Do you greet other cyclists?

Do you greet other cyclists?

Author
Discussion

Paul Drawmer

Original Poster:

4,865 posts

266 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
Why do so many other riders keep saying "Hello" or waving at me?
I don't know you and I'm just out for a ride.

SS2.

14,455 posts

237 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
Perhaps they're just being friendly.

Quite refreshing in a time where everyone seems to suspect everyone else of being a plague spreading granny murderer,

Tom1312

1,015 posts

145 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
Yeah, thought it was the done thing.

I always say hello or morning to other cyclists when I'm out.

Other cyclists meaning not those on a MTB or obviously commuting and not wanting a hello.

sherbertdip

1,097 posts

118 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
Most cyclists are quite social and like to say hello, it doesn't hurt and a reply doesn't cost anything, of course there are anti-social people who think it below them to acknowledge a friendly wave.

Seriously it's all "we're in the same gang" but sometimes some riders don't like members of that gang because they ride something different e.g. roadies not waving to mountain bikers, I wave to others and often the riders actually pretend they haven't seen me because of the type of bike I'm riding (I have road, mountain and recumbent bikes and velomobiles), it's no skin off my nose, so if you don't want to say hello or wave carry on.

Something to think about though, there may be a time when you're at the side of the road with a ripped tyre and the person with a tyre boot that could help won't stop because they recognise the tt who didn't wave back 30 minutes earlier.

Edited by sherbertdip on Friday 16th October 07:40

sociopath

3,433 posts

65 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
Paul Drawmer said:
Why do so many other riders keep saying "Hello" or waving at me?
I don't know you and I'm just out for a ride.
Hand your bike in, it's what we do, well except the stuck up ones who don't.

Driver101

14,376 posts

120 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
An act of manners and friendliness merits a thread of shame.

Don't people with similar interests often engage with each other a bit more friendly?

Take a dog on a walk and most other dog owners will say hello. Don't have a dog and it's not so common.

SomersetWestie

401 posts

179 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
I say hello or good morning/afternoon to everyone I pass.....cyclists, dog walkers etc. But then I do live and ride in darkest Somerset where I don't pass a lot of people anyway, so it makes it easier ! Most people return the greeting, occasional dog walkers look at me like I'm some insane idiot for saying hello and the occasional 'Wiggins' wannabe dressed all in black with no lights mostly don't say hello but I guess they're too busy concentrating ! biggrin

BrundanBianchi

1,106 posts

44 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
It’s called convention. It’s conventional to greet a fellow cyclist. No one’s forcing anyone to do anything. It’s something that ( I find ) a lot of people who have just started cycling, don’t get.

bobbo89

5,151 posts

144 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
Always give any other passing rider a nod and 95% of the time get one back if they weren't first to do the same. I am in Yorkshire though and so it might be more of a northern thing....

Edited by bobbo89 on Friday 16th October 09:13

Gary29

4,131 posts

98 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
Always. A nod as a bare minimum, but more usually a raised hand or a grunt 'Morning!' etc

MC Bodge

21,552 posts

174 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
Paul Drawmer said:
Why do so many other riders keep saying "Hello" or waving at me?
I don't know you and I'm just out for a ride.
Yes, I do. Nothing wrong with it.

I also often say hello to people running whilst running (and even walking when outside of busy areas). It bemuses me that a small number (mostly male, 30-40 something) of people make a conscious effort to avoid my gaze/greeting when running towards me.


There does appear to be some confusion from people traveling via different transport, eg. motorbikers a bit puzzled when I nod at them whilst cycling.


davidd

6,443 posts

283 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
As a newish cyclist I was a little bemused by a lack of cyclists returning a nod/wave or hello. Maybe because I was a fat old bloke in a t shirt and shorts on a fairly rubbish bike.

I've found that as my gear has got better so have the responses. Cyclists now clearly recognise that I'm at least trying to be a cyclist rather than a fat old bloke on a bike.

Jasey_

4,823 posts

177 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
sherbertdip said:
Most cyclists are quite social and like to say hello, it doesn't hurt and a reply doesn't cost anything, of course there are anti-social people who think it below them to acknowledge a friendly wave.

Seriously it's all "we're in the same gang" but sometimes some riders don't like members of that gang because they ride something different e.g. roadies not waving to mountain bikers, I wave to others and often the riders actually pretend they haven't seen me because of the type of bike I'm riding (I have road, mountain and recumbent bikes and velomobiles), it's no skin off my nose, so if you don't want to say hello or wave carry on.

Something to think about though, there may be a time when you're at the side of the road with a ripped tyre and the person with a tyre boot that could help won't stop because they recognise the tt who didn't wave back 30 minutes earlier.

Edited by sherbertdip on Friday 16th October 07:40
If you're a stuck up you ignore friendly people.

Not exclusive to cyclists but does seem to be more likely with the amount of lycra worn.

In general wink

MrBarry123

6,025 posts

120 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
Paul Drawmer said:
Why do so many other riders keep saying "Hello" or waving at me?
I don't know you and I'm just out for a ride.
I’m a waver but still... laugh

loskie

5,144 posts

119 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
OP you are a sad example of what people are in todays society.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPdPG3QIIHU


Just as well you don't live in the Islands. Everyone on Islay waves at you when you drive around, whether you know them or not.

Maybe it's a country thing but since I was a wee lad we always greeted people when out and about.

grudas

1,304 posts

167 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
always! to be fair when I commuted in london a few years ago I didnt other than some guys I knew from my commute.

now riding around west sussex I always say hi to passing cyclists and get the same 9/10 times!

being friendly hurts no one.

I'd say you're the odd one out if you find it strange.

hyperblue

2,800 posts

179 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
wavey

Always give a nod as a minimum*, brightens up the ride when someone gives an over elaborate wave or unexpectedly loud “MORNING” shout.

  • Unless you’re on an MTB and I’m on my road bike or vice versa laugh

Mr E

21,583 posts

258 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
hyperblue said:
wavey

  • Unless you’re on an MTB and I’m on my road bike or vice versa laugh
I like to catch and pass groups of road bikes on my MTB with a cheery “hello” when opportunity presents.

The opportunity needs to have a turn onto some dirt with 50m of the pass as I will be absolutely fking knackered by then. smile

MC Bodge

21,552 posts

174 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
Mr E said:
I like to catch and pass groups of road bikes on my MTB with a cheery “hello” when opportunity presents.

The opportunity needs to have a turn onto some dirt with 50m of the pass as I will be absolutely fking knackered by then. smile
Yes it's always amusing, 50miles into a century, when somebody riding an MTB in a pair of baggy pyjamas does that wink

I ride (and run) on and off road.

Mr E

21,583 posts

258 months

Friday 16th October 2020
quotequote all
MC Bodge said:
Yes it's always amusing, 50miles into a century, when somebody riding an MTB in a pair of baggy pyjamas does that wink
smile

I usually looks for groups out for something called “pleasure”. They can be spotted by their smiles and the nice chat they’re having.