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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I nod at people a lot. More so if they are passing close by me rather than if they are all the way across a multi-lane road.
I don't nod at recumbent riders because I don't think they'd see it, since they're about eye level to an ant way down there.
I also wave a cars that stop for me, even when they are supposed to, just to try and spread some good feelings around. As great as Portland is for riding, the local media just LOVES to sensationalize bike-vs-car "culture" garbage and I want to try and counteract that. I don't get much crap from motorists while out riding and I'd like to keep it that way.
As far as passing people while climbing, that doesn't happen often - but I usually just give an "on your left" and keep on my way, trying to keep up the facade that I'm hurting less than they are. If the climb is more of a gentle incline sometimes I'll say "hi" or "nice day for a ride" or something of that sort.
Wether on the drops or hoods my usual "nod" is a little outward flick of the fingers while the thumb is still grasping the bars. Which side depends on wether I am passing or wether it is from the opposite direction. My one golden rule is never to be the first to nod at anyone rolling a Livestrong/Postal/Discovery/Shack kit. I will reciprocate since I am no classless ass. I figure we Velominati have to set the bar for everyone else.
@paolo
True. Just roll by and be friendly. And not too out of breath. You'll be hated, so you might as well do it in style.
Fucking hammer up to them and right as you're about to pass them, shift into the big ring, pop onto the tops, make your arms stick straight like you're rolling down the boulevard on a sunny Sunday afternoon, and pass them like you were just casually blasting up the hill like that. Keep it up until you're around the next bend or turn-off and spend the next 3k gasping for breath.
@paolo
@Nate
@mcsqueak
@pakrat
I'm so damn friendly it's ridiculous. I'm like Forrest Gump waving at Lieutenant Dan. I've met so many friends that way. "Hi!" "Hey, nice bike." "Beautiful day." "Sure is ______________ (hot/cold/windy)." I'm such a dork.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZAF75hwPUQ
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Too fucking funny!!! I am the EXACT same way! Kills me to read your post.
Hell, I've been known to slow my pace so as NOT to pass someone b/c I thought it would make them feel bad. Oh well. Still live to ride and lose myself in the hum of the wheels.
@Buck Rogers
Yeah. It's why I'm so put out by the triathlon community. Literally everyone else says hi except for them. The local cat. 1's and 2's say hi. The cat. 5's mostly say hi, but they're not quite sure if that's manly or not. Mountain bikers, fixie hipsters, commuters. Even the homeless panhandlers say hi. One played a song for me on his harmonica. He said someone handed it to him out of a car window the day before. I thought that was kinda cool. The MS150 crowd are as dorky as me. Smiles abound 'cause we're riding our bikes.
But not from the tri-guys. They really do need to go to their "Happy Place".
I'm glad you lot are a friendly bunch. I say hi to almost everyone except when I am descending or suffering. As for cars I wave and say thanks to everyone for doing exactly what they are supposed to. I think of myself as a cycling ambassador and that if I spread good karma some other cyclist will benefit. Suprisingly even though LA is chocka full of ass holes in cars I have rarely had a bad incident. Most are very respectful of riders but it is best to be off the roads by about 4pm. That's when they start losing their minds. I also find if you're very confident and direct about making lane changes etc so they know exactly what you're going to do, they respond better.
@frank
Gonna do exactly that next time...cheers.
@Buck Rogers, @Jeff in PetroMetro
Just in case we're not joking anymore...Rule 71.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Besides, if you wave they'll say something about your Look...