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Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

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Old 09-30-16, 12:57 PM
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I'm a senior, 70, and have only been cycling for about three years. I ride three days during the week about 12 to 15 miles a day. Then, on Saturday, I typically do something a little longer. Also, I normally ride alone. I am normally a pretty friendly guy, but there have been many occasions where I have crossed paths with others that simply won't acknowledge you when you say Good Morning or something of that nature. It doesn't bother me much when it might be a big group in a pace line because they are typically about business. The ones that bother me are the groups of two or three wearing their little matching outfits, on their expensive carbon bikes, that can't be bothered to respond to some old codger just trying to stay alive and stay fit. Can you guys explain their rudeness to me?
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Old 09-30-16, 01:04 PM
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Ah, a waving thread. It's been a while.
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Old 09-30-16, 01:05 PM
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rude is a matter of culture, perspective...depending on where you were raised and your age, you see things differently...
when I am up in the country at my farm anybody who passes waves...in the big city, if you wave they think something is wrong with you...
just enjoy your ride and don't let it bother you...
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Old 09-30-16, 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by PepeM
Ah, a waving thread. It's been a while.

thanks for your contribution to the thread. It would have been nice if you actually had something to say.
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Old 09-30-16, 01:08 PM
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Rude.
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Old 09-30-16, 01:09 PM
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They probably would not agree with you that it's rude.

I like a pleasant greeting as much as the next guy, but sometimes I think it's rude when a stranger intrudes on whatever I'm doing, asking for my attention. It's all a matter of perspective isn't it?
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Old 09-30-16, 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by PepeM
Rude.
See you after your vacation.

OP- If you ride faster, they will be nicer to you.

Also-

"The ones that bother me are the groups of two or three wearing their little matching outfits, on their expensive carbon bikes"


Being judgmental could be considered more rude than not saying hello to a stranger.
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Old 09-30-16, 01:14 PM
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I have no doubt there are rude cyclists like rude everything else. There are all kinds out there. At some level of effort it becomes difficult to pay attention to much else than the self inflicted pain. Also at high levels of effort people just get more aggressive. So I would expect the reaction you get depends a bit on where you ride and how hard others are working.

Around here we live and ride the only path from OC to San Diego and it is shared by surfers, who, tend to turn sideways with boards when spoken to. Later on the path the road is so full of bikes it is not practical to say hello. On any given ride there are a few flats at the side of the road too. So for me it goes like this. If there are few riders, I say hi, nod, wave to everyone. If someone is stopped I ask if they need help. On peak ride time - I say hello to those I know and those that are riding near me about my speed. If I, or they are clearly involved in an intense effort - nothing is said.

I think you see this kind of behavior in many things when someone comes from a populated area to one less so.
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Old 09-30-16, 01:15 PM
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OP, give it up. Cyclists are about cycling, not communicating with strangers. Within the cycling activity that is considered proper behavior. If you want to exchange smiles and waves, try another pursuit.
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Old 09-30-16, 01:15 PM
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Strangely there are rides when I feel like waving, and others that I don't. Bi polar waver.
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Old 09-30-16, 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Motolegs
Strangely there are rides when I feel like waving, and others that I don't. Bi polar waver.
I think we should explore this a bit more.

What's going on at home/in the office before the rides where you do wave? And when you don't?
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Old 09-30-16, 01:21 PM
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I refuse to wave or acknowledge anyone on principle
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Old 09-30-16, 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Dan333SP
I think we should explore this a bit more.

What's going on at home/in the office before the rides where you do wave? And when you don't?
Don't forget to ask about his relationship with his mother.
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Old 09-30-16, 01:37 PM
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I only wave to riders on bike +/-200$ of mine.

Self-conscious, you see
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Old 09-30-16, 01:40 PM
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I agree, seems like 50/50 to me are friendly. It's always odd when I get passed out on empty roads and they act like you don't exist. Often times on TT bikes. A popular cycling channel on Youtube started a month or so a go a campaign called #sayhighonyourride

I don't think it's people being rude to be rude or because it's their culture. I think it's usually ego.

Originally Posted by rpenmanparker
OP, give it up. Cyclists are about cycling, not communicating with strangers. Within the cycling activity that is considered proper behavior. If you want to exchange smiles and waves, try another pursuit.
Until you are knocked out cold on the side of the road and another cyclist stops to call 911. (True story, not mine)
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Old 09-30-16, 01:41 PM
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I live in the country so I seldom see anyone. But the other day I passed an elderly couple on not-carbon wearing their hiviz yellow. The man was trailing a bit behind his the woman as they rode up a hill. I said "morning" to each as I passed them and they replied in kind. Once at the top of the hill their three friends waiting for them and again I said "morning" but no reply. Go figure ehh?
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Old 09-30-16, 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Corbin
Until you are knocked out cold on the side of the road and another cyclist stops to call 911. (True story, not mine)
Yeah, but you know that guy didn't wave.
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Old 09-30-16, 01:41 PM
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I wave to most folks I see. Some wave back. Some don't. Meh. I'm more concerned about the car that almost ran me over than I am about the cyclist who didn't wave.
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Old 09-30-16, 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by WalksOn2Wheels
Don't forget to ask about his relationship with his mother.
It's telling that you brought this up yourself. Let's explore that as well.
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Old 09-30-16, 01:52 PM
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You may not be considered cool or hip enough to garner a wave. Perhaps you could adjust your cycling garmets to be more like the crowd you want to get waves from? I see nothing at all wrong with a 70 YO dude going out and getting some skinny jeans, a set of converse, black t shirt and flannel, and one of those funny flip bill hats to ride in....
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Old 09-30-16, 01:52 PM
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Love how you start a thread complaining about how no one will wave at you then you immediately make snarky comments about the appearance of other riders. The irony is lost on you, no doubt.
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Old 09-30-16, 02:03 PM
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No one owes anyone else a wave. If 3 guys in matching kits are out there riding and don't want to worry about the outside world, fine. Maybe 2 of them are having their legs ripped off by the 3rd and are holding on for dear life. I know I've been there.

If they want to wave, awesome.
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Old 09-30-16, 02:05 PM
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Maybe try wearing one of those "little matching outfits" and see if that helps?
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Old 09-30-16, 02:06 PM
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It's deja vu all over again.
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Old 09-30-16, 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by PepeM
Ah, a waving thread. It's been a while.
Surprised its been so long.
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