Marni's "Ghost Riders" thread made me think of this . . .

When riding on the road, I always acknowledge other cyclists. Those coming toward me on the opposite side of the road, I nod to, or wave. Likewise, other cyclists acknowledge me, whether I am riding alone or with the various groups I ride with.

Today, however, I was on my old around-the-town bike that I almost never ride anymore, riding with a friend on an old beater bike, going slowly on the MUP. It was a recovery day for me, and I had promised my friend that I would show her the whole path. Anyway, to make a long story short, I noticed on today's ride that none of the on-coming cyclists were giving me the time of day! I would nod to them, as usual, and they would just keep riding along like they didn't see me!

It was a strange feeling to be treated so differently than usual just because I a) wasn't going as fast as usual and b) didn't have any fancy equipment with me.

It got me wondering - am I like that? Do I only acknowledge properly clad cyclists on fancy bikes? I wish that the answer to that was a resounding "no" but I don't know if I can say that . . . I will certainly try to be better about this in the future, as the lack of politeness I experienced today was definitely a wake-up call.

Has anyone else experienced that? Being treated less courteously by fellow cyclists when not sporting fancy equipment? Or catching yourself doing just that on occasion?