Saying G'Day - Ettiquette
I commute to work two or three times a week and like to get out over the weekend for a ride and have noticed something interesting when it comes to greetings between cyclists.
I ride a flat-bar road bike (commuter) and notice that everyone on a similar style bike and also mountain bike riders always say hello and sometimes have a chat (especially whilst struggling up the veloway). I've also noticed that only some people on road bikes say hello, or even nod the head. Quite a lot, even after receiving a greeting don't even seem to want to acknowledge you're there.
Is there a snobbery to bike riders? It feels like there's some sort of hierarchy in place here with the road biker at the top and the rest below. Or am I just feeling paranoid or jealous of the lovely road bikes?
Anyway, the more I get ignored by road bikers refusing to simple say G'Day and the more friendly I find MTB and flat-bar riders to be, it only makes be less likely to enter the road bike 'world'.
Thoughts/Comments?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Trent on -
Hi Sharpsa i raised this question about 12 months ago and got shot down in some instances. There certainly does appear be be some snobbery dependent on the type of bike you are riding which is sad. I make it a point to say a quick (sometimes breathless) "hi" to fellow cyclists regardless of what they are riding.
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Permalink Reply by Matt "Boz" on -
I ride a drop bar bike - and commute occasionally to work via the Veloway, as well as riding every weekend. I try to give a nod or hello to every cyclist - but it is not always possible, for example if I pushing hard up a hill, or passing them at a greater speed, chasing Strava glory, or not notice them properly until too late.
It is not bike snobery in my case (unless you have a motor attached to your bike) - I equally discriminate :-)
That been said, I have noticed when I have a puncture - Mountain Bikes and Flat Bar people are more likely to offer assistance - but then again, this could be the same as above to a point, greater speed, therefore harder to stop and maybe less likely to be carrying spares. That been said, if I see someone stopped - I always try my best to offer assistance.
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Permalink Reply by Brendan Clover on -
As a roadie, I don't generally offer assistance to mountain bikers solely because, unless you run 700c tubes with presta valves, I'm useless to you.
I do offer other roadies assistance though.
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Permalink Reply by Simon Lownsborough on -
+1
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Permalink Reply by rossmg on -
Don't worry, lots of roadie riders ignore other roadie riders - personally I'm a head nod greeter :-)
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Permalink Reply by Randall Oakley on -
+1
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Permalink Reply by Notthefirst Brett on -
It's the same in any leisure/sporting pursuit I've ever been involved in.
Stand up surfers on short boards(roadies) deride longboarders (MTBers), and evereryone slags off bodyboarders (commuters).
Sports motorcyclists laugh at tourers and Harleys.
Fly fishers put down bait fishers etc. etc.
It seems that tribal rivalries are far stronger between sub-groups of people who are essentially involved in the same activity, be it surfing, fishing, cycling, politics, religions, whatever.
Keep on saying g'day to one and all if it floats your boat, and ignore the snobs who are trying to put barriers between people who try to share the cameraderie of their chosen pursuit.
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Permalink Reply by Kara T on
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I've also found 'walkers' wearing sneakers and carrying Mt Franklin bottles don't say Hi to Hikers wearing boots and carrying backpacks on the trail, reverse snobbery! Lol. As a Hiker and a Roadie I always like to say hi, except if I'm struggling for breath up a hill
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Permalink Reply by Trevor Hill on -
When I'm out of breath my, ged'ays come out more of a 'ay'.
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Permalink Reply by Sharpsa on
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good points made there Notthefirst Brett. Strangely I'm a body-boarder too! There seems to be a theme going here. :)
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