Is it snobbery or just plain ignorance?

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I've been commuting now on a regular basis between Neath and Port Talbot in South Wales for some time now.I work 12 hour shifts,both nights and days,so I don't see many other bike commuters,but those I do see can't even reply to a good morning or a nod!What is wrong with them or are they in some kind of cycling trance?Those I see have all the gear helmets,legwarmers etc.,while I am a bit of a ragbag of baggy shorts,hiking socks,trainers and not travelling at anywhere the same speed as them.Are they too good to even acknowledge me?

It would seem there's not alot of camaraderie or bonhommie among bicyclers in this part of the world,what's it like in your part of the world?

To give the benefit of the doubt, they could have not seen you. I'll usually give a wave if I see another biker - be they "serious" or just out for a recreational ride. And if I get no response, I'd think they are snobs too... until I found I was being "rude" one day.

I'm biking along and all of a sudden I saw a biker going in the opposite direction waving at me out of the corner of my eye. I never acknowledged him / her... by the time I registered it was another biker, we had passed each other. I just got so locked in with a major case of tunnel vision I never saw them coming.

So then I started thinking... that person must think I'm one snobbish rider. :o

I always wave, except to road bikers in fancy kit as they never ever wave back or smile.


Saying that all my fellow commuteradins always smile and wave. I also always stop and offer assistance if someone looks in trouble, a flat etc.... I carry a massive toolkit and rarely use any of it.

To give the benefit of the doubt, they could have not seen you. I'll usually give a wave if I see another biker - be they "serious" or just out for a recreational ride. And if I get no response, I'd think they are snobs too... until I found I was being "rude" one day.

I'm biking along and all of a sudden I saw a biker going in the opposite direction waving at me out of the corner of my eye. I never acknowledged him / her... by the time I registered it was another biker, we had passed each other. I just got so locked in with a major case of tunnel vision I never saw them coming.

So then I started thinking... that person must think I'm one snobbish rider. :o
O.K I get what you are saying,but we pass on a cyclepath 5 foot wide?

O.K I get what you are saying,but we pass on a cyclepath 5 foot wide?
Wow! :eek: That could be an incredible case of tunnel vision... though I suspect your theory is much more likely.

I ride in an around a medium size community in South Eastern Washington that has all types of bicycle riders. It seems like I used to know most the riders, however, as the area has grown there are lots of riders I don't recognize. So, If I don't immediately recognize a rider I toss them a head nod or finger twitch to greet them and for the most part look straight ahead (always a good safety feature ;>! ). That way I don't have to focus to much on the other riders reaction.

O.K I get what you are saying,but we pass on a cyclepath 5 foot wide?
Our bike paths can be quite busy, but you said that at the times you ride not many other riders are out. Keep in mind, that when I am riding at those times of day, I am usually riding intensely, and will ride for 20-40 miles. Even during the "non busy" times, I pass a lot of other cyclists. Sometimes I acknowledge them and sometimes I don't. Maybe I am a snob, but if I am riding in the drops (which means intensity), and I pass (what appears to be) a recreational rider, I don't normally acknowlege them. However, if I am in cool down, then I acknowlege them. Also, frequently the acknowledgment is very subtle, a slight nod of the head or a quick flip of the hand, which can easily be missed by a passing cyclist.