Wow, roadies are a-holes...who knew?

I think the puzzlement here over waving to cyclists vs. waving in cars or as pedestrians, is that pedestrians are so....well, pedestrian. Are cars are just all over the place. There is nothing "special" about them. But cyclists are a much smaller community. Hence, it's more akin to that small country road someone mentioned where folks wave. That is why many folks expect (hope?) that a wave will be responded to in kind.
Sure, many folks zone out on bikes. They're concentrating on their own thing, they're dodging obstacles, checking their speed, watching for traffic. A million things that take away their attention for another cyclist coming at them on the other side of the street. The brain may register them for a nanosecond and say "Not a car. Not a threat." and go on dodging glass. It's not a snub.
But when a cyclist who you have seen before, who does acknowledge you when you catch eye contact, then disses you when making similar eye contact because (perhaps) of the type of bike you have, that is a snub.
All things being equal on the rides, you can almost hear the snub. What is the line from that movie "A Knight's Tale"? - "You have been weighed, measured, and found lacking"?? Is that a fair or paranoid interpretation? Who knows? I don't want to crawl inside the minds of those guys.
Just a little respect, a little courtesy for all riders, is all that we can ask for. Because some day it will be you on the side of the road with a flat and no spare in your saddle bag, thankful for someone who stops and says "Got everything you need? You okay?"

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A) Unsafe passing - you know, they go by you like you are standing still and give you all of maybe 3 inches with absolutely no warning, nothing. So much as slight move by me in one direction or another, maybe to avoid glass or something on the road, and crash thanks to this type nonsense by others.

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WOW! This pisses me off and scares me! I hate when they do this. Especially when you aren't expecting some pelaton to be cruising down the road you are on.

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B) Not helpful at all - you have a mechanical or whatever and dozens of riders go by w/o so much as even glancing at you, much less asking if you need help. So much for a sense of community.

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Well, all the men I ride with... are kind and a few of them have helped me out when I needed it. But, I ride with groups and they see me weekly.

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C) Bike clubs and group rides - Despite having lived in several states, countries and places, I've yet to see a bike club make any real effort to encourage newer riders. All they do is parrot the same old tunes....you'll get dropped, dropped, dropped, if you can't go 728 mph, ride a roadbike, and keep up.

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The club I belong to has many different rides. There are rides where yea, you will get dropped. And then there are the no drop rides... where no man gets left behind. Even if the sweeper (who knows the way home) and the lone rider has to pull themselves in.

My club is great... I feel very lucky to have such a wonderful one in my area... cause it sounds like other clubs suck.

I'm a roadie, but really more of a mtn. biker at heart :)

My DH is a cat 2 road racer :) He's a sweet, respectful guy, especially towards women...He says we are smarter, better looking, and tougher than guys...What a sweetie, huh?

I'm super friendly to everyone, so that is what I usually get in return. I've had a few roadie guys help me this year with mechanicals on the side of the road...they did it just to be nice. I also ran into some pretty rude people on the road...some were male, some were females, some were dogs, and some were cars :) I notice if I don't look for the rude behavior, I don't notice it LOL.

For me though, it's how the guys act off the bike. I know that road racing and training are very difficult endeavors firsthandedly. I myself can't always muster a smile when my HR is 180+ :) But, I telepathically will send love or kind energies to others and notice that it is returned...Hmmm, I am starting to wonder about this quantum physics stuff...It works! :)

I personally have an issue with guys who put racing and training above their families, for instance. This is off the bike of course. I also realize that it is judgmental for me to look at this since it's not my life.

