Comments on: The art of waving http://www.bikecrave.com/the-art-of-waving/ the good addiction. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:35:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: jeffbean http://www.bikecrave.com/the-art-of-waving/comment-page-1/#comment-501 jeffbean Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:53:23 +0000 http://www.bikecrave.com/?p=2155#comment-501 Interesting range of comments. Thanks everyone for taking the time to share. I'm tempted to write a blog post on an amateur act of hilarity frequently practiced around these parts come summer: "The Look." I blame it on Lance. What would Jens do? Interesting range of comments. Thanks everyone for taking the time to share. I’m tempted to write a blog post on an amateur act of hilarity frequently practiced around these parts come summer: “The Look.” I blame it on Lance. What would Jens do?

]]> By: Ron http://www.bikecrave.com/the-art-of-waving/comment-page-1/#comment-500 Ron Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:24:16 +0000 http://www.bikecrave.com/?p=2155#comment-500 Up here in PDX I encounter the extremely competitive more often than not, especially up in the west hills. I tend toward the finger flick wave off the bar, but have also nodded, tipped my cap, and full on waved my hand. What I notice is that those in groups, especially doning matching kits, almost never wave, but simply 'sneer'. The lone warrior in full Burley winter gear with fenders is much more likely to return my salutation or even initiatie it at times when I am suffering too much to do so. Sadly, it is a testosterone (naturally occurring or artificially injected) soaked endeavor more often than not. Up here in PDX I encounter the extremely competitive more often than not, especially up in the west hills. I tend toward the finger flick wave off the bar, but have also nodded, tipped my cap, and full on waved my hand. What I notice is that those in groups, especially doning matching kits, almost never wave, but simply ‘sneer’.

The lone warrior in full Burley winter gear with fenders is much more likely to return my salutation or even initiatie it at times when I am suffering too much to do so.

Sadly, it is a testosterone (naturally occurring or artificially injected) soaked endeavor more often than not.

]]> By: Rich http://www.bikecrave.com/the-art-of-waving/comment-page-1/#comment-499 Rich Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:20:38 +0000 http://www.bikecrave.com/?p=2155#comment-499 What gets me is the "Pro" wanna be who just stares blankly forward and never offers a smile or wave, or anything. I mean, I understand being in the "zone", but you have to be aware of your surroundings, right? Would it kill you to acknowledge a fellow cyclist while your preparing yourself for the Tour de France you'll never ride? What gets me is the “Pro” wanna be who just stares blankly forward and never offers a smile or wave, or anything. I mean, I understand being in the “zone”, but you have to be aware of your surroundings, right? Would it kill you to acknowledge a fellow cyclist while your preparing yourself for the Tour de France you’ll never ride?

]]> By: Richard Masoner http://www.bikecrave.com/the-art-of-waving/comment-page-1/#comment-498 Richard Masoner Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:33:36 +0000 http://www.bikecrave.com/?p=2155#comment-498 I'll always return waves if the other cyclist waves first, and I generally wave without prompting as well. If I'm on a road bike, other road cyclists usually wave back, "serious" mountain bikers on their way to / from a trail sometimes do, everybody else studiously ignores me. When I'm on one of my "commute" bikes, roadies almost never wave back, but then nobody else does either. When I'm on the mountain bike, only mountain bikers wave back. Waves do seem more common on hills than flats. FWIW, YMMV, TWIAVBP. I’ll always return waves if the other cyclist waves first, and I generally wave without prompting as well. If I’m on a road bike, other road cyclists usually wave back, “serious” mountain bikers on their way to / from a trail sometimes do, everybody else studiously ignores me. When I’m on one of my “commute” bikes, roadies almost never wave back, but then nobody else does either. When I’m on the mountain bike, only mountain bikers wave back. Waves do seem more common on hills than flats.

FWIW, YMMV, TWIAVBP.

]]> By: Robot http://www.bikecrave.com/the-art-of-waving/comment-page-1/#comment-497 Robot Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:16:19 +0000 http://www.bikecrave.com/?p=2155#comment-497 Here in Boston friendliness is weakness. Or everyone hates me. Both entirely possible. I might also be invisible. Here in Boston friendliness is weakness. Or everyone hates me. Both entirely possible.

I might also be invisible.

]]> By: Michael Andersson http://www.bikecrave.com/the-art-of-waving/comment-page-1/#comment-496 Michael Andersson Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:16:59 +0000 http://www.bikecrave.com/?p=2155#comment-496 Having noticed a similar pattern, here is my thinking: When the cyclists are many and crowded, "wave fatigue" sets in. There are just *soooo* many other cyclists, plus we're all dealing with weaving around and between the other trail users. It gets complicated... Out in the mountains and hinterlands, there are fewer of us, and we've made an effort to get out / up here. We understand each other. On the flats... well, hell, that guy on that bicycle probably *drove* here! And that guy? He's showing off to his kids, getting all on my side of the trail. I ain't waving to him! Sheesh! ;-) Having noticed a similar pattern, here is my thinking: When the cyclists are many and crowded, “wave fatigue” sets in. There are just *soooo* many other cyclists, plus we’re all dealing with weaving around and between the other trail users. It gets complicated… Out in the mountains and hinterlands, there are fewer of us, and we’ve made an effort to get out / up here. We understand each other. On the flats… well, hell, that guy on that bicycle probably *drove* here! And that guy? He’s showing off to his kids, getting all on my side of the trail. I ain’t waving to him! Sheesh! ;-)

