It’s ok to greet each other.
I am involved in all three triathlon sports, namely: swim, bike & run. As a runner and cyclist I regularly see other people on the road as they train. I started running in the 80’s and it was drummed into us as runners that we should always greet other runners.
Experiences today.
The majority of runners still greet each other on the roads.
Mountain bikers generally greet other athletes on the road, and will often stop to help cyclists who have broken down.
Road cyclists generally do not greet anyone.
I complained about this on twitter about a year ago and a number of responses came through that were quite fun. They went as follows:
What do you call a road cyclist who greets people? An ex-mountain biker.
What do you call a runner greeted by a road cyclist? Surprised.
What do you call a swimmer greeted by a road cyclist? Lost.
So where does this culture come from?
Road cycling generally attracts more type A personalities whereas mountain biking generally attracts a calmer nature loving group of people.
Where should we go from here?
I firmly believe that all involved in road/off road training need to be encouraged to greet each other. The cycling/running community is a smallish group and this group faces some unique challenges.
All athletes face a number of challenges.
1. We use roads and therefore can be victims of bad drivers. A year and a half ago, five runners were killed by a drunk driver in Midrand. At the beginning of this year, Burry Stander died in a tragic bike vs mini bus accident. We are therefore all at risk.
2. We all face health risks. Things go wrong in athlete’s bodies from; heart conditions, dehydration, asthma, diabetes e.t.c. In such cases your life might just be dependent on the cyclist who just rode past. A number of runners that I run with are members of the medical profession, or are trained in first aid.
So, with tongue in cheek, here is some advice to road cyclists.
Subdue that type A personality just a bit and greet those around you. You will not drop your average speed too much.
Realise that runners love to run because they love to run. They are not forced to run because they cannot afford to buy a bike. Realise that your greeting will be reciprocated by a smile and a friendly wave and that will probably encourage you to go just that bit faster.
I regularly run past one of our customers. He is retired now and takes his dog for daily walks. Whenever he sees me approach he calls out, “Looking good!”. Those two words have a dramatic effect on me. My running style transforms itself, and I begin to resemble Haile Gebrselassie. This transformation, however, only lasts for 7 to 8 seconds, and then due to a whole number of reasons, I settle back into my plod. However, there is a moment of brilliance that otherwise would not have been experienced.
I purposely chose a picture of Chrissie Wellington for this blog. The reason for this is that she embodies two things. 1. She was one of the world’s fiercest competitors. 2. She never forgot how to smile and greet.
Regards
Mike
Good points. I am also not a fan of the snobby and cliquey attitude of many road cyclists. Let’s all just get along and have more fun!
Such a perfect observation of the dynamics of greeting other athletes! The smallest things and few words can mean a lot!
Mike
I have been a road cyclist for 31 years. Things have certainly changed since I started in 1982 I agree , there are a lot of roadies who dont greet and do I dare to say it might be the new generation? I greet fellow cyclist, joggers,”walkers” , ouma and oupa on their morning stroll Its fun and a good day to start you day on a “friendly” foot/peddle
Francois – thanks for your comments. We might have even said hi to each other 🙂
Coach Eamon and Runventure, thanks for the comments.
Mike
My observation as a triathlete is exactly the same as yours, however, to greet is basic manners. Nothing to do with A-type. You get A-type mountain bikers and you also get mountain bikers that don’t greet. Manners… But with the last few months’ uncovering of doping and drugs…. maybe the roadies do greet… just a little later when we’ve all passed.
@Fishvisser
Fish, you are right. It is a matter of good manners. Like your last bit 🙂
….I am a road cyclist and have been for many years….22yrs to be exact. I am between an A & B type…. and I tend to agree with Fish, its not about your “type; its about manners! I do agree that there seems to be a general attitude that plenty road bikers are too “high & mighty” to come down from their pedestal to just give a simple greet in passing. I have personally experienced that! Even amongst road riders to road riders!! Mountain bikers though, I find are the opposite and a bunch of jovial athletes….and its probably why I am maybe making the slow transition to mountain biking over the past year! I live in a small town which has a community that almost knows everyone else…..its all about human etiquette and simple respect for one another. A simple greet can make you look at the world a little differently!
Clint, thanks for the comments – enjoy your mountain bike and indeed your road biking.
Spot on! #runner
I once read that runners greet each other and yesterday I had my first run. Of course I greeted the runner approaching me but he just looked at me like wtf. Thank god I was done and was heading home, I was so embarassed.