I am a nod snob. The fact is, I’m a bit of a cycling snob all-around. I am not a “biker” and I do not “like to bike”. I am a cyclist and I like to ride. What’s more, as I outlined before, there are very loosely defined parameters under which I will bestow a “nod” upon another rider. For example, you have to look cool. Like you care how you look. This doesn’t mean you have to be riding a glitzy carbon ride or some nostalgic steel classic, but you have to demonstrate that you understand Cycling Couture, ambiguously defined as it may be.
For those riders who receive said nod, there are a few unwritten rules about reciprocation. First, you have to decide whether to acknowledge the nod. Second, you should never acknowledge the nod too enthusiastically; always keep your cool and never get too excited.
The “Nod Acknowledgment” is almost more complicated than the “Nod”. First, you have to decide if you’re willing to accept the nod, ignore it, or reprimand them for even trying. More often than not, you ignore. But, if you acknowledge, Nod Snob terms dictate that you must never, under any circumstances show more enthusiasm than the original nod given. Let me give you an example of a flubbed Nod Reciprocation.
Michelle and I were riding home from a long ride out at Cougar Mountain near Seattle. It was a hot day, and we were tired after the more than 150km we’d logged already as we left Bellevue and headed back to Seattle. A rider – worthy of a nod – came by in the opposite direction and gave me a quick nod. A few moments later, Michelle pulled up alongside me with a horrified look in her eyes. “I saw him nod at you, and then he nodded at me. I completely lost my nerve, and, *sigh*, took my hand off the bar, smiled broadly and waved.”
Classic example of reciprocating with more enthusiasm than the original nod. Very uncool.
The other day, Michelle and I were coming home from our after-work spin, enjoying the hum of our wheels on the pavement and basking in the mellow satisfaction you find after a good ride. Coming the other direction was a dad riding a mountain bike with his young son in-tow on a Trail-a-Bike. The son seemed absolutely overjoyed at the scenario, and we could feel his delight before we could even see him. There was a sense of triumph about him. I’m not exactly sure why he felt so good about himself because he obviously didn’t meet any of the qualities of being a cyclist. I mean, when was the last time you saw a pro on a Trail-a-Bike? Besides, pro’s don’t wear jeans, and they don’t wear white helmets that look like hollowed-out bowling balls.
As we rolled into his view, he cheerily hollered, “HI BIKERS!”
My instinct was to correct him and say, “Bikers use motors, asshole. We’re cyclists.”
Instead, Michelle and I replied in chorus, “Hi!” I still feel a little guilty about that.
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@frank I hear you loud and clear on that one but I am a pussy and think about how the poor slobs are so warped by some devil that they can not see the truth and I feel sorry for them.
I'm not sure you should post that image... it's, just... well - it would be AWFUL!
The nod for me is a thing of evolution. When I started riding and then racing about 16 years ago, there were very few of us on the road (at least here in Seattle). If you were on the common training routes pretty much everyone got the nod because you were all "pro". Nowadays its a mixed bag. There are way more "cyclists" and even more "bikers" on those same routes. And generally you have about 5 seconds to scan someone for worthiness and decide to nod. If you're in team kit, then that pretty much guarantees the nod. Everyone else I just ignore and nod only when nodded too. Shit, I'm not even on a team right now so I don't even have kit to flaunt. I get ignored half the time too. There was a time when you couldn't even join a team until you were a Cat 3 (mostly out of elitism). Now if you check the results lists, a majority of the Cat4/5 field are on teams.
At this point I think the nod is generally antiquated. Like I hinted at the beginning, it existed because we were a small brotherhood. Nowadays, frankly, we're a dime a dozen.
@frank
We all take away different things. I am pretty new to "serious" cycling, and I can't imagine not acknowledging an enthusiastic little kid on a trailer bike who blurts out a greeting to me, anyway. That might make a lasting impression in his mind against cyclists. No reason to feel guilty about a lil' guy who doesn't know any better. Glad you said "Hi!"
It is a casually deliberate thing... you give the child something to look up to, provide him a model of being, inspiration if you will.
I am fortunate to live in an area (Nor. Cal. Bay area) where we are at times simultaneously both... :) On the east side of the bay the climbs are brutal, exposed to the sun and wind, and require significant withdrawals from the Bank Of V. When riding on the east side, you get and give a nod. The Peninsula is festooned with bikers and fixie fairies commuting between critical mass events and Bike Parties . Nod at your own peril.
Ha, just found this little gem of a post. I must say that my nods are given out rather freely. Rationed like it was the day before doomsday and I won't ever be able to use them again anyhow.
But to be nod snobbed by a cyclist not in strict adherence to the rules!? That must be atoned for. So trained I have become in spotting violations of the order, I quickly point out a few violations for the offending cyclist to contemplate for the remainder of their ride. "Nice saddlebag ya douche nozzle." Or better yet... "sweet stack height." And when applicable the ultimate "nice cockring on your arm!" Keep in mind you must be able to lay down copious quantities of V when yelling these insults.... you never know how far you may have to outsprint the brut whom you just offended.
@pakrat
++1! I was contemplating this the other day. I've become much more free with my nods recently, especially since someone on Facebook once said they got nod-snobbed by a douche in a V-Kit. Not a good reputation to be building.
But, I have to say, I still am judicious. I'll give you a nod so long as some of the Fundamental Rules are observed. Some samples below.
You are:
A nod should be just as subtle as an elbow flick.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Well we all know that a nod's as good as a wink to a blind bat.
Whats everyones take on the "nod" when passing someone or on being passed? I usually feel bad for people I pass. I'm a pretty lousy climber and I suffer. When people pass me and don't acknowledge me I tend to hate them for a second. When they do acknowledge me I tend to think "show off" and then hate them for a second. So when I pass some poor soul labouring on climb I am never sure of the correct etiquette because I think I'll probably be hated anyway. Conversely if you want to grind someone into the dust becase they nod snobbed you before the climb what's the best way? Ride by in silence or give them a cheery "morning" as you pass?
@paolo
I reckon there is no right answer to these questions. Each Velominatus must find his own style for such moments..