Sunday, my oldest son Jake competed in his second kids triathlon. The event consisted of a 100 yd swim, a 3 mile bike and a 1/2 mile run. He did a great job and finished it in about 25 minutes. we are very proud of him for competing and doing his best. As we were driving home, I was struck by what seems to be a unwritten law of the road, which got me thinking.... I'll explain.
Driving home in the minivan on Houston Levee from the triathlon, we were behind a motorcycle the entire way. Now I am sure everyone knows the answer to this, but what happens when a motorcycle sees another motorcycle in the other lane heading their way?? They give a short little tough guy wave to each other. Doesn't matter if there is 4 lanes between them, they all get the wave. And it is not the "Hey over here" type of wave, but more of the I am waving so only you can see me motorcycle friend. The wave that reaches low to the ground, using the left hand only, with only two fingers extended. I thought at first they might know each other, but the same dude knew 3 other motorcyclists on that road. It became quite funny.
So, that made me want to roll down my window and give my own little shout out to anyone rockin a minivan like we were! I mean why not? Why should the tough biker dudes be the only ones that get to wave? I secretly hoped the biker guy in front of me would see me, not so much so that he knew I was laughing at him, but really more that he would think what an idiot I was for waving at minivans.
We have all seen this happen. I do not know if it is an unwritten law or not, but I know that it does not only apply to motorcycles, but Jeeps also (the soft-tops, not the ones that people get that will never go off roading). Runners, cyclists also do this wave thing as well.
Team Babb will be breaking out the champagne for our new minivan in a couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I hate to join the ranks of "mini-van owners," I'll be glad to give you the tough guy wave if we should ever cross paths!
Just figured I'd drop by to say I replied to your comment on my post. It's a good dialogue we've got going.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I've noticed the pedestrian equivalence of this when walking across campus. I described it in a previous post. It's something similar to sucking in the corners of your mouth.