Did I miss the memo? (grumpy cyclist rant)

I must have missed it too, easily passed 8+ cyclists this morning, said hello to everyone, got less than half of them replying. May the fleas of a thousand camels infest their bib shorts.

My theory of the moment, is to blame it on Cavendish and his cronies in the British cycling team - bare with me - they have made cycling popular and cool. This means that people who would never have touched a bike before are now going out and buying one. That means that cycling is now starting to reflect society - full of grumpy twonks with no manners or social skills. Essentially we are all doomed.

At least I wasn't alone then. Although I was blanked by more than 8. I started to think I had the power of invisibility!

I do think you are on to something though. I did enjoy watching 2 riders I had caught near traffic lights (who'd looked at me with disdain) wobble and fail to clip in repeatedly as I rode by. They had all the gear compared to my humble allez and dhb shoes too lol.

Probably me .... I do 10000 miles a year but always struggle to clip/unclip! Think I have them too tight!

I do always say hello (downhill) or wave (flat) or nod (uphill)though!

I know it sounds awful, but seeing as there are so many cyclists on the roads, my rule is that I normally only yell hello and wave to people on bikes with drop handlebars.

If it sounds like segregation, it is. We have to keep an air of cool somehow, but also be friendly towards our own kind. This website id called ROAD.CC, so I assume most of you have ROAD bikes with drops, so if you come past me, sure, expect a wave.

NB, my other rule is that if there is a group of more than five people, be they walkers, cyclists, horsefolk whatever (Not cars though, duh) then I normally break tuck to offer a greeting.

Sorry if I sound like some kind of bigoted old man, but most of my life is regulated by these little rules.

I couldn't agree more. I grew up cycling in the countryside around York and other cyclists were always friendly with a nod or a hello. I keep up this tradition and I'm repeatedly disappointed by the number of cyclists who ignore me.

True dat. I find that groups of cyclists are the most ignorant. I make a point of a wave/nod/greeting to all I see, but often times a small group will go past without a reply. Probably my SPD shoes make me unworthy of interest.

Tossers.

I tend to wave at all cyclists: drops or not. You do get a few rude people - they're probably too introverted to acknowledge you in any situation. Walkers are ok. Dog owners glare at you as if you have no right to restrict their darling slobber chops from running all over the road and horse riders literally and metaphorically look down on you. I think it's a class system thing: foot, hooves landrovers and hounds are natural parts of the countryside whereas those on bikes are vulgar usurpers. And usurpers in Lycra! : )

I think it's more basic than all that. Cyclists WILL return a wave, nod etc. Those who don't are merely people riding bikes.

Ah yes, but in this case of our name we're referring to anyone who rides on the road whatever type of bike they ride - from commuting to competing and all points in between and around indeed. One of the things we're aiming to do this year is get more touring in.

That said, while my default setting is to nod an acknowledgement or smile - I don't always, usually cos I'm lost in thought and sometimes cos I'm getting the thousand yard roadie stare from the rider coming the other way and I don't think there's any point.

Sadly all the ones I am talking about were lycra clad and all bar one on drop bar machine.

What about when you ride past them, make a big point of turning to say 'hello' or 'morning' and they ignore you and then try to jump on your wheel!

Had this happen yesterday morning when a clubmate and I were on our way to the start of the club ride. What was funny was that we were deliberately going pretty slowly, as we were early and didnt want to be stood around in yesterdays 0 zero weather, and he still couldnt keep on our wheel

It doesnt hurt to say "Hi" while out cycling but we
Who wright now DO say Hi !! If they don't Reply
There Loss. HI ALL

Yeah I have the same effect... loads of oul grannies/grampas on tall sally bikes...wave nod shout hello, big smile...
club runs/groups coming from the opposite direction, lucky if 10% even acknowledge you're breathing the same air...I even get waves from more 4x4's than I do 'rudies' I mean roadies...
Maybe because I'm 'Lone Wolf McQuaid'... I mean how dare I go road cycling on my todd!!!!?

It's pretty hard to say hi when you are 10 mins late for work and cycling at 20 odd mph in the deluge that was Wednesday!!

I'm also glad it is not just me experiencing this! I find it happens a lot, and with all types of other riders. I sometimes think it is new cyclists who don't expect friendliness, but othertimes it's definitely good old fashioned snobbery by other roadies who make a quick judgement about you. Definitely get a different reaction from other 'serious' riders if wearing club jersey vs standard (albeit generally budget end) gear.
A shame, but I'm starting to just accept it. It won't stop me saying hi or nodding to all though.

I always give a (discreet) wave and a nod, a lot of riders coming the other way do seem to be 'too cool for school' though. Tends to be guys with nice bike and kit (though hey, that's me too...)

