Re:
I've just conducted a little experiment.
Out at 7.30am on my newly build 1990's Cougar, I was resplendent in full Rabobank blue / orange kit (the bike is blue and orange).
I saw two lady commuters / leisure riders on Dutch style bikes, very popular in our seaside town, each going the opposite way, too far to shout hello so each given a wave... nothing. Possibly they took a 6ft sweaty man in skin tight lycra waving at them the wrong way and kept staring straight ahead hoping I would soon go away... or more likely they do not associate with the whole 'cyclist' thing, they are just riding their bike.
Next I saw a lady on an MTB who was clearly out for a fast / training ride, a wave got a nod in reply. A few miles on with a different lady, a similar reaction, I even got a smile, she obviously mistook the grimace on my face for something else.
Now, here's the interesting bit. 10 miles on and in the country lanes, a gentleman of more rotund stature riding towards me, carbon Trek, Planet X jersey, happily returned my 'hello'. Two miles on, similar gent, carbon something fighting with his right cleat returned a wave to my 'hello', a mile on fit as a flea racing snake obviously cycling to work (wearing lycra and a back pack), nice looking noname bike almost jumped when I said 'morning', but did manage to return it.... I think I kinda forced him into it.
Last, on the way home and going over a hump backed railway bridge I caught up and overtook another lady leisure rider, my 'Morning' got a full on, 'oh hello, yes, lovely morning' in reply.
I think this whole thing is more about modern life, I saw a while ago the comment that said the internet / social meeja had turned us from a we society to a me society. I know local clubs who will wave and whoop in reply to a wave or a hello, I also know local clubs who look down on everyone. Their loss really, cos I'm just out playing with my toys and having fun.
And for the record I had two punishment passes before 8.00am :facepalm: One on an empty country lane.