I know we cyclists have always been somewhat of a freak show on the road, but a ride the other day had me getting some extraordinary attention. Perhaps the gas prices have something to do with it. I got a thumbs up from a motorcyclists. I’m not sure what that means but I’ve received several similar signals recently. Later I had a motorcyclists in the oncoming lane on the highway looking at me and applauding (yes, with both hands). Motorcyclists usually tend to be more apt to give a welcoming gesture to us cyclists, probably as a show of respect because we’re out in the wind just like them. Lately, the gestures are the more extreme, like the full-on applause. Gestures like this are hard to understand but this is the interpretation I am going to liberally take, “We’ve been riding around thinking we’re the shiznit with our fuel-efficient bikes but you, my two-wheels friend, have one upped us. Respect.” The hand gesture just substitutes for a pound or bowing down that would take place if we weren’t moving.
Then, there are the cars. There doesn’t seem to be any less of them. They still like to hit the gas pedal right as they pass you to rev their engines and spit out extra fumes in your face. However, one guy was kind enough to give me some extreme gestures the other day. He poked his fat head out of the passenger window of a pickup and shouted excitedly, while giving me a big #1 with his fat middle finger. Again, gestures are often hard to understand but I took this to mean, “I admire your contribution to the environment, and your health.” Read more