]]> By: Emily http://www.bikecrave.com/the-art-of-waving/comment-page-1/#comment-495 Emily Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:13:10 +0000 http://www.bikecrave.com/?p=2155#comment-495 I have encountered both on my rides. I'm in favor of a friendly acknowledgment when passing fellow bicyclists. It is my theory that those riders who pass me and make no effort to be friendly either 1) think I'm a poser or 2) are deep in concentration on hitting their goal speed/cadence/whathaveyou. I try not to take it personally. On the flip side, I have received many a head nod or finger twitch from countless number of riders separated from me by several lanes of opposite direction traffic. And I will admit there are instances when I'm concentrating and do not wave at a passer-by. I'm not being unfriendly, I'm simply distracted. And I would like to see the waving friendliness extended to runners. When I pass a runner while on my bike, I give him the customary heads up, and I appreciate the acknowledgment wave because it means they heard me and they know I'm coming up on their left. It's a safety issue. We need to be aware that there are other people out there. I have encountered both on my rides. I’m in favor of a friendly acknowledgment when passing fellow bicyclists. It is my theory that those riders who pass me and make no effort to be friendly either 1) think I’m a poser or 2) are deep in concentration on hitting their goal speed/cadence/whathaveyou. I try not to take it personally. On the flip side, I have received many a head nod or finger twitch from countless number of riders separated from me by several lanes of opposite direction traffic. And I will admit there are instances when I’m concentrating and do not wave at a passer-by. I’m not being unfriendly, I’m simply distracted.

And I would like to see the waving friendliness extended to runners. When I pass a runner while on my bike, I give him the customary heads up, and I appreciate the acknowledgment wave because it means they heard me and they know I’m coming up on their left. It’s a safety issue. We need to be aware that there are other people out there.

]]> By: Doug P http://www.bikecrave.com/the-art-of-waving/comment-page-1/#comment-494 Doug P Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:48:00 +0000 http://www.bikecrave.com/?p=2155#comment-494 One can excuse frozen-faced cyclists from smiling when it is cold outside. But on warm sunny days it would be nice to receive a return smile or a wave. But usually no such luck. a small wave is the best I usually expect, with the famous "roadie sneer" being the usual expression. I postulate these folks cycle only as a way to compete, a competition that consumes them to such a point they are incapable of even the smallest human kindness. Thanks for the post, and let's hope that friendliness can become as popular as cutthroat competition. One can excuse frozen-faced cyclists from smiling when it is cold outside. But on warm sunny days it would be nice to receive a return smile or a wave. But usually no such luck. a small wave is the best I usually expect, with the famous “roadie sneer” being the usual expression. I postulate these folks cycle only as a way to compete, a competition that consumes them to such a point they are incapable of even the smallest human kindness. Thanks for the post, and let’s hope that friendliness can become as popular as cutthroat competition.

]]> By: Gerhard http://www.bikecrave.com/the-art-of-waving/comment-page-1/#comment-493 Gerhard Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:53:33 +0000 http://www.bikecrave.com/?p=2155#comment-493 It is interesting to hear that the flat vs. climbing behavior in your backyard is the same as in mine. When I ride the canyons two things happen: 1) much fewer riders 2) always an acknowledgement. Contrary on the flats, i.e. miles of Pacific Coast Highway on which you could pass tens and tens of riders before you find the one kindred soul to acknowledge a greeting. I found a similar behavior when I was commuting on motorcycle, riding a big twin. I would received waves from other 'Twin' riders only (with the rare exception). In this case one could make the assumption that the 'kinship' of riding a twin was/is enough to be courteous?! Maybe that holds true for the bicycle riders we find in the local mountains, a small group of like minded individuals who understand the pain and suffering which comes with certain climbs. They also know the exhilarating emotions which come with conquering the mountain. The wave acknowledges the shared experience. Perhaps many flat land riders (and there is nothing wrong with riding flat lands) have yet to find the strong bond which exists among riders who step out of their comfort zone ever so often. Waving at strangers might be much more difficult to do for many, than you and I ever imagine. It is interesting to hear that the flat vs. climbing behavior in your backyard is the same as in mine. When I ride the canyons two things happen: 1) much fewer riders 2) always an acknowledgement. Contrary on the flats, i.e. miles of Pacific Coast Highway on which you could pass tens and tens of riders before you find the one kindred soul to acknowledge a greeting.

I found a similar behavior when I was commuting on motorcycle, riding a big twin. I would received waves from other ‘Twin’ riders only (with the rare exception). In this case one could make the assumption that the ‘kinship’ of riding a twin was/is enough to be courteous?!

Maybe that holds true for the bicycle riders we find in the local mountains, a small group of like minded individuals who understand the pain and suffering which comes with certain climbs. They also know the exhilarating emotions which come with conquering the mountain. The wave acknowledges the shared experience. Perhaps many flat land riders (and there is nothing wrong with riding flat lands) have yet to find the strong bond which exists among riders who step out of their comfort zone ever so often. Waving at strangers might be much more difficult to do for many, than you and I ever imagine.

]]>