Do racing cyclist ignore you ?

[BADGER.BRAD]

Hello All,

A chap at work has been trying to persuade me it get a racing bike. He takes his racing very seriously but doesn't use his bike to commute (what a lost opportunity) He was doing his you need to get a racing bike thing and then finished it by saying "that way you will get to ignore all other cyclists" he was making an ironic joke as he reckoned he had noticed this from various racing clubs he has had dealing with. Since then (about two weeks ago) I have noticed that he is exactly right, I reckon only 10% of so called serious racing cyclists even notice I am there, do you get this as well?

 

[PBancroft]

Yup. The vast majority of cyclists I see travelling the opposing direction on my commute will nod or say hello (or wave!) as I pootle in. However there are one or two - and these are fully kitted out, team colour lycra, ultra skinny bike cyclists - who just flat out refuse to acknowledge my presence. Except for the occasional glare, as if to say "what're you so cheerful about, slowcoach?"

Find it kinda rude, really. Not that I know any of them personally, so shouldn't expect any salutation, but still...

 

[yello]

On come on now! They're committed serious cyclists and probably out training for their next big event.You don't really expect them to indulge in such frivolous activities as 'waving' do you?

Happens here in France too btw. Even the older blokes (and, seriously, you do see a surprising number of septuagenarians in full team kit) don't acknowledge you. Just the way it is I guess. No biggie.

 

[ComedyPilot]

I give everyone on a bike a hello, what they do with it is up to them. I tend to get hellos back from roadies if on my road bike, and not as many when on my hack.

I get ignored big time by POB's, but then again they are too busy weaving in and out of people on the pavement to worry about salutations.

 

[Keith Oates]

To acknowledge all cyclists on busy roads is not really possible or practical. I'm one who really concentrates when riding and quite frankly am unaware of who may be passing in the other direction, although I know somebody is there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I say 'morning' to everyone on a Sunday morning but then there's not usually too many - only two roadies this morning - I was in full kit and got a reply from both. Don't always but doesn't bother me. Never say anything to people cycling on the pavement as they're quite clearly idiots!

 

[ComedyPilot]

I say 'morning' to everyone on a Sunday morning but then there's not usually too many - only two roadies this morning - I was in full kit and got a reply from both. Don't always but doesn't bother me. Never say anything to people cycling on the pavement as they're quite clearly idiots!

I sometimes feel a litle sarcastic, and say things to the effect of, "Aren't you allowed to ride on the road?" or just as good, "Won't your mummy let you ride on the road?"

I know two wrongs don't make a right, but these idiots seem to think they can get away with it, and IMO a little bit of public shaming is totally justifiable.

 

[magnatom]

I sometimes feel a litle sarcastic, and say things to the effect of, "Aren't you allowed to ride on the road?" or just as good, "Won't your mummy let you ride on the road?"

I know two wrongs don't make a right, but these idiots seem to think they can get away with it, and IMO a little bit of public shaming is totally justifiable.

What something like this,

(Ah, the good ole days! )

 

[ComedyPilot]

What something like this,

(Ah, the good ole days! )

Yes, just like that

 

[HJ]

Some of this lot said hello, some looked shocked that we were carrying panniers, most ignored us,



some roadies take them selves far to seriously...

 

[mm101]

To be completely fair, these guys particpate in cycling as a sport. They are in their zone. Have you ever played a sport where you are completely ingrossed in what you are doing? Do you ever see a tennis player, footballer etc thank the ball boy/member of the crowd for handing back the ball? Of course not.

Has your mind been elsewhere when walking along and it's taken a while for to reply or acknowledge someone trying to get you attention? On a bike, by the time your brain has kicked into gear the moment has gone.

 

[betty swollocks]

I would imagine that the Tour de France riders are 'in their zone', yet they (by and large) manage to see each other, otherwise there'd be many more collisions than there actually are.

 

[Will1985]

Did he mention which clubs are unfriendly?
You should get a road bike, but if you're going to attach photos at the bottom of each post make it just that one - saves time!

 

[ACS]

I think roadies in Fife excel in ignoring anyone who in not in full club kit. Not that it concerns me because every other type of rider has a wave and a smile.

 

[PBancroft]

I would imagine that the Tour de France riders are 'in their zone', yet they (by and large) manage to see each other, otherwise there'd be many more collisions than there actually are.

Was watching one of the stages the other day and was quite amused to see Armstrong merrily having a chat with another rider (not someone in his team, didn't recognise him and commentator didn't name him).

Everyone else in the pack seemed to be working hard as they could whilst these two were pottering along as if they were out for a sunday jaunt...