Remember thinking last week, "yes, your sunglasses are nice, but they're not that bloody cool, mate..." as someone blanked me going past in the other direction

As an ex-mtb rider I wave / say hi to all and sundry ...
really confuses the mtb riders as the current steed
of choice is a 2007 allez sport with guards on

I was passed by a cyclist on a smart bike yesterday and then overtook him on a steep hill. He said 'fairplay' and I responded with 'cheers mate!' Its not all frosty out there!

Really pleased to hear most here are of the friendly variety.

If any miserable riders read this then they will know who I mean if they spot my username on my top tube.

I apologise if I sound rude,

YOU'VE CHANGED ME!

I'm going to wave at every Tom, Dick and Harry (Jane, Beth and Sally) tomorrow, whatever bike they're on.

Well done guys!

NB, its actually peer pressure, but it appeals to my better nature, obvs.

come to devon, 95% wave apart from the singlespeed/fixie crowd. they are the ignorant part of cycling society.

Some drivers are pretty ignorant too.

I don't wave to them.

I always try and wave or say hello. I have commented to freinds before that people clad in a certain expensive brand of gear are v grumpy.

I now understand why I am looked down on when I am on a a straight bar bike. I laugh as I have two drop bars.

If for any reason I don't wave or say hello it's due to the pain I am in - sorry.

On the Essex roads it's mostly a wave and a nod, sometimes even a hello, sometimes a blank look. I make a point of saying hello to horse riders and going slowly, I always get a polite reply.

On a haywards heath sportive last weekend it was a mixed crowd, I needed to stop very early and sort out a loose bottle cage I'd fiddled with trying to sort out a creak. So I was passed by hundreds, then got back on and passed most of them again, especially on the stiff early hill. Most hellos were responded to, I like to think it is part of what makes cycling fun

I think it's a density issue sometimes. Little towns or places where you don't see many other riders, you get a friendly response nearly all of the time. Places like Regents Park in London you'd get a pretty sore throat if you said hi to everyone you met training there.

Touring cyclists are usually brilliant; In 8 months of riding towards Oz I think we stopped for a full blown chat with every other pannier laden person we met.

That's good to hear - let me know if you need a guest reviewer

@IOM Paddy - don't mean Rapha gear do you? kinda know what you mean, although while out in a Rapha top on Thursday i was overtaken by a fast lad in full Rapha racing kit on a black Condor - we both said hello. I'm inclined to think he was a pro or at least supported by RCS in some way.

I notice a difference between the weekend and weekdays. Weekday folk tend to be much more friendly, less so at the weekend. Living near Box Hill it does get a bit busier at the weekend for sure but I still manage to nod.

I guess though some people aren't used to it being new or have experienced the blank so often they don't bother.

Still, glad it's not just me

Not sure about the urban vs country thing. I live in a small town in the Cotswolds - three minutes or so in any direction and I'm out in open country - and I reckon one in two riders returns a wave. Vast majority I see out here are on road bikes, BTW.

Being friendly and saying hello isn't hard
Just blooming difficult when you're out on your 'cycle to work' bike..
unfit and trying to breathe

The other day I passed a fellah from another club. Smiled, said hi and as I pulled in he was on my wheel. Levelled up after a mile or so and spent a good chunk of the ride chatting before peeling off to finish our own loops. Made a pleasant day much more enjoyable.

I'm so relieved to read these comments, I thought it was just me. Ive been cycling on and off for 20+ years but I have certainly noticed it more on this come back. Ive put it down to i'm a women, tubby and not quite conquered clipless yet,but obviously i've been too harsh on myself.I wave and smile to all cyclists geared up, roadie and the odd mountain biker on the way to the woods. If i dont get a response (I dont expect one on a busy road or on a steep hill climb) I now just snigger to myself as I almost feel that me being there has p**** them off. As i qouted on facebook recently "to the 5 people who ignored me this morning, don't panic I don't want to be your best mate I'm just acknowledging we're doing the same thing" I also think its a weekend thing as midweek cyclists are a lot friendlier.

Interesting comments on weekday v weekend cyclists. Friday was a holiday which means weekenders out rather than the ones I spot in the week. The week day riders have been friendly by comparison. Normally I ride during the week leaving time with the kids at the weekend.

I must've wish a "good morning" to 60plus people yesterday on the long ride I did here in Singapore, all with a nice "good morning" in response... I do try to limit it to one "hello" to groups of cyclists though otherwise it gets silly!

Interestingly here, as there is so little space to ride, people tend to get on well, but there are the usual idiots as in all places. Even the massive (50 plus riders) groups who take up the road like a critical mass event tend to be friendly, even it the car drivers don't like it too much!

As long as I can sneak past them of course, bugger being stuck on the back of that lot!

There is alot of money spent on bikes here too, but all the gear is not a precursor to an idiot in my experience, just wish I could afford to keep up with that level of disposable income.

