Funny enough, in the motorcycling world we do a wave. Heck even modded subarus all wave at each other… so why not cyclists!?
It’s an acknowledgement of going through this $hitshow together.
I had a unicyclist wave at me during a big rainstorm as we both recognized we were crazy for doing this
Agreed and present a suggested antidote:
I notice same goes for cars, I have a Focus ST and we always wave at each other when we pass. Same goes for if I’m with my buddies who have things like GTIs, STIs, etc.
The only time I have an issue is when I’m riding my Honda Grom, sometimes folks think I’m on a scooter and don’t wave back. 
This is like a whole new world to me! I’m not sure if I can handle all this waving to strangers.
@Workhorse you can always ride with me. If you’re on a trike, that’s OK, I think that will make for great conversation. If you don’t have any sleeves on your jersey. If you hairy legs. If you have a rack on your bike. If you have a mirror on your helmet. It’s all OK. I’ll still ride with you.
But not if you have bluetooth speakers blasting Venga Bus all day. We all have our limits.
Also, if you see me riding the other way I am guaranteed to wave back. And if the cyclist you saw didn’t wave, then that wasn’t me…but I’m gonna be the next cyclist you see so don’t turn snob on me yet.
I think the original point was “why should cyclists only wave to other cyclists?” not “why are cyclists the only people who wave to other members of their groups?”
Brilliant 
.
But if I were to be absolutely honest, my first thought at seeing that was that you are trying to sell me something. 
. What have I become!
fwiw I’d usually say “hello” to runners/ pedestrians/ horse riders I meet on the road, not just cyclists. I’ll even give motorists a wave if they’ve been safe when others/ a majority would’ve been dicks.
One of the best/worst waves I ever got was from a pink EF pro. We were both out riding the same route but in opposite directions. Passed each other a couple of times…no reaction from the dude. Whateves, no biggie. Third time and after nearly 4hrs we passed each other again. This time he did wave. I suspect only because he now saw me as a serious rider ‘holding my own’ instead of just some middle-aged guy out for a spin. It was a wave of respect. But should it have to take that much effort on my part and that much judgmental attitude on his part just to get to a simple wave?!
I bet Sagan waves.
The other problem being with a group who are faster than you is that if they wait, say at the top of a climb, by the time you get there they are rested and ready to go again.
Join any new sport, and the you’ll have the same initial perception of the established ‘players’. Whether you play hockey, baseball, tennis or chess… cycling is absolutely no different. As the newest person on the field (whether or not you’ve done the activity elsewhere for ages), you’re likely to perceive they’re unfriendly.
I don’t know why humans are like this; but we all seem to feel the same initial coldness from a new team.
I ride with the Rapha Chicago store and I’d argue our rides, drop or social, are as nice and welcoming as any. People like to get on the Rapha hate wagon, but it’s better than people give it credit for.
Been doing this for decades in one form or another. I’ve seen and experienced pretty much everything. Insecurity and confidence can look the same. Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish one from the other but, in a short time it’s easy to pick out the experienced/confident and maybe just quiet from the poser/inexperienced/insecure.
One thing I’ve learned is that when you approach and start to chat with two people exhibiting the same characteristics you will usually get two different responses.
I don’t really know what I’m trying to say here. These group rides referenced in the op don’t seem too different from life in general.
I’ve never understood why anyone would feel entitled to have complete strangers wave at them. It feels like it should be the kind of thing that’s a nice thing to do, not an obligation.
I don’t know folks, I wave at everybody if I’m out for a spin, but I think it’s bizarre that a community that just got all excited about taking structured TR workouts outside would take it personally or project any other meaning onto a cyclist not waving at them. If I’m at minute 17 of a 3x20 threshold workout out in the world, or the fourth 3-minute VO2max interval of my set of nine, I’m not waving. Sorry. I probably won’t even nod, or give any sign that I know you exist. I’m not trying to be rude, I don’t think you’re not a serious cyclist, I’m not trying to teach you a lesson, I’m not annoyed by anything you’re doing, I’m sure your bike/kit is great. I probably didn’t see you because keeping myself upright and moving forward is the limit of my cognitive processing ability in that moment. If I did see you, and you waved, thank you for bringing some joy into my life, and I’m sorry I couldn’t reciprocate. It’s not you; it’s me.
I’ve also got into the slightly odd habit of thanking drivers simply for not close passing or killing me! Anything to try and reduce the unnecessary tension between road users is a good thing
I may be a tad late to the game but I’m wondering where all this rapha ire is coming from. So they’re a premium priced brand but so is assos amongst many others. There seems to be a +/-$300 bib short and +/-$200 jersey in just about every brand’s offerings these days so it’s hard to corner rapha as expensive or overpriced. I have 2 of their bibs, both bought on sale/clearance and really nice. And after having to use their free repair service after a crash I’m inclined to find a way to buy more since they did a great job and it came back in a muset bag which is super sweet. Why is it that people who wear rapha get stereotyped as rich and dickish? I’m definitely not the first and only occasionally the second but generally not on the bike.
As for the friendly thing, I don’t know about group rides around here but everybody seems to be decently wavey when prompted. Generally I’m the one prompting and so far there’s only been one guy with clip on aero bars that’s too good to wave back and only because I’ve seen him a few times and gotten no waves. Otherwise folk are pretty good.
I have no issue with the rides. I kniw some very nice people that go on their rides. I just find the ‘aura’ around Rapha in general offputting.
Of course I feel the same way about any company that relies on the concept of premium name recognition for sales…so take my opinion with a grain of salt lol. Like, I would never wear a rolex regardless of income, for example.
