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

[PinkBike]

I know when I first was on the road, I'd wave and say hi to everyone. That was part of my focus, seeing others out riding, and being thrilled to be a part of it. I'm in no way an expert rider now, but I am more focused, and sometimes I just forget until the person's already past me. I agree with pp that being startled by someone speeding by is the worst part, and I really try to make some noise (you know, say hello or on your right or whatever) when I'm coming up on people because that's scary for me. Now I'll nod at someone if I catch their eye, but I do wonder if they notice b/c our bodies do jiggle on bumps or whatever- maybe it's too subtle, but usually it's what I've got in me.

I think now, for me, it's a little more about belonging to a subgroup which is spandex clad on road bikes, and faster and identifying with what those people are doing. I ride a scooter too, and when I'm putting along with my little helmet I am much more likely to smile or nod at people who have scooters like mine, esp if they are also wearing a helmet. I almost am never acknowledged by a harley, crotch rocket or big motorcycle rider ESP if they aren't wearing a helmet. I'm just not "serious" to them. I am certain that I noticed this a lot more when I started riding that too, and now, if I catch the person's eye, I'll nod but I'm usually thinking about how great it is to be out solo and free!

I think people just like to see other people doing what they're doing-- it's connection (and of course there are plenty of snobby people out there too).

If I'm friendly or smile to a woman with a baby and I don't have my baby with me, it's just a different kind of reception. The list goes on.

If I see a group of women riding, usually what I'm thinking is "How did you find each other!!!???? and can I come with??" I also usually have a **** eating grin on my face, because they are out there too. Guys on bikes are just a given, so I pay less attention to them.

i totally agree with sarahannecycle, when i commuted on my mountain bike i felt a kinship with mountain bikers, now that i'm a 100% roadie i feel a connection with roadies. but i always stop for someone who looks like they need help, whatever they're riding. i saw a woman on a cruiser stopped on the side of a road, and i stopped and asked her if she needed anything, and she went on and on about how i was the only bicyclist who stopped. turns out she didnt need help, was just checking out the complex. another time was like destiny, i was driving my truck and saw a woman pushing her bike, and i picked her up and brought her and the bike back to my house and fixed her tire - it was perfect because i had mountain bike tubes and slime that i didnt know what to do with!!

kids are the greatest, ALWAYS wave to kids, it makes them feel special.

[SouthernBelle]

I love it when kids get excited to see me on the road. I've had that happen several times.

I won't necessarily stop for someone who just looks like they are taking a break. But I usually give a shout out.

To whoever it was in NC who didn't see other roadies, in the South you aren't going to see them in the summer unless you are out early. We start organized rides early to beat the heat.

[betagirl]

I'm not sure that it's that they're "roadies" but more a reflection of their personality. Like stopping or pausing to see if you're ok if you have a mechanical. Would these people stop if you were having an issue walking on the sidewalk (like twisted your ankle or something)? There's also a social phenomenon called the diffusion of responsibility, where people basically assume someone else will stop and help. So nobody ends up stopping and helping. I assume though that as a basis of comparison mtn bikers stop? Maybe because you're not out on the road it's perceived differently? Just a thought.

I'm a "roadie" and I don't say hello or wave to most people I pass. I smile and nod. But not always. Sometimes I'm in my own little world and am thinking about whatever. I may be crabby and not feeling all that outgoing or social. Why is there a requirement that because you're on your bike you need to be so friendly? We don't go around waving at each other in our cars. Again, just playing devils advocate I know, cycling is a community supposedly. And it is nice when we're all more courteous and kind to each other. It did used to bother me if people wouldn't return the wave or smile. Now it's not a big deal to me. I guess I'm complacent.

As for the reaction based on your bike. This I've seen. Though I don't have a hybrid. But I do have a fixed gear that I just started riding. 99% of the messengers in the city ride fixed gears. I usually don't get acknowledged by them when I'm on my Trek, but today I got a couple of nods.

I've ridden with a couple of clubs, and yes there are some a-holes in there. But some are nice guys, down to earth. The club I ride with now is more down to earth than the last one. I had one guy stay with me when I fell off the group and helped pull me back up. He could have easily dropped me. I could probably never return the favor, so I got him a cup of coffee when we were done

For me cycling is more what I get out of it. When I start getting bent out of shape because of how other people act, it loses some appeal. Just my $.02