Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

Ok I`m asking this question due to ,when I used to ride my motorbikes on the road,everytime you went past another rider you always either dipped your helmet or raised your hand for a wave to fellow rider. Now over the last 2 weeks I`ve been out a couple of times and only twice gotten a hello.Both times where only after I said hello to the other riders and they where probally in the age bracket of over 50 . All the other younger riders in say my age 35 or less just ignore me.

Maybe its because I dont ride a souped up fancy couple thousand dollar road bike,with fancy lycra but I`m riding in my bigW skins with a fluro vest on my Hybrid. Didnt matter on moto`s always waved to a fello rider even Harleys {just to see if they waved or not} or maybe its just riders in Maitland area ???

Maybe it is just that they are keeping their eyes on the road or are not very observant people

Trust me, I really don't think they they would be noticing your big W skins or any other skins you are or aren't wearing.

If I'm just cruising along I'll wave/wave back, but if I'm putting an effort in I'm unlikely to - focus is elsewhere and the moment's gone too quickly.

I wouldn't take it personally, there's probably a few snooty twats out there but I think they're in the minority.

Usually a nod of the head for me

Sadly, we're a pretty tribal bunch.

I rarely get the wave from roadies, even on me $2k+ CF bike. Must be the baggy shorts and peaked helmet...

Usually say Hi, nod, or wave (first prefered but will resort to the others if I am out of breath) - To fellow riders, people walking, or even the odd stray dog.

If you are going the same direction and catching me up I will even try to keep up and talk (if you like or are not training). In the rare occasion that I catch up to another I will slow to their pace and ride with them if they want (unless I have to be at work for a meeting). This is an enjoyable thing about riding a bike - it gives us a chance to meet and enjoy the outdoors together.

Mulger bill wrote:Sadly, we're a pretty tribal bunch.

I rarely get the wave from roadies, even on me $2k+ CF bike. Must be the baggy shorts and peaked helmet...

I never wave

Especially not at mulger bill, but I'll ride with him and anyone else on a bike, from the steel frame to the 13k carbon fibre piece of heaven

I either nod or the raised finger wave off the bars when I see other Roadies.Kitted riders tend to be friendly here in Brisbane.

Missy24 wrote:

Mulger bill wrote:Sadly, we're a pretty tribal bunch.

I rarely get the wave from roadies, even on me $2k+ CF bike. Must be the baggy shorts and peaked helmet...

I never wave

Especially not at mulger bill, but I'll ride with him and anyone else on a bike, from the steel frame to the 13k carbon fibre piece of heaven

Do you wave at other riders with Zipps ????

Nooooo never wave at other riders at all unless I know them and if I know them it's normally followed by shouting

Serial waver here (although the wave is actually me raising my two fingers from the roadside brifter just enough to see it's a wave and not the forks).

I figure throw it out there - what's the worst that can happen? Not getting a wave in return? MEH - karma will get them.

Nod or wave with smile always.... spread the love, I say

When I start my rides, usually along M7, will start waving at all, or even a "Morning", but after a while, I get fed up with the lack of acknowledge of my existance, so will keep to myself...
Until I see someone i know then its a hearty greeting... (Cant miss Zozzza's big long arm waving a greeting in the morning as he rides in the opposite direction.. )
Remember Rule Number 1...
Max...

Mulger bill wrote:Sadly, we're a pretty tribal bunch.

Must be the baggy shorts and peaked helmet...

Peaked helmet
That is so un euro cool MB.
A Cycling cap underneath lid is der riguer if you want to be in

Peaked helmet here (on a CF roadie), and middle aged, and flouro wearing commuter with backpack. so very un euro cool hey. Meh.

BOT, I would wave in response to another wave but generally think its a bit unnecessary because I would pass more than 50 riders, twice a day, every working day. 500 waves a week would start to dilute the sincerity i think.

What I do find awkward is when you stop next to someone waiting at a crossing for a green light, and you say "G'day" and they look the other way It doesn't upset me, I just enjoy saying hello in those situations and find it weird when others don't. Perhaps its the peaked helmet .....

brauluver wrote:That is so un euro cool MB.

Did I mention the SPuDs, MTB gloves and full beard?

I'm not euro cool I'm me cool.

Mr Bill, you need a recumbent to go with your beard!

I get to wave at heaps of kids and old folk who don't see or have never seen a recumbent. My missus hates it when we ride together and all these strange people want to comment and wave. It's funny, because I don't hear them.
I'd like a beard to go with my bike.

Mulger bill wrote: I rarely get the wave from roadies, even on me $2k+ CF bike. Must be the baggy shorts and peaked helmet...

Likewise, but in my case I think it's the mudguards.

I'm in the "pass too many riders to wave" category, but I'll have a chat at the lights most of the time.

Lycra-clad roadies get a lot of grief for supposed snobbery around here, but I don't find any difference in their attitude whether I'm on a flat bar, roadie or TT bike. They don't seem to be any less friendly than anyone else, but it probably IS a bit harder to wave when you're in the roadie position. And it's probably safe to say that the average roadie is more of a bike enthusiast than the average guy on another bike, and in many areas of interest keen people tend to stick together; not a good thing, maybe, but perhaps a universal human thing.

Actually, I seem to sense a bit of 'tude from younger flat-bar riders at times. If it's there, it proves it's just not roadies. If it isn't there, it shows how we can imagine things.

I turn up to race and time trials with a $500 roadie or $600 TT bike, no-name jersey and knicks and MTB shoes, and have never had a single unfavourable remark about my gear. Lots of roadies admit that they are gearheads but they just love nice stuff - they don't seem to denigrate people based on what they are riding, but they do cop it from people who ride other sorts of bikes.

I wave, but rarely get a return wave. I find myself *generally* faster than people I pass by enough of a margin that slowing to talk despite its appeal is too tough mentally when every day feels like a challenge to the last 'best time'!

lethoso wrote:If I'm just cruising along I'll wave/wave back, but if I'm putting an effort in I'm unlikely to - focus is elsewhere and the moment's gone too quickly.

Hi

Pretty much the same for me ... really depends on the circumstances and if I can be bothered and frankly I really don't care if people say hello or not ...

Andrew

Chris249 wrote:I turn up to race and time trials with a $500 roadie or $600 TT bike, no-name jersey and knicks and MTB shoes, and have never had a single unfavourable remark about my gear. Lots of roadies admit that they are gearheads but they just love nice stuff - they don't seem to denigrate people based on what they are riding, but they do cop it from people who ride other sorts of bikes.

Hi

Well said Chris.

Andrew

Aushiker wrote:

Chris249 wrote:I turn up to race and time trials with a $500 roadie or $600 TT bike, no-name jersey and knicks and MTB shoes, and have never had a single unfavourable remark about my gear. Lots of roadies admit that they are gearheads but they just love nice stuff - they don't seem to denigrate people based on what they are riding, but they do cop it from people who ride other sorts of bikes.

Hi

Well said Chris.

Andrew

That's about right Chris, nicely said.

Meh, if you're riding past heaps of people every day it gets annoying.

However if I was out on the open road etc I would do it and also respond.

I wave if I see them looking at me. I don't expect a response.