Antisocial cyclists

[reohn2]

a lot of people think electric bikes are cheating?Al

More fool them.
I think it just goes back to the original point I made about affinity, you either greet everyone or those with who you feel some commonality. If someone sees themselves as an athlete out improving their performance, they may not recognise themselves as having much in common with the bloke in Hush Puppies on an electric bike. I wouldn't take it as a snub, it's probably more on a natural action than a thought through philosophy.

But it's not just a certain section of cycling society though.
I've had people riding full sus MTBs or out and out roadies ask about my bike in an enquiring and freindly way whilst others will blank me deliberately.
I'm reminded of a post on the forum from a couple of years ago when someone out for a ride on their touring MTB was passed by a roadie group who he spoke to as they went by without response,the last one going through said "we don't speak to scum".
There seems to be an element of that with some people .

[PH]

But it's not just a certain section of cycling society though.

I didn't think it was, any more than I thought Hush Puppies and electric bikes were defining factors, I just gave them as examples.
If you try defining why people feel that commonality you'll go round and round in circles, it can't be done. As an example - if you're out somewhere in the wilds where you hardly see anyone else, you are likely to feel something in common with whoever you come across and greet them. Pass the same person in a busy street among hundreds of others and it's unlikely you will.

[reohn2]

But it's not just a certain section of cycling society though.

I didn't think it was, any more than I thought Hush Puppies and electric bikes were defining factors, I just gave them as examples.
If you try defining why people feel that commonality you'll go round and round in circles, it can't be done. As an example - if you're out somewhere in the wilds where you hardly see anyone else, you are likely to feel something in common with whoever you come across and greet them. Pass the same person in a busy street among hundreds of others and it's unlikely you will.

Oh I agree,though there has been occasion on lonely moors when walking I've be blanked by 'fellow' walkers and similarly so when cycling by other cyclists
What was that saying,"the more I look at people the more I like me dog"

[mercalia]

B.O?

[djnotts]

Current etiquette seems to be a slightly raised hand - as long as i am riding drop bars (carbon road or steel 26" tourer). Less acknowledgement with retro Kona Fire Mountain.

[Mike Sales]

When I can get out on my bike I will say hello to every other cyclist who is fortunate enough to be awheel.
In the village I expect most of them will nod back.

[al_yrpal]

B.O?

Nah, I use Lifebuoy

Al

Wright's Coal Tar actually, it leaves no mess...

[llayercake]

Roadies have been like that forever. They used to have a name for sociable non-roadie clones, I think that it was 'Nodders'.

Found it. Second definition down. Didn't know the reason behind it until today though.

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=nodder

[Stradageek]

Having abandoned group cycling to avoid COVID, I find myself longing for a passing word and/or friendly brief (distanced) chat with any other cyclist I might meet on the road. There being so many more cyclists on the road these days I assumed this would be a general need.

So what is it with the average 'roadie'?

Yesterdays greetings were met with, in sequence: No response, no response, no response, - you get the picture. Then one guy hunted me down for a mile or so and passed me saying only "you need a light or a flag on that, you're too hard to see" despite me being on a recumbent high-racer and he having spotted me from about half a mile distant! He ignored my reply which was, "I've never had any problems, I think it's because I look so unusual that I'm easily spotted" so I retaliated in what seemed the only suitable fashion, I sat in his slipstream for the next mile until my turn off.

I'm sure this topic has been raised many and oft, so apologies for the rant

I would however proffer one possible explanation, a lot of these guys seem to cycling 'on the limit' either while struggling to keep up with the faster guy (in the typical group of three) or individually at the mercy of a Strava target. Perhaps this leaves little breath for conversation.

I intend to keep trying and meanwhile continue to enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of the countryside - no idea how far or how fast I cycled yesterday but the views in the Cotswold foothills were magnificent.

[freeflow]

An alterative explanation is that they are enjoying being in the zone on their bike and the last thing they want is interruption by an unknown stranger.

[eileithyia]

Day out on the High Peak and Tissington trails, last week, Everyone was friendly and greeted us on the HPT, while TT was totally opposite???????????

[Oldjohnw]

Riding round north Northumberland I mainly get the most friendly of greetings. Occasionally someone appears to be concentrating on making a world speed record and doesn't notice.

Interestingly, I see the same dozen or so people all over the place within 40 miles range, either side of the border. We know each other by sight and a nice friendly exchange takes place. All ages and both (dare I say that) genders.

[hamster]

I don't share your experience - normally a nod or raised fingers on the bars. It's rare not to get one, even if I'm on my MTB.

[flat tyre]

I haven't seen one of these threads for a while!

[mjr]

I haven't seen one of these threads for a while!

So why aren't you waving at it, you antisocial ****?