My DH off the bike is a very caring and loving. Some of his biking friends actually had the audacity to razz him about taking my bike out of his truck for me at races or putting it on the trainer for me, etc. (I have upper body injuries and such and am short LOL). The biking friends don't see how I help at home...fix water bottles, make healthy food, do bike laundry...Last time I checked marriage is a teamwork sport LOL...But, then again, none of them have wives who race!!! I almost told these people to kiss me in a special place, but oh well, I'm human and I judge too :)

I hear ya though :)

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Originally Posted by yogabear

Some of his biking friends actually had the audacity to razz him about taking my bike out of his truck for me at races or putting it on the trainer for me, etc. (I have upper body injuries and such and am short LOL). The biking friends don't see how I help at home...fix water bottles, make healthy food, do bike laundry...Last time I checked marriage is a teamwork sport LOL...But, then again, none of them have wives who race!!! I almost told these people to kiss me in a special place, but oh well, I'm human and I judge too :)

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Wow - most of the guys are jealous that my husband has a wife that races too. I doubt any of them would razz him about doing things for me - they only wish that their wife/girlfriend/SO shared their interests. The only down side for him is that I've been doing better than he has so he gets to be known as Oh - your Eden's husband :D

Eden, you just cracked me up :) You go, girl!

I was telling my hubby about this thread last night on our mtn. bike ride. He said that he is too nice...that is part of his problem. I told him to save the niceness for off the bike and be intense while racing :)

It cracks me up though here where I live...So many guys are all intense while road racing. I mean, I know it's all about balance, but still, riding off after a race in their SUV's or mini vans, listening to Bare Naked Ladies...that is what they do :) Hee hee! I know this is really mean to say and judgmental, but it still makes me giggle. Just as I am sure people make fun of me for my pre-race warm-up music...Johnny Cash :) LOL

I like the sticker that says, 'If it has tires or testicles, you know it's gonna mean trouble' :) ROTFLMAO...

Okay, I've been mean for the day :p

I only skimmed this thread.... My DH must be the only roadie guy that is worth a darn. He rides slower for me, waves at everyone and offers to help stranded cyclists.

He even gets annoyed when people don't wave back. And he waves or says hello to the people out on the sidewalks riding their Walmart bikes. Of course I have noticed he is a rare breed, that is why he is a keeper! :D

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Originally Posted by yogabear

I like the sticker that says, 'If it has tires or testicles, you know it's gonna mean trouble' :) ROTFLMAO...

Okay, I've been mean for the day :p

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OK! I just had to clean my screen!!! Tooooooo Funny! I may have to steal that line sometime :D :D :D

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Originally Posted by mary9761

short thread hijack http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...readjacked.gif
velocilex, are you planning to ride the Hilly in a couple weeks? I'm planning on being there myself. This will be my second and I hope to ride both days this year.
End Hijack

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Hijacking again!
Myself and a fwe other friends are coming too! We're camping in tent city. Come look us up!

Jeni

This thread reminded me of a crisp spring afternoon with my DH. We had ridden our mountain bikes over to a friend's to play in the woods behind his house. On the way home our paths crossed with a team, dressed in full team kit, pacelining and all serious-like. As we passed, I clearly heard one of them call out "paper route"!!! My DH looked at me and asked "Did he just call us paper route"? Yes, I believe he did. :rolleyes:

Ah, arrogance!

I tend to wave or nod or say "hi" if I'm not gasping for breath. There is a big hill on the Bike Route, and I often see the same folks there. The protocol seems to be big happy friendly greetings if you're not zooming near the bottom of the hill or panting your way up it, or no greeting if you are. And no hard feelings either way.

When I see stranded bikers I stop if it's a woman. I slow and holler out "need help?" if it's a man. Yes, I'm paranoid, but that's a fault I can live with.

As far as the arrogance... hee hee. I get to see these dudes when they come to get their boo-boos taken care of. Feet of clay, I'm tellin' ya, feet of clay! I can make 'em suffer more than any hill!

(but really, I'm a nice person:D )

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Originally Posted by TrekJeni

Hijacking again!
Myself and a fwe other friends are coming too! We're camping in tent city. Come look us up!

Jeni

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Let's discuss closer to the time! I'd love to meet the infamous trekjeni :)

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Originally Posted by TrekJeni

Hijacking again!
Myself and a fwe other friends are coming too! We're camping in tent city. Come look us up!

