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[Bertie the Bullet]

In a futile attempt to keep this ageing body from deteriation I dug the push bike out and went out for a ride, when motorcycling I always nod to passing motorcyclists, 99% nod back ( the odd 1% generally being Harley riders obviously ), anyway whilst on the push bike I passed a few cyclists tonight and said hello to each of them, none replied, what an ignorant lot they are, shan't bother next time, guess they are the 1% that also ride tractor units....just enjoy the ride.

[Alan R]

-----------similarly, if out walking and you pass another pedestrian coming in the opposite direction, how many avoid eye-contact or wont just say "Hello" ?? Mind you ---I was "SANS CLOTHING" at the time ---which might explain a lot ?? ....I thought the Police interview went quite well--all things considered !!

[Les H]

That's because you were overtaking them Bertie, probably thought you were being sarcastic. I used to cycle into the City a few years back where I worked, and you could get someone ahead going reasonably steady, for miles but sometimes you were just going faster than them. You just knew that after you overtook them, within a few minutes they would be trying to overtake you, by going twice as fast as they had been happilly going along before. It used to make me laugh...Now the Tour de France and the Olympics have made cycling the in-thing, the seasoned regular cyclists are becoming a bit snobby and don't like the newbies trying to get in on "their" hobby. Personally speaking, the more we have riding any form of two wheels the better.

[Alan R]

----------agreed !! So I'm off to my local Chariot shop to check-out some Ex-Egyptian Army bargains on offer.... I know, I know--I'm being flippant --- but what the heck ??

[Bertie the Bullet]

You misunderstand Les, we passed in opposite directions, funny enough been out on another ride since then and had the same non response from another cyclist, they clearly do not ride motorcycles! Or I'm even more ugly than I'm told!!!

[Les H]

No I didn't. I realised that's what the situation probably was but I was suggesting it as a joke (you know a story that amuses and make you laugh?....errrrrr perhaps not then.....are the Bertie Bullet stories meant to ????) and a way of fitting in my anactotal story. I think the motorcycling nod came about quite some years ago as motoocyling in this country had all but dried up and we still had the reputation of being the lowest of the low, so it was nice to give and get a friendly acknowledement. I still carry with me though that feeling of being unwanted when I go into pubs dressed in motorcyle clobber....we are still a different form of human in most of British peoples eyes I think....(just ask Jeremy Clarkson) ..but maybe getting better. The Two Hairy Bikers have helped a bit I think.

[Alan R]

Hello Guys----------LES, I couldn't agree more re}--the "British" thing & Motorcyclists. I have a story to relate involving the illustrious Jeremy Clarkson which---for brevities sake ---I'll post under it's own heading. Funny though---a lot of Pubs ie the Landlord--- are now jumping on the bandwagon with a "Bikers Evening" etc. Talking of jokes---------I looked in the mirror this morning !!!