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03-31-20 | 08:37 AM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,967
Likes: 1,395
From: SW Fl.
Bikes: 1999 DAHON Mariner, Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser
In a situation like that, I save energy on the wave by only using one finger.
If someone is slowing or stopping to argue with me, I take that as a threat and will deliberately begin to act insane enough that they won't want to risk getting out of the car. If they're inclined to hit me with their vehicle, that's already so insane that I don't know whether ignoring them or acting like a nut will or won't make it more likely to happen.
If someone is slowing or stopping to argue with me, I take that as a threat and will deliberately begin to act insane enough that they won't want to risk getting out of the car. If they're inclined to hit me with their vehicle, that's already so insane that I don't know whether ignoring them or acting like a nut will or won't make it more likely to happen.
03-31-20 | 08:39 AM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,753
Likes: 387
Bikes: 1986 KHS Fiero, 1989 Trek 950, 1990 Trek 7000, 1991 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, 1992 Trek 1400, 1997 Cannondale CAD2 R300, 1998 Cannondale CAD2 R200, 2002 Marin San Rafael, 2006 Cannondale CAAD8 R1000, 2010 Performance Access XCL9R
In a situation like that, I save energy on the wave by only using one finger.
If someone is slowing or stopping to argue with me, I take that as a threat and will deliberately begin to act insane enough that they won't want to risk getting out of the car. If they're inclined to hit me with their vehicle, that's already so insane that I don't know whether ignoring them or acting like a nut will or won't make it more likely to happen.
If someone is slowing or stopping to argue with me, I take that as a threat and will deliberately begin to act insane enough that they won't want to risk getting out of the car. If they're inclined to hit me with their vehicle, that's already so insane that I don't know whether ignoring them or acting like a nut will or won't make it more likely to happen.
03-31-20 | 08:44 AM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,967
Likes: 1,395
From: SW Fl.
Bikes: 1999 DAHON Mariner, Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser
03-31-20 | 09:14 AM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,612
Likes: 1,149
From: Los Alamitos, Calif.
Bikes: Canyon Endurace
What bothers me is that sometimes someone will not only wave, but seem to be acknowledging they know who I am. Then for the next 1/2 mile I'm riding along trying to think if I knew that person or not.
03-31-20 | 09:18 AM
#30
For The Fun of It
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,139
Likes: 2,009
From: Louisissippi Coast
Bikes: Lynskey GR300, Lynskey Backroad, Litespeed T6, Lynskey MT29, Burley Duet
Yup, my main frustration right now is that taking the time to have the polite exchange would probably make them nervous about violating social distance rules Normally, I go out of my way to let them know that I think it's my job to accommodate them, not the other way around.
Also, when I approach a kid on the path, I find it much safer to just assume he/she is going to get it wrong, and get pleasantly surprised when they don't. All the way over and really slow gives me plenty of time to adjust either way.
Also, when I approach a kid on the path, I find it much safer to just assume he/she is going to get it wrong, and get pleasantly surprised when they don't. All the way over and really slow gives me plenty of time to adjust either way.
Do you find yourself cringing when you see other cyclists blast past kids? I know I do.
03-31-20 | 09:25 AM
#31
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 189
Likes: 87
From: Round Rock, Texas
Bikes: Giant Contend SL 1 Disc
100% I wave at everyone, and they wave at me...Round Rock TX must be friendly! Heck I even wave to motorcycles!
Also, my wave is a salute...anyone else do that? leftover from my navy days i guess...
JAG
Also, my wave is a salute...anyone else do that? leftover from my navy days i guess...
JAG
03-31-20 | 12:31 PM
#32
Tragically Ignorant
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 15,593
Likes: 9,109
From: New England
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
I've chased a couple of people down on the Minuteman just to yell at them for doing that. Mostly I want to humiliate them by showing them a man with white hair can catch them and pass them without riding like a reckless jerk.
03-31-20 | 08:57 PM
#33
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,637
Likes: 1,070
From: Oregon
When my wife and I rode through Chicago which was on our bike tour route, we wanted to see how many smiles would be returned by the people we smiled at. It was fun, and it was amazing how many people returned our smiles
Last edited by Doug64; 04-03-20 at 11:46 AM.
04-02-20 | 10:57 PM
#35
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 316
Likes: 177
I usually wave/nod at other roadies, less so at folks on hybrids and cruisers, but even then I'd say I do more than most. Especially when it's nasty outside, because you know the person you're passing is just, if not more passionate than your about cycling if they're out there in those conditions.
04-03-20 | 09:43 AM
#36
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30,225
Likes: 649
From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Depends.
I get a lot higher response rate if I wave with only one finger but they tend to be unfriendly. A lot more responses but not many smiles.
I get a lot higher response rate if I wave with only one finger but they tend to be unfriendly. A lot more responses but not many smiles.
