Do cyclists hate triathletes? (Page 2)

I asked this same question to a few hard core cyclists recently.

It seems that cyclists (especially in group rides) do not like TT bike riders because of the instability of the TT bike rider. I think the general consensus is that the areo bars make riders unstable and therefor, in their mind,  unskilled. I have even seen a disclaimer on some road bike group ride schedules requesting that areo bars are not allowed.  The attitude may come from there.

1). Some persons aren't as friendly.
2). Some persons are more focused on what they are doing.
3). Even if some persons are friendly, because of 2)., may not see you until the last second and can't respond quick enough.
4). Maybe they did respond, but it was very, very subtle, like their index finger rose slightly or they nodded their head instead of doing a hand wave, and you didn't see it.

I'd say some do, and most don't.

Lots of triathletes ride road bikes too, so the distinction blurs.

I don't think cyclists hate us either.  I do think there is some underlying friction.  But part of it can be explained by your post of how you think triathletes are better than roadies, or that roadies are jealous of triathletes...when nothing could be further from the truth.

I guess I should rephrase.  Cyclists are much better at their respective sport the same with marathon runners and swimmers.  These individuals in their primary sport are much better than any triathlete because they focus and spend their time on one specific event.  When I said we can go faster & further...well we can.  TT bikes are designed to go faster therefore can reach the finish line quicker than a cyclist and the design allows optimum energy savings so we can go further.  However, when it comes to a hilly course or a course that requires some twists turn...forget it!  Cyclists whip thriathletes butt!

I have many friends who are pure cyclists and they have told me their feelings are more jealousy than anything because of the fast speed and energy efficiency.  I'm not stating my opinion here, I'm stating cyclist facts.  They've told me.  They don't hate us, they just want to go faster and use less energy but are unable too due to the legality issues of their sport.

I'd be willing to bet that more than one of the people you passed and waved at have also tried triathlons.

No hate there. Some cyclists can be dbags. So can some runners. So can some triathletes. Has nothing to do with sports, has everything to do with personality. I wouldn't sweat it, and I'd keep waving.

I think it's a cultural/geographic thing.  I always wave at people when I'm running and ~20% return the wave.  I run in running shorts so there's nothing that says I do tris, well except the super smooth legs.  I wave (more a flick of the hand on the bars unless I'm just coasting) while riding and less than 10% return.  I'm riding a roadie in a kit so again, I'm not exactly looking all tri'd out.  However, most people in this city don't go out of their way to acknowledge someone else so it doesn't surprise me too much.

When I was in Australia earlier this year nearly every person (>90%) waved/nodded/acknowledged me when I was out running.  Then again, I found the people over there to be very friendly no matter what.

I think your a prime candidate for a group ride! Take your TT bike.

All the top cyclists around here also participate in time trials...thus own TT bikes.  None of them are jealous of triathletes because their bikes are faster.  The majority of the $8k TT bike/wheel setups here are owned by cyclists who don't do tris.

I don't think cyclists hate triathletes.  Like some other people have mentioned, maybe they are just concentrating on their workout and don't feel comfortable waving back.  I try to wave at fellow cyclists when I ride by just to me nice just like I wave and greet runners that I meet.  It's just a friendly thing to do, but if they don't respond, they don't respond.

I too have mismatched gear.  My first road bike was a Specialized and I was getting all the gear to go with my first racing bike so I got a Specialized jersey as well so I could look all cool.  Well, I've since switched to an Orbea Ordu, but I still rock the Specialized jersey.  I get some strange looks.  I don't know if it's because they recognize the dichotomy, or because they are laughing at my red jersey, yellow shoes and black bike with blue and grey trim.  

Cyclists love me.

They get to fly by me doing 22mph while I'm struggling to maintain 18

I would wave at you!

I think it boils down to some folks are nice and others are well,,,,,,,not nice.

^ Agreed. We have a Cat 1 on my team who won the state championship RR (read: on his road bike) on a breakaway in the first lap. Thus he TT'd for roughly 80+ miles on a hilly course doing greater than 24mph on his road bike. 

As a triathlete turned roadie, we don't hate you. We just have no clue at how skilled you are at bike handling. I know if you do RR's or crits, you won't be freaked out by riding close to others, will be more safe, and will cause less of an accordion effect compared to if you do all your training and racing solo

"So because we don't think you're a very safe bike rider, we don't wave back when riding the other direction... "   Simple.

Seriously though, I live in the same area as the OP, and my experience is similar...  But I just don't really care. I wave to people running, riding, driving, whatever, there are friendly people and not-so-friendly. 

not sure if this has been posted yet... but funny ones as related to the subject:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8tIRm9nle8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUYmVYhPAbQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WokdWFmfFM4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9H0PwObjfA&feature=related