why aren't dc riders friendly?!?!
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: WDC
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
why aren't dc riders friendly?!?!
i got out for the first time this year sat, sun, & mon -- i only saw a handful of serious riders, and always at least flick a few fingers off the bar in offering up a simple hello. but nobody ever returns the favor. well, i guess maybe 1 in 10 -- still poor! i thought cyclists were friendly! what happended to the good ol' days?!?!
happy mlk day!
happy mlk day!
#3
Calamari to go
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Falls Church, VA
Posts: 3,113
Bikes: Trek 750
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
you guys shouldn't let it bother you
most people are out to ride, not make friends
i try to nod at passing cyclists. if i get 50% response i consider it a unusually busy day. considering how many bikes i see out there i sometimes feel like a bobblehead.
are you talking about the roads or the trails?
most people are out to ride, not make friends
i try to nod at passing cyclists. if i get 50% response i consider it a unusually busy day. considering how many bikes i see out there i sometimes feel like a bobblehead.
are you talking about the roads or the trails?
#4
Just ignore the wind...
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: The People's Republic of Maryland, USA
Posts: 100
Bikes: Mountain & Touring bikes...so far.
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I agree...many other cyclists appear to be unfriendly by not returning waves or head nods etc. but if they want to be snobs or anti-social, that is their problem! I make an effort to great all fellow cyclists when I'm out and about...maybe it will catch on.
#5
Senior Member (Retired)
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Great North Woods
Posts: 2,671
Bikes: Vittorio, Centaur triple; Casati Laser Piu, Chorus Triple.
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
In the '50s and '60s when I drove sportscars, their drivers always waved to each other. Except for Porsche drivers of course. But as they became more and more prevalent, people seemed to stop for the most part.
Now I find that xB drivers (including me) are doing it again. It has something to do with exclusivity, I think.
Now I find that xB drivers (including me) are doing it again. It has something to do with exclusivity, I think.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 1,210
Bikes: Firefly custom Road, Ira Ryan custom road bike, Ira Ryan custom fixed gear
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'll wave, I promise.
I usually do, especially when other folks catch me looking at their bikes...
I usually do, especially when other folks catch me looking at their bikes...
#7
-=Barry=-
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Baltimore, MD +/- ~100 miles
Posts: 4,077
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I was out Saturday and Sunday riding the trails around DC and it was fairly crowded which I think leads to non waving because there are just so many people to wave too. People got more social once the density died down a bit (Northwest Branch & Indian Creak trails.) Anyway I’ll wave or nod if you see me.
#8
Carpe Diem
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MABRA
Posts: 13,149
Bikes: 2007 CAAD9; 2014 CAADX; PedalForce CG1
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
When I ride I hardly notice riders passing in the opposite direction. those that I do see, though, will get a friendly wave or head nod from me!
__________________
"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
#10
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Billings, Montana
Posts: 46
Bikes: 2007 Novaro Randonee & 1984 Specialize Stumpjumper
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I sometimes wave, sometimes I'm elsewhere (brainwise) and I'm not quick enough to wave back. So here you go:
Can't just wave here, so I'll wave a beer >>>
Can't just wave here, so I'll wave a beer >>>
#12
Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Waving/nodding in DE
Most people I come across when riding in Northern DE and Southeastern Pa seem to say hi, wave, or at least nod when you say hi. I'd say at least half of them offer greetings on their own, so I wonder if that's a regional thing, or just sheer cooincidence that maybe the people who happened to be out the day you were riding were mainly asses. Could've just been a roll of the dice! Some times when I'm walking down the street
I notice that the people I run across are friendly, then on a different day, on the same street the people seem to be more rude and apathetic. Just chance I guess. Whats funny though, I bought a Harley Sportster last June, and I noticed when I'm out riding it, people on other bikes will wave at me as I ride by. So I figured it's 'motorcycle etiquette', so I started waving at other bikers as I see them. Would't want to seem rude!
