General etiquette ??

Welcome, TJMakosz!

Welcome, TJMakosz!

As others have said, the response you get might depend on where you are/the number of other riders around. I perceive less response when riding in SE England – but probably because there are more of us, and passing another roadie isn’t unusual. Indeed, on my last Sunday ride, I think I passed more cyclists than cars 🙂 Probably more still responded than not though.

My experience of hiking is similar – on the tourist path up popular peaks, it’s completely anonymous. On a less popular hill where you meet people only every few minutes or less frequently, it’s a passing “hi”. And in really remote places where you’re surprised to see anyone, you end up swapping life stories!

So, I’d say keep nodding – the response says more about them than you!

I always try and raise a hand

I always try and raise a hand, whether it’s reciprocated or not I don’t mind. But I figure it’s my way of trying to keep just a tiny bit of politeness on two wheels. 

My kind of discussion, I

My kind of discussion, I enjoy this sort of thing when I’m out cycling and hiking. Always analysing how people handle it. It’s fun if you dont take it too seriously.

For the most part it depends on your area. I cycle in Edinburgh and surrounding coastal areas at the weekends and always either nod, wave, thumbs up or actually saying morning depending on the type of cyclist coming the other way.

Passing people is more awkward as you don’t want to sound too chirpy which could be interpreted as cockiness, especially as I’m usually racing around wheras most people really are just out for a casual ride or commuting. No doubt many of them do/can ride much harder. So when going past I’ll throw in a toned down morning mate, or give a wave.

Was out with the other half on Sunday for a big ride. We were averaging 13mph, which is slow for the time of day (7.30am, most riders at this time are pretty dedicated) and route we were on – we got passed by pretty much everyone out there that morning. Was interesting to see how people handle it when it’s the other way around. Only one guy the whole time didn’t say hello! All the young guys, couples, lone woman riders etc all were really nice in passing. The only guy that didn’t say hello was quite overweight and was struggling a bit. Maybe found the whole thing a bit awkward. I can understand that. I liked his Rapha jersey though, maybe he thought we’d be judgemental and he was being defensive. Maybe reading too much into it. 

It’s really hard to judge and stereotype who will or wont give a wave. I used to think guys around my age, mid 30s, competitive, kitted out, would be the least respectful. But they’re the most likely to give a wave or nod. That surprised me, definitely thought that age group/type would be the most arrogant and would be heads down focusing on their power output. That seems to change when it’s two guys riding together funnily enough, then it’s much less predictable how they’ll respond! Guys definitely act differently on their own than in a group of two or more.

Anyway, just do what you feel you want to do naturally. I wave when I feel like it, which is nearly always. If I lived in an area where I wasn’t getting any response back, most of the time, then I’d certainly change my behaviour. No point rolling around waving at everyone like a loon when no-one else does. Bit like living in a small town where people say hello when you walk past, then moving to London and saying hello to everyone every second on the footpath – probably end up arrested 

I usually just raise my hand

I usually just raise my hand in acknowledgement of their presence, I’m entirely disinterested in whether it’s reciprocated – though most people do.

The well-mannered cyclist
The well-mannered cyclist will always acknowledge a greeting unless circumstances (e.g a tight bend being taken at speed, the pounding of the Man with the Hammer) make it impracticable. But if someone tries to leave one standing on a hill, a bit of drafting is surely permissible!

I usually raise my hand and

I usually raise my hand and nod my head, often with an accompanying greeting. Most roadies respond, however their are the odd one or two (usually wearing full Rapha or Castelli kit) who don’t want to know.

The rudest I ever encountered was when I came across a sportive and two guys on beautiful full carbon bikes sat behind me on my cheap road bike (student living!); they stayed their sheltered behind me for a good 10 minutes and when I sharply broke off they didn’t get the message that it was their turn to sit up front. They didn’t say a word or acknowlege me so I dropped them up the next climb.

Even if I’m overtaking/being overtaken I’ll say hi and, if it’s not to busy, have a chat with other cyclists whilst we’re going along. Just being polite and friendly really.

I particularly think that if you’re going to slipstream someone you should, at the very least, ask if they are comfortable for you to sit behind them, then either take a turn at the front or say thanks for the lift. Hey, I sure know I’ve been absolutely kanckered and sought refuge behind another roadie!