is true, I also think it is because when cycling or motorcycling you are 100% focused on driving, balancing, watching, etc. Where as in a car, you're laid back, stereo going, cruise control on, car almost drives itself.....zzzzzzzzzz.....

I have never been harrased by a bikers. NEVER. I also get more waves, and feel more secure around them that cars, not because they are smaller, but they SEE everything, hence they see me.

I've got an idea for you. When they argue, you admit your wrong, and give them different advice.
































And when they see you later, a little angry, point out the fact that you tried to tell them the right way.


Note: most people will not find the humour in this.