Jeni

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I just received my volunteer packet in the mail today. I'll be working in the snack bar Friday night in the gymnasium where registration is. I'll be sure to have my camera handy. :D

One thing interesting I've noticed: for the last three Saturdays, DH and I have ridden our Bike Fridays with four panniers and rack pack each to the farmer's market and food co-op for groceries. We see a lot of roadies out during these rides, and even the serious ones in full team kit tend to wave, sometimes even before we do! ALL the women wave, but even a large % of the men, riding alone or in pairs. I dunno if they respect us because we look like we're traveling across country rather than just across county, or what, but it's interesting that even riding little-wheeled bikes and fully loaded, we get a lot of friendly attention. Kinda nice!

Emily

P.S. One (male) cyclist even yelled out "good luck!" - I guess he assumed we were going a bit farther than the 10 more miles home. :D

Ok now, I think we all need to take a step back and look at why we are riding in the first place. Cycling is an indivdual sport, yes there are teams and groups, but it is mainly individual. I, personally, don't ride for anyone except myself, for my own well being and because it's great exercise and I really love being out on the road. So who really cares if there are other people out there that don't wave back? Who really cares what other people think of your equipment? I could care less that some roadie jerk out there thinks I'm less of a rider because I don't wear a team jersey. It's great when other cyclists are friendly and you can meet some really nice people while out on the road. But there are a lot of jerks out there. I have been on the recieving end of some condsecending and rude comments from other cyclists, but why should I care? Why should anyone care what anyone else thinks, as long as they're having a good time.

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Originally Posted by CycleChic06

Ok now, I think we all need to take a step back and look at why we are riding in the first place. Cycling is an indivdual sport, yes there are teams and groups, but it is mainly individual. I, personally, don't ride for anyone except myself, for my own well being and because it's great exercise and I really love being out on the road. So who really cares if there are other people out there that don't wave back? Who really cares what other people think of your equipment? I could care less that some roadie jerk out there thinks I'm less of a rider because I don't wear a team jersey. It's great when other cyclists are friendly and you can meet some really nice people while out on the road. But there are a lot of jerks out there. I have been on the recieving end of some condsecending and rude comments from other cyclists, but why should I care? Why should anyone care what anyone else thinks, as long as they're having a good time.

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Good questions all. I guess for me, it comes down to the sense of community I feel with other cyclists. Like we're in our own little sub-culture, and it's kinda us against the big, bad cars and truck. I know that since we're both riding, we share at least some values, be it staying active/healthy, enjoyment of the outdoors, environmental/eco concerns, or whatever. Because I feel that sense of having at least something in common with every other cyclist on the road, from newbies riding hybrids on bike paths to racers in full-zoot kit in pacelines, I like to wave and/or say hello when I can (not if there's approaching traffic or I need both hands on handebars for whatever reason), and it's kinda nice if they do the same. I don't take it too personally if they don't, but it always gives me a good feeling when they do, like we share a little secret.

It's kinda like I feel a sense of camraderie with other Honda Element drivers...hard to put into words, but definitely there. I'd be more likely to let an Element cut in front of me in traffic than, say, a Hummer. :D

Emily

My theory with waving to everyone I see is to welcome them into our sport. I remember being a nervous newbie and I just imagine anyone I see might be trying this for the first time. It is about making everyone I see feel welcome and know that they couldn't have picked a better thing to be doing.

Every morning I am so happy to see this elderly gentleman who lives near me riding his hybrid. He gets out there at 6:30 in the morning with his lights and helmet and rides the same route. Honestly it warms my heart to see him because he looks like he is enjoying himself.

I don't expect roadies (or any other cyclists) to smile, wave, or offer me verbal greetings as I pass them. My only wish is to not be sneered at as I ride by. That's all.

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

Good questions all. I guess for me, it comes down to the sense of community I feel with other cyclists. Like we're in our own little sub-culture, and it's kinda us against the big, bad cars and truck.

