I have found that most cyclists don't acknowledge me when walking (with honourable exceptions), but they do when I'm cycling, despite the fact that I am obviously tootling along and clearly not taking it seriously. The funniest was when an elderly chap overtook me on a very steep hill (I was pushing my bike up it), and he encouraged me along, saying 'Nay, lass, you're doing very well, that isn't really a road bike'. A few seconds later a younger chap pedalled past, grinned, and said ' I wouldn't mind, but that [censored]**r ahead is 82!' I suppose he was about 20 years older, gave me hope for the future!