How polite are groups to each when on the road?

ezra_

Came up this morning on a spin.

If I see a cyclist or a group, I'll either shout (well splutter) a greeting or wave.
I would have thought that most clubs do the same, but the general feedback was that not many do, so I thought I'd check here.

What do people think / experience when out for spins? Any clubs that are known for being good/bad at this?

dunworth1

pretty much anytime i see someone either in a club spin or solo i'll give a wave and the majority of times i get a response

Danbo!

Always give a wave or a nod and 99% I'll get a response. Oddly enough, I had no cycling shorts ready one sunday and just wore the cargo shorts I usually commute in, and there were far less responses when I wasn't head to toe in lycra. Could have been a coincidence, but found it kinda funny.

dunworth1

dunworth1 wrote: »

pretty much anytime i see someone either in a club spin or solo i'll give a wave and the majority of times i get a response

Solo rider myself. I always give a wave and say I get one back 90% of the time

68 lost souls

More people need to watch this video apparently

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKMR39pbCfE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKMR39pbCfE

dunworth1

and then theres this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72bdKuAZy2o

godtabh

dunworth1 wrote: »

pretty much anytime i see someone either in a club spin or solo i'll give a wave and the majority of times i get a response

I'm exactly the same. Some times you get a wave back sometimes you don't. Sometimes people don't see you or just ignore you.

Manners cost nothing so I'll keep doing it

easygoing39

Unless the rider is in a club jersey/club group I won't wave/nod.Too many Freds out there now that don't respond back.

terrydel

I tend to acknowledge or greet most people coming the opposite way, I guess it comes from my motorcycling time as its very much a part of ethos of motorcycling.
Only time I dont is if the sun is in my eyes, Im concentrating on hazards/staying safe, that type of thing.
Usually get a response, I tend to find the lads/lasses on fancier machinery and shall we say, more pro in appearance, are less inclined to acknowledge a greeting, but thats just purely personal experience.
Who cares really, as godtabh says, manners costs nothing, thats a really important ethic for me and if its not reciprocated youve done your bit

Redfence74

I am a fred ..I always wave....

magicbastarder

And you've become one of them, though.

I always say hello/give a wave. The notion that someone won't reciprocate because I'm on my own is kinda funny.

Edit: that was in response to easygoing39.

ED E

"410"

ford2600

easygoing39 wrote: »

Unless the rider is in a club jersey/club group I won't wave/nod.Too many Freds out there now that don't respond back.

A friend of mine has 3 LEL's, 4 PBP's, a solo LEJOG into a roaring headwind, WAWA done and countless other stuff. He has averaged 20k km a year for about 20 years.

He does most of his riding solo and I've rarely seen him in his Audax Ireland club jersey.

I'm wondering how to break it to him that he is a Fred

easygoing39

magicbastarder wrote: »

And you've become one of them, though.

I always say hello/give a wave. The notion that someone won't reciprocate because I'm on my own is kinda funny.

Edit: that was in response to easygoing39.

Maybe I have,but to be honest I'm fed up with waving/nodding at riders in Sky jerseys/Altura night vision yellow jackets who just ignore you.At least a club rider will have the manners to nod back.

ps. 1 rider in a Sky jersey did wave back at me once,but it was Nico Roche on a spin towards Howth!!!

Wishbone Ash

ezra_ wrote: »

.....If I see a cyclist or a group, I'll either shout (well splutter) a greeting or wave...

You'd come across as a bit odd if commuting in Dublin City Centre!

I'll usually give a salutation of some sort if in a rural or suburban environment. It doesn't particularly bother me if I don't get a response.

(In saying that, I've waved at fellow club members when we are both wearing club gear and haven't got a response which does seem a bit odd. The most recent time was last week.)

OleRodrigo

I agree - outside an urban/ suburban area I'd be inclined to nod/ raise a finger and don't mind if its not returned. Why would it bother you? I've often passed by riders with my mind elsewhere.

