Cycling etiquette, meeting other cyclists

Neleven · 05-03-2015 11:10pm

Most people will acknowledge with a nod or a hello but I have noticed that they are more likely to do so when I'm on the road bike rather than the hybrid...wonder why. As a noob I dress like a twat whichever bike I'm on so it isn't that. Like kerry4sam above ⬆️ havn't seen much road this year but this thread is whetting the appetite.

Schecter01 · 06-03-2015 12:29am

I start good threads for a noob! , you'd want to see the state of me when he pulled up to me, grand aul trackies above my shimano cleats, like an pure mule It took ages to get my foot locked back on the pedal, meanwhile he zapped off and left a trail of burnt rubber.

a148pro · 06-03-2015 1:20am

If you are out on a weekday, on a sunny day, during one of those fleeting heatwave thingies that visit us on occasion, when you know full well you should be working or minding kids, or both, but have managed to wing it, and are full of the glee of having done so, and you encounter a similarly blessed cosmic traveller going in the other direction, and you give them a nod or a smile and they don't acknowledge then they are either a confirmed c**t or, by popular knowledge a triathlete, or both. Unfortunately, there are more than a few such fellow travellers. But if you ever encounter me you shall be well greeted. I remember giving two randomers a full on roar and fist pump out in connemara one beautifully sunny Friday, I just couldn't believe how lucky I was to be there

Wishbone Ash · 06-03-2015 2:28am

a148pro wrote: »

..... and you give them a nod or a smile and they don't acknowledge then they are either a confirmed c**t or, by popular knowledge a triathlete, or both...

Jesus, steady on! They may be just powering ahead head down in full steam or facing a low sun obscuring their vision!

Does it really matter that much? If another cyclist didn't respond to my nod, it wouldn't bother me. Life's too short.

gzoladz · 06-03-2015 8:48am

Ettiquette varies in the circumstances. At commuting time on the Grand Canal bicycle lane, there is some tense atmosphere between the cyclist who respect the traffic lights and those who don't.

There is unfriendly whispering between some representatives of both currents on a regular basis.

ezra_pound · 06-03-2015 8:57am

Heaven, I'm in heaven
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
When we're out together cycling cheek to cheek

Heaven, I'm in heaven
And the cares that hung around me through the week
Seem to vanish like a gambler's lucky streak
When we're out together cycling cheek to cheek

Oh I love to climb a mountain
And reach the highest peak
But it doesn't thrill (boot) me half as much
As cycling cheek to cheek

Oh I love to go out fishing
In a river or a creek
But I don't enjoy it half as much
As cycling cheek to cheek

(Come on and) spin with me
I want my arms about you
That those charms about you
Will carry me through

(Right up) to heaven, I'm in heaven
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
When we're out together cycling, out together cycling

Out together cycling cheek to cheek

Bloggsie · 06-03-2015 9:00am

i get passed by groups & soloists often enough, slow moving farm machinery & once by a scarecrow as well, but i could have been hallucenating from dehydration on that occasion, the way i look at it, i have more time to enjoy the scenary than those super fit sleek feckers who blast by me!

in regards to those who dont say hi either going past me or in the opposite direction, theyre the rude hoor, so they can hump off!

I would assume its just common sense that if you are passing a fellow cyclist give him/her aheads up so you dont scare the sh1te out of them?

Happy Crunchie day(for those not off chocolate for lent)

Yarisbob · 06-03-2015 9:05am

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Lads in full Sky kit don't like to be engaged in any conversation even though they will stop elbow to elbow with you.

GBCC and ill leave it at that !

triggermortis · 06-03-2015 9:21am

When I lived in Ashbourne and cycled a lot of NCD and Meath, most cyclists I met on the road would nod, wave or chat. Then I moved out in the country and met fewer people out on the road, but still got around 95% reaction to nods, waves etc. Now I'm in Switzerland and cyclists here (lycra clad, not commuters) seem pretty insular and immune to acknowledging each other - or maybe just me!
A lot I see seem to be older lads on high end bikes (with matching manufacturers gear on usually, for some reason) and very rarely will a nod or wave be reciprocated, but I still do it

Midnight64 · 06-03-2015 9:35am

wildlifeboy wrote: »

whats a high viz person? i cycle the odd time and wear a hi viz jacket? do cyclists refer to them as noobs?

