TO WAVE OR NOT TO WAVE, AN UNSPOKEN RULE | RIDER SUPPORT

We're diving into the unwritten rules of cycling culture, from whether you should wave at every rider you pass to how fan interference has dramatically shaped professional racing history. Along the way, we'll tackle practical rider concerns—from saddle soreness recovery to building confidence on steep climbs—and challenge some of the trendy fitness hacks that might be stealing your focus from the fundamentals.

Key Takeaways

• Waving or acknowledging other cyclists is a cherished cycling tradition, but it's not universal—personality type, cycling culture, fatigue level, and bike handling demands (like hard interval work) all affect whether a rider reciprocates, so don't take it personally.
• Your bike fit and saddle choice are the first things to address for backside soreness, not just stretching and recovery tools; standing out of the saddle occasionally during rides also gives that muscle group crucial relief.
• Altitude training is a marginal gain for most amateur riders and carries real risk of overtraining; focus instead on nailing the fundamentals: adequate zone 2 work, proper bike setup, and consistent training volume.
• Confidence on steep climbs and technical terrain isn't irrational fear—it's preparation; check your gearing, tire pressure, body positioning, and practice unclipping on safe ground before pushing yourself.
• Don't let insecurity about cycling kit prevent you from riding; wear whatever makes you comfortable (tracky bottoms, skirts, short shorts) until confidence builds—people aren't judging you nearly as much as you think.

Expert Quotes

"If I'm doing something that's really hard, especially something where I need full control on my bike, maybe I'm doing a kilo full gas, like a one minute all-out effort. I'm not stopping to wave to somebody in the middle of that. You can nod or you can give a wink or you can give a smile."

"Altitude is the wrong idea... We're spending time on cold plunges, on saunas, on massage boots. This stuff is amazing and I love talking about it, but that stuff can't be a replacement for making sure you're moving enough, making sure you're spending enough time in zone 2."

"People are not really looking at you... Everyone has got too much going on in their own little world."