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
04-03-20 | 04:12 PM
#37
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,340
Likes: 496
From: Bristol, R. I.
Bikes: Specialized Secteur, old Peugeot
I'm a country boy and grew up in an environment where everyone waved because you always knew who they were. To not acknowledge people seems more than just rude. If someone stops their car for me on the bike or car, I give them a vigorous wave and a toothy smile.
04-03-20 | 04:49 PM
#38
Dedicated Detritus Dodger
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 485
Likes: 662
From: Fairfax, California
Bikes: Some mighty fine ones at that!
After I moved up here to Marin, Ca. from the East Bay (El Cerrito) I found that roadies in Marin mostly do not wave. Now, roadies in Marin many times are not from Marin, so I always take that into account.
I'm a goofball, so I wave a lot, sing to myself, talk to the birds and squirrels and whatnot. I also try to flash a peace sign for cars who recognize my presence in traffic.
Why not be friendly, right?
Now when someone pulls some aggro BS, be they cyclist or motorist or even (very rarely) a pedestrian, I have some choice combination curse words at the ready.
I'm a goofball, so I wave a lot, sing to myself, talk to the birds and squirrels and whatnot. I also try to flash a peace sign for cars who recognize my presence in traffic.
Why not be friendly, right?
Now when someone pulls some aggro BS, be they cyclist or motorist or even (very rarely) a pedestrian, I have some choice combination curse words at the ready.
04-03-20 | 04:54 PM
#39
I'm the anecdote.
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 1,177
From: S.E. Texas
Bikes: '12 Schwinn, '13 Norco
Maybe it's the small town boy in me, but I wave or nod at everyone unless there is a steady procession of people. I say hello to strangers when I pass them on the sidewalk when there's not a steady procession of people. I don't know why, but it seems like the most polite thing to do. I have made some general observations about who is most likely to wave back and who is not.
My wife and I have done a few MUP rides lately where I have put my observations to the test, and my predictions rarely fail me. Older (50ish +) white males on high dollar road bikes are the least likely to wave, head nod or smile. Women and African Americans on almost any kind of bike almost always give a friendly greeting. Almost all people on comfort or cruiser kind of bikes will give a greeting. Everything else falls somewhere in between.
My wife and I have done a few MUP rides lately where I have put my observations to the test, and my predictions rarely fail me. Older (50ish +) white males on high dollar road bikes are the least likely to wave, head nod or smile. Women and African Americans on almost any kind of bike almost always give a friendly greeting. Almost all people on comfort or cruiser kind of bikes will give a greeting. Everything else falls somewhere in between.
I knew exactly how he felt.
04-03-20 | 05:06 PM
#40
I'm the anecdote.
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 1,177
From: S.E. Texas
Bikes: '12 Schwinn, '13 Norco
Waving at other riders is a habit from my old motorcycle days, I'm usually so glad to be on one of my bikes that I'm actually friendly to other humans for that time.
I ride in regular clothes and notice that if I wave at "full kit roadies", they get annoyed if I catch them seeing my wave towards them. It's one of those "crap, just leave me alone" looks. Which I understand, because I'm like that if I'm not on a bike.
Also, I get passed by roadies that go by without a whisper. I know I'm essentially a traffic cone going only 15 to 16 mph. Lololol.
Now I will say that with so many people not at work, that a whole lot of people out there on foot and on two wheels are waving back at me. I'm not sure how long that will last, though.
I ride in regular clothes and notice that if I wave at "full kit roadies", they get annoyed if I catch them seeing my wave towards them. It's one of those "crap, just leave me alone" looks. Which I understand, because I'm like that if I'm not on a bike.
Also, I get passed by roadies that go by without a whisper. I know I'm essentially a traffic cone going only 15 to 16 mph. Lololol.
Now I will say that with so many people not at work, that a whole lot of people out there on foot and on two wheels are waving back at me. I'm not sure how long that will last, though.
04-03-20 | 11:13 PM
#41
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta, GA
Unless it's crowded, I nearly always try to catch the eye and make some kind of polite acknowledgement to pedestrians or other folks on wheels. So many people dislike cyclists when they get back in their cars, I figure it helps to try shift their experience to something positive.
04-05-20 | 11:37 AM
#45
For The Fun of It
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,139
Likes: 2,009
From: Louisissippi Coast
Bikes: Lynskey GR300, Lynskey Backroad, Litespeed T6, Lynskey MT29, Burley Duet
I have always been fascinated with human behavior and response. As a young teen I was doing "Jackass" and "Impractical Joker" kind of stuff around the neighborhood.
I wonder how many of the people who refuse to wave would react if the approaching rider insulted rather than wave.
I wonder how many of the people who refuse to wave would react if the approaching rider insulted rather than wave.
