I am a nod snob. The fact is, I’m a bit of a cycling snob all-around. I am not a “biker” and I do not “like to bike”. I am a cyclist and I like to ride. What’s more, as I outlined before, there are very loosely defined parameters under which I will bestow a “nod” upon another rider. For example, you have to look cool. Like you care how you look. This doesn’t mean you have to be riding a glitzy carbon ride or some nostalgic steel classic, but you have to demonstrate that you understand Cycling Couture, ambiguously defined as it may be.
For those riders who receive said nod, there are a few unwritten rules about reciprocation. First, you have to decide whether to acknowledge the nod. Second, you should never acknowledge the nod too enthusiastically; always keep your cool and never get too excited.
The “Nod Acknowledgment” is almost more complicated than the “Nod”. First, you have to decide if you’re willing to accept the nod, ignore it, or reprimand them for even trying. More often than not, you ignore. But, if you acknowledge, Nod Snob terms dictate that you must never, under any circumstances show more enthusiasm than the original nod given. Let me give you an example of a flubbed Nod Reciprocation.
Michelle and I were riding home from a long ride out at Cougar Mountain near Seattle. It was a hot day, and we were tired after the more than 150km we’d logged already as we left Bellevue and headed back to Seattle. A rider – worthy of a nod – came by in the opposite direction and gave me a quick nod. A few moments later, Michelle pulled up alongside me with a horrified look in her eyes. “I saw him nod at you, and then he nodded at me. I completely lost my nerve, and, *sigh*, took my hand off the bar, smiled broadly and waved.”
Classic example of reciprocating with more enthusiasm than the original nod. Very uncool.
The other day, Michelle and I were coming home from our after-work spin, enjoying the hum of our wheels on the pavement and basking in the mellow satisfaction you find after a good ride. Coming the other direction was a dad riding a mountain bike with his young son in-tow on a Trail-a-Bike. The son seemed absolutely overjoyed at the scenario, and we could feel his delight before we could even see him. There was a sense of triumph about him. I’m not exactly sure why he felt so good about himself because he obviously didn’t meet any of the qualities of being a cyclist. I mean, when was the last time you saw a pro on a Trail-a-Bike? Besides, pro’s don’t wear jeans, and they don’t wear white helmets that look like hollowed-out bowling balls.
As we rolled into his view, he cheerily hollered, “HI BIKERS!”
My instinct was to correct him and say, “Bikers use motors, asshole. We’re cyclists.”
Instead, Michelle and I replied in chorus, “Hi!” I still feel a little guilty about that.
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@frank
I know, I know, but sometimes you just know that the fat dude ahead of you is already in the morale gutter and to blow by him might just be the final nail in the coffin.
Now, in a race, obviously they're fodder, but sometimes, not always, on a training ride, I slow down so that I can turn onto a different route before I catch them.
Yeah, yeah, okay, time to do hill repeats until I can taste the blood for penance for my sins.
@Jeff in PetroMetro @Buck Rogers
I think you can be liberal with your nods, but it does have to be cool and in character. I find myself doing a lot of nodding to cyclists of all stripes. But if you're trying to be a bike snob"”and failing"”don't expect a nod from me. And if you're bedecked on a $10,000 steed and rolling around at 20kph, don't expect a nod. But if you're out and enjoying the fresh air and enjoying the ride, good on you. Nod. The further from town, too, the more deserving...
@frank
And I'm still bummed about the kid getting nod snobbed. My attitude is this: they get the same acknowledgment as any other worthy rider. No more, no less. What's a kid going to appreciate more: some clown giving him/her a big smile and stupid wave or some guy in cool kit who treats him/her like another serious rider. I think we have a responsibility to foster the next generation of V (not just breed it and then blimp).
I flash a peace sign from the hoods usually. Occasionally I go with the nod.
@frank
I follow the Merckx training plan of "ride more." If there is a carrot up the road, and I'm not out on a 5+ hour ride, well I'm going to try and catch them, or ride them off my wheel. I find it a much more fun and effective means of laying down The V. Far more interesting than actually trying to do disciplined intervals. Talking to cyclists with actual training plans makes me happy to avoid such things. Training for ultra-distances, I just work on doing 75% of the distance. Otherwise, I take headwinds as an excuse to suffer and hills and climbs as the grace of Merckx permitting me the most beautiful experience in the world.
@frank
This is my preferred method just about every time I go around anyone. If I think I can get someone behind me and keep them there I go for it with gusto while exuding the impression of one who is casually deliberate, even if it is just pretend.
On the other hand, there's not a lot that I find to be more embarrassing than passing someone only to be passed back a short time later. If I think I'm simply a better climber than they are and feel that it is likely that I may be passed on the next extended flat or descent than I try to be polite and pass slowly and politely, but I always make a point to hide the hurt whatever the situation may be.
From the same family as nod snobbing comes an old chestnut that arises from time to time, especially on busy bike thoroughfares. Our one in Melbourne is a stretch called Beach Road and the issue, for want of a better term, is "bunch protection".
This arises where you have a bunch of riders known to one another going along in a rotation.
You pass a rider or two who then jump on the back (which is fine - it doesn't cost a candle to light another wick...) however some of these riders may then start going through the rotation uninvited. They may be the bestest bike handlers in the world but you don't know that. So you try to protect your bunch by asking said riders to stay out of the rotation.
Half the time the interlopers will happily abide by your request (you gotta say it nicely - which can be hard in a fast rotating bunch) but some others react like you have just told them to go and fornicate with a stray cat.
Shows pretty ordinary manners in my book just to jump in without so much as a "by your leave"...
Discuss?
As to nod snobs I believe that the legitimacy of the nod snob and/or degree of allowable response bears a correlation of 1 to the busyness of the road, ie. you are out in the middle of nowhere - greet another rider like he/she is your long lost sibling.
Ride along a place where there are a gazillion riders - nod snobs all round...
@Buck Rogers
Say no more...
@Marcus
Nothing to discuss. (1) For the "other" rider - if you're invited, then join in, if not then don't. (2) For the bunch - if you see someone regularly and they look like they can handle a bike, invite em in.
My first bunch ride I had absolutely no idea of what to do. An old guy saw this. He calmly told me how it went then rode beside me and, when we were in the wind, explained about the pace we should be travelling, how to be careful not to half-wheel, how to drop back when I was done, and to make sure to introduce myself to all the other members of the bunch. Great advice, and I rode regularly with them for a year or so.
I was feeling somewhat cocky on tonight's ride and poped into a higher gear right after I passed some dude in FSA shorts and a Castelli top while going up a hill. He was having a hard time of it, too - probably means I'll get a bee in the eye on my next ride for being deliberately mean. I traditionally don't climb well for my weight so I usually don't pull such stunts, but I've been feeling really good the past two weeks. Like I may peak sometime this year for once. Don't know what I'm doing different from last year, but whatever it is seems to be working.
Indeed. If I'm passing several people every minute I'm not going to sit there nodding at everyone. I need to save my energy for those climbs, you see.
Also, yeah - no jumping into pace lines with strangers unless you've asked - seems like common sense to me, as I'd rather not get taken out by some rando.
@Steampunk
Since August 2009 I've wondered, but I have to ask...you know that's a joke right? You know I didn't nod snob the poor kid on the drag-a-bike, right? Just sayin. You know, for the record.