GlennR

I've owned a VW since 1974 and I don't wave at anyone.

genejockey 

Maybe you're an IMproper VW driver?

MattTheHat 

If people don’t don’t say hello to you, that indicates they aren’t enjoying riding?

canklecat

On crowded shared infrastructure, like a typical MUP -- which are mostly tarted up narrow sidewalks -- I'd rather other folks pay attention to where they're going rather than offering superficial greetings.

I might nod slightly at other folks on the MUP, but mostly I'm trying to avoid hitting anyone or being hit because, with approaching cyclists, we're crossing at 30-40 mph combined speed on a four foot wide sidewalk. And possibly weaving around joggers, pedestrians or cyclists inexplicably parked in the middle of the MUP. Much of our MUP is so stupidly designed there are way too many crashes already, between bikes slipping off the pavement ledge into the grass, or nicking the flexible mesh fence the idiotic maintenance crew left blowing into the path, etc.

Even when I'm out jogging on a wide, lightly traveled road, I'll wave at cyclists, mostly because I know several of them. But I won't get my feelings hurt if they're looking down at the road because the pavement is cracked and littered with gravel and debris.

Maybe it's their training day, a hard workout. Maybe they're going for a PR or KOM. Maybe there's a tricky crosswind or swirling wind and they're concentrating on the road. A momentary distraction could cost them a second or two, or, worse, cause them to fall.

I'll see many of these folks at a group ride meetup so we can say hi then.

guadzilla

If I am occupying the elevator with an unknown woman, I stare intently at her while singing "Love in an elevator". It helps put them in a cheery mood, as can be seen from the spring in their step once the elevator doors open.

guadzilla

Any form of eye contact or acknowlegement of a rider you have dropped is basically twisting the knife.

I was doing NM/AC efforts on Fri the other day. Did my U-turn just after completing one of the efforts and was tooling along at 12-14mph, having a drink and letting the legs recover. Got passed by a guy on a hybrid, wearing sneakers and one of those tech/performance polos. And a freaking bottle of mineral water in his cage. He turned towards me, looked at me, looked me over and then kept going. He didnt wave, though. The shame and horror....

I only had one thought while waiting for the recovery interval to end - "please dont turn off this road, please dont turn off this road".

guadzilla

Wait, wait, wait. Do you mean to say, Lawrence, that after all this, YOU didnt wave back to someone who gave you a nod??

Ghazmh

Would you wave at someone riding a GMC Denali?

LarrySellerz

I nodded at him but didn't give my typical two finger salute from my forehead. I did scream at him to catch the person in front of him though cause I could tell he was hammering

LarrySellerz

I have a flag from the Palio di Siena, a famous horse race in Italy, its sweet its just a big snail. I gotta find it its in a box somewhere

rjones28 

Cyclists wave to me, or back to me all the time. The waves vary by rider type.

rjones28 

It depends who I'm with.

rjones28 

The newest generation of Jeeps make discerning proper* Jeeps tricky.


* Two door Wrangler

GhostRider62

I hope my approach doesn't trigger. Raising one's hand might be the difference between a KoM and a mere top 10. So, I just lift my index finger and point it to the oncoming rider, like "you're the man".

Chasing riders down seems a little extreme.

rumrunn6

they are but they do it telepathically. try to open yourself up to the connected universe. when you see them, you think of them. when they see you, they think of you. even if only momentarily. this is your window. then move on to the next opportunity. you may be surprised what you hear. here's hoping it's something kind

Spreggy

It's not just cycling, it's the world today imho. Growing up, people used to just pop into each others houses to say hi, we called it "company". Now if the doorbell rings it's like who the hell is that?
The world is just ugly, everybody hates everybody. Bring the positive vibes and wave away!

seypat

I usually say, "Hey Grandpa, what's for supper?" Followed by "Salute." Those are sure to get a response! It might not be the ones you were looking for, though.

LesterOfPuppets

always works for me, here's a local club responding, actual footage from yesterday's ride:

seypat

That's what I'm talking about!

genejockey 

What if part of part of the joy is getting out of the house and the job and away from obligations and people who expect something from you?

popeye

I had a dog that liked to sniff women's .... oh nevermind. Waving: LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME!! Validation.

sfrider 

Too many cyclists here to say anything at all to everyone, or even wave at them all. On a typical ride from SF up around Marin I'll easily come across several hundred cyclists. Once up in the hills or up along the coast towards Point Reyes Station or Marshall I'll give a four finger wave to those I come across, assuming it's convenient to do so - can't do it while braking to enter a downhill corner, for example. It just consists of lifting the fingers on my left hand as we meet, or on my right hand as I pass. Or my left hand if they pass me. Experienced cyclists usually notice it and I see when others do so.

For busier areas I'll give random cyclists, especially those who look like beginner roadies or tourists a friendly bell ping. It lets them know someone is approaching from behind and they should either hold their line or move over to the right.

Seattle Forrest

I would probably make that mistake because I'd be happy to see another person on a bike before I realized it was a Denali. Then I'd spend the next week in confession trying to atone.

indyfabz

Living in a city of nearly 1.5 million people, I would often not have my hands on the bars if I waved at everyone. And don’t get me started on what life would be like while walking.

Try to think outside your personal situation.

Troul 

Maybe that other rider is not trying to be noticed & wishes to be invisible. Zen is all that other rider could be after & here you are, tossing out hand & verbal stressors.