Week days there are so few commuters, we have to stick together!

I must've wish a "good morning" to 60plus people yesterday on the long ride I did here in Singapore, all with a nice "good morning" in response... I do try to limit it to one "hello" to groups of cyclists though otherwise it gets silly!

Interestingly here, as there is so little space to ride, people tend to get on well, but there are the usual idiots as in all places. Even the massive (50 plus riders) groups who take up the road like a critical mass event tend to be friendly, even it the car drivers don't like it too much!

As long as I can sneak past them of course, bugger being stuck on the back of that lot!

There is alot of money spent on bikes here too, but all the gear is not a precursor to an idiot in my experience, just wish I could afford to keep up with that level of disposable income.

Week days there are so few commuters, we have to stick together!

i love a good hello/wave/nod. its polite and brighens up the day, its always great to spot a fellow cyclist, but i do hate it when they ignore you or give you a weirld look. theres just no need! ive found that in a rural setting, 99% of the cyclists you cross paths with are always friendly. whereas in a urban, bult up setting, ive found a large percentage to be grumpy, as if the hate life as if the wife has forced him out of his car leaving him to cycle the 2 miles to miles to work and now has a deep hatred for mankind.

Cycling newbie really, but always smile/nod/say hi depending where I am hill wise

If I was in a city centre cycling to work i'm not sure it would be that easy, but just riding for leisure and enjoyment, so not an issue for me

Horse riders are extemely polite round my way. Oxfordshire. They appreciate it if you don't sneak up on them and spook the horses.

I would say 50% of fellow cyclists respond to a hello. I think if I am on my road bike, more road bikers say hello back, and if I am on my getting the train commuter hybrid, then more hybridists. Which is a sad reflection on cyclists, in my view.

If I'm hacking around Oxford I usually don't as I'd never stop saying hello. Exception is when I'm heading to the boathouse at 6:30am; anyone out at that time deserves a wave.

When riding at home (I don't have time for proper bike rides when I'm at uni) I try to wave/nod/greet to most I see.

Used to live down the road from Godstow, always used to be fun seeing the mini peloton of eight rowers plus cox go past

That made my decision to join my club. I was finishing a Sunday morning ride and overtook a lad in club kit on his own. He followed my wheel, and after a bit we got chatting. I joined the same club.

When I am head down on my long commute I do try to smile, but you have to remember that for some of us it's hard work and that grimace is actually a smile, but just doesn't look like it as I struggle with the headwind.

I am doomed! Not only do I use spd shoes but I am currently riding a t bar (although a rather snazzy one I have upgraded far too much).

I noticed when out on a ride with my friend with his show off drop bars more people waved to him than me (I am blaming it on my bike and not my looks!

But this shall all change in the next two weeks - I will be finishing off a £4k self build bike with drop handlebar thingymabobs - I am expecting many a wave as I wobble up the hills. Even if I am keeping with the spd's.

I mostly greet/ wave at cyclists or runners when running or cycling...it seems to me I normally get a better response from runners; however, if I am pedaling up a hill I need to keep both hands (the white knuckle kind)holding on for dear life and can't normally talk or smile!!!

With this thread in mind, I kept score while I was out on Thursday. Only 2 other riders didn't wave/nod, and one of them insisting tailing me for th next 5-10 miles, alternating between drafting off me and yo-yo-ing off my wheel then catching up again. I do hope he found it tough!

Was out on Exmoor yesterday; I think there must have been a go to Exmoor and be nice to everyone memo. Not only did I see more cyclists than walkers even the walkers exchanged pleasantaries. The bird watchcers smiled. Was advised of a group of walkers further down the descent, very thoughtful. A great ride, great weather. Not everyone saw the memo though...the dog walkers in the car next to us ignored us at the car park, ignored us again on the moor when they saw us and ignored us again when they arrived back at the car park at the same time as us... The dogs were friendly though

I've found that as a rule, people are generally quite friendly, although I seem to be the one that greets 1st. However, when I'm off to go camping or climbing, I've found that the same lot of cyclists find me invisible on my fat tyred flat bar with panniers. Seems a little stupid really.

Only saw 1 rider today on my lunchtime spin (other than my dad who joined me and is learning clipless and fell off at first junction!) today.

He had a club jersey on and acknowledged both of us individually as he passed.

Got me thinking, that little gesture of acknowledgment was a good advert for his club or team. Now how bad it reflects on teams or clubs when riders are aloof.

There's an awful lot of arbitrary lumping of people into groups in this thread.

Fixie riders! Ignorant!
Horses! Toffs!
Expensive bikes! Arrogant!

Maybe we should all just accept that some people are friendly and some are not. Or even that some people are so out of puff that changing their grimace into a smile would cause them to wobble off the road? Who knows.

Carry on waving, I'll wave back. Lots of others will do too, lots won't. C'est la vie.