Explaining to a non-cyclist

BigG67

The only downside to Cav's continuing domination of the sprints is the need to explain to a non-cyclist (my missus) why he's not leading the GC.

The basic principle is easy, but like explaining cricket every answer launches another question. It goes on and on and on......

Chip \'oyler

Ditto :roll:

Anonymous

Yep, all my work colleagues that come into the office...

fossyant

My missus has sussed all that now.

Smokin Joe

Asking them how many marathons Linford Christy won might make the penny drop.

finchy

Explained it to my girlfriend tonight, using a map with route profiles on. She now understands that Cav will lose time in mountains.

It was painful, though.

touchy

Smokin Joe wrote:

Asking them how many marathons Linford Christy won might make the penny drop.

Thats a seperate question. (Which is another i get asked a lot).
The fact that cav has won the most stages yet is not ahead overall seems very complicated to people who dont follow it.

edit: actually, maybe your right. After re-reading, i cant work out what the OP means. Either-
"Why are some better at climbing and some better at sprinting?"
or
"if cav has won so many stages, why isnt he leading GC?"

BigG67

Actually that is my point it's the opening of the pandora's box.

Here's how it kind of went:

Q1 "if he wins so often why is he so far behind". Answer "he's a sprinter not a TT specialist or climber he lost lots of time in the TT and the hills".

Q2 "Would Chris Hoy be good at what he does" A2 "No he's not an endurance sprinter, it's all about fast twitch and power v weight. Track's different" (thank god she missed the chance to ask about Wiggo)

Q3 "But if Cav's power v weight is good why can't he climb" A3 "he doesn't have the stamina" (chance there to revisit the Hoy question but again I got lucky....)

Q4 "So do good climbers always win, will the guy in the spotty jersey win the whole thing?"
Q4 "Usually but not always...TT is a big influence"

Q5 "So TT riders are good at endurance"
A5 " Some are - Contador - some ain't - Cancellara"

Q6 "So why can't Cav be a better TT rider and while I'm at it as he's won the most stages why's that big guy he's beating in the green jersey...I thought that was for sprinters?
"
A6 ".....have you seen the hemlock anywhere?...."

redddraggon

BigG67 wrote:

Q5 "So TT riders are good at endurance"
A5 " Some are - Contador - some ain't - Cancellara"

I think you are confused there. TTers definitely have endurance, Cancellara's power to weight and his inability to handle the accelerations on the climbs is what will limit his GC chances...

BigG67

..fair enough...but relatively speaking....

After all Cav has great endurence compared to most.

avoidingmyphd

hutch's article in the current cycling weekly tackles this topic. made me laugh

Frank the tank

Another oft asked question surrounds the "lead out" for the sprint.

Why has he stopped racing, he was in the lead? I can't remember how many times I've answered that one.