Do cyclists hate triathletes?

Waving while on a bike means you are controlling the bike with one hand, which can be dangerous. Unless you have proven your bike handling skills with said cyclist, it is prudent for he/she to be cautious. Also, you could be so fast that your wave looks like a blur

I actually suspect you might get the exact same reaction from triathletes on bikes.

Keep in mind that unlike running, a lot of cyclists (or triathletes) aren't so comfortable with their bike handling such they can take their hands off the bars readily to wave, or otherwise get distracted - especially if they're in the middle of a workout where they're putting up a good aerobic effort. 

I love cyclists and triathletes, but when I'm going by either in a paceline or on my faster tempo rides, I definitely cannot get off the bars to wave. I wish I could apologize for it, especially when 20 guys in the paceline blow by a friendly runner/rider who's waving and nobody even acknowleges that person, but it can be a real safety issue. 

Things are different if you're going 12mph on the MUP. If they don't smile or wave then, they're being rude.

True. Thats why I HATE CYCLISTS

That's what I do over in Illinois/Wisconsin area.  A lot of others do the same.  Some don't don't anything, but it's not something to take personal.  Could be occupied with another thought at the moment.  A lot happens on the bike.

From my experience, all of the above.

When I started out on my road bike I really offended someone my husband works with because I didn't wave. I had already fallen over about 3 times in gravel and was totally paranoid to let go of the bars - even for a second.

Now my bike handling skills are a lot better but I am usually sitting in my aero position working as hard as I can. I do not take the time necessary to sit up and wave. I do nod or wave with a couple of fingers and put a smile on my face. I do this for passing vehicles, cyclists and especially the combines. Actually I just pull over and get off the road for the combines .

I often ride solo with my road bike equipped with aerobars and aero bottle so it's clear I'm posing as a triathlete.  Most of the time I get a wave from other cyclists.  They extend out one hand, keeping it low and it looks like they're holding out two fingers.  I think it's a universal cycling acknowledgement or something like that.  If I'm in aero position, I'll raise a few fingers and give a nod.

This morning I went on a group ride with 4 other cyclists (beginners) and we got a lot of greetings from other rides, mostly vocal like "good morning" etc.  It was a perfect day for riding and everyone was in a good mood of course.

One guy on a TT bike who was moving at a good pace in aero didn't appear to offer a greeting as well as one other cyclist.

For some it may be an intense workout so greetings is not a high priority.

Acknowledgment does not require one to take hands off the handle bar.

Although I am more curious why one of these threads comes up like every week. I was nice to someone and they didn't knowledge it. Why does it matter? I greet pretty much anyone I come to doing what ever activity I'm doing. Sometimes they respond, sometimes they don't. I don't take it personal. I don't expect us to be friends. It's just an acknowledgment.

No, they don't hate us.  They just think we are stupid.  I'm dating one and he forgives me for being a triathlete.

1:  We have antenna on our bikes...or we put horns on our perfectly good road bikes all in the name of 'comfort'.  Don't even think to ride in a group with that 'crap' sticking off the front end of your bike.

2:  We do stupid things...like buy disc wheels and then can't pedal fast enough to recap the benefit from said wheels.

3:  Our seats are too high.  On our first date, Mr. Cyclist lowered my bike seat. 

4:  "Any man who wears a jog bra on a bike should be shot"

Srsly, bike handling skills.  The ability to shift and bike when riding a TT bike.

vonschnapps - 2011-09-04 8:14 PM Try waving more than one finger at them

Smart man!

We have a ride one day a week here that is very competitive. Some issues have come up between roadies and triathletes out there. The roadies complain that the triathletes push the pace too hard and have an advantage when they pull on aero bars. I think it boils down to hurt egos. They slower people can always form a 2nd paceline. That's what the rest of us do.  think it just bugs them that they can't hang with the A group....particularly if a triathete is holding pace.   Luckily the people that do that are a minority.  Kind of reminds me of co-workers yelling at refs during company beer ball!

Bicycling Magazine regularly takes digs at triathletes for using aero bars during group rides.  I sorta agree with them in general, though.  I think it comes down to a perception that triathletes are full of themselves.  "Hey, I'm work out in three sports, so I must be three times the athlete!" In reality, we're really people who often overtrain because...we put in too many sports in our regimen.  This leads to a situation where the cyclists just have better knowledge and experience compared to the many newbies who take up triathlon because it's more visible right now.

Cyclists don't hate us.  They just get frustrated because we can go faster & further than them and it's not our "primary" sport.  I would consider myself a very fast runner in our community.  I can place in my AG if I train right.  What really grinds my gears is when the famous local Olympic x-country skiier SMOKES me in a race.  I don't hate this individual, I'm just jealous because I get dominated in my primary sport by a x-country skiier.  Just typing this gets my blood boiling.

Regardless, it's the same with roadies out there.  They don't hate, just frustration/jealousy.  They're still good people and if you talk to them they can really give you great advice on components, training, and even how to ride.  Believe it or not, it's very technical on when/where to shift on the course.  Although you're faster than them, they know more.