Grumpy old Git on a Bike

@Foxyloxy, I don't really understand the point of the thread any more: what started as a moan about newcomers into the sport and 'wanabee cyclists' turned into a testimonial to your credentials as a 'real' cyclist and mentor, which, believe me, I am not doubting..

On the point of etiquette I honestly think that it can be quite daunting to newcomers and I think a bit of leeway is reasonable. Even some experienced and pro cyclists fall foul of 'the rules'!

Foxy, I did see you mention you were pleased with increase in popularity, but also that you were 'annoyed by quite a few of the wannabee cyclists,who have jumped onto the bandwagon since 2012'..

To me, that did smack a bit of elitism, and an attitude that's unlikely to encourage newcomers to take up the sport

That said, your follow up post suggests you're not intolerant of newcomers after all.. I'm glad to hear you share the benefit of your experience with others..

I normally say 'hello', give a nod (more likely when I'm in traffic and anything I say is less 'audible') and a smile, or all three, almost regardless.

Some people don't respond, but then they are usually the ones that just look like they're just trying cycling out for size. Sometimes I do miss out those that look like they only use the bike to get a pot of jam or something from the shops.

The tricky one is cyclo-sportives. If your route is going the other way it just doesn't make sense to nod your head, smile and say 'hello' to a train of 50,000. In fact half the people barely respond anyway.

My bugbear is if a group comes past and none of them says a word.

I was out a few months ago and though pootling due to my mate struggling with back pains we were doing an acceptable Audax pace when a small club run came past us. My greeting was met with stony silence.

I fizzed for 30 seconds or so and then chased them down, passing them as they fell apart on an incline. I said hello to every one of them individually as I overtook.

What I really wanted to say included the words ignorant and arrogant plus several expletives.

I can concur with the southside of Glasgow being somewhere where generally most folk say hello although you do get the occasional nob. With these, I find that team kit is a good indicator, where the bigger the team the greater the chances of the wearer being a git.

Commuting I would say is a different matter though where it's very rare to greet or be greeted. A nod whist waiting at the lights is usually as far as it goes.

Cycling is less of an elite club nowadays, some people struggle to accept that.

Yes, new people are not as clued up on etiquette as others but that's only to be expected. Most will learn.

Personally I think the rise in cycling's popularity has more advantages than disadvantages.

As for acknowledging others, I find the vast majority do nod or wave, have not found it get worse, but then I don't live in London or Surrey!..

I nod only to the guy at the front setting the pace, but if the group has split I will nod to the guy at the front of each group.

I always enjoy a nod and a quick chat but if i don't acknowledge you I am not being rude, I am concentrating on not becoming a stain on the tarmac, or avoiding RSI because I pass hundreds of cyclists coming the other way on my commute.

I always nod, or raise the fingers from the right-hand brake hood, or say "hiya", "morning" - whatever seems appropriate really.

I'm usually in full roadie gear, but will great anyone on a bike that is passing by.

Some reply, some don't - If they don't I usually mutter "ignorant ****" under my breath - makes me feel better.

My problem is - how many nods / waves are deemed acceptable when a club-run peloton is passing by? Is there a ratio I can use to quickly compute the requisite number required, as nodding perhaps 20 times in a matter of seconds seems a bit overkill?

Well, Cycling is the new golf, and everyone knows people who plays golf are c***s.

I think it really depends on how the other person is feeling. I try to at least nod to those heading in the opposite and mumble a hey or raise a hand to those passing or being passed. However there are times I just in my own little world of pain and so focused on the road and traffic around.

As for clubs, I'll never forget the 20 or so club riders who all stood on the otherside of the road as I lay there bleeding with my front wheel buckled. Not one of them came over to see how I was. Thankfully, I had a friend who arranged recovery back home. Nor will I forget those who I've met up mid ride, chatted for a while and parted never to see again.

I give an almost imperceptible nod or raised fingers to someone going the other way, just in case they don't reply. If someone gives the nod first I am more responsive.
Meanwhile some guys say 'hey' as they over take me. I translate this as 'I am f***ing beating you sucka, eat my dust.' So I tend not to say anything when I overtake someone so as not to rub it in (cause I iz beatin thems, yeah, me!)

Like others have said, they are the ignorant ones not you! Reflecting on my training runs in the Chilterns, I am not sure there is a generalisation. Indeed, during/after a hard session of intervals, I am not sure that I am up to much apart from a garbled morning!

As a London cyclist I find most other cyclists will raise a hand, give a nod or return a hello, but only outside of the M25. Within it we're all enemies it seems!

If someone doesn't wave back, I like to assume they're so shattered they can't even lift their hand.

It's my experience that riders wearing club jerseys are the least likely to return a greeting, especially when there are several of them.

I've participated in many sports in my time and have always joined a club, which I intended to do when I started cycling. However, the arrogant and unfriendly attitude of local club groups I've encountered has made me a confirned soloist.

I'm a recent convert, having only started properly last year, but I completely agree about people not letting on being annoying, and personally I find it downright rude. That said, I am still learning the 'proper' way of doing things, but I don't get what's wrong with just being polite on the roads....

Not sure you are grumpy tbh.
I have posted the same. Sometimes I get 'nods' then other times not.
I get irritated when it's the same people and it varies which bike I'm on.

I grew up in a cycling family, as you know, but not really competitive or club members, just cyclists.

I went through bmx (early doors there) then started mtbing in mid-80's. Always had roadie mates and did some good rides with them.

I got my first new road bike in 2010 after coming back to cycling after a car hit me and left me with an enforced lay off (plus a few months if not walking!). I guess that makes to recent for some, but then I have followed the Tour (for eg) since the late 80's.

Now I'm more roadie than mtber but still just ride bikes.
Sadly carrying too many injuries to be as good as the bike on many occasions. Guess that doesn't help my 'acceptance' always.

Although FWIW not all club members seem willing to greet these days! .