Some riders are cyclings worst enemies!

solosuperia

I live in the rural Midlands, to get to my house I have to use a narrow lane.
Driving home in my 4 x 4 the favoured form of vehicle around here, well apart from tractors.
Three riders cycling down the lane towards me, so doing my best to be helpful pull half off the road leaving ample room for a bike to get through.
One of the guys looks daggers at me and is obviously mouthing obscenities aimed in my direction, I cannot lip read, but those words are you recognise straight away.
I am a fellow cyclist, I swung off up the bank out their way, they didn't have to slow down and I get that sort of thank-you.
They weren't spring chickens, can't they see that response would just antagonize a non-cycling car driver and does nothing for cycling in general.

Shark Sandwich

As a road cyclist myself I am constantly let down when I see how groups of other riders behave on the road. I normally ride by myself and seeing how they act (When I am both Driving and cycling) really puts me off Joining a club or looking for group rides.

Im speaking of things similar to your story above and otherwise generally unsafe riding. There seems to be a mentality that a soon as theres more then two off you then the rules of the road dont apply to any off you. And you can be as rude as you want to anyone you can find.

Joeblack

Tbh iv given up interacting with other cyclist, the snobbery is of the charts, so I just get on about my own business and ignor them now

ShutUpLegs

What amazes me is on narrow country lanes where you can literally touch each other, people blank you.

Joeblack

ShutUpLegs wrote:

What amazes me is on narrow country lanes where you can literally touch each other, people blank you.

This is what I'm referring to!! The amount of times iv been blanked!!! In fact I'd say in the last 20 times of putting a hand up to acknowledged another rider iv been ignored

BillyMansell

ShutUpLegs wrote:

What amazes me is on narrow country lanes where you can literally touch each other, people blank you.

Maybe not everyone wants to be touched by you. You shouldn't presume everyone shares your interest in cottaging.

thegreatdivide

Are folk on TT bikes unable to acknowledge other riders?

Phil Fouracre

Hear! hear! at last, someone feels like I do. I'm afraid that pig ignorance is a human trait not confined to drivers, m/cyclists or cyclists. Some of the threads on cycling forums amaze me, poor hard done by cyclists, angels every one! All car drivers are potential murderers, even listed by car model on this forum. Look at You Tube for some absolute crap riding by cyclists with helmet cams who then rant at drivers for perceived threats to their precious egos. Don't get me wrong, the forums are great and very helpful, but, put things in perspective just a bit. We have all got to get along and surely a bit of courtesy works either way?

desweller

thegreatdivide wrote:

Are folk on TT bikes unable to acknowledge other riders?

If they're on a TT bike they're often triathletes, so taking one hand off the bars or not looking where they're going for a moment would involve stacking into the hedge.

diy

Totally agree I got passed by team dynodick today in their matching gear only for them to slip just in front of me a slow right down again. They continued on riding two and three abreast on narrow roads ignoring everyone who wanted to pass. Courtesy is the biggest thing missing from road cycling.

thegreatdivide

DesWeller wrote:

thegreatdivide wrote:

Are folk on TT bikes unable to acknowledge other riders?

If they're on a TT bike they're often triathletes, so taking one hand off the bars or not looking where they're going for a moment would involve stacking into the hedge.

I've passed one guy dozens of times and been blanked every time. I've either shagged his bird or he's just void of emotion due to the seriousness of his sport.

Joeblack

diy wrote:

Totally agree I got passed by team dynodick today in their matching gear only for them to slip just in front of me a slow right down again. They continued on riding two and three abreast on narrow roads ignoring everyone who wanted to pass. Courtesy is the biggest thing missing from road cycling.

Not familiar with that particular team but the riding style sounds familiar, what colours do they wear?

Joeblack

thegreatdivide wrote:

DesWeller wrote:

thegreatdivide wrote:

Are folk on TT bikes unable to acknowledge other riders?

If they're on a TT bike they're often triathletes, so taking one hand off the bars or not looking where they're going for a moment would involve stacking into the hedge.

I've passed one guy dozens of times and been blanked every time. I've either shagged his bird or he's just void of emotion due to the seriousness of his sport.

We are obviously not passing each other then clearly, I'm sure we will all run into each other one day but by then we will probably have given up and blank each other 8)

TakeTurns

thegreatdivide wrote:

Are folk on TT bikes unable to acknowledge other riders?

Well, you know TT'ers, horrible handling skills. Have to focus 100%. :P

simona75

It's nice to see a 4x4 driver willing to pull over onto the verge. Round my way they seem reluctant to take their off road vehicles off road (maybe the fear of getting them dirty)

sub55

DesWeller wrote:

thegreatdivide wrote:

Are folk on TT bikes unable to acknowledge other riders?

If they're on a TT bike they're often triathletes, so taking one hand off the bars or not looking where they're going for a moment would involve stacking into the hedge.

sub55

DesWeller wrote:

thegreatdivide wrote:

Are folk on TT bikes unable to acknowledge other riders?

If they're on a TT bike they're often triathletes, so taking one hand off the bars or not looking where they're going for a moment would involve stacking into the hedge.

ShutUpLegs

thegreatdivide wrote:

DesWeller wrote:

thegreatdivide wrote:

Are folk on TT bikes unable to acknowledge other riders?

