Code of the road.

[Rapparee87]

Etiquette when riding. Here in Ireland it's generally accepted that meeting a rider going the other way we acknowledge them. It's just the way of things. On country roads anyway, what you in the UK call lanes.

A spoken greeting if speed and road width allow, or maybe just a nod of the head, or raising a hand from the bars with a slight wave, but an acknowledgement of some kind nonetheless.

Obviously the middle aged Rapha and carbon gang are ignorant of this custom, but I acknowledge them anyway.

How is it in other countries?

 

[bikeworkshop]

In England roadies don't have to acknowledge mountain bikers.
Otherwise greeting is normal, maybe just a nod if you're riding hard.

What about dropping into the slipstream of an overtaker?
Sometimes they seem happy, sometimes they are definitely not!

 

[Dface]

‘Morning’ While speeding up a touch.

 

[sjcprojects]

Definitely the same in England, I'd say - right down to the lack of acknowledgement from a certain type of rider who is obviously way too busy trying to smash a Strava segment to return a nod of a head. Actually they probably don't even notice a rider going the other way, which I suppose is better than the alternative...

But speaking of etiquette, I still cringe a bit when I recall sitting on someone's wheel all the way up a long climb without acknowledging them at all, back when I was more of a novice to this sort of thing. You live and learn, I guess. Well, hopefully.

 

[doctor-bond]

I always nod, even if it’s to an old timer out shopping on a BSO who doesn’t even think of themselves as a cyclist.
If I see a chain gang of lycra’d carbon hero’s hove into view, I stop and bow … naturally.

 

[vtwinvince]

Out here in western Canada I always nod or wave at fellow roadies, if they're riding real bikes and not electrified tupperware. With mountain bikes it's a crap shoot as to whether you get the time of day. I guess it's a hold over from motorcycling: I ride a vintage Japanese superbike, and most of the riders out here are boomers on Hardleys, so I get pretty short shrift from most people.

 

[pigman]

In England roadies don't have to acknowledge mountain bikers.

Is that a bit of tongue in cheek, or how you actually see it?

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

I say hi or wave to all cyclists. Mamils are the worst in my experience, too cool to say hi.

 

[jim haseltine]

I will normally utter a greeting such as 'morning' or 'afternoon' depending on the time of day if I've got breath when either passing somebody or being passed. People or groups heading towards me will get a wave or a raised hand even though I'm a pretty fair judge of who I'll get a response from and who will ignore it. It's generally those who started riding as a mid-life crisis thing who don't respond.
I rarely sit on another rider's wheel unless we've ridden side-by-side and chatted for a while but I've no problem with somebody sitting on mine because if they do they must be totally cream-crackered.

 

[Nob]

I usually Nod or wave to fellow roadies out training etc… but as stated the modern weekend warriors on their 15-20k bikes just ignore….sad times but it’s a lot more friendly in my adopted country thankfully