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Eye contact

Old 06-04-15, 09:49 AM
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Eye contact

When passing on the bike trail, is eye contact necessary or will a nod or finger wave suffice?

I like to raise a few fingers as a wave gesture but don't feel the need for eye contact acknowledgement.

amirite?
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Old 06-04-15, 10:10 AM
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You spent more time typing this than anyone should ever spend thinking about this "issue".
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Old 06-04-15, 10:32 AM
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Burn this thread. Burn it with fire until it's gone and there is no trace left. Do it now while there's still time.
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Old 06-04-15, 10:36 AM
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If you don't take one hand off the bars and wave vigorously, then you are guilty of reinforcing the impression that all roadies are snobbish and unfriendly to others.
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Old 06-04-15, 10:37 AM
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A lot of people new to cycling worry way too much about waving/gesturing, etc. My 2 cents, don't worry about it. If someone waves at you and your feeling like a nice guy that day, smile and wave back.

I generally don't wave or make gestures(usually focused on getting a good workout in), but if someone waves at me I wave back if possible.
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Old 06-04-15, 11:05 AM
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Don't even need to acknowledge other riders anymore. Just go into Strava fly by and give them kudos.
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Old 06-04-15, 11:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Elvo
Don't even need to acknowledge other riders anymore. Just go into Strava fly by and give them kudos.
...and if they're not on Strava you never saw them anyway because their ride didn't happen.
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Old 06-04-15, 11:40 AM
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Eye contact is most important when you don't wave. The idea is to destroy them with your steely gaze of loathing. We're roadies after all...

This is what you're after:
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Old 06-04-15, 11:50 AM
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I was just on a ride. I didn't notice a guy going the opposite direction of the road till it was too late to wave/ acknowledge him. But he was on a trek road bike, so we could be a**holes together. No harm no foul.
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Old 06-04-15, 11:55 AM
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I shake hands with everyone I pass. People that pass me get cursed at.
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Old 06-04-15, 12:35 PM
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Difficult to make eye contact when everyone is wearing sunglasses.
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Old 06-04-15, 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by PepeM
I shake hands with everyone I pass.
I catch people that pass me and give then a pat on the butt. I found though that women don't like that.
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Old 06-04-15, 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by StanSeven
I catch people that pass me and give then a pat on the butt. I found though that women don't like that.
You're doing it wrong.
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Old 06-04-15, 12:52 PM
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If you look me in the eye, I will cut you.
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Old 06-04-15, 12:52 PM
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Don't acknowledge anyone, keep your head down until you crash into the back of a car.
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Old 06-04-15, 12:54 PM
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Originally Posted by bt
When passing on the bike trail, is eye contact necessary or will a nod or finger wave suffice?

I like to raise a few fingers as a wave gesture but don't feel the need for eye contact acknowledgement.

amirite?
What a jerk.
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Old 06-04-15, 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by StanSeven
I catch people that pass me and give then a pat on the butt. I found though that women don't like that.
This made my day
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Old 06-04-15, 01:04 PM
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When riders approach, I prefer to lower my glasses a bit so I can have a clear gaze, and then make heavy eye contact complete with a little lip licking until they've passed. If they don't acknowledge me by blowing an air kiss back my way, I turn around and chase them down to ask them why they're such arrogant jerks.
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Old 06-04-15, 01:05 PM
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I only raise one finger when I choose to acknowledge another rider.
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Old 06-04-15, 01:05 PM
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It depends on if I approve of their bike or not.
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Old 06-04-15, 01:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Cyclosaurus
Burn this thread. Burn it with fire until it's gone and there is no trace left. Do it now while there's still time.
Hmmm, seriously considering this.
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Old 06-04-15, 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by BillyD
Hmmm, seriously considering this.
Naaaahhhhhh!
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Old 06-04-15, 01:09 PM
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What's a bike trail?
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Old 06-04-15, 01:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Clipped_in
Eye contact is most important when you don't wave. The idea is to destroy them with your steely gaze of loathing. We're roadies after all...

This is what you're after:
Or a look like this can be equally chilling:
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Old 06-04-15, 01:18 PM
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How exactly do you make eye contact when passing or being passed? Or, do you mean when they are going the other way?
If they are going the other way, I may nod...
If I am passing them, I call out passing left...
If they are passing me and pass wide, nothing...
if they pass too tight, they find out I dip snuff when I ride.
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