So a lot of us give the old. 'you're a cyclist, I'm a cyclist' wave or head-nod or give that little acknowledgement that we've somehow got some weird bond due to our little hobby.

So here I am reaching the crest of this hill, about pooped out, and coming up on an intersection and at just the most awkward moment, another cyclist slowly comes up around the corner. You guessed it, he gives me "the wave". But he does it right at the time that I have to look the other direction for traffic, so it seems to him that I've ignored him. So once I look back over to try to get by that awkward moment and give him the wave he expected, here comes another awkward moment, with this guy looking over at me with a look that says "what a jerk" - but I give the wave anyway and he rides by with that same look just staring at me.

ALWAYS give "the wave" immediately. That's what I learned today.

Ah yes. The awkwardly timed nod or wave can be disastrous.

We are left to pedal away considering all the 'what ifs'.

What if I had seen them first?

What if I had got my nod in first?

What if we had passed another ten metres down the road?

The one I hate is seeing the wave from the other rider, then having a car go past obscuring their view of the return wave. By the time the car has passed, it's too late - they're gone.

You know you've waved and fulfilled your responsibility - but they see you as a non-waving snob. See - motorists are to blame for friction between members of the bicycling community. (Or maybe I'm just rambling.)

I hope this will be the last of the dozens of "waving" and "snob" threads we have been having this week.

But we haven't even had a 'Do You Wave at Snobs' thread yet. Maybe you could post one.

I nod. period. I nod at BMX kids, I nod at commuters, I nod to snobs, I not to freds, I nod at cagers and even dogs and cats. Waving is too much work, I have hills to climb.

Seriously, If you miss the chance to wave, or nod at another cyclist, dont worry about it. I have been so focused on making it home, or about hitting a green light, I have totaly blown off other cyclists that have waved to me. I'm sure they have done the same, i think most will forget about it within a few minutes.

I usually give the finger to any other bikers I see.
And if I catch them from behind I try to pull them off the road.

I'm damn hard-core pro, that's why.

Damn you can turn anything into a pain. Keep it light just say hi or something.

Joe

Thank you. It's a talent I've spent considerable time cultivating.

I figure if I can continue to improve my skills of turning the trivial into something of earth shattering importance I may one day be able to become a politician.

On my daily commute I pass so many cyclists I would be a nodding dog, so I only nod to the regulars, and say hello to the very attactive high speed girl who I pass every day in the opposite direction, but thats only because she started saying hello 1st.

Also noticed in France last summer all two wheeled riders, with and without engines give each other a 2 finger wave

I always wave, nod or say hello to all cyclists, even if it is just raising my fingers up while still gripping the bars.

I used to wave all the time! I got so few responses that I began to think I was wasting my time. Now, when people wave at me, I'm taken by suprise.

I just can't seem to get it right...

Yet I do remember many times I would see a cyclist coming the other way, and I would get ready to nod or wave, just in case they were, "friendly," and get the payoff: a smile, nod, or wave in return. It's sort of like everyday life off the bike. If you're prepared to be friendly, there's often an opportunity to do so.

(But I admit that on the bike, it requires a bit of extra skill!)

I wave at roadies and at mountain bikers. If Iwaved at everyone on a bike, it would be like having to salute the captain of a submarine every time you see him.