Am I the only person who took (almost) 33 years to notice that when motorcycle riders pass each other on the road they low five each other?
And I was voted most observant female in 8th grade... pfft.
If anyone can find a source online that explains this fidelity I would appreciate you sharing. I do have biker friends to ask, but I want to read up about it without being a dork and asking them about it.
Update: As ADW points out, it's actually more of a wave, but it's a low wave! No one actually touches anyone else. Can you imagine actually low fiving when you're each travelling at 50 mph in opposite directions? Ow.
Update 2: Hay is awesome and found this post about the secret hand signals. Hay rawks!
13 comments:
I'm turning 32 this month and I've never noticed it.
My dad drives a Jeep. Jeep owners wave to each other when they pass on the road. I want a Jeep so I can do it too.
We used to have a motorcycle and we would always raise a hand when we passed someone, but never high fived. Sorry I can't help.
Heather - Happy almost birthday!! Mine is next month. When I first got my Subaru I wanted to wave to everyone who had one, but I didn't. Now I have a Kia and no desire to wave at the cruel, cruel world.
ADW - That's the thing! That's what I mean! I had no idea that happened until yesterday. You helped!
MINIs exhibit the same phenomenon, but that's just because we're cool that way.
I never noticed anything like that, either, although when I was at school, the students who drove the buses would wave to each other when they passed on the road.
Did that make sense? I haven't had caffeine yet this morning....
Here's what I found re: the biker wave.
We used to have a jeep until I was too prego to get in it any more. Worse decision ever to sell that thing) Jeep drivers always do a hand up-no wave. In the Westfalia I've noticed people give the peace sign.
I haven't noticed anything in the Suburu.
This place is thick with bikers (lot of rallies, two Harley factories) and I've never noticed that behavior either.
In my early twenties I dated someone with a Honda Shadow and, when we were out on the bike, I noticed other motorcyclists waving so I asked him about it. He explained that little 'code of the road' and I thought it was pretty cool.
Motorcyclists do it regardless of the brand/model/type of ride.
It's not about what you drive... it's about the lifestyle & acknowledging someone else who's chosen to travel through life in a similar way... free, with the wind at your back, the open road ahead, and all that good stuff.
I never noticed that! There was a Most Observant award? Or was that a joke? So either...congrats or haha! :)
When I was a kid riding the back of my dad's bike it was a higher wave--sometimes a fist.
These days its the low wave--and yeah, its pretty common all over the country. I think it happens more in areas where bikes are less common--you wouldn't see it at rallies and such as much because they'd be waving nonstop!
RW - Minis are so adorable.
B - It almost made sense. Almost. Did you ever get your caffeine?!
ACW - Thank you, you rock!
Jenny - Time to buy a new Jeep! :D
Joe - I guess Sleeping Mommy has explained the reason you haven't seen this phenomenon. :)
Sour - That makes sense. And you are such a rebel for dating a biker. Even if it was *mumble* years ago.
Rhys - I honestly did win the Most Observant superlative in my 8th grade yearbook.
Mommy - That's so cool. Now I wanna ride a motorcycle. :)
Never seen the biker thing, but the Jeep wave is a definite phenomenon. I am a Jeep owner and I would say about half of the Jeep drivers I see give the Jeep wave.
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