Are men bike snobs?

[WindingRoad]

I think it just depends on the person because the other day I was riding on the local multi purpose path and I passed a guy and he then proceeded to pass me like 30 seconds later and took off like I lit a fire under his a$$, LOL. What an idiot. He was 30 something if I had to guess? I actually found it pretty amusing that he felt so threatened by me on my commuter with panniers and fenders . But then again the same day I encountered an older gent huffing and puffing down the path and we both had to stop to turn around and ended up exchanging pleasantries. Seemed like a nice enough guy. It's like anything I guess, it's the jerks that tend to stand out in our minds. Try to remember there are nice guys/gals too.

[loopybunny]

I subscribe to the King of Style's etiquette (lesson #4) in this department because I feel it creates a friendly sense of community.

I usually give a wave, nod, or hello to everyone (regardless of bike and also joggers/walkers). There are two exceptions. The first one is when I didn't see the person because I was messing with my water bottle or looking at my computer. The other time is when I'm riding on the bike trail by my parents' house and there are cyclists every 2 seconds (I do try to smile and nod, but saying hi every time is exhausting).

I ride alone 99% of the time. I also ride enough that I often see the same people out. I want to appear friendly enough that if I'm standing on the side of the road with a technical and they see me, they'll be kind enough to stop and ask if I need help even if I don't.

Very rarely do I ever not get a wave, nod, or hello from others. Usually the most enthusiastic greetings are from other women riding solo.

[trista]

My dad rides motorcycles and he has discussed *at length* his "signature wave." He has told me many times that bikers need to develop their own wave and it needs to be unique. That it's not cool to pass another biker and not present your signature wave. Kinda hilarious, since he's so dorky and he's like, 70 and still talks about the importance of the signature wave.

So I've often wondered if as a cyclist, I should develop MY signature wave. (this is all in fun, mind you). My signature wave is either a nod or a single-finger up, since i'm often dodging pot-holes and need both hands. Today I passed a cyclist and couldn't respond at all, I was in such a bad spot on the road.

[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.

[trista]

"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.

LOL. You have to remember this is coming from a man who started riding in the 50's. His "newest" bike is a BSA manufactured about 35 years ago. He's REALLY old school.

[Zen]

The older I grow, the less the younger men want to talk to me

You do know we're invisible, right?

Conclusion: it's a guy thing. They need less testosterone to experience higher brain activity.

You could build an entire thesis on that

[bmccasland]

On the levee path (10' wide), most cyclists will at least raise a couple of fingers up off their hoods as they pass me. I've had faster riders say something in greeting as they've passed me, when I've been riding alone ("morning", "nice tail wind", "brutal side wind"). So maybe it's the proximity, or southern hospitality, but I haven't noticed specifically whether or not age or sex makes a difference on greeting.

[trista]

"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.

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 . Some people DO have a signature wave, and they're not 70 years old.

[BikeHN]

Thanks trista, I knew I wasn't imagining things.

[PamNY]

Trista, that's hilarious.