Do mountain bikers acknowledge road riders?

peter413

One of my neigbours is a very keen roadie and me and my mates are very keen mtbers and he couldn't be more accepting of us. If he needs a tool or something then I give him it if I've got it and vice versa. The majority of mtbers ride on the road so does that make us Roadies? Just because your on a certain bike it doesn't mean you should be in a certain catagory. Where do cyclocross riders fit in?

Briggo

peter413 wrote:

Where do cyclocross riders fit in?

They fit in their own party but are subject to either roadies or MTB'ers being able to assasinate them on sight.

To be honest this whole topic is rather stupid and I'm surprised some people are getting into such a debate about it.

Its down to the individuals personality, nothing about the type of bike they ride, does the bike have some sort of aura that automatically makes their rider a friendly or miserable person?

peter413

Briggo wrote:

To be honest this whole topic is rather stupid and I'm surprised some people are getting into such a debate about it.

Its down to the individuals personality, nothing about the type of bike they ride, does the bike have some sort of aura that automatically makes their rider a friendly or miserable person?

Thats exactly what I was trying to say (although rather badly :roll: ).

I only said about cyclocross riders because no one has mentioned them but last time I checked they were cyclists as well.

Why can't we all just get along and concentrate on the really bad people: MOTORISTS :twisted: lol

butcher of bakersfield

weekendwonder wrote:

I'm sure it depends where you are in the UK, folks down south where I am don't say 'Boo to a Goose'.

But, head further north and folks will talk about anything.

I live way up north and it's true what you say. It shocks a lot of people. People I'm with that I've taken out of the cities promptly ask do you know him/her? when I say hello to anyone passing. They find it bizzare.

Yet I can relate to the OP fully and have often wondered the same question. 99% of MTBers will greet you with a smile and/or hello. Walkers greet you with a smile. Roadies - or closer to the truth, roadies with clothing painted on - very rarely even make eye contact, let alone break a smile. Always very serious. It does make me wonder why.

RichMTB

I acknowledge everyone on two wheels as long as they have a helmet on and aren't on the pavement. Otherwise they aren't cyclists they are just someone on a bike

ExeterSimon

RichMTB wrote:

I acknowledge everyone on two wheels as long as they have a helmet on and aren't on the pavement. Otherwise they aren't cyclists they are just someone on a bike

Oh I wish the Daily Mail/BBC/anti-cyclist mob would realise that.

ilovedirt

I tend to greet other cyclists when i'm out, not necessarily roadies if they're on the other side of the road going the opposite direction rather quickly, especially if there are lots of cars about, but i'm not too fussed. I'll say hi to other walkers when i'm out walking as well, it's a similar thing. I've had other MTBers ignore me on the trails as well as roadies (don't encounter many roadies around here so i've never had a response from one), it's just down to what mood they're in and if they're a nice person or not i guess!

speshy

well being a roady and a mtb'er i allways acknowledge all riders......however there is allways the odd occasion when you've got your head down going for it,only to look up
just as you pass someone giving you daggers for not saying hi.... er if i saw you i would

Beardface

As much as I hate to admit it, (I'm probably too friendly normally if anything!) I tend not to bother too much these days, I see about 6-7 cyclists each way on my commute (sometimes more, sometimes less, but usually the same people). I've tried being nice, waving, giving a nod, or a polite "hiya".. what do I get back? Nada.

So, I've kinda given up with saying hi on my commute, but if I'm out and about, on the trails or whatever, I'll always give a wave/hello/nod etc, regardless of what bike they're riding, or if they say hello back

solsurf

I use my road and mountain bikes in equal measure, not sure there is much difference in the saying hello thing, although on a road bike it tends to be more discreet with a lift of the hand, where a mountain bike hello is yippeee!
I think roadies tend to be timing / pushing on themselves more and the mountain bikers tend stop and take in the environment a bit more.

Anyway we're all cyclists so its good to talk!

KonaKurt

I also ride a 50/50 mix of on and off road on my mtb..

Let's not forget that there is more than one type of 'roadie'! I find that most road racing roadies, who are must likely concentrating on speed and performence, are not a very friendly bunch. I've even had the odd experiance of being overtaken by a groupie of them where snide comments to the effect of 'get out of our way' have been muttered! But road tourers and riders just out to enjoy themselves at a more casual pace are usually friendly and pleasent, especially older riders.

Whether at work, rest or play, people are just people - a whole world of different psychological types for a wide variety of reasons - the good the bad and the ugly quite frankly...

As my wise old mother used to say... "Just treat others as they treat you"!

KK (who is especially kind and friendly to smiling young female riders, especially if they offer to ride with him...any such female riders may apply within by the way) :oD

Briggo

Is this pointless topic still going on? :roll:

The Northern Monkey

no.

TiBoy

I mainly ride a road bike and will acknowledge everyone, from the little old lady on her shopper and lads on their BMX's, it should not be a them and us. Some of the club cyclist don't bother to acknowledge back even when I'm lycra'd up. I'm not going to turn into one of those cyclists.

butcher of bakersfield

KonaKurt wrote:

But road tourers and riders just out to enjoy themselves at a more casual pace are usually friendly and pleasent, especially older riders.

Absolutely. I wouldn't shove them all into one group. There's always at least one old dude, about 80, way out on the moors, super tan - obviously out 24/7 - and they're always the friendliest guys. And of course, there's the odd 'roadie' any age, just as frendly as anyone else.

