Are men bike snobs?

Interesting thread.

What I have noticed around here is that I get acknowledged by just about everyone, spandex racer-types (even in small groups), pre-teen boys, joggers, tattooed tough guys on MTBs - you name it. Now I wonder why.

My theory is that I am completely unthreatening and I ride an unusual bike a lot so I have wormed my way into people's minds. I also smile a lot on the bike. Maybe they are just trying to encourage that fat old broad who obviously loves her heavy faired recumbent bike.

I also nod first. Not much, just eye contact and a nod. Maybe some people are missing the acknowledgements? They can be pretty subtle.

It could also be that I live in a friendly part of the country.

Also, if conditions are right (tailwind, downhill, bad attitude on either party's part) I can toast their cookies, so they'd better be nice.

In my experience there is a good amount of male cyclists that are "snobs." But there are quite a few who wave and nod too. In my experience its 50/50.

But I have to say that some of the most rude behavior I've experienced has been from other women cyclists (roadies).

The snobbish tendency isn't gender-specific.

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Originally Posted by BikeHN

Yep, must just be a regional thing.

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I don't think it is regional. My DH is an avid motorcyclist and has biked all over the country, and they all wave. Each make of motorcycle has a different kind of wave.

I gotta figure this out then.

I just got a little Honda commuter that I'm loving. My bigger bikes are a Yamaha up north and a Suzuki down south. Now I have to have a different wave for each one?! Somebody tell me what they are!

I swear I have never heard of this. DH has not only been riding as long as I mentioned, but he covered motorcycle racing for a long time, and we still follow it avidly, and he's always waved the same way whether he was on his Ducati, his Honda, or the Yamaha he rides now.

And he's lived and ridden in New Jersey, Arizona, Florida and Ohio, so if it's regional it must be one-a those really regional things.

[QUOTE=limewave;524570
But I have to say that some of the most rude behavior I've experienced has been from other women cyclists (roadies).

The snobbish tendency isn't gender-specific.[/QUOTE]

This is very true! NONE of the women acknowledge me on the road (they do on the trail). I've struck up a few conversations at organized ride rest stops with other women--primarily about their bikes.

Again, in my industry, women try so hard to fit into the male-centric world, that they don't acknowledge other women. Much has also been written about how women don't help women in the business world. Another thesis here!

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

I gotta figure this out then.

I just got a little Honda commuter that I'm loving. My bigger bikes are a Yamaha up north and a Suzuki down south. Now I have to have a different wave for each one?! Somebody tell me what they are!

I swear I have never heard of this. DH has not only been riding as long as I mentioned, but he covered motorcycle racing for a long time, and we still follow it avidly, and he's always waved the same way whether he was on his Ducati, his Honda, or the Yamaha he rides now.

And he's lived and ridden in New Jersey, Arizona, Florida and Ohio, so if it's regional it must be one-a those really regional things.

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We have Yamaha Star Motorcycles, and wave to anyone on a cruiser, and they all "wave" back, give a peace sign, a high five, whatever - unless they're on a Harley, then those "snobs" often just wave to other Harleys :)

As for cyclists, I don't think men are snobs. It's rare I encounter a rude cyclist, and here in Colorado, if I waved to everyone I wouldn't get any riding done. There are so many people out here, it would be like a dang receiving line if you waved or nodded to everyone. I think some women are just more social than men (and other women), so they expect people to be "friendly" and welcoming - the hostess with the most-est! I don't think it's snobbery or rudeness if people don't wave or nod. I know that when I'm riding alone, it's usually for a workout, so I'm really focused and not looking to socialize. If I'm going through a crowded area, riding with a group of people, happen upon a family with kids or whatnot, I do give a nod and a "how ya doin?" just like I do if I'm at a stop light with another cyclist - that's when I chat. I always ask a person on the side of the road if they need help, and when I've been stopped, I must say, men are the only ones who've ever asked me if I need help.
Just like if I'm in the gym running on the tread mill, I'm wearing my iPod for a reason - so I can focus and not have to talk to people!! I'm not being rude, I'm not a snob, I'm just focused. I'm there to workout. And running here on our trails, if I happen to make eye contact with someone, then I nod - I'm not going to ignore them if our eyes meet, or quickly look away; but I'm not out waving to everyone, either. Again, there are SOOOOOOOO many people out there, one would get whiplash!