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This pretty well sums up my take on the "to wave or not to wave" issue. I don't necessarily feel slighted if another cyclist doesn't wave--sometimes they're working too hard or just zeroed in on what they're doing, and that's OK. But I try to wave as much as possible, even if by "wave" I just mean lifting my fingers off the handlebar in a subtle, mute greeting--doesn't have to be a big old "howdy neighbor" love-fest. Just a tiny little gesture that says "We're all in this together, and isn't it great?"

As a not-so-svelte, slightly-past-middle-aged woman cyclist, I've had to get over being bugged by others who wonder what the heck I think I'm doing on a bike. Still, it's nice to see someone else acknowledge with their subtle wave that I am in fact "in the club," by which I mean the community of cyclists everywhere.

To wave or not to wave doesn't bother me so much. I take it as they are in training mindset and don't want to be brought out of it. Some of you guys ride pretty close to each other's wheels!! BUT I do get offended when I'm showing up for my first beginner, no drop ride and no one welcomes me, talks to me AFTER I'VE said hello, bothered to listen when I say my name, and they LEAVE me on the first hill of a NO DROP ride. We have a lot of LBS that play host to group rides here and it is VERY hard to get people to let you into their inner circle...even the beginner rides. I never felt like I was in a friendly group showing up for these rides. I felt like it was a big competition to see who we could all drop first.

Having said that - I now have many friends that are roadies and don't participate in the LBS rides and are wonderful, no matter what bike they are on. I assumed it was part of group riding culture. I hope I'm wrong...

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Originally Posted by yogabear

He's a sweet, respectful guy, especially towards women...He says we are smarter, better looking, and tougher than guys...What a sweetie, huh?

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I'd say smart and a keeper, too.

Interesting read! Is it regional? Cultural? Perception?

Personally, my bike handling skills suck, especially when I'm tired, and so my hands stay on the handlebars! :rolleyes: But I have a good nod.

Older male roadies hereabouts, I've found very friendly as a breed. Nice smiles and hellos. Those that are grumpy; well, I bet they're grumpy everywhere. Our young racing team boys are well raised younguns, and may even nod (they also are well supported by our local bike club) The snootiest seem to be the college boy racers.

When I see another female rider, especially solo, it's a big rush of happy for me and feeling a part of a secrest sisterhood or something. lol. They all, in my selective memory, seem to smile and say 'hello'.

Maybe I have a 'happy aura' from being out on the road, riding. I do love to ride.

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Originally Posted by littlegrasshopp

BUT I do get offended when I'm showing up for my first beginner, no drop ride and no one welcomes me, talks to me AFTER I'VE said hello, bothered to listen when I say my name, and they LEAVE me on the first hill of a NO DROP ride. We have a lot of LBS that play host to group rides here and it is VERY hard to get people to let you into their inner circle...even the beginner rides. I never felt like I was in a friendly group showing up for these rides. I felt like it was a big competition to see who we could all drop first.

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What about starting a TE ride where you are? Now that you know how the road-riding works, you could organize a few fun rides for the TE'ers in your area.

Littlegrasshopp, that's a great idea that Knotted suggested. And even if you can't find any or many TE'ers in your area, you could start your own little group.

In my area, there's a sort of branch of the local club, called the "Sweet Sixteens" because they're a no-drop group who try never to exceed a max no-hill, no-wind speed of 16mph. You could try organizing such a group yourself, by posting flyers at LBSs, gyms, even grocery stores. You could make the max speed anything you want; the idea is to appeal to people who would otherwise hesitate out of fear of being treated as you have been. So you can all enjoy your rides and even work on improving together.

Gee, I sound like such an expert, with my grand total of 4 club rides. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.:D

I find that I got more waves when I was riding early season, before a ton of people were out, and whenever I ride in inclement weather.

On a warm summer day, with the trails and roads clogged with cyclists of all sorts, I think it just becomes tedious for people to try to acknowledge everyone.

I just smile at everyone and if they say hi then I say hi back.