Perhaps getting over oneself should be tagged on with HTFU Or maybe its included ?

magicbastarder

Generally I meet other lone warriors out on the roads and get a nod or hello about 75% of the time at a rough guess.

eeeee

Really don't give a shyte whether people say hello or nod or not.
I actually feel it's a tyranny at times, when I'm on my own, I'm in my own world doing my own thing and I'm not in the humour of humoring other people.

I rarely get a nod or hello on my own though, hardly ever, maybe it's more of a man to man thing! I always return it though when I get it.

I do do the finger raise always, instinctually, then realise you can't really see that on a bike.

Always say hello when in a group though going by others, or if they go by us (rare occasion ). Not saying hi in a passing group is wanky imo.

I get annoyed by people who draft you and don't say a word. That's plain rude in fairness.

CrowdedHouse

magicbastarder wrote: »

Generally I meet other lone warriors out on the roads and get a nod or hello about 75% of the time at a rough guess.

Same here, don't meet too many in my neck of the woods, I always signal some way and doesn't bother me if they don't. (Although I wish multiple punctures on them )

OleRodrigo

Also, never wave at a tri-athlete or you'll get hand cancer straightway. True story.

JK.BMC

I always wave; regardless. It's just a simple thing to do.

Like this morning- we waved at a club group heading the opposite direction. They waved back. A few minutes later I believe that one of the group was fatally injured in a crash.

That's about all I will say on the matter.

Boscoirl

when I see anyone cycling towards me, I normally drop to a smaller gear and quicken the pace, then wave or nod to them mostly I get a nod back, don't mind if I don't get a response, especially if they are ascending or heading into a wind.

Once they pass I slow down again

g2020

Danbo! wrote: »

Always give a wave or a nod and 99% I'll get a response. Oddly enough, I had no cycling shorts ready one sunday and just wore the cargo shorts I usually commute in, and there were far less responses when I wasn't head to toe in lycra. Could have been a coincidence, but found it kinda funny.

There is much less homoerotica involved with the cargo shorts. They don't want to waste their time, I suppose.

magicbastarder

i'm reminded of a probably apocryphal tale my old (and somewhat old fashioned) english teacher once told us, about the time he held the door open for a woman and she said to him 'you don't have to hold the door open for me just because i am a lady' and his response was 'i don't hold the door for you because you are a lady, but because i am a gentleman'.

i'm sure i could try to shoehorn some moral from that into the debate.

Deagol

I give a wave or nod to anyone on two wheels I come across. Mostly get nods or waves back.

I notice, in my area at least, the ones that don't respond tend to be the super kitted up types (team jersey's head to toe). I guess some people take themselves way too seriously

The other people I notice always give a wave are the lads on the tractors, and I always wave back. Nice to be nice

jimm

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S2ixJRwnbjU

After watching this, you will always return even the slightest nod. :-)

Mercian Pro

My experience of getting a return acknowledgement or not:

Club gear and the good bike: 80%

Other gear and the good bike: 65%

Other gear and the commuter (flat-bar): 15%

I do think there is a fair bit of bike snobbery about where someone will size you and your frame up before deciding on a nod or a wave. Roll on the sportif season when (nearly) everyone is happy to chat. I suppose the fact that we are all heading the same direction helps

magicbastarder

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Other gear and the commuter (flat-bar): 15%

yeah, probably broadly similar for me. that's a cohort who probably don't self-identify as cyclists, so don't see themselves as part of a tribe, i guess.

ezra_

Mercian Pro wrote: »

My experience of getting a return acknowledgement or not:

Club gear and the good bike: 80%

Other gear and the good bike: 65%

Other gear and the commuter (flat-bar): 15%

I do think there is a fair bit of bike snobbery about where someone will size you and your frame up before deciding on a nod or a wave. Roll on the sportif season when (nearly) everyone is happy to chat. I suppose the fact that we are all heading the same direction helps

I wonder what would happen if you went out with club gear and the flat bar bike? Probably get people stopping, asking what happened to your real bike!

