Road bike cyclists, why don't you nod back?

[Mr_Kipling]

Yes, this topic does crop up from time to time on CycleChat, but as a recent joiner you could not be expected to know that, so please don't take offence if any responses to your post are errr.... a little robust.
Anyway you're not the only one who finds these "road" cyclists a little odd, so many of us cycle on the road but only the drop bar brigade think they should be called road cyclists for some strange reason.

Oh, ok thanks.

 

[jazzkat]

Is it just me or is someone who needs to be acknowledges simply a sad "needy" person?

I do wonder whether this isn't a case of being needy, rather someone who finds it rather bad manners not to be answered.

I almost always offer a heart hello, a raise of the hand or some other acknowledgement to another road user that isn't wrapped in a big metal box. Many don't respond, for whatever reason.

I live in a very small rural town. I have been known to say hello, good morning etc to complete strangers I meet on the street. Nobody ever ignores you when I do this. It probably wouldn't work in a city where they would just think you were very strange.

I do wonder if it's the speed or just the 'being somewhere else' whilst on the bike that causes people not to reply.

or maybe they're just knobbers?

 

[the_mikey]

As a former Tripod Jockey myself I was about to make the same post. It was a sort of "No one understands us so we'd better stick together" wave

I have great childhood memories of being ferried around in a Reliant Regal, I can still remember the smell of burning oil.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I never nod back to anyone, regardless of whether I'm riding my road bike or another one. I just prefer to enjoy the cycling and keep to myself. So I'm a surly, grumpy old curmudgeon. Bah. Humbug.

 

[welsh dragon]

If fellow cyclists wave or nod or even stop and talk if i have, then thats all right . If they don't then that's all right as well..

 

[Low Roller]

We used to when I drove a Reliant three wheeler. We always waved to each other. Fellow sufferers sharing the pain!

I was just about to post the same thing. I had a yellow van ( not signed) in the late 70's. Loved it. Its hard to wave when it goes round the corner on two wheels though - a regular occurrence.

 

[spen666]

Coming up next,
shimano v campag

followed by
helmets v no helmets

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Really, this waving to another because you're on the bike custom is vexing to me: 90% of cyclist I see on the commute are men - I am not one
Normally I wouldn't dream of waving/smiling to random guys, but sometimes they initiate the greeting, usually when I'm on my most "girlie" bike.
A loud "hello" from behind by a roadie bombing down the road makes me jump in my skin and puts me in a bad mood for the rest of the journey

 

[roadrash]

Coming up next,
shimano v campag

followed by
helmets v no helmets

you missed out.. whether its ok to wear team kit or not

 

[potsy]

A loud "hello" from behind by a roadie bombing down the road makes me jump in my skin and puts me in a bad mood for the rest of the journey

HELLO PAT!!!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

HELLO PAT!!!

 

[gavintc]

you missed out.. whether its ok to wear team kit or not

headphones or not will then follow.

 

[Cubist]

headphones or not will then follow.

How do I stop my brake pads squealing.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Double or triple?

 

[coffeejo]

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

@coffeejo says this to every living creature she happens across during a ride.

Sometimes they answer back. Had a lovely chat with a couple of goats and a pig last week.