There's certainly a certain 'type' though, that will see you - I mostly bump into them on railway paths, where I politelymove out of their way - but they won't acknowledge you. I don't think it's wrong to be curious about the reason why that is - and it may well be innocent - because it's not anywhere close to an even split between those guys and any other rider.

imnotjohn

I always say hello to other cyclists.

Most say hello back, some don't, but only a few.

Doesn't seem to make any odds what bike there riding.

KonaKurt

I don't think this is a pointless debate at all, it is interesting because at teh end of the day, you would think that all cyclists would acknowledge each other politely in support of each other. After all, there is sadly quite alot of 'anti-cyclist' resentment out in the big wide world, which all cyclists should be united in confronting. Everyone cycles in a variety of styles for a wide range of reasons, but we should all be united for the same common cause. So yes, it is a bit dissapointing when certain recreational riders blank each others greetings...!

A bit like how HGV and PSV drivers wave and acknowledge each other!!

As dear old Normon Wisdom once said, "A little nod and a smile brightens up everyones day"!

KK and his ol' cloth cap!

antfly

It is quite pointless really, just a load of people saying how friendly they are.

Paul 8v

i usually get an aknowlegment from roadies or mountainbikes, even old gits on electric bikes, to be fair they aren't as out of breath as they hardly have to pedal! Always nice to get a nod in diabolical weather, lets you know other people are mad enough to be out in it too!

KonaKurt

I got quite a pleasent greeting from three stunning Dutch girls as they rode past me last night on MTB tourers. Now that's the kind of greeting that we nice lads REALLY appriciate!!!

Mind you, I nearly hit a parked car in the process, as I became 'a little less aerodynamic'.
*grin*

KK - Doing his bit for Britain.

Briggo

KonaKurt wrote:

I don't think this is a pointless debate at all, it is interesting because at teh end of the day, you would think that all cyclists would acknowledge each other politely in support of each other.

Why, do you see drivers acknowledge each other?

Do you see bakers acknowledge each other?

Do you see plumbers acknowledge each other?

It's all down to the individual no matter what they are doing, when I was younger people were more friendly and yes people did say hello to each other, nowadays thats long gone for the majority of people. I do if I'm on the bike and pass a cyclist (road or MTB) in the middle of nowhere I'll say hello or whatever but I dont expect an obligatory reply back just because they are on two wheels.

Under your same logic you would think that walkers also would acknowledge you back as at the end of the day we're exploring the great outdoors, however some do some dont when I say hello to them too, its down to them at the end of day and not what we're doing.

tlw1

always say hello/wave

Same as when I had a Lotus, still do in the Westfield - but get strange looks in the Passat when I wave

Paul 8v

It's true, Aircooled vw drivers do it, some alfa owners and subaru drivers

paul.k

i will say hello to anyone be it in the van ,mtb or road bike ,hey i even mooh at the cows in the fields, once i was in the van and slowed down and wound the window down and shouted "lamb chops" at some sheep to which my kids found highly amusing ,some people are just miserable or maybe they are in there own little world ,so what aslong as your having fun ,that is the main thing.

antfly

That`s not being friendly that`s sheep worrying, if the farmer hears you doing that he`ll probably shoot you.

KonaKurt

Briggo wrote:

KonaKurt wrote:

I don't think this is a pointless debate at all, it is interesting because at teh end of the day, you would think that all cyclists would acknowledge each other politely in support of each other.

Why, do you see drivers acknowledge each other?

Do you see bakers acknowledge each other?

Do you see plumbers acknowledge each other?

Under your same logic you would think that walkers also would acknowledge you back as at the end of the day we're exploring the great outdoors, however some do some dont when I say hello to them too, its down to them at the end of day and not what we're doing.

To answer the three questions above: Yes, not sure, and Yes. I wouldn't know about how bakers get on with each other, but with plumber friends, I know that they locally all know each other, say hello and acknowledge each other when they cross paths. As for for drivers who up and down the land, wave, gesture, light flash and even sometimes SMILE at each other, particularly when co-operating with each other in narrow lanes and junctions... I would say that was a whopping big yes too.

Briggo, it is not a case of logic.. it is a simple matter of showing a little compession and interest in simular people to yourself. Of course there is no law to say everyone 'must' acknowledge and say hello, but being a nice sociable person I always do.

Oh, and isn't the entire point of thiis excellent website and forum, to acknowledge and inform the cycling community? Does that community matter any less when we are out on the road?

I think this debate has been exhausted to death now..!
KK.

clodhoppa74

i just think it's fun, being out on a bike, don't really get these uber serious spray on lycra types. each to their own, but they never look like they're having fun, and life's too short to be so serious all the time i reckon. hence mtb not road. why so serious boys?

Rich Hcp

On either bike, roadie or MTB, I raise a hand or say hello whether they are a roadie, an MTB, whatever.

They sometimes looks urprised if riding "the other type" of bike

I'm not bothered if I get a reply or not, I've done my side of the deal, courtesy costs nothing.

In the end, there are cheerful riders and miserable ones......

Rich Hcp

paul.k wrote:

i slowed down and wound the window down and shouted "lamb chops" at some sheep to which my kids found highly amusing ,some people are just miserable or maybe they are in there own little world ,so what aslong as your having fun ,that is the main thing.

I shout "MINT SAUCE" it really winds them up (Sheep) :shock:

Bikerbaboon

Dunk_911 wrote:

Its weird but sometimes the roadies are a bit elitist whereas the MTBers are a bit more live and let live.

just to point out that if the above is a true statment then its also true.

Its weird but sometimes the MTBers are a bit elitist whereas the roadies are a bit more live and let live.

its also true.

so you can draw the conclution that... some people are elitist and others are more live and let live.