Ya, I have run into that fairly often. Many of them won't even acknowledge when passing in opposite directions... won't return a wave or whatever. Not sure why or what it is all about, but it is there.
Must be Tri-envy!

Two way street folks...been badgered showing up at a tri club ride on my road bike. Have met folks that think that if you DON'T have aero bars on you are some lower life form because you don't "tri". There is a wiff of that in your posts.

BOTH sports have alot of elietist snobs...as do running,climbing and AR...hell all sports do.
Do ya want to start a frame pump fight everytime it happens?
Talk to folks, be inclusive...make it work.

I've seen about the same amount from roadies and tri folks directed both ways. I now often ride with some roadies, and while I'm in awe of their handling during crits, they want to know how I can bike after running so long. I agree with Anton -- it definitely is through all sports. Just depends which people in the sport you meet.... and their experiences with others in our sport.

Here is a pretty good list:

http://www.bamacyclist.com/articles/groupridetech.html

They're all good, but I think the most important ones are: be predictable, announce your intentions, point out hazards and don't overlap wheels!

I ride with both groups and see the same thing. It is a real turn-off for me. Yes I'm competitive, but the reality is that I'm just having fun and staying fit. I gravitate towards groups that are more inviting and openly (as opossed to covertly) challenging.

It would work really well in a sling shot!
co2 cartridge at 90 MPH...ouch!

That's it! Now, I'm aware that some roadies just don't like the tri-gang and vice versa, but reality be told some individuals are just self-absorbed does matter what the sports is. There are plenty of avid cyclists and triatletes here in the State College area most are friendly and offer a wave or greeting in passing. But some don't. In fact, yesterday I was out on a nice run through the game land trails. As I turned a corner, I passed two other runners going the opposite direction. I offered a "hey, fellas" and a wave, in return I got nothing in the way of acknowledgement. We passed within 3ft. of one another. Robins, well put...some people are just rude!

Anyone for a good old fashioned bike jousting competition?

That should really settle everything.

My theory is that friendliness in our sport(s) is an inverse function of the social interaction we enjoy while training/competing.

For instance, it’s pretty easy to talk to someone while riding a bike. It follows that cyclists make friends pretty easily. After only a few rides, they have so many new buddies they can’t even keep track of ‘em all! The last thing they need is more friends! At the opposite end of the spectrum we have those poor, lonely swimmers. Most of us know it’s nearly impossible to carry on a conversation while swimming, so they take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way to be as friendly as possible. That explains why they’re such a friendly bunch! Runners are stuck in the middle somewhere: they find it easier to converse while training than swimmers, but have more difficulty than cyclists, which explains why runners are “middling� in terms of friendliness.

As for triathletes…well, old habits die hard, and since most of us can trace our competitive “roots� to one of our three disciplines, we’re basically all over the board when it comes to friendliness.

I hope that clears everything up! ;)