I notice that the people I run across are friendly, then on a different day, on the same street the people seem to be more rude and apathetic. Just chance I guess. Whats funny though, I bought a Harley Sportster last June, and I noticed when I'm out riding it, people on other bikes will wave at me as I ride by. So I figured it's 'motorcycle etiquette', so I started waving at other bikers as I see them. Would't want to seem rude!
#13
Huachuca Rider
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 4,275
Bikes: Fuji CCR1, Specialized Roubaix
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Dunvegan67
.......maybe the people who happened to be out the day you were riding were mainly asses.
__________________
Just Peddlin' Around
Just Peddlin' Around
#14
Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Common Courtesy... thats all
Originally Posted by webist
A rather harsh negative conclusion to which to jump. Asses because they didn't wave?
I was agreeing with the original point made that if you say hi, or wave to someone, and they look into your eyes and dont have the basic courtesy to return the greeting in at least some fashion, thats rude! Unless they are busy, and dont see you. Its really not a big deal, I just replied to the original post. I'm not particularly bothered if someone doesn't return the basic human courtesy of a hello or a wave, but it is kinda rude. So as to your question: Yes, I think ass would be an accurate description! I was born in N.C., and I was taught, and believe in common courtesy, if thats a problem...sue me!
#15
i think it's really more related to where you're used to riding. out on the paths, i try to say hello as often as i can. or if i'm on an uncrowded street in a neighborhood. but i'd never even consider diverting my attention in city traffic. no amount of courtesy is worth that.
i think many of us who commute in the city stay in "city mode" by default for safety reasons, even when we'd be fine letting our guard down for a bit. so to those i've ignored:
HI! *waves*
i think many of us who commute in the city stay in "city mode" by default for safety reasons, even when we'd be fine letting our guard down for a bit. so to those i've ignored:
HI! *waves*
#16
oh yeah, in the interest of friendliness. i'm "leading" a ride out to the old dominion brewery tomorrow. ride starts in georgetown by the key bridge, should be about 50 miles round trip at a relaxed pace.
i'd love it if any of you could make it out. cheers!
-john
i'd love it if any of you could make it out. cheers!
-john
#17
I know that I'm guity of responding to a wave or a "hi there" with a blank stare, but it's totally not malicious or arrogant. When I bike, especially when I'm training or doing laps at Haines Point, I totally zone out and focus on every ache and pain in my body, on the road, on my speed, etc. Often someone will greet me, and I'll hear it and look up, but honestly I won't register what was actually said for 5-10 seconds.
And then to actually shake out of my trance and work up a response is usually another lapse of time. So by the time I'm saying "Hi!" back to you, you're already home and in the shower.
And then to actually shake out of my trance and work up a response is usually another lapse of time. So by the time I'm saying "Hi!" back to you, you're already home and in the shower.
#18
Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
To greet or not to greet, that is the question:
Originally Posted by dirtyphotons
i think it's really more related to where you're used to riding. out on the paths, i try to say hello as often as i can. or if i'm on an uncrowded street in a neighborhood. but i'd never even consider diverting my attention in city traffic. no amount of courtesy is worth that.
i think many of us who commute in the city stay in "city mode" by default for safety reasons, even when we'd be fine letting our guard down for a bit. so to those i've ignored:
HI! *waves*
i think many of us who commute in the city stay in "city mode" by default for safety reasons, even when we'd be fine letting our guard down for a bit. so to those i've ignored:
HI! *waves*
Couldn't agree more. Its definitely different in city situations than in small towns or areas where you are only confronted by the occasional person. I also cant believe that I've devoted this much time to discussing the unspoken rules of 'greeting etiquette'. Clearly I have too much time on my hands as a self employed landscape designer in the middle of winter! Must find something to do....How about a discussion on how far off the trail one should wander when relieving yourself if 'nature calls' when you're riding? Is it acceptable simply to walk behind the nearest tree, or would it be more appropriate to journey a certain distance off the trail before you begin? Just kidding......(unless anyone wishes to opine)