If you swim, bike, or run - you are my friend.... (Page 2)

New Yorkers don’t wave. It’s not that we’re unfriendly people, but acknowledgement of random strangers for no reason other than that we happen to be doing the same thing in the same place is not something you see a lot of here. We don’t say “hi” to strangers that we pass on the street, either, the way people used to do when I would visit my folks in Florida.

If someone waves at me, I’ll return the gesture, but I don’t wave at people unless I know them or unless they’re on fire or something.

By contrast, I was in Delaware last week and everyone seems to wave to everyone there. I got pretty good at the three-finger-wave on my bike where I’d keep my thumb and forefinger of my left hand around my aerobar and wiggle the other three fingers at them as I went by.

Cycling and swimming are more competitive sports than running, with that you get elitism and a sorta unspoken caste system.  Its lame but if you're around alot of cyclists you know what I'm talking about.   

it depends if you are one of the first few people I pass or the 30th...  of course the hottness factor must be considered,  attractive women get a return wave,,, guys... maybe

It's rare to get a nod from a roadie.  I think my legs are too hairy, even though I'm going 22 MPH uphill and in the snow.  OK, maybe not, but they're not passing me.  Runners usually throw out a wave, but walkers almost always ignore me while on my runs. 

I'll wave, say hi or smile at walkers and will typically get met with a blank stare or a scowl. I feel sorry for these people.  How miserable their lives must be.

I also wave at every car that takes the time to move into the other lane around me, and I almost always get a wave back.  I don't wave for me, but I wave for the next guy.  Happy motorists who love cyclists are going to take the time to give us a little room.

This morning I ran past (opposite directions) some very exhausted looking Army ROTC with their leaders.  I said "good morning" and almost every one of them shouted out a version of "hello", "good morning" or "good work".  Now that made me smile!

Edited by wisewilma 2009-08-11 2:32 PM