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Originally Posted by JennK13

We have Yamaha Star Motorcycles, and wave to anyone on a cruiser... - unless they're on a Harley, then those "snobs" often just wave to other Harleys :)

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So you're some of those snobs who don't wave to anyone on sportbikes then? ;)


There's definitely a helmet/no helmet thing that goes on with motorcyclists (vs. bikers). I kind of wish it were the same with bicyclists...

I don't offer a wave or greeting, but will return one. I get irrationally angry if I get ignored if I do offer a greeting first, so no longer bother. I am also a little paranoid about looking at women on cycles in case they think I am ogling them.

Around here (NW England), cyclist and motorbikers ignore one another. Not in a rude way, there's just no interaction. But it's fun to see that Sidi do make nice motorbike boots... The bike are either cruisers mosying along, or sportbikes screaming at 8000 revs...

You know, now that I think about it, women rarely initiate a wave or nod to me. In fact, some of them just put their head down.

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Originally Posted by Crankin

You know, now that I think about it, women rarely initiate a wave or nod to me. In fact, some of them just put their head down.

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I actually rarely initiate a nod or greeting to any passing cyclist.
And roadie gals about 90% time just really don't respond to me..probably because I ride a hybrid. If they only knew how long I've been cycling or how old I am.

On bike, with my sunglasses and helmet, I probably look alot younger than what I really am, simply because of my petite build.

OK, here is my *very* unofficial poll of who responded to my wave or nod.
I did a 15 mile ride on one of my regular loops (Lowell Rd.- Monument St., back by the North Bridge). This is an extremely popular route for cyclists from all over eastern MA, commuters, clubs, etc. Since I went out at 9 AM, on a weekday, I guess the participants in my poll are not well distributed.
I observed for about 13 miles, basically the loop part of the ride. I either waved very slightly, not a vigorous, obnoxious thing, or nodded my head once. All of the men either waved back or nodded. None of the women waved, but one did smile at me. All of these riders were on road bikes, although it is not unusual to see plenty of people on hybrids or mountain/comfort bikes on this route.
Maybe because I was wearing my black and yellow helmet with my red shoes and bike :D?
OK, gotta go do my work.

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

So you're some of those snobs who don't wave to anyone on sportbikes then? ;)

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haha! well, more or less! Not that sport bikes wave at us, either :)

As for helmets, I ALWAYS wear one on a motorcycle or snowboard (fell getting of the lift this season and whacked my head - fortunately, had a helmet), and almost always on a bicycle - after I clean and lube my bike, I don't when I ride up and down the street to check everything, or if I'm chillin' on my cruiser on the bike path. But I always do if I'm commuting or road riding in the street - any kind of "aggressive" riding.

Nice morning ride around the reservoir with my usual Wednesday morning group - lots of cyclists are there at any time of day. I think we had one person give a "how ya doing?" as HE passed us on a hill.

That's about it.

In terms of biker friendliness, I notice cultural differences far more than gender differences.

I wouldn't go into much detail in an online discussion -- too much potential for misunderstanding.

But several neighborhoods that I pass through are friendlier and more fun than a strictly white, American neighborhood.

http://www.sfbike.org/?waveweds

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

"Signature wave???"

Now, I've only been riding motorcycles since 1991, but my DH has hundreds of thousands of miles and 20 years on me, and he's never mentioned anything about a "signature wave."

Wave, yeah. Signature, uh, whatever. :rolleyes:

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Ok, now I thought it was because my dad was old school but check this out:

http://www.beginnerbikers.org/showth...otorcycle-wave

an 8-page discussion on motorcycle waving :p. Some people DO have a signature wave, and they're not 70 years old.