If they're on a TT bike they're often triathletes, so taking one hand off the bars or not looking where they're going for a moment would involve stacking into the hedge.

I've passed one guy dozens of times and been blanked every time. I've either shagged his bird or he's just void of emotion due to the seriousness of his sport.

meursault

It's not cyclists or drivers that are the problem.

Some people just don't have good manners. It's their problem.

The only thing you can do is be the better person. I always acknowledge all other cyclists (even mtb ones :P ) I always follw the highway code, and always stop at red lights. If I get blanked, so what? I put it down to their upbringing. I don't let it ruin the enjoyment of my ride.

Loretta Damage

I gave the "bloke nod" to every cyclist coming towards on today's ride, exactly nil response!! Is it because I'm riding a Trek?

Tidybeard

Joeblack wrote:

diy wrote:

Totally agree I got passed by team dynodick today in their matching gear only for them to slip just in front of me a slow right down again. They continued on riding two and three abreast on narrow roads ignoring everyone who wanted to pass. Courtesy is the biggest thing missing from road cycling.

Not familiar with that particular team but the riding style sounds familiar, what colours do they wear?

Sadly, I am. Pink jerseys/shorts, purple helmet.

Bizarrely, although I have only been road riding this year, I have never been blanked once (must have had more than 100 nods/waves/ "hellos"). I must be special. I also ride a Trek, so I'm asking for trouble really.

When I'm out in my car I have seen some staggering selfishness by clubs/group rides. On sunny Sundays, some of the rural roads near me might as well be closed.

andy_s_t

I too gave the 'bloke nod' to about 15 other tiers today, got 2 responses, which is more than normal. Some cheeky got got t tow from me for about 4 miles too, without a word or any inclination to return the favour for a bit.

Really don't understand why you wouldn't acknowledge someone who obviously enjoys the same pastime as yourself.

hipshot

I don't mind the ones obviously eyes-down concentrating, its the ones that stare at you with contempt when you acknowledge them.

confused@BR

Loads of cyclists out today, I try to acknowledge them all, I am having a great time and am in a good mood. Responses? Who cares.

Cannock Chase

I put a similar post on some weeks ago about groups of cyclists riding two abreast causing lines of traffic behind. The replies were roughly 50/50 on whether this was ok or not. Some indicated that as the Highway Code said cyclists 'should' do this or do that, it was not law so basically we'll do as we like. This is the attitude that helps give cycling a bad name.

As for being acknowledged by 'fellow' cyclists whilst out cycling, I find it all depends on which bike I am on or even what clothes I am wearing..!! Colourful lycra on the racer is more worthy of a nod than plain colours on the tourer.

Joeblack

hipshot wrote:

I don't mind the ones obviously eyes-down concentrating, its the ones that stare at you with contempt when you acknowledge them.

Agreed!!

Iv had so many do this, they give you a look (which I cannot explain) and then look away as I put my hand up to acknowledge them, it doesn't bother me just perplexes me.

As to someone tagging a ride iv never had this or done it myself, but I do often feel rude when I catch another rider and overtake them, I'm not bragging these arnt quick riders, sometimes MTB but I do wonder if they think look at that tw@t thinking he's something, and I really don't

xscreamsuk

Saw about half a dozen other cyclists this morning, every one acknowledged me in a friendly manner. Maybe it's a regional thing? Always get a pleasant reaction out in The Peak, or over in the lincs / Notts / S Yorks flatlands.

Secteur

FFS are you all that needy that you get upset if a stranger doesnt nod back at you?

Do you nod and wave at every other person when walking down the street?

When driving, do you wave at every other driver you pass?

On a typical weekend ride, i will pass maybe 50 or more other cyclists - it just gets annoying waving / nodding everyone after a while.

Dont get your knickers in a twist!

Joeblack

Secteur wrote:

FFS are you all that needy that you get upset if a stranger doesnt nod back at you?

Do you nod and wave at every other person when walking down the street?

When driving, do you wave at every other driver you pass?

On a typical weekend ride, i will pass maybe 50 or more other cyclists - it just gets annoying waving / nodding everyone after a while.

Dont get your knickers in a twist!

I said perplexed, not upset, on a Sunday ride I understand but I mainly ride during the day on a weekday so that can be the reason I'm getting the cold shoulder.

I blame it on my devilish good looks. Most men get jealous tbh 8)

meursault

FFS are you all that needy that you get upset if a stranger doesnt nod back at you?

No, if you read my post I say, so what?

Do you nod and wave at every other person when walking down the street?

Depends, in a village yes, in town no.

When driving, do you wave at every other driver you pass?

Depends, when I was driving an Explorer, I used to wave at other Explorer drivers, as pretty rare motor.

On a typical weekend ride, i will pass maybe 50 or more other cyclists - it just gets annoying waving / nodding everyone after a while.

I don't live in The Netherlands

Secteur

Ok, sorry for my somewhat blunt reply, i just get irritated by the never ending stream of "rude cyclist didnt wave back at me" threads.

In fairness, i lift a finger / nod at most passing cyclists but i guess my acknowledgement could be easily missed. When i'm knackered / holding on for dear life / passing the 50th cyclist of the day i tend not to do anything.

Obviously, i always ignore the MTBers. ;-)