I've had people from both genders say and so ugly things to me. Of the two, women have been the most unkind to me. That's one reason I am wary of women. For some reason, they just don't like me very much, which is OK. We are all human and trying to get through life without receiving or causing too much damage.

I smile all of the time. I can't help it...I am having fun. I think that is a good greeting and I don't have to remove my hand to do it. I have waved and said "how are you doing?" to some people; it just depends.

But as long as you are bringing this topic up, I am wondering if people are just getting isolated. I grew up in the Midwest and it was common to say "hi" to people on the street; even if you didn't know them. As you were driving in the countryside, poeple would wave as they passed by. What happened to this gesture? And now we put up 6' fences to seperate our yards. When I was little, we played football in our neighbors back yards with the trees being the endzones. Are we becoming less social? And is this causing us to be rude, insensitive, angry, and worse? What do you all think?

I was thinking about this thread on a ride the other day. I wanted to see what kind of rider gave me the most response. It was early in the morning and the crowds were not out yet, so it was a small sampling. I passed only a hundred-or-so cyclists on a 25-mile ride and responses ranged from a nod, a smile, a fingers-off-the-hood-wave and a hearty "good morning!" but here are the results of my unofficial tally:

• Male roadies (relaxed pace): 60-70% said hi first or responded*
*Note: older roadies 30+ responded more often than younger ones
• Female roadies (relaxed pace): Only 3, but 2 responded.
• Roadies (in obvious training or paceline): Didn't bother, either way

• Male hybrid/MTBers/commuter: None said hi first, about 10% responded :eek:
• Female hybrid/MTBers/commuter: None said hi first, about half responded

• Male recreational bikers: None said hi first, about half responded
• Female recreational bikers: None said hi first, about half responded
Note: some were obvious tourists and may not have spoken English. Riders with kids responded most often.

To clarify, I was a 30-something 105-lb gal riding alone, on a Specialized road bike in full Castelli gear. I think roadies are just more accustomed to respond to their "own". I've even been told (jokingly, I think) by a couple of roadie pals, "You're one of us now."
Had I been on a hybrid, or if I had been wearing my Nellie Olson Rocks! sweatshirt, I'm sure my results would have been different. But that test is for another day...

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Originally Posted by BadgerGirl

I smile all of the time. I can't help it...I am having fun. I think that is a good greeting and I don't have to remove my hand to do it. I have waved and said "how are you doing?" to some people; it just depends.

But as long as you are bringing this topic up, I am wondering if people are just getting isolated. I grew up in the Midwest and it was common to say "hi" to people on the street; even if you didn't know them. As you were driving in the countryside, poeple would wave as they passed by. What happened to this gesture? And now we put up 6' fences to seperate our yards. When I was little, we played football in our neighbors back yards with the trees being the endzones. Are we becoming less social? And is this causing us to be rude, insensitive, angry, and worse? What do you all think?

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Good question Badger. My university had a tradition of saying "Howdy" to everyone you made eye contact with while on campus. It was such a friendly environment, even though the enrollment was 44,000 my freshman year. To this day when I am wearing one of my shirts from there in public I will get a "Howdy".

If I just say hi to complete strangers at the store they think I am a) Flirting (happily married, thanks) b) Selling something or c) Too odd to give the time of day to. Rarely would I get a happy smile back, it is usually a puzzled look.:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Kitsune06

... and people look at my clothes and snort "You're not a *real* biker."

*sigh*

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Ok so yesterday was the VERY first day I went out withOUT overshorts hiding my bike shorts. After having lost 40lbs I finally feel a lil more confident and DH said "Woah...... looking good" (GREAT confidence booster)

Do I count as a real biker?? Oh wait, I had on an Old Navy Sweatshirt..... damn I was so close to being a real biker.........

And FWIW, I never WAVE to anyone. My balance isn't good enough yet and I am usually going too fast (haha.... had to laugh at myself for that one). But I do nod and say "hi" as I whip by. Some respond, some don't, but I never think negatively based on the hello or lack thereof.

