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Maybe it was just the sunshine and long weekend mood in general, but on today's rather excellent ride, EVERYONE was giving a friendly wave. Other riders, motorbikerists, walkers, drivers I moved over to let past, drivers who slowed to let me past, drivers who were driving the opposite way with plenty of room to pass. Everyone!
It was rather lovely.
I also noticed, on a trip to the village shop this morning, that there was far more "No, after you, I insist" and general good cheer in the queue and in general.
Has the slower pace of life made people realise how easy it is to obey Rule One* and that a little cheerfulness goes a long way.
I do hope so.
* Rule One - Don't be a dick.
I held a gate open for another cyclist today and was rewarded with the next two being held for me! Smashing!
Don't be a dick is sage advice.
*Dumgoyne loop lots of gates.
Also noticed this today. Nice, isn’t it.
Not from me, I now have to shout ‘STRAVA SUBSCRIBER’ to clear all from my path. No time for waves
Been like that for most of lockdown really. Some people obviously "training" rather than riding, but most people are happy when they are out riding
I'd say that a lot of new riders were baffled by my cheery greetings 6 weeks ago. They have now learnt the system and I get loads of great responses.
I've seen more hostile drivers since lockdown, who seem to think its their job to police lockdown rules which clearly state that all cycling is banned. So much so I now ride with Cycliq HD cameras as I'm half expecting to get deliberately shoved off the road at some point.
However, cyclists and pedestrians seem friendly enough.
If you put ****s in cars, it dramatically extends and intensifies their ****ishness.
I’d say that a lot of new riders were baffled by my cheery greetings 6 weeks ago. They have now learnt the system and I get loads of great responses
I agree.
I would add that the lack of testosterone loaded Stirling Bike Club pelotons on the 'development ride' has also meant I'm less likely to be mown down by fellow cyclists, and that the same cyclists are now on thier own so feeling more inclined to look up from the lycra clad arse in front of them...
#divideandconquer
If you put **** in cars, it dramatically extends and intensifies their ****ishness.
Certainly does, like the knob in the old style Discovery with jacked suspension and big dirt tyres who went hammering past me just as I was getting into my car in Lacock this afternoon. Big loud diesel, dusty and muddy, easily doing 50mph in a 30 limit, followed by two more similar 4x4’s. There were people about with kids, and all the roads in the village are fairly narrow, so utterly irresponsible behaviour. 🤬
Sounds like the north but with less whippets.
Not from me, I now have to shout ‘STRAVA SUBSCRIBER’ to clear all from my path.
I've 'won' loads more KOMs this week since Strava put up the paywall.
Happy to not pay, as I can still see them if I'm top 10 😛
#lampreyforlife
Sounds like the north but with less whippets
Fewer whippets. Standards please! 😉
All these additional cyclists and walkers are making my thumb sore cheerfully ringing my bell and I'm loosing my voice calling out many cheery thank you's when people are polite and accommodating.
The bastards.
Yeah, boils me piss it does. I enjoy a bit of confrontation as part of a spin, getting in to a bit of argy bargy with self righteous hikers, and now everyone is so nice to each other, what a pita. If that wasn't bad enough, Dublin city council have announced plans to turn the city in to a cycle centric Capital with segregated cycle lanes and cars drivers effectively being treated as second class citizens. Minimal opportunity to go head to head on the daily commute with motorised transport when we eventually get back to commuting. Where's the plus in that, how am I going to get my daily adrenaline fix now ? 🙂
Fewer whippets. Standards please!
It’s impossible to count them all.
Maybe it was just the sunshine and long weekend mood in general, but on today’s rather excellent ride, EVERYONE was giving a friendly wave. Other riders, motorbikerists, walkers, drivers I moved over to let past, drivers who slowed to let me past, drivers who were driving the opposite way with plenty of room to pass. Everyone!
You should avoid eating cheese before bed time.
I've had more close passes on the road and more tuts and moans on bridleways since lockdown than before. The quiet roads seem to encourage higher speeds and increased cyclist more red mist. All these people outside for the first time think any path they are walking on is purely for pedestrians, goodness knows how they react to an actual horse on a bridleway!
I've seen more off the lead uncontrolled dogs than ever before too.
There’s definitely been an increase in people in the country side, which is nice
And for the most part they’ve all been cheery and friendly, which is also very nice
But there’s also been an increase in litter being left lying around and gates being left open, which is not so nice... kind of to be expected though I guess
It's definitely a new era.
I reckon I can get a reciprocal wave / nod from a frankly unbelievably high 50% of roadies now.
Pre-COVID?, I was lucky to get a response from 1 in 10 😉😁
Just what is going on? And will the trend continue? I can but dream...
There’s no way roadies will change.
Try going for a ride through Edinburgh on a Thursday evening. The streets are lined with people cheering as you ride past. Loads of clapping, pots and pans, and cowbells. It's amazing.
My recent experience is that other mountain bikers, roadies, and horse riders are all being very friendly, but I’ve come across a lot of obnoxious cyclist-hating walkers and motorists. So much so that I went for a ride between 4am and 8am this morning. Saw nobody except a couple of hares 🙂
I dunno, round here people seem to think you can catch Covid 19 through eye contact. They weren't exactly effusive before, but now, sheesh.