Ouch !

My general policy is if they are on a bike then they get a hello from me(or at least a nod), just because some don't reply doesn't mean I'm going to lower myself down to their unsociable level.

Roadies are slightly different because most of the time they pass me at a much faster speed and because they are virtually silent I don't here them coming , but only a few weeks ago I saw one ahead of me and decided to try and catch up with him, when I finally did (much to his surprise) he was one of the nicest bikers I've met. He slowed down to a pace that was easier for me and we had a chat for a few miles.

He also said that I should get a road bike because "you'll Fly" and as he said goodbye and sped off , I had a nagging thought that maybe he was right.

RiPHRaPH

which brings us to a whole other conversation:
who is the harder core? the person who goes to the grocery store and brings his bags home in a basket, navigating the city in very cold conditions or the USPS techno-weenies?!
The USPS guys broke the cardinal rule of cycling (same as the rules on my son's soccer team) #1 listen to the coach and #2 have fun!

i hope to never take myself that seriously in anything in life. try not to become a motor for my bike and enjoy. besides.....i am my own sponsor.

RacerX

Well, I'm glad there are a few people defending racers out there! You can't lump all racers in with some chuckleheads without enough sense to wear helmets (especially in adverse conditions).

We train along side Trent Klasna (Saturn), Thurlow Rodgers (Mercury) and even a USPS rider or two (Hincapie, Cruz and a couple Italian pros showed up once) amongst many other pros here in southern california. For the most part, they are all cool and the only ones with real attitudes are "recreational" riders that jump into training rides, don't understand the proper pack ettiquette and cause problems. Of all the racers I know, no one ever puts anyone down for riding in baggies, touring bikes, or whatever. We just don't do that--never. If anyone talks to us, it's all good. Cycling is cycling, right?

If you come at someone with preconcieved ideas then it kinda' is a self-fullfilling prophecy. That works both ways. I think you just have to take everyone as individuals. You happened to meet 2 ******** individuals (no offense to ******** people!).

Amir R. Pakdel

I have not met many group riders, but I notice that most cyclists I meet are rather reluctant to say hello. I always nod my head when I see them, and only get a blank stare back.

By the way, I wonder what the real USPS team would do if they saw the bunch of posers you met... that would be a classic.

LittleBigMan

Ya, sometimes I think I'm the one with a blank stare, cycling does that to me sometimes...

Hey, I like that, "Poking babies and cute animals with a stick is more fun than it looks."

What a great idea!

Next time another cyclist ignores me, "OUCH!" They get the stick!

Goatbiker

RacerX,

Thanks the the voice of reason. After yor're snubbed enough, It does kind of poison your attitude towards certain types of riders. I'll try to keep a more open mind.

I read in one of Lance's books that if he said hello to a passing rider and they ignored him, he would turn around, chase them down, and ask why. I would love to see that.

Amir R. Pakdel

yeah, but who wouldn't say hello to lance armstrong???

wabbit

This was probably before his fame. However, it's hard to recognize people when you can't see their eyes or their hair- it's possible I'd pass him by and not know him! However, I wouldn't bother chasing after someone if they didn't wave-it's not THAT important to me for everyone to like me. Lately, when I wave and people don't wave back, I think ahh phooey on you. Unless it's obvious they didn't see me- I don't always see people wave. But if they did and ignore me, well, who gives a rat's a55.