Traffic light talking

PurpleBee

I was just wondering, at traffic lights, about verbal intercourse between cyclists. It would seem a social space where conversation is unavoidable but it never really happens for me. I think part of the problem is what happens when the lights go green, I'm afraid that rushing off and leaving the person behind or being left behind will damage our relationship in some way. Especially if we meet again at the next set of lights...

I like to believe in the romance of the cycling community, all of us in it together, but at traffic lights I can't help but feel lonely as a cyclist

Cookie_Monster

I try to give anyone I meet at lights the "talk to me and I'll gouge your eyes out" look before they get a chance to prattle on about something...

robbie_998

PurpleBee wrote: »

I was just wondering, at traffic lights, about verbal intercourse between cyclists. It would seem a social space where conversation is unavoidable but it never really happens for me. I think part of the problem is what happens when the lights go green, I'm afraid that rushing off and leaving the person behind or being left behind will damage our relationship in some way. Especially if we meet again at the next set of lights...

I like to believe in the romance of the cycling community, all of us in it together, but at traffic lights I can't help but feel lonely as a cyclist

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

I try to give anyone I meet at lights the "talk to me and I'll gouge your eyes out" look before they get a chance to prattle on about something...

looks like you have nothing to worry about OP :pac:



in the motor if you try to talk to me my engine will get jealous and noise to claim attention away from you !

nomdeboardie

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

I try to give anyone I meet at lights the "talk to me and I'll gouge your eyes out" look before they get a chance to prattle on about something...

RLJ'er: "But Garda :eek:, there's a very scary man back there!"

ednwireland

talking traffic lights, what will they think of next

funkyjebus

Perhaps if you didn't call it verbal intercourse.....

rp

ednwireland wrote: »

talking traffic lights, what will they think of next

Brilliant idea: if they detect a bicycle not stopping, they could say "red means stop, dude!"

HivemindXX

I've talked to people I don't know a handful of times at the lights.

A couple of times this was due to the feeling of camaraderie fostered by being out in extreme weather. A couple of times this was to show a bit of support to someone who has just had a bad encounter with a car. Once it was "your lights are awesome, where did you get them?".

daragh_

Nobody will talk to me. I think it's the pink Lycra.

rich.d.berry

I often try and fail due to the "I've got music blaring in my ears" mode of travel of many. This morning was a good morning for chatting though. The beautiful sunrise was a topic I raised with a very attractive young lady I stopped next to. I got a smile that rivalled the beauty of the sunrise as a reward.

nerraw1111

Reminds of this epic reply to the Guardian cyclist blogger who asked a fellow commuter to draft together.

"Look," he hissed, "we're individuals, we're not in this together. We're cycling alone. Don't you get that?"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/bike-blog/2011/aug/25/cycling-commuter-drafting-etiquette

TheNah

have to say this is one of the real pleasures of cycling - now granted for me its usually when i happen upon people i know at lights, junctions etc, its great to be able to converse, just that idea of meeting someone you know on your commute - doesnt happen in a car, and rarely on public transport, where i think chatting is too much of an imposition on fellow commuters anyways.

I wouldnt see any point in badgering fellow cyclists just for the crack like, but yeah if there is some kind of incident or close shave, my experience is this generates a whole load of chat at the lights!

Hermy

Been there - done that...

on_the_nickel

rich.d.berry wrote: »

The beautiful sunrise was a topic I raised with a very attractive young lady I stopped next to. I got a smile that rivalled the beauty of the sunrise as a reward.

Smmoooothhhhhhhhhh

G rock

had a bit of a chat with a guy this morning who was on a white Soma bike-exactly the same as idleeater's (although i was answered with an embarrassingly blank stare when i said "are you idleeater?")

quick, act like you said nothing...

coolbeans

PurpleBee wrote: »

I was just wondering, at traffic lights, about verbal intercourse between cyclists. (

"Verbal intercourse", couldn't you just say 'talking'. Now every time I see a foxy lady at the lights I'll want to have 'verbal intercourse' with her. It won't end well.

justo

PurpleBee wrote: »

I was just wondering, at traffic lights, about verbal intercourse between cyclists. It would seem a social space where conversation is unavoidable but it never really happens for me. I think part of the problem is what happens when the lights go green, I'm afraid that rushing off and leaving the person behind or being left behind will damage our relationship in some way. Especially if we meet again at the next set of lights...

I like to believe in the romance of the cycling community, all of us in it together, but at traffic lights I can't help but feel lonely as a cyclist

I'm surprised you get to see any cyclists at red lights. Much to my disappointment cyclists, in the city centre, almost always ignore red lights and bust on through, even if this means scaring the p1ss out of pedestrians who are crossing the road.

I don't think we'll ever have a real cycling culture in Dublin - how can we expect respect from other road and path users, when we have no etiquette amongst ourselves?

Holyboy

Lets not ruin this nice thread by banging on about RLJers, theres enough threads about them already! Back on topic, id be up for a bit of verbal intercourse on my commute, so if you see a tattooed, floppy eared weirdo at the lights be sure to say hello:)

Darkglasses

As long as its JUST talking (no more verbal intercourse) then i'm ok for it too. Maybe there should be a hand-signal for whether or not you fancy a chat at reds?

Dermot Illogical

Darkglasses wrote: »

As long as its JUST talking (no more verbal intercourse) then i'm ok for it too. Maybe there should be a hand-signal for whether or not you fancy a chat at reds?

There's definitely one for when you don't.

PurpleBee

Haha I love that guardian article, I had no idea drafting was so frowned upon, I do it all the time.

Its true though, I should stop requesting verbal intercourse at traffic lights, noted