Do racing cyclist ignore you ?

[gavintc]

And equally, why wave to every chav on a £50 supermarket special. Sorry, but nodding and waving to everyone turning a pedal is a ridiculous scenario.

 

[livestrong10_02]

i mainly ride on the road and always say 'hi' to every cyclist i pass/see. at a guess 90% of MTB'rs ignore me, while maybe 50% or 'roadies acknowledge me, and other cyclists are either too flustered or too busy concentrating to notice I'm there

 

[chap]

And equally, why wave to every chav on a £50 supermarket special. Sorry, but nodding and waving to everyone turning a pedal is a ridiculous scenario.

Actually the Chavs are more likely to go for expensive mountain bikes.

It's a class thing, and the lower classes* generally form a closer bond with branded products as they (more often) tie it to their sense of self-identity.

This is not to say that all Chavs are working class, after all it is a mindset but it is also one derived from elements of the working class, just like the whole 'Thug culture'.


* From previous conversations, I know that this is a loaded word, especially when tied to my assertion. As usual, this is a general trend within western cultures in this more materialistic age, it is not a absolute truth but is relative, and does not necessarily describe ALL working class persons. As for the word 'lower class', it is not meant in a comparative sense of worth, but as a generalisation encompassing different facets of the working classes.

 

[yello]

I go out in full CycleChat kit looking for people to wave to. On encountering them, I wave frantically. So far I have only attracted the interest of social services....

...perhaps I should take my bike too

 

[rh100]

And equally, why wave to every chav on a £50 supermarket special. Sorry, but nodding and waving to everyone turning a pedal is a ridiculous scenario.

Depends how many you see on your ride. Couldn't care how much it cost them, £50 or £5,000. An expensive bike doesn't make for a more worthy person.

Actually the Chavs are more likely to go for expensive mountain bikes.

It's a class thing, and the lower classes* generally form a closer bond with branded products as they (more often) tie it to their sense of self-identity.

This is not to say that all Chavs are working class, after all it is a mindset but it is also one derived from elements of the working class, just like the whole 'Thug culture'.


* From previous conversations, I know that this is a loaded word, especially when tied to my assertion. As usual, this is a general trend within western cultures in this more materialistic age, it is not a absolute truth but is relative, and does not necessarily describe ALL working class persons. As for the word 'lower class', it is not meant in a comparative sense of worth, but as a generalisation encompassing different facets of the working classes.

True, not all chavs work.

 

[J4CKO]

I usually let on to cyclists, if they choose to blank me, thats their luck out, I can imagine them cycling along thinking the should have said hello but are too shy/cool, I think shyness is part of it and comes across as aloofness, ost people are grateful to be acknowledged and accepted and if I didnt let on I would feel like I had let myself down, being a sociable type, it does give me a buzz when someone lets on back, or has a quick few words, I think cars prevent this social interaction and perhaps why we have ended up so self centered and rude, like going round with our own personal metal veil, impersonal and it rubs off on some of those who cycle as well.

Nothing brightens up a commute like a quick chat and a smile exchanged, nobody is too busy to let on, most are too shy, very few really dont give f*ck.

 

[Trevrev]

very few really dont give f*ck.

Er !! I really don't give a F**k.. I just want to get on.

 

[darkstar]

i usually nod or wave at every cyclist i pass, if they return the gesture then it's fine, if they don't it fine also, i don't think every cyclist in the world has this moral obligation to wave to every cyclist they come across, though it is nice.

 

[chap]

I usually let on to cyclists, if they choose to blank me, thats their luck out, I can imagine them cycling along thinking the should have said hello but are too shy/cool, I think shyness is part of it and comes across as aloofness, ost people are grateful to be acknowledged and accepted and if I didnt let on I would feel like I had let myself down, being a sociable type, it does give me a buzz when someone lets on back, or has a quick few words, I think cars prevent this social interaction and perhaps why we have ended up so self centered and rude, like going round with our own personal metal veil, impersonal and it rubs off on some of those who cycle as well.

Nothing brightens up a commute like a quick chat and a smile exchanged, nobody is too busy to let on, most are too shy, very few really dont give f*ck.

I read something to this effect in JH. Crawfords, 'Car Free Cities'. To an extent I would agree.

 

[dodgy]

WoW!!! I bet your a right barrel of laughs at parties mate! Jesus some people.

That's right, my inability to gratuitously wave at strangers on bicycles (who may not actually be particularly 'into it') prevents me from having fun at parties.

 

[Crankarm]

It's generally those new to cycling that feel the need to waive to everyone as they are enthusiastic. Curb your enthusiasm.

In Crocodile Dundee when the character Mick Dundee (Paul Hogan) first leaves his hotel in New York he says "G'day" to everyone he meets that's because he's keen to make a good impression to acknowledge everyone having only lived in a small community in the Aussie Outback and never in a city such as New York. He quickly realises it's a total waste of time as there are tens of thousands of people. I know it's pretty lame but the film shows how people just don't acknowledge each other most of the time.

When cars were in their infancy motorists used to stop and chat with other car owners when they passed each other. Now drivers are more likely to put a hammer through each others' heads than stop for a chat about the road and driving. For those who cycle regularly and ride with a club it is just the same. If you crave people to talk to when riding get a partner or riding buddy or join a club. Then you can ignore everyone else who passes you as you are either talking to your partner or another club rider.

 

[ComedyPilot]

In Crocodile Dundee when the character Mick Dundee (Paul Hogan) first leaves his hotel in New York he says "G'day" to everyone he meets that's because he's keen to make a good impression to acknowledge everyone having only lived in a small community in the Aussie Outback and never in a city such as New York. He quickly realises it's a total waste of time as there are tens of thousands of people. I know it's pretty lame but the film shows how people just don't acknowledge each other most of the time.

Interesting point.

I went to the Cycle Show last year at Earl's Court, and most people on the tube were indifferent towards me. But not to my 6 month old baby daughter, she totally disarmed the people nearby. Goths, trendies, yuppies, punks, gangsta's and city types were all smiling and pointing at her.

They just act differently to adults IME

 

[thomas]

It's generally those new to cycling that feel the need to waive to everyone as they are enthusiastic. Curb your enthusiasm.

I've been cycling for yeeaaarrsss and still wave to others/say hi. It is just good manners. You'll find lots of groups on the road wave to each other. Watch coach drivers, they nearly always wave to other coach drivers...even those who they don't appear to know. Same with bus drivers, and I guess lorry drivers (though I don't know).

It's nice to be friendly to others. There was a lady who (obviously wasn't very experienced at cycling) who I saw when I cycle commuted. I always smiled and said hi, even though she was on the pavement. She was obviously making the effort and I would like to think that by just being friendly it encouraged her to continue and possibly start riding on the road.

 

[Crankarm]

I've been cycling for yeeaaarrsss and still wave to others/say hi. It is just good manners. You'll find lots of groups on the road wave to each other. Watch coach drivers, they nearly always wave to other coach drivers...even those who they don't appear to know. Same with bus drivers, and I guess lorry drivers (though I don't know).

It's nice to be friendly to others. There was a lady who (obviously wasn't very experienced at cycling) who I saw when I cycle commuted. I always smiled and said hi, even though she was on the pavement. She was obviously making the effort and I would like to think that by just being friendly it encouraged her to continue and possibly start riding on the road.

She probably thought you were stalking her .

 

[thomas]

She probably thought you were stalking her .

I did wonder why the day after she was cycling with two bodyguards