Be friendly - wave!
I've put off on posting about this for a long time, but it's getting the best of me so I have to deliver.
Cyclists, you need to wave more! Runners, you need to wave more!
More and more people on the road aren't friendly by acknowledging others while training. I don't know why that is, but if I had a dollar for every time I've been ignored I could eat like a king for a month! Oh, and those feasts would absolutely include tons of wine!
I always make it a point to acknowledge or make a friendly gesture to whomever I come across while on the bike, and I am encouraging each of you to do the same. It's what we do in Nashville, bike or no bike, run or no run, we say "hello!" If you aren't from around here, well, you are now so get on board and do it.
I've passed countless riders this year on my right and as I'm passing I'll say hello or ask how they're doing. When I'm that close I usually get a friendly response back, but sometimes they're surprised to be acknowledged. I keep on moving after the greeting, but I at least let them know I recognize their existence! When riders are coming from the other direction I'll gesture a quick and friendly wave, but half the time it's not reciprocated. I can understand if we're both dealing with vehicles around us because then it makes sense to focus on the road, but I'm talking about when it's just you and them. There's nothing worse than getting snubbed in the middle of nowhere. It's like sticking your hand out to shake someone's hand but they don't even see the opportunity.
I developed this habit after riding with people at the top of the sport who always made it a point to say hi to everyone. Their acknowledgements stood out to me and made me think it's what everyone should do, but the more I pay attention to it the more I see that the majority of others do not.
So for all of you people who are new to cycling or running just know it's expected that you acknowledge others around. For all of you with experience who are too intense or focused during your ride or run (especially runners!) you need to relax a bit and acknowledge the existence of others. I know if professionals can do it you can too. It's not going to destroy your workout by saying hello or giving a friendly wave. In fact I'd say the opposite is true , and that is you just might get home in better spirits.
Cyclists, you need to wave more! Runners, you need to wave more!
More and more people on the road aren't friendly by acknowledging others while training. I don't know why that is, but if I had a dollar for every time I've been ignored I could eat like a king for a month! Oh, and those feasts would absolutely include tons of wine!
I always make it a point to acknowledge or make a friendly gesture to whomever I come across while on the bike, and I am encouraging each of you to do the same. It's what we do in Nashville, bike or no bike, run or no run, we say "hello!" If you aren't from around here, well, you are now so get on board and do it.
I've passed countless riders this year on my right and as I'm passing I'll say hello or ask how they're doing. When I'm that close I usually get a friendly response back, but sometimes they're surprised to be acknowledged. I keep on moving after the greeting, but I at least let them know I recognize their existence! When riders are coming from the other direction I'll gesture a quick and friendly wave, but half the time it's not reciprocated. I can understand if we're both dealing with vehicles around us because then it makes sense to focus on the road, but I'm talking about when it's just you and them. There's nothing worse than getting snubbed in the middle of nowhere. It's like sticking your hand out to shake someone's hand but they don't even see the opportunity.
I developed this habit after riding with people at the top of the sport who always made it a point to say hi to everyone. Their acknowledgements stood out to me and made me think it's what everyone should do, but the more I pay attention to it the more I see that the majority of others do not.
So for all of you people who are new to cycling or running just know it's expected that you acknowledge others around. For all of you with experience who are too intense or focused during your ride or run (especially runners!) you need to relax a bit and acknowledge the existence of others. I know if professionals can do it you can too. It's not going to destroy your workout by saying hello or giving a friendly wave. In fact I'd say the opposite is true , and that is you just might get home in better spirits.
posted by NashvilleCyclist.com at 9/07/2006 08:41:00 AM
5 Comments:
Tim - I'm with you on this one. But the good habit of acknowledging fellow cyclists on the road is not restricted to N'ville. In Illinois and Wisconsin, roadies of all stripes make the gesture. Whenever I've ridden with former Olympians, All-Americans, elite riders or other enthusiasts, I've seen the friendly hand salute or heard the greeting. And I've emulated the practice. We are all ambassadors of the sport.
Ian
A friendly wave to a motorist might even help alleviate some of our problems with angry drivers!!
I commute everyday to work on a beater I built up to save the wear and tear on my race bike. I pass several club/race teams on tues/thurs rides and I get a lot of crap comments or thumbed noses about my bike. Darn roadie snobs.
On the other hand, the crossing guards I pass exchange pleasantries every morning and they express concern if they miss me on my commute. Joggers are pretty friendly as well where I live. Pretty much Juris and Fondo's that don't wave. Not all, but that's the normal jerseys of the snubbers. I attribute the snubbing to their own insecurities and just go on my merry way enjoying the fact that I am able to ride a bike.
If I happen to wear a Disco jersey I often get juris riders flying up next to me "just to see if it was Lance"... that's a way to build up a community, huh?
When I first started riding, I used to think roadies were snobs, just like some of the above posts. However, once I started racing and showing up to group rides, I realized that for the most part they are very encouraging, helpful and friendly. I think people are quick to judge actions of certain people and group them into joggers/runners/cyclists/triathletes. But really, I think above all it is one's personality that dictates how snobbish or friendly they are.
Example 1: All the experienced riders waiting for me countless times when I was the new guy on the Wednesday night hammerfest ride.
Example 2: The dude on a $8000 Look that chased me down on highway 100 only to look down his nose at me, not say a word while he blew by me on the left, and then pull a U turn the other way. I wouldn't consider him a roadie, just a dude with a lot of money. Nice job man, way to pull me in.
I think I am rambling now but I do agree with Tim, waving is a simple gesture and people should do it more.
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