Road greetings

**bacarver** · 10-09-2007, 03:50 AM

Something new has happened to me this summer. Motorcylists have started giving me their cool "Hi" wave when I'm riding my road bike. Maybe they've done this over the years but I never picked up on it. I've felt that I'm in a completely different world than them. But, the first time one of them waved at me, I felt so respected and accepted as a fellow member of those who travel the roadways for recreation.
I need to create my own unique bikie wave. It's hard for me to do it the way they do. Gotta put some thought to it.
Ya never know when I may need one of them to give me a helping hand or vice versa.
Barb

**Tri Girl** · 10-09-2007, 03:57 AM

I know what you mean. When motorcyclists give me a wave, I feel "cool".

I usually just give my usual wave of acknowledgement: lifted fingers off the hoods or bar ends. I like their wave- the down low hand out, but I agree that it's too hard to do.

Let us know what you decide on.

**KnottedYet** · 10-09-2007, 04:58 AM

I lift the fingers off the hood and nod. Sometimes I do it first and get the motorcycle wave back, so I think they see it ok.

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 10-09-2007, 06:17 AM

I always wave to motorcyclists. I nod my head and lift my fingers up of one hand. I say to DH "They are our Brethren (Sistren?)....it's all of us united, trying to not get hit by cars".

I find about half of them wave back.

**Bad JuJu** · 10-09-2007, 06:28 AM

Maybe it's because I was a cyclist first, but I always do the bike wave to cyclists when I'm on my motorcycle. Don't always get it from m/c riders when I'm bicycling, but some do.

In many ways, we are in different worlds, but we also have lots in common, the main one being our resistance to drivers of cars who don't "see" us, don't respect us, and often don't want us on "their" roads. Because we're all out there claiming our space in spite of the "cagers," I like to show my solidarity.

**short cut sally** · 10-09-2007, 06:44 AM

I've encountered moto-riders that will sometimes wave..but I agree that recently there seems to be more waving going on, or smiles and nods from the riders. I usually lift my left hand off the bar or hood to wave or just keep the palm of my hand there and lift my fingers..

**mimitabby** · 10-09-2007, 06:47 AM

I have found that most motorcyclists are very friendly and ahhh... understanding. Except for the #$%#$% that told us to get off the road outside
of flaming geyser park.. and that %#$%@# was on a motorcycle!! on a park entrance road... go figure...
I always smile and/or wave

**redrhodie** · 10-09-2007, 06:51 AM

I think that in most cases, car drivers aren't out to get us for not being one of them, but are just reacting to us as they do to all other slower moving vehicles. I often get cut off, tailgaited, etc while driving my car (at the speed limit!). I think it's easier to take it more personally while on a bike because you're more exposed, and so it is more dangerous. Car drivers don't necessarily see this difference, especially if they don't cycle. They don't know we're avoiding obsticles they don't need to worry about. They don't know what it feels like to get buzzed. They just see us as another thing slowing them down. If I were in a car slowing down another car, I'd also get some kind of negative reaction, and it would probably be done with even more intent and aggression.

**OakLeaf** · 10-09-2007, 11:30 AM

More motorcyclists ride bicycles than you might think.

I'm an equal opportunity waver... I'll wave to motos when I'm on the velo, and vice versa.

**roadfix** · 10-09-2007, 11:57 AM

I guess that's only for the ladies. I never get that when I'm out riding.

**OakLeaf** · 10-09-2007, 01:24 PM

Oh, this reminds me of something I'd forgotten.

Now that I think about it, I was on my way home from the last time I rode TOSRV in '93, so there is a bicycle connection to this story.

That also explains why I was tired and made the mistake I did...

which is, pulling out of a rest area in my truck, I forgot I wasn't on my motorcycle, and automatically waved to another motorcyclist. *He* thought I was trying to pick him up, and so he followed me 30 miles to my exit before we came to a stoplight. He pulled up beside me and asked if I wanted to go for a ride.

I had to explain that I wasn't waving at him particularly, just the bike, and I was married, but I would go riding with him on my own motorcycle if he wanted (he didn't)

**Running Mommy** · 10-09-2007, 02:03 PM

Thats funny Oak!

When I'm out riding my desolate "road to nowhere" I often come upon bikers pulled over to the side of the road. I always say hi and ask if everything is ok. You never know when one will be broken down and they are without cell- plus the cell svc is spotty out there. They have always been very friendly back. We usually wish each other a safe ride, or a good ride, and give a friendly wave.

**Beane** · 10-09-2007, 03:57 PM

I find that people commuting are WAY less generous about waving and such. I'm sure I wave less when commuting, probably because I'm bummed about going to work/school rather than on my way out for a nice ride!

**silver** · 10-09-2007, 04:15 PM

Yeah, i feel cool when i get the "down low wave" Ha! I've tried doing it and it is hard to do on the bike. I will if I can but I'm more likely to give a little finger wave.

Hey, Barb! I guess this means that you are a real biker chick now!

**HillSlugger** · 10-09-2007, 05:10 PM

I usually give a wave and a nod, but I've never gotten any recognition in return.

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