Is there a Cycle Etiquette?

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

glasgowcyclist

Charming but somewhat feckless
Location
Scotland
... but I did see that she stood next to her expensive looking road bike (I think she had stopped to take some photos of the surrounding area). She kept beaming this smile at me and I realised her look of recognition was that of seeing a fellow cyclist. She kind of beckoned me over with her wave and continuing smile

A visitor to the area who maybe wanted you to take her photo against the nice views?

GC
 
OP
OP
voodoochilli

voodoochilli

Active Member
Location
Knighton, POWYS
A visitor to the area who maybe wanted you to take her photo against the nice views?

GC
Could well be! Although, she must have seen I was busy?!
 
Ithis young woman smiled at me with a look of recognition. I certainly didn't know her, but I did see that she stood next to her expensive looking road bike (I think she had stopped to take some photos of the surrounding area). She kept beaming this smile at me and I realised her look of recognition was that of seeing a fellow cyclist. She kind of beckoned me over with her wave and continuing smile...
A pretty girl smiling at you and you didn't stop! I would have stopped, sweaty or not!
 
I have found that if I am commuting (usually a road bike with panniers), most cyclists (road or mtb) say hello.
If I am out on my road bike and clearly not commuting, usually only road cyclists say hello, but if I say hello to a mtber or a road cyclist it is returned normally.
The one that I struggle to get my head around is the road cyclists' approach to me if I am on my mountain bike (still in lycra which should be their clue). Frosty hard stares as though saying hello if the biggest sin around or I simply don't exist (that is unless I have my summer kit on with the zipper slightly lower than normal at which point the world is suddenly very friendly...)
 

GrumpyGregry

Here for rides.
When riding sometimes I say hello to adults, sometimes I don't. Depends on a whole variety of things internal to me none of which is judgement about the sort of bike the other person is riding or the way the are dressed. It has nothing to do with being a "miserable git".

When parked up if I see a bike that tickles my fancy I'll wander over and take a look and may engage the owner in conversation "Is that your...."

When riding into the summit car park of my local mountain pass, or similar, if a cyclist is there before me they get the nod, especially if they overtook me on the climb.

If I pass a cyclist who is stopped by the roadside I'll slow, if I see them in time, and ask "Have you everything you need....." Common problem with BSO riders are no pump, no tube, no repair kit or patches and no spanner to undo the wheelnuts. Then again I've come across the odd Colnago and Cannondale owning MAMIL in the same boat!
 

GrumpyGregry

Here for rides.
I have found that if I am commuting (usually a road bike with panniers), most cyclists (road or mtb) say hello.
If I am out on my road bike and clearly not commuting, usually only road cyclists say hello, but if I say hello to a mtber or a road cyclist it is returned normally.
The one that I struggle to get my head around is the road cyclists' approach to me if I am on my mountain bike (still in lycra which should be their clue). Frosty hard stares as though saying hello if the biggest sin around or I simply don't exist (that is unless I have my summer kit on with the zipper slightly lower than normal at which point the world is suddenly very friendly...)
Go out on your road bike in baggies..... and look at the poor confused roadies faces. Lots of XC riders who are still hardcore mtb-ers, who, until recent years, generally wouldn't be seen dead on a road bike, wear lycra so that's no kind of clue at all tbh.

The flat bar - drop bar fat tire - thin tyre divide is everyday living proof that there is little or no brotherhood amongst cyclists.

Because we are on two wheels? By that logic bus passengers should all wave at each other.:whistle:
 

vernon

Harder than Ronnie Pickering
Location
Meanwood, Leeds
Was I being rude and betraying some cycling etiquette I am unaware of?

P.S wish I checked my spelling on the title of this post before pressing send

There's no etiquette or obligation to exchange pleasantries with other cyclists. It's nice when it happens and fine when it doesn't.

The best buzz I ever had was when a French cyclist drew alongside me one day as I was pedalling southwards in France and we managed to sustain a conversation and even crack jokes in French for ten to fifteen minutes.

I've never felt downhearted when ignored.
 

snorri

Legendary Member
, this young woman smiled at me with a look of recognition. I certainly didn't know her, but I did see that she stood next to her expensive looking road bike (I think she had stopped to take some photos of the surrounding area). She kept beaming this smile at me and I realised her look of recognition was that of seeing a fellow cyclist. She kind of beckoned me over with her wave and continuing smile...

For many years now I have packed an extra piece of cake and two cups along with the picnic stove in my panniers in the vain hope that a situation such as you describe would arise.
This sort of opportunity just never happens for me on my solo cycle runs.:sad:
 

avalon

Guru
Location
Australia
Ha ha, I once offered assistance to a woman cyclist who was struggling on a very cold windy day to fix a puncture. Her hands were frozen and she was having a bit of a 'mare; I could see it was going badly. Her reaction verged on aggressive: "NO, I'M ALRIGHT THANK YOU I DON'T NEED ANY HELP!" while holding her hands up in a "pushing away" posture.

Strange reaction indeed.

I would offer help to anybody, cyclist or not, woman or man, it's a simple courtesy.
:laugh: Wrong time of the month, she would have been happy to accept your help the week before.
 

Plax

Guru
Location
Wales
Ha ha, I once offered assistance to a woman cyclist who was struggling on a very cold windy day to fix a puncture. Her hands were frozen and she was having a bit of a 'mare; I could see it was going badly. Her reaction verged on aggressive: "NO, I'M ALRIGHT THANK YOU I DON'T NEED ANY HELP!" while holding her hands up in a "pushing away" posture.

Strange reaction indeed.

I would offer help to anybody, cyclist or not, woman or man, it's a simple courtesy.

I nearly pounced on the male cyclist that offered to help me I was so happy. I just couldn't get the last bit of tyre over the rim but he did it in seconds. I managed the rest fine on my own but if it wasn't for him I'd have been there all day.

I always stop to ask if a cyclist is okay, because it makes me feel better. I've always been declined but politely.
 
Top Bottom