DISQUS

Cycling Tips: Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

  • Haywarm · 3 months ago
    I am currently in Singapore for work, and a group I ride with a couple of nights a week roll through some lights and round-a-bouts at high speed. I'm never sure what they are calling out, always best to look.

    The other one that I've read about somewhere, but never seen in action is waving your hand like you are holding a hankie before you let loose with a snot rocket.
  • Chris · 3 months ago
    yes, the dreaded loogie! Much more dangerous than any pothole or broken bottle! There should definitely be a hand signal for that. What is the etiquette?
  • cyclingtips · 3 months ago
    The courteous thing to do is to pull off to the side of the bunch and blow you're nose there. Some people make a complete mess out of the "Saskatchewan Sneeze" as we called it back in Canukland.

    The trick is to commit. You'll never get it out if you blow half-assed. The other trick is to blow under the armpit of the arm that's still on the handlebars. This will make it go directly to the ground instead of flying all over the place and making a mess. Same goes for spitting.

    Last but not least, take note of which direction the wind is coming from!
  • Ian McGinley · 3 months ago
    Bushmans hankie - only do it when well clear of a bunch. Either off to the leeward side or at the back. Last summer at SKCC crits some muppet did this when I was following his wheel in 5th position during B-grade. Unfortunately for me that meant that I then came down with whatever cold/flu he was dispensing with the following week.
  • Marko · 3 months ago
    Some people are notorious for just letting it spray. I have a fair idea who that would have been in the SKCC crit. Basically he is a rider to never sit behind, its well known. Next though, what about gloves on the table at the cafe? Absolutely not, and whilst were on about a bit of hygiene, how about the wringing wet hat and even that sweat laden helmet. All off the table. You know that goofy handshake that allows you not to touch the other guys outstretched gloved (snot wiped) hand, thats why.
  • Brad · 3 months ago
    Marko - are you the bubble boy from Seinfeld? Loosen up
  • averagejoe · 3 months ago
    To avoid the car/clear confusion, our regular bunch sticks wtih YES. If the call is yes then we continue. Otherwise we stop. Other than that, the remainder of your calls seem consistent with what I've experienced elsewhere.
  • Anonymous · 3 months ago
    Better safe than sorry. It's only a ride after all. Yes... it's just a ride.
  • Anonymous · 3 months ago
    The 'ol samuri sword move. I fear this more than aggravated drivers themselves. This sums up the Samuri Sword Rider for me.....
    "I have more respect for a man who lets me know where he stands, even if he's wrong. Than the one who comes up like an angel and is nothing but a devil" Malcom X.
  • Beagle · 3 months ago
    Great post, I wish I had read something like this before I started riding in groups.
    My two favourite non-verbal communication moments were:
    (as discussed on another topic) Thinking that the 'Keep out of the gutter' signal meant 'Get off my wheel'...and spending about half an hour feeling obliged to pass people, only to have them pass me about two minutes later.
    And, going on the first long ride in a while and getting numb hands from the constant vibration. In order to get a bit of feeling back I was occasionally taking my hands off the handlebars and shaking them. At the end of the ride, one of the guys came over and said "I know most of the signals...but what was the one where you shook your hands? Was it crosswinds?"
  • Geoff · 3 months ago
    hilarious!
  • Pedro · 3 months ago
    A couple more for the list that we use in Scotland:

    'Nose' for cars coming toward you on narrow country roads and 'Tail' for cars coming from behind, attempting to overtake. We also use 'side' for potholes, drain covers etc at the side of the road, as well as pointing. However, here at least, potholes are a regular occurence so as a general rule we ride about 1m from the kerb so there isn't so much shouting. Keep calls simple and clear and don't be afraid to shout!