Its an interesting debate about the biker nod / wave. Before I go on, a confession - I am a Harley rider. Don’t hate me. I nod at everyone - even the 50cc delivery drivers.

I sit on the roadside for hours watching thousands of you pass my camera, and if there’s one thing that cracks me up, it’s the sheer mental energy we waste on the biker nod.

It’s supposed to be this simple, unwritten rule of the road. You pass another rider, give a quick tilt of the helmet, and it’s a silent “I see you, mate. Stay safe.”

But let’s be honest—it can be a proper head-ache.

Picture it: You’re leaning into a brilliant corner, focusing on the apex, and you give a textbook, friendly nod to an oncoming rider. And... nothing. Total radio silence. Left hanging at 50mph.

Instantly, the internal monologue starts inside your helmet: Is he just miserable? Did he not see me? Is it because I’m on a cruiser and he’s on a sports bike? Does he think Harleys are rubbish?

If you've done this, stop. One thing I’ve decided - You can’t let a missed nod mess with your head or your ride. My daughter was on the back on our way to a Bike and Brew Passport cafe and more didn’t return the waves than did. She was fuming, despite never even being aware of it until I started greeting people as they went passed.

I’m sure that nine times out of ten, an ignored nod has absolutely nothing to do with you. From what I see through the viewfinder, when someone doesn’t nod back, they’re usually dead focused on something else in that exact split second:

* They’re dodging a massive pothole, hitting a patch of loose gravel, or bracing for a sudden crosswind.

* They’re mid-gear change into a tight bend where taking their hand off the bars or their focus off the controls is a terrible idea.

* They’re a brand-new rider entirely consumed by just keeping the shiny side up, or a veteran who is completely lost in their own thoughts.

* They’re just a dick

The second you let a missed nod annoy you, I think you’ve let a total stranger miles down the road ruin your vibe.

Riding is our ultimate reset button. It’s the one place where the background noise of life finally drops away. But that headspace only works if you’re entirely dialed into your own bike and your own tarmac.

If you're busy grumbling about someone else's manners, you aren't looking at the road ahead. You aren't scanning the hedges, checking the surface, or anticipating the next bend.

By all means, keep nodding. It’s what makes the bike community unique, and it’s brilliant when you get a proper wave or a solid acknowledgement back.

But throw the nod out there with zero expectations. If they return it, fantastic. If they don't, who cares? Keep your eyes on the horizon, enjoy the pace, and focus on your own machine.

Your ride is yours—don't let a stranger dictate the mood inside your helmet.