I like wearing some high viz. it gives "other road users" no good excuse!!

Midnight64 · 06-03-2015 9:41am

Always love giving our neighbours, the Ratoath Wheelers, a big wave and "howaya" from the "Ash Burners" when we see them on the road. They look good in their matching kit. Hopefully we will too when our kit arrives!!

colm_gti · 06-03-2015 9:42am

Midnight64 wrote: »

Always love giving our neighbours, the Ratoath Wheelers, a big wave and "howaya" from the "Ash Burners" when we see them on the road. They look good in their matching kit. Hopefully we will too when our kit arrives!!

I must join ye for a spin soon, I've just moved home.

Luxman · 06-03-2015 9:45am

Midnight64 wrote: »

Always love giving our neighbours, the Ratoath Wheelers, a big wave and "howaya" from the "Ash Burners" when we see them on the road. They look good in their matching kit. Hopefully we will too when our kit arrives!!

"And Hello to you too! Windy today isn't it? Stay off the front as long as you can!"

Midnight64 · 06-03-2015 9:47am

colm_gti wrote: »

I must join ye for a spin soon, I've just moved home.

Currently meeting every Saturday and Sunday at 10, split into 3 groups, based on ability.

CI membership is required after a couple of tryout spins.

zl1whqvjs75cdy · 06-03-2015 9:52am

If I get passed I just scream "Recovery spin" at their escaping back wheel.

Seriously though I don't really know what to do. I wouldn't be the quickest cyclist, although I'm getting better so its rare that I pass someone anyway. I feel that there is a bit of dick waving when it comes to cycling, with people wanting to prove they are better than they are. For example, I was cycling to meet a group ride last year and I was fairly moving as it was cold so wanted to warm up the legs. I got caught at a slow set of lights about 1 km from the group and was sitting for two or three minutes and then set off again. Just as I reached the group start point another cyclist shot up from behind me stating "I've been right behind you for 5 km, knew I'd beat you here".

Firstly, good for you. Secondly you were no where near behind me for the last 5 km since I was stopped at the lights for a while, and thirdly what earthly difference does it make for Christ sake. I just shook my head and left him to it. People are weird. I forget the point I was trying to make.

smacl · 06-03-2015 10:01am

colm18 wrote: »

Again, I'd always ask someone if they needed a hand and most I've the time a cyclist has passed me while I'm fixing a flat they've asked do I need help!

Always been my experience too, particularly in more remote areas. I'd always give a nod, wave or hello to a passing cyclist unless there's masses of cyclists out. Occasionally get chatting and cycle along with people, but more in the good weather. Going up hills, I'm invariably the one getting passed out, so try to appear nonchalant while being passed, and resume my wheezing and gulping in of air once they're gone. The same nonchalant smile is invariably dished out to the tourists at the lough bray car park 2/3 up the sally gap, trying to convey the look of 'yep, cycled up here, piece of piss really, took a bus did you?', before having a quiet heart attack on the ramp just around the corner and thankfully out of eyesight.

Wishbone Ash · 06-03-2015 10:10am

smacl wrote: »

.....The same nonchalant smile is invariably dished out to the tourists at the lough bray car park 2/3 up the sally gap, trying to convey the look of 'yep, cycled up here, piece of piss really, took a bus did you?', before having a quiet heart attack on the ramp just around the corner and thankfully out of eyesight.

For even greater effect, move the chain half way down the block, get out of the saddle and make it look like you've been pedalling that way since leaving Ballyboden.

Lusk_Doyle · 06-03-2015 10:40am

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

For even greater effect, move the chain half way down the block, get out of the saddle and make it look like you've been pedalling that way since leaving Ballyboden.

