Bike Noob

Because I'm Always Learning Something New

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Partners

The Bike Wave. Do You?

06.03.2015 by Scott Jangro // 11 Comments

via: Dave Strom

 

While riding recently with someone I don’t normally ride with, after passing the umpteenth cyclist going the other way, he proclaimed, “I don’t do that wave thing.”

I had to ask him to repeat himself because, what?

I didn’t consider it a thing. I just wave. Unless I hate the person.

I guess it’s sort of a thing. Let’s look at other similar creatures.

Jeep owners: They wave. I’ve always thought that was kind of dumb actually. If you’re surrounded by windows and a roof, a wave is kind of pointless.

Harley bikers: They wave that that down low wave. Doesn’t get cooler than that.

Walkers smile, and say “hi”. I mean, they have time for an entire conversation.

Runners at least give themselves a knowing look.
A look that says, “OMFG this hurts. Why do I do this?”

So cyclists? Of course we should. We’re freakin’ happy!

Personally, I do the Harley wave. Or the don’t-let-go, lift-your-fingers, wave if I’m bombing down a hill at 45 mph. Or at least a head nod.

For the love, life’s too short, give a wave.

But here are some important questions that I ponder while out there with my thoughts.

Should a cyclist wave to a runner? At least out of pity.
Should a roadie wave to a mountain biker? Respect.
What do you do when you pass a 20-man pace line? All the waves? one long one?
And what about if you’re overtaking someone? Especially on a big hill. I admit, there’s a bit of gloat there. Insult to injury.
And most importantly, what if you get snubbed? Chase him right down and confront.

Here’s a thought. How about waving to a motorist? When someone lets you cross, passes safely, patiently waits for you to go by before proceeding out of a stop sign. Do you wave a thanks?

There’s enough cyclist hate out there that we could use to diffuse it a bit with some nice gestures once in a while.

So I’ll leave you with that. Next time out, wave to a motorist.

They won’t wave back, but that’s ok. you’re not driving a Jeep. And they probably hate you. But hopefully a little less.

via: Dave Hunt

 

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Categories // cycling

Comments

  1. Daniel Weise says

    June 3, 2015 at 6:30 pm

    Of course you wave! I wave to everyone, especially motorists. It just seems to me that we need to be much more polite and considerate to each other and if I can help by waving and saying ‘Hi” I do it!

    Now for your bit of gloating, I have never been in a position to pass anyone going uphill, but being passed I do appreciate the wave.

    Reply
    • Scott Jangro says

      June 3, 2015 at 7:25 pm

      I was being facetious about the gloating. I always do give a wave. 🙂

      Reply
  2. RamonH says

    June 3, 2015 at 6:34 pm

    I wave to just about anybody I share the road with, and don’t concern myself too much whether they wave back or not. I make it a point to wave to motorists when they are doing something right. I also say good morning to runners or other cyclists within earshot 🙂

    Reply
  3. Gioia Leonard says

    June 3, 2015 at 8:17 pm

    Almost always. Particularly like the head nod.

    Reply
  4. John Crouch says

    June 3, 2015 at 8:43 pm

    I agree about diffusing a little of the cyclist hate. I always wave to say thanks for things like waiting for me to cross through an intersection even when I have the right of way. Or waiting to pass me when they have more room. More times than not I’ll get a wave back.

    Reply
  5. gparr says

    June 3, 2015 at 9:10 pm

    I’m a waver, too. I make a particular point to give a wave of thanks to the car that waited behind me at an intersection (yes, I take the lane) and to anyone else at the intersection who waves me through.

    Reply
  6. gparr says

    June 3, 2015 at 9:11 pm

    John Crouch: Yes, forgot about acknowledging those who wait to pass me safely. Always appreciated.

    Reply
  7. Darrell says

    June 4, 2015 at 6:22 am

    I’m from East Texas, so you bet I wave (I think it’s State law. Ha Ha!). I’ve seen a few of those “I don’t do that wave thing” cyclist in Jefferson Co. I call them Bikle-bots — they’re like robots on a bicycle. They are all decked out in the gear like a pro cyclist would be, and they’re just flying strait as an arrow, with the same kind of look the runners have on their face. Now, I can understand if they are in training for some event, or timing their performance, but just popping up four fingers for a half a second, or giving their head a little bob is not going to increase their drag one iota; and if it breaks their concentration, they may want to check into getting some medication. Most folks around here do wave though. The kids are the greatest; they stare at you as you go by as if they’ve never seen a man on a bike, and they always wave back — of course, I’m pushing 250, so they may think I’m an escaped circus bear. HAHA!! I’ve even had a couple kids say “nice bike mister”. They are going to have a benefit ride in Beaumont on Saturday — The Spindle Top Spin. I haven’t planed on riding with them, but I guess I could pass by and wave. HAHA!

    Reply
    • Scott Jangro says

      June 4, 2015 at 12:19 pm

      LOL, Darrell.

      Yeah, aren’t the kids great. Like you’re Contador coming off the Alpe d’Huez

      Reply
  8. Anita says

    June 4, 2015 at 3:05 pm

    I live in the Midwest and I bike the county roads, both on my bicycle and my motorcycle. I am pretty sure it is mandatory that you wave at the farmers and any truck drivers. I always acknowledge in some way other drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and especially motorcycles. Since I ride both a bicycle and a motorcycle, I am very aware of the attitudes people have against both. I try and leave a positive impression instead of a negative one and a wave can accomplish some of that.

    Reply
  9. Adrian says

    January 9, 2016 at 8:22 am

    In some countries SAAB owners wave to each other, probably moreso now that the brand is effectively dead. My concession to drivers is that, come summer, I will be wearing the Jeremy Clarkson “MOTORISTS – Thank you for letting me use your roads” shirt. Other than that, courtesy is in how you drive not how friendly you look doing it.

    Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Get Email Updates

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 257 other subscribers

Categories

  • Accessories
  • Bike fit
  • Bikes
  • Blogging
  • Books
  • clubs
  • Cold weather
  • Community
  • Commuting
  • Components
  • crash
  • cycling
  • Equipment
  • Favorite rides
  • fitness
  • food
  • guest post
  • Heat
  • Injury
  • logs
  • Maintenance
  • Mental
  • Nutrition
  • Odds 'n ends
  • People
  • Poll
  • Racing
  • Records & stats
  • Review
  • Rides
  • running
  • Safety
  • soreness
  • Specialized
  • Technique
  • Technology
  • Tips
  • tires
  • training
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Partners

Recent Posts

  • Getting Back on the Bike: Road Cycling Tips for Older Cyclists
  • Are BCAAs and EAAs Good for Cycling?
  • How to Fix Numb Toes When Cycling
  • How to Find and Vet a Bike Club
  • Celebrate Pearl Izumi with Big Savings in the Memorial Day Sale

Categories

  • Accessories
  • Bike fit
  • Bikes
  • Blogging
  • Books
  • clubs
  • Cold weather
  • Community
  • Commuting
  • Components
  • crash
  • cycling
  • Equipment
  • Favorite rides
  • fitness
  • food
  • guest post
  • Heat
  • Injury
  • logs
  • Maintenance
  • Mental
  • Nutrition
  • Odds 'n ends
  • People
  • Poll
  • Racing
  • Records & stats
  • Review
  • Rides
  • running
  • Safety
  • soreness
  • Specialized
  • Technique
  • Technology
  • Tips
  • tires
  • training
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • May 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • March 2022
  • October 2020
  • November 2018
  • May 2018
  • September 2017
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • January 2016
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008

Copyright © 2026 · Modern Studio Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Go to mobile version
%d