What do you think

dave_1
dave_1 Posts: 9,512
edited January 2008 in Pro race
the top pros think us cycling fans? I think they regard us as a bit stupid and lacking...could be wrong...but the doping things turned me against these people so much.

Comments

  • cee
    cee Posts: 4,553
    i think that giraffes are better than elephants
    Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I believe in the future of the human race.

    H.G. Wells.
  • People drive too fast.
  • vermooten
    vermooten Posts: 2,697
    Paul Kimmage refered to sportive riders as 'anoraks' which is pretty negative, and the hero of The Rider generally hated the fans. In both cases it was because non-riders don't understand what's involved even when we think we do.
    You just have to ride like you never have to breathe again.

    Manchester Wheelers
  • deejay
    deejay Posts: 3,138
    vermooten wrote:
    Paul Kimmage refered to sportive riders as 'anoraks' which is pretty negative, and the hero of The Rider generally hated the fans. In both cases it was because non-riders don't understand what's involved even when we think we do.

    Who the Hell is Paul Kimmage.......is he the guy who earns a living as an author of dope stories. ! ! ! ! .......Did he ever win anything or just cry that he couldn't because of doping
    Organiser, National Championship 50 mile Time Trial 1972
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,549
    deejay wrote:
    Who the Hell is Paul Kimmage.......is he the guy who earns a living as an author of dope stories. ! ! ! ! .......Did he ever win anything or just cry that he couldn't because of doping
    He was the Irish national champion, 6th in the World Amateur Championships and good enough to be a pro for three years.

    I'd bet he's a lot better placed than you to comment on the world of professional cycling. :roll:
  • Kléber
    Kléber Posts: 6,842
    I'm sure different pros have different views. Just as the views of fans vary.

    But many fans romanticise the sport. For many pros, it is just a job.
  • deejay
    deejay Posts: 3,138
    andyp wrote:
    deejay wrote:
    Who the Hell is Paul Kimmage.......is he the guy who earns a living as an author of dope stories. ! ! ! ! .......Did he ever win anything or just cry that he couldn't because of doping
    He was the Irish national champion, 6th in the World Amateur Championships and good enough to be a pro for three years.

    I'd bet he's a lot better placed than you to comment on the world of professional cycling. :roll:

    Exactly....just a nobody then .....and I don't pontificate on pro cyclists just observations I have spectated at since 1963 Ronde.
    I certainly do not dredge the gutters for dopy stories to make a living.
    I was 3/4/5/6th in my day.....but then I know I'm a nobody, no problem ! ! !

    Be Lucky
    Organiser, National Championship 50 mile Time Trial 1972
  • drenkrom
    drenkrom Posts: 1,062
    If anyone on this earth is riding bikes solely to please a public, I pity them. You don't go out and ride the way these guys do every day for someone else's pleasure, even if that is what pays the bills in the end. If you think the question "what will my fans think of this?" comes up when considering doping, you really understand nothing about how someone takes up these practices. If you're turned off on the sport, don't interpret it as the riders being turned off on you.
  • deejay
    deejay Posts: 3,138
    I think that........ if you are there at the "signing in" during the morning then most pro riders are pleased to have a friendly word with the fans.

    They won't be too friendly with some idiot running at their side on a mountain or crowding in the middle of the road in front of the race.

    When it comes to ASO and World championships with heavy security then they are embraced in an environment that is not friendly to fans.
    They are then very friendly to the so called VIP's and Sponsors who pay their wages.
    Organiser, National Championship 50 mile Time Trial 1972
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Dave_1 wrote:
    the top pros think us cycling fans? I think they regard us as a bit stupid and lacking...could be wrong...but the doping things turned me against these people so much.

    They would if they logged on here and read your contributions.
    Moan moan moan.
  • Brian B
    Brian B Posts: 2,071
    When I was at the Alps in 2004 the CSC and T Mobile teams were training for the tour and they all waved when the passed us when out training and even waved from their team cars. Ullrich said hello to me when I a just cycled to the top of Alpe De Huez and so did several off his team mates.

    This area in summer is busy with cyclists and to keep that up day after day strikes me that most pros realise that fans are pretty important.
    Brian B.
  • no wonder tho, some cycling fans are just plain fckin stupid like on the climbs in the tour where they basically stand in the middle of the road and leave no room for these guys to "work". i'd get pretty pist off at these idiots aswell.
    felix's bike

    pedal like you stole something!!!
  • dbg
    dbg Posts: 846
    Why should we give a monkeys what they think of us? I admire their dedication and fitness, I look skywards in exasperation everytime I hear another doping story but life goes on and I don't let it get me down, unlike yourself Dave-1, you have become so cynical I do wonder why you still post.
    A real shame because I used to enjoy your superb knowledge in the old days before we all got thrust over to this forum.
  • dave_1
    dave_1 Posts: 9,512
    dbg wrote:
    Why should we give a monkeys what they think of us? I admire their dedication and fitness, I look skywards in exasperation everytime I hear another doping story but life goes on and I don't let it get me down, unlike yourself Dave-1, you have become so cynical I do wonder why you still post.
    A real shame because I used to enjoy your superb knowledge in the old days before we all got thrust over to this forum.

    I admire their dedication and fitness too...but the Sinkewitz case revealed blood doping in the junior ranks...which puts a different light on the problem..it begs the question of whether pro sport needs wiped out completely cause of the infection of doping all the way down from the top.