Of course, that bus of tourists probably passed you on your way up the hill and saw you in all your handlebar chewing glory!

check_six · 06-03-2015 10:48am

I'd be in favour of giving "The Nod" or "The Wave" while out in the wilds. So much so that being off the bike and in the car wouldn't stop me, much to the amusement of my wife.
"Why the hell are you waving at that cyclist on the bike struggling up that hill. Do you know him, or something?"
"Well no, but..."
*micro-salute from the dude who's run out of small gears and about to keel over*
"...it's a cyclist thing, see?"

I'm probably just forgetting the times it's not reciprocated, but I do remember a lot of waves and nods. Overtaking lots of people in sportives and the like requires a lot of sunny "hellos" and "how's it goings", but it's not going to hurt my feelings if they don't say hi back.

CramCycle · 06-03-2015 11:06am

I have only met three types of cyclists who don't wave back:
Triathletes - they are not really cyclists
Cyclists with nearly full kit but wearing runners instead of going with cleats - they don't know any better, give them time
Orwell Wheelers - too good to communicate with the rest of us plebs :pac:

Bloggsie · 06-03-2015 11:07am

CramCycle wrote: »

I have only met three types of cyclists who don't wave back:
Triathletes - they are not really cyclists
Cyclists with nearly full kit but wearing runners instead of going with cleats - they don't know any better, give them time
Orwell Wheelers - too good to communicate with the rest of us plebs :pac:

Miaow, can we get a saucer of milk please?

daragh_ · 06-03-2015 11:12am

I say hello to everyone. Some days it takes me 2 hours to get into work

If I'm out on a spin and not with the club I'll give everyone a nod at least. If it's a training spin I'm too busy trying not to get dropped.

If I see someone with a mechanical I'll generally stop or ask if they need a hand. This happens more on my commute than out in the wilds on big spins. Amazing how many people will set off to cycle to work with no spares or even the vaguest notion of how to change a tube or fix a puncture.

Bloggsie · 06-03-2015 11:23am

daragh_ wrote: »

I say hello to everyone. Some days it takes me 2 hours to get into work

If I'm out on a spin and not with the club I'll give everyone a nod at least. If it's a training spin I'm too busy trying not to get dropped.

If I see someone with a mechanical I'll generally stop or ask if they need a hand. This happens more on my commute than out in the wilds on big spins. Amazing how many people will set off to cycle to work with no spares or even the vaguest notion of how to change a tube or fix a puncture.

what are spares?

daragh_ · 06-03-2015 11:26am

extra bikes in case your good one gets dirty!

tubes - or patches

CramCycle · 06-03-2015 11:27am

Bloggsie wrote: »

Miaow, can we get a saucer of milk please?

My blood glucose levels are currently 23.4mmol/L. This means I have a medical excuse to be an inexcusable d*ck for about 90 minutes, of course I could still get banned, might just leave posting for a few hours.

It should be noted that I have never met a rude Orwellian, but for some reason I can't help having digs at them, small club complex or something

daragh_ · 06-03-2015 11:28am

CramCycle wrote: »

Orwell Wheelers - too good to communicate with the rest of us plebs :pac:

It's just you they ignore. The rest of us are having loads of chats.

check_six · 06-03-2015 12:19pm

daragh_ wrote: »

extra bikes in case your good one gets dirty!

tubes - or patches

"It looks like he's signalling for the team car!"

Bloggsie · 06-03-2015 12:47pm

daragh_ wrote: »

extra bikes in case your good one gets dirty!

tubes - or patches

oh I see, I thought spares ment legs or lungs in case the ones you were using got tired!

MugMugs · 06-03-2015 12:53pm

CramCycle wrote: »

Triathletes - they are not really cyclists

Be careful or you'll dig up a Roadie -vs- MTBer argument

Chips Lovell · 06-03-2015 1:17pm

Intervals are an odd one. You end up passing people whilst trucking it and sometimes you're just too banjaxed to say hello or give the nod.

Cycling etiquette, meeting other cyclists

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