Cosmoline

I've been riding for years now, and many times I've been passed by cars where some guy (it's always a guy) sticks his head out the passenger window and goes "WOOOOOOO!" On Saturday some a-clown did it on the highway as the SUV he was in passed me. He had fancy sunglasses on, which the wind caught and ripped off his head. I was tempted to go run them over, but they looked pretty expensive.

But what I want to know is, what does it mean? I'm assuming it's not an invitation for a date, as I'm a hulking bearded Alaskan. Is it an insult? Saying "woooooo" doesn't really insult me, so much as perplex me. What does it mean?

Mr. Beanz

I get it from male and female. Sometimes a "YEEEAH!" witha thumbs up. Lots of shouts on climbs up mtn roads. I think it's encouraging!

Once riding through a canyon a female passenger stuck her head out and shouted, "you have a nice arse!".

Another time the wife and I were doing a long climb on our tandem ( it can be murder) when a lady stopped at the T instersection near the top rolled down her window and shouted," YOU GUYS ARE DOING GREAT!!!". I felt my wife kick it up a notch!:thumb:....I never did get a chance to thank that lady!

Artkansas 

No, but the beer bottle that they throw at me makes a similar sound as it passes my head.

cnnrmccloskey

I generaly assume its the same spirit in which people throw firecrackers at me

desconhecido 

Typically the ones that stick their heads out the windows and make noises at me are also the ones that curl up on the seat and lick themselves in the butt. It's a pity that poor mutt lost his sun glasses.

GriddleCakes

It's a (bad) joke, and it's on you. And it's not just because you're on a bike. I get the same thing when running, walking, and skating. They yell, maybe get you to jump, and there's f-all you can do about because they can just drive away. The same mentality comes into play in internet trolling, you can be as rude as you wish without fear of repercussion. I imagine the conversation in the car goes something like this:

Still perplexed? Idiots are easily amused, that's all. Be happy that you're a big dude, the crap that my girlfriend gets from car windows is a lot less flattering than just "WOOOOOOOOO!".

rumrunn6

I think it's just in fun like a dog barking at another dog. so did they go back for his glasses?

I like it when girls whistle at me. hasn't happened lately ...

calamarichris

Thanks for not running over my sunglasses (and yes, I went back for them), but I'm hurt that you didn't understand my compliment (and even moreso that some in here choose to take it as an insult.)

Mr. Beanz

If you really want to punish them, post your Speedo pic again!

CNY James

ive only had it happen a few times, i just laugh a little cuz i was that dumbass back in high school. no regrets i guess.

i would have picked up the glasses, put 'em on, and continued the ride satisfied that he got a few laughs and I got a decent pair of shades... see which one lasts longer!

JohnDThompson 

Go easy on them; they can't help it.

Gyro

Had one today, high school kid in the back seat. I've looked at it as a rite of spring, after a few weeks they stop.

DX-MAN

I have yet to have one of them stop after flipping them off. Spoil all my fun........

CbadRider

If it's a car full of teenagers and you catch up to them at a stoplight, it's really funny to look directly at them and say "Tell your mom I said 'hi'."

I am female. The most bizarre comment I've had was: "Lance, is that you?"

I replied: "Yeah! I had a sex change!"

StephenH

It's not always "wooo", but seldom anything intelligible, either. I get it as much walking the dog as I do riding. It's just bored people trying to liven up their lives. Sometimes it's people you know, too.

Siu Blue Wind

Good thing it was their head and not the other end.

dingster1

I got this yesterday. Some kid yells out the back window of the van, "Ride that bike!!" While I was in mid cross-walk....on my bike

Fern53

I was riding along a country road last week when a car passed- together with the most gawd-awful shriek I'd ever heard. It didn't even sound human-because it wasn't. A medium-sized dog was madly trying to squeeze through the back window and his neck was mashed against the upper part of the glass.

It wasn't enough to pass me once. Apparently the humans (?) in the car thought this was great fun and went out of their way to circle back and pass a second time.

guadzilla

That's kinda funny, actually.

I wouldnt be too bothered by "woo" - here in Oman, I've been getting a few good-natured supporting honks (short set of beeps) from cars when they pass me, and I usually nod back in return.

I did get a bit upset at the jackass that drove with 2 wheels on the shoulder and passed me less than a foot away when there was a perfectly functional lane for him to drive on.

V.

mikewille

If someone hollers WOOOO! (usually females) I holler YEAAAH! It's funner than hell.
If someone hollers anything else I respond the same way. It confuses them, and it's funner than hell.

spwelton

That's funny cause I was just wondering the same thing when this happened to me the other day. Just WOOOOOOO, nothing else.. I laughed though

nymtber

I used to get that kinda crap once in a while when I had my road bike. Mostly "underprivileged" youngins in their 1980's rotted out pickup that cost less than the bike I was on, and might be running of half the cylinders. I didn't take much offense, I mean...How could I?

Haven't heard any since I bought my Sirrus though. Never liked the roadie look or feel anyways

urbanlegend

maybe it's like people who have to MOOOO when they drive past a heard of cows

Doohickie

Me neither. Like.... 30 years.

CommuterRun

"WOOOOOOO!!!" = "DUDE! YOU ROCK!!!" (which has also been shouted at me) Just easier to pronounce, and easier to understand with the speed difference between motor vehicles and a bicycle. It gets a smile and wave. Besides ... it's likely to be somebody I know.