John_V 

Most of the guys on road bikes always say hello or nod their head when they pass me on mine or I pass them. I have only found that not to be true with a few, large pace line groups. Maybe it's because they are going much faster or because they don't want to be bothered. I must say that the smaller pace line groups always has one or two riders that usually say hello or good morning. I think it would be beneficial to know exactly why he was told that. It could be that they felt that was a better reason to give than telling him he was too slow. But if that was truly the reason, then as someone already mentioned; they're idiots.