I know the stigma. I know you’re a hardman. I know you’re so Euro it hurts. But really…
Come. On.
When we pass on the road and I raise my hand to wave it’s not like I’m not asking you to cat-sit, nor am I asking you for money, I’m simply asking that you treat me like a human being… All I ask is a simple acknowledgement of my existence.
Believe me, I know The Rules… But I don’t see “Ensure that you are too cool for school” within them.
Maybe the camaraderie borne from riding mountain bikes runs too deep, but part of me just thinks that two people sharing in a common experience also share a bond – However loose it might be.
While riding this past weekend my attempts at engaging in nod or wave related activities resulted generally in one of the following responses:
- A scowl
- A look of confusion
- A look of consternation
- Complete dismissal
Now, as a counterpoint, there were some rare occurrences where nods and/or waves were reciprocated from roadies both young and old, in drops and out… Heck even a few folks on aero bars had the courtesy to raise a hand.
It can be done folks.
You don’t need to sit up and wave like a lunatic, just appreciate that we’re in this together, and that another cyclist on the road is a good thing.
But who knows… Maybe it’s just me.
I’m a fan of the ‘biker wave’, but I think it depends on the circumstances, making it a little tricky. Lately, I’ve been nodding and waving alot less because it seems there are just too many opportunities – too many riders to wave and nod to. It get annoying.
That said, I always wave or nod back to a rider who acknowledges me. I mean, that’s just common courtesy.
Yup, fair enough… On path systems especially it can get ridiculous… When I commute to work, there’s no waving – I was more speaking to your on a lonely stretch of country road with no one in sight, yet the other cyclist can’t be bothered.
Similarly – If somebody is grinding out hill repeats, I probably wouldn’t be waving and smiling at them (unless I wanted a scowl in return ;-)
Ken, on highway…I usually give a finger wag from the handlebar rather than an enthusiastic full arm wave. I also smile to the people I see on my ultra-quiet commute route because I see them every day. Some guy yelled out good morning yesterday and scared the bejeezus out of me.
Anyhow according to my one and only MTB experience…it’s a lot easier to intimately acknowledge someone when they’re 2′ away from you than across a 2-4 lane highway. ;)
Yeah, I’m not a full hand-waver, nor a verbal greeter… I tend to rotate my greetings depending on the scenario.
My ‘go to’ greetings include (because I know you’re all dying to know):
I would definitely agree that mountain biking has a level of ‘intimacy’ that you just don’t get across a busy highway though.
I’m more into the nod. The full-arm wave on a bike is like the off-the-bike acquaintance hug — too intimate. Gives me the creeps.
Agreed. A few fingers raised off the hoods is sufficient, but the minimum. Unless I’m climbing (and hurting). In that case I just pretend not to notice the guy coming the other direction. Look down and don’t make eye contact. On the trail, verbal greetings are best. Taking a hand off the bars while you’re barely holding the trail whilst headed for me at unreasonable speed will be met with much discontent.
Ah yes, “the wave”. One of the things I try to do when I am out on the road. On the MUP’s it is pretty much impossible as there are just too many people around but out on a country road IMO it’s pretty easy to acknowledge other cyclists.
Perhaps the people scowling at you are new riders of just grumpybumbs?
See you at the first cross race!
( I blogged about this same thing a couple years back – http://critninja.blogspot.com/2009/10/wave.html )