Amanda - I recall hearing of a recent study that concluded that people are becoming more isolated. A surprising percentage of folks have no close friends. Sorry, can't remember the details. But you are right: I've noticed the same trend toward rudeness and a growing pervasiveness of the "it's all about me" attitude. I just try to do unto others and hope the decent manners my parents taught me might rub off on those whom I encounter. ;)

I have noticed the same results about waving and friendliness as reported here. More roadies nod or wave to me since I got my Kuota; for God's sake i had a Trek 5200 before, so what's the deal with that? I'm always wearing cycling clothes, too. I see the same people a lot on my after work rides. Now I know which ones to nod to and which ones wave. The commuters never wave...
People on hybrids or recreational riders seem shocked when I say hi. A funny story relating to this is for years we saw a guy running on the streets in our old neighborhood as we rode. We called him the "mean" guy. He never smiled or waved, said hi when you said hi to him. My son made it a "thing" to get this guy to talk back to him as he rode by. Finally, he got some response back, after like 2 years. About 2 years after that we found out it was Bill Rodgers, the 5 time winner of the Boston Marathon! He lived about half a mile from us. He got nicer when he had some injury and was walking instead of running...

Robin - That's a hoot. I guess having to walk humbled him, eh?

Sometimes I don't look up because I'm shy. And afraid of mean looks.

And then there are heterosexual couples. As a single young female, a friendly hello is almost impossible to pull off. The male will avoid eye contact at all costs because he's afraid his significant other will think he was checking me out, and the female is too busy making sure her significant other isn't looking anywhere near me. Even elderly couples. If I do look up and smile, I try to make contact with the female first to lessen that look shot at me like I'm some sort of evil temptress on wheels. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I get a genuine smile back from one or both parties. But all too often it's just.. awkward.

I am not some sort of evil temptress on wheels! I'm not a homewrecker! The sport demands spandex! That's it! Why won't you accept my friendly smile?!

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Originally Posted by run it, ride it

Sometimes I don't look up because I'm shy. And afraid of mean looks.

And then there are heterosexual couples. As a single young female, a friendly hello is almost impossible to pull off. The male will avoid eye contact at all costs because he's afraid his significant other will think he was checking me out, and the female is too busy making sure her significant other isn't looking anywhere near me. Even elderly couples. If I do look up and smile, I try to make contact with the female first to lessen that look shot at me like I'm some sort of evil temptress on wheels. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I get a genuine smile back from one or both parties. But all too often it's just.. awkward.

I am not some sort of evil temptress on wheels! I'm not a homewrecker! The sport demands spandex! That's it! Why won't you accept my friendly smile?!

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I would accept your smile, Runit! :)
The thing is, when I ride with a guy we're either 1) Going easy and having a conversation, or 2) He's pushing me and I'm busting my a** trying to keep up. Either way, I often forget to notice other riders, male OR female. No offense intended.

***Warning: Thread hijack****

On a side note, I used to be somewhat shy, too, esp. when it came to public speaking. I'm probably just too old to give a s**t about what strangers think abut me, but the turning point came when I read a psych report. It basically stated that shyness was a form of self-absorption/self-centeredness. It means that you find your own image in the world to be so important that you would refrain from taking actions that could make your life (or other lives) potentially better. It made me think... what do I have to lose by being kind or open or friendly? If someone has a problem about it, it's their problem... not mine. Mistakes? Everyone makes them. Learning from them is what makes you grow as a person. Everyone has something to offer to make the world better, even evil smiling temptresses on bikes! ;)

***End of Thread hijack****

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Originally Posted by run it, ride it

Sometimes I don't look up because I'm shy. And afraid of mean looks.

And then there are heterosexual couples. As a single young female, a friendly hello is almost impossible to pull off. The male will avoid eye contact at all costs because he's afraid his significant other will think he was checking me out, and the female is too busy making sure her significant other isn't looking anywhere near me. Even elderly couples. If I do look up and smile, I try to make contact with the female first to lessen that look shot at me like I'm some sort of evil temptress on wheels. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I get a genuine smile back from one or both parties. But all too often it's just.. awkward.