Wishbone Ash

Mercian Pro wrote: »

My experience of getting a return acknowledgement or not:

Club gear and the good bike: 80%

Other gear and the good bike: 65%

Other gear and the commuter (flat-bar): 15%

I do think there is a fair bit of bike snobbery about where someone will size you and your frame up before deciding on a nod or a wave. Roll on the sportif season when (nearly) everyone is happy to chat. I suppose the fact that we are all heading the same direction helps

Now the real question is what about when you are out piloting on the tandem?

TGD

Deagol wrote: »

.. the ones that don't respond tend to be the super kitted up types .. I guess some people take themselves way too seriously ...

Or, maybe it's the ones who expect everyone to wave at them who take themselves too seriously.

I never wave unless I know the person or group. I'll acknowledge with a nod or raised finger, but I never go checking whether they nod back or not - who cares. People who expects perfect strangers to wave at them every time are perhaps taking their cycling a bit too seriously.

mrcheez

I don't wave when I'm in the car, plus there are sufficient cyclists on the road now for it not to be unusual so no don't wave when on the bike. Too busy enjoying my music tbh.

If I was on a remote road in the wesht I'd wave if I was in the car, and probably when on the bike.

triggermortis

I always acknowledge other cyclists while I'm out on a spin, if I notice them, and couldn't care less if they return the gesture or not.

mrcheez

tbh it's probably something that people who cycle every day don't bother with and probably reserved for the part-timers

magicbastarder

worth mentioning that if i'm out on the bike on country roads and pass joggers or dog walkers, especially in places where you've to move out to avoid them (i guess, in short, on roads without footpaths), i'll also have a hello for them too.

unless they're moving the same direction as me on the same side of the road (i.e. facing away from me); i won't say hello for fear of scaring the bejesus out of them.

Spudgun

I always wave/smile or say hello 9/10 I get a greeting back. It is just a nice friendly thing to do It makes me feel more like a cyclist instead of a "Fred". If you see a sweaty fat girl on a bike give her a wave it could be me

Don't Chute!

easygoing39 wrote: »

Unless the rider is in a club jersey/club group I won't wave/nod.Too many Freds out there now that don't respond back.

I'm not in a club and almost always on my own so i must be a "fred". Do I have to get rid of the bike now then? Hate this attitude.

JK.BMC

Don't Chute! wrote: »

I'm not in a club and almost always on my own so i must be a "fred". Do I have to get rid of the bike now then? Hate this attitude.

Don't worry- what is being discussed here is of little or no consequence to cycling; just lads looking to create a debate about nothing.
Nothing to see; keep cycling and let people's individual mannerisms not colour your experience of riding a bike.

secman

easygoing39 wrote: »

Unless the rider is in a club jersey/club group I won't wave/nod.Too many Freds out there now that don't respond back.

the type that when I acknowledge and get no response, I quietly say to myself " fcuk you too"
Absolutely no need for it , manners cost nothing.
Met about 20 or so cyclists yesterday, all but one waved, nodded , or simply moved hands on the hood... my usual mode of saying hello

realitykeeper

Club cyclists are a mystery to me. I cycle when I need to go from A to B. Those people cycle for exercise but I`ll bet they use their cars to go somewhere for a reason. I strongly recommend cycling as a mood of everyday transport (when possible). Not only do you save a lot if you can go car free but you will also be limiting your carbon footprint. Also, considering the amount of time you spend driving and exercising every week, it may be worthwhile combining the two and simply walk or cycle as a mode of transport.

mrcheez

I encounter 50-80 cyclists on a daily basis. If I was cycling the whole route behind a guy waving at everyone, I'd assume he was either Mr Popularity and knew everyone on the road or a bit touched in the head.

secman

Simple movement of fingers off the hood usually gets a similar response or nod.... we're not talking about a Forest Gump mode

Macy0161

Always give a wave of the finger's off the hood... Might adjust that wave a bit with the anti tri club stuff...

rushfan

magicbastarder wrote:

unless they're moving the same direction as me on the same side of the road (i.e. facing away from me); i won't say hello for fear of scaring the bejesus out of them.

Indeed. Shouted out a big cheery hello to one of my neighbours one morning while heading out for a spin. Nearly ended up doing CPR.

Mercian Pro

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Now the real question is what about when you are out piloting on the tandem?

Twice the number of waves (but most of them are for Tom)

realitykeeper wrote: »

Club cyclists are a mystery to me. I cycle when I need to go from A to B. Those people cycle for exercise but I`ll bet they use their cars to go somewhere for a reason. I strongly recommend cycling as a mood of everyday transport (when possible). Not only do you save a lot if you can go car free but you will also be limiting your carbon footprint. Also, considering the amount of time you spend driving and exercising every week, it may be worthwhile combining the two and simply walk or cycle as a mode of transport.

What an incredible assumption. The majority of my club-mates clock up big mileage not just on club spins but on daily commutes also. Do you know any club cyclists? Have you ever spoken to one?

Wishbone Ash

realitykeeper wrote: »

Club cyclists are a mystery to me. I cycle when I need to go from A to B. Those people cycle for exercise but I`ll bet they use their cars to go somewhere for a reason....

So what is this 'A to B' you speak of? Tipping 500m down to the corner shop to get the Herald?

I can guarantee you that most club cyclists will clock up many more kms in non-club rides than the average 'A to B' cyclist.

Harrybelafonte

Don't Chute! wrote: »

I'm not in a club and almost always on my own so i must be a "fred". Do I have to get rid of the bike now then? Hate this attitude.

I am in a club but never wear my club gear on rides til the summer. Generally just all black. Most of my spins are also done solo. The post you quoted is relying on his own experience, which would be similar to mine. I wave constantly and give the odd Morning or Afternoon on spins in NCD and out Howth way.

I am yet to have a wave returned by anyone wearing a high viz jacket, GAA shorts over their kit, on a flat bar, wearing their helmet sideways, wearing runners on flat pedals, etc. They see the wave and stare ahead. You can tKe all the offence you want about the assumptions I make from that, but "Freds" can go **** themselves, I don't bother anymore.

Daroxtar

I'm a pure culchie. I wave or nod the head at everyone. If they don't respond I just assume they're townies

Don't Chute!

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

I am in a club but never wear my club gear on rides til the summer. Generally just all black. Most of my spins are also done solo. The post you quoted is relying on his own experience, which would be similar to mine. I wave constantly and give the odd Morning or Afternoon on spins in NCD and out Howth way.

I am yet to have a wave returned by anyone wearing a high viz jacket, GAA shorts over their kit, on a flat bar, wearing their helmet sideways, wearing runners on flat pedals, etc. They see the wave and stare ahead. You can tKe all the offence you want about the assumptions I make from that, but "Freds" can go **** themselves, I don't bother anymore.

He wasn't talking about the high viz/ gaa shorts people, he was making the assumption that anyone not in a club is a fred. In my opinion people with that attitude can go **** themselves.

easygoing39

Don't Chute! wrote: »

He wasn't talking about the high viz/ gaa shorts people, he was making the assumption that anyone not in a club is a fred. In my opinion people with that attitude can go **** themselves.

I might have stated it badly,so just to be clear.If I see a cyclist coming towards me I will not wave at them if they are not in a club jersey.

If the non club jersey wearing cyclist waves/nods at me I return the wave/nod.

I have never ever seen a cyclist wave/nod at me and not returned the friendly gesture.
I hope I don't have to f3*k myself with my attitude.

jamesd

Met 3 different clubs yesterday while I was out on our club spin, all waved back to us and said hello.