I am not some sort of evil temptress on wheels! I'm not a homewrecker! The sport demands spandex! That's it! Why won't you accept my friendly smile?!

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Wow the women you ride around must not have much self confidence. On the other hand I KNOW I am the most beautiful woman in spadex around these parts- at least in my DH's eyes. :p I wouldn't care if a beautiful woman was friendly with DH as long as she was friendly to me. So we would both accept your friendly smile, some people are just not friendly.

When I ride my beater bike to the grocery store I see a few "roadies" in their full gear and nice bikes, but they, like me, are pretty absorbed in not getting run down in traffic. I don't wave or expect a wave; I guess I would try to respond to a wave or a nod tho.

As in any arena, knitting clubs, cycle clubs, or about anywhere, there are going to be snobs, extremely shy people and those who are completely dense. Hard for me to tell in 15 seconds while passing someone who is who and what their motives are.

Being older, if not a tad wiser, I go out of my way to try and be nice and encouraging to any riders who may be new to riding. Life is tough and being a bit friendly doesn't cost much.

If I was in distress on the side of the road or stuck I would not hesitate to flag down the first rider or pick-up truck and ask for help, stopping short only of tossing out a tire punture line. I think it's expecting a bit much to have someone "know" I need help and stop on their own. My DH and I can't even read each other's minds to know when one of us needs something, kinda tough to expect a complete stranger to do the same.

I'm still new to cycling and in love with all on two wheels. I'm sure I'll become jaded and critical of other cyclists -- just give me time :D

Oh, they're never people on bicycles. I'm the only one who seems to ride around here. It's always couples walking.

It's worse when I run. And when they have dogs. I thank them if they hold their dogs while I run by. This doesn't usually result in anything like a smile or a 'you're welcome.' Just this look like I've inconvenienced their entire existence. Apparently I'm the only one who runs around here, too.

I've bicycled and run in other places and received nothing but friendly looks. Maybe it's just this area.

And the shyness. Oh, the shyness. It's rooted in a childhood friend who took away my voice and self-confidence. Well, and in being even the slightest bit different in a small town. Hell, I'm in university now and -still- 'different.'

From an abstract point of view, I don't care what people think of me. It's the one-on-one confrontation I can't handle. It's not my choice to be shy. It's not a rational thing. Fight or flight kicks in and that's the end of it. And usually people I'm shy of are people I don't end up getting along with anyway.

I don't understand the female social code at all. The manipulation, the passive-aggresivity, the intent to emotionally destroy. I can't handle it and won't take part.

What was that line by Jewel? "I'm sensitive and I'd like to stay that way."

Let's just take it outside in a friendly race or spar!

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Originally Posted by run it, ride it

Oh, they're never people on bicycles. I'm the only one who seems to ride around here. It's always couples walking.

It's worse when I run. And when they have dogs. I thank them if they hold their dogs while I run by. This doesn't usually result in anything like a smile or a 'you're welcome.' Just this look like I've inconvenienced their entire existence. Apparently I'm the only one who runs around here, too.

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I am in the same boat, so to speak. Different area, but the same. When I run I smile, wave, say 'hi' and I just get the same annoyed looks. It is rare, in my area, to see other runners or cyclists. Now if I drive to the beautiful trails it is completely different.

I have had my neighbours comment on my "fancy racing helmet". Ummm, it was the least expensive Giro, and it is to protect my skull. And those are the friendly neighbours. :eek:

My elderly (90s) neighbor is fascinated by my riding.

This morning on my ride, I passed LOTS of cyclists going the other way, and I think everybody spoke! I think it was because it was a beautiful morning, but very cold and we all respected anybody dumb enough to be out in that cold wind.

I also said Good Morning to people working in their yards, drives, etc. Some look surprised. Some smile and reply. I like to watch for their reactions. I enjoy it when I get the happy reply.