why are there no black cyclists ?
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GeorgeShaw wrote:Is this the kind of thread we're going to have to expect now that fat a*se Griffin has been on TV?
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I have never been seeing so meny stereotypes. But I like them I am after all a stereotype.0 -
GeorgeShaw wrote:Is this the kind of thread we're going to have to expect now that fat a*se Griffin has been on TV?
Maybe it's more interesting to ask why there are so few Finns in the pro ranks, seeing as cross-country skiing is very popular over there, is a massively aerobic sport, and has had it's own encounters with EPO over the years.
Well there has been mention about genetics and the part it plays in the over representation of blacks in one sport and being under in another as it seems to be a burning question ( to some more than others). We may never find the answer to some of these questions that may be driven out of mere curiosity and or something more sinister. Make of that what you will and feel free to consult the self appointed experts. To summon them just disagree and feel free to wonder off subject and watch them get more enraged as they are compelled to correct you they will not be able to help themselves and then sit back behind their keyboards in the misguided belief that they have somehow made a major difference in the world beyond their keyboard) . I thank them all in advance for helping me pass the time waiting for the kettle , fax and all the other mundane stuff so a purpose has been served but not a higher one ( sorry) .Others offer a more robust but friendly debate and that's great. and one things for sure genetics aside, in 100 years from now who on here who is going to care ?0 -
As a West Indian who likes to ride sportives I'd like to point out that for most people of my background cycling was primarily a means of transport better than walking but not as good as a scooter->motorbike->car. I rode to school daily, when I came to Britain in the dead of winter I couldn't wear enough clothes to go outside. Riding in the rain was a result of getting caught in the rain not training. Riding in the cold of winter is/was incomprehensible. Spending thousands on a bike when you could get a car was/is mad. If mountain bikes had been invented earlier they would have been ideal for the environment I grew up in as tarmac would not have been of any great importance.
The money I now spend on cycling gear would seem ridiculous to my younger self.
As for getting started with cyling again it was transport then the London to Brighton that led to my present expensive habit. I love it!!I'd like some more gears please0 -
Erm, isn't a mate of Tommy's in BBox who came over from Martinique with him? Can't remember his name off hand.'Google can bring back a hundred thousand answers. A librarian can bring you back the right one.'
Neil Gaiman0 -
Where do you all live?
I live in the city centre of Manchester, where there are a few communities with massive ammounts of black people - all I see is black cyclists!
In fact, I went out on a ride recently with about 8 of them. I was the only white guy there. About 50% of the cyclists I know are black.
I guess it depends on where you live. Some places have a very low percentage of black people living in them.0 -
Bhima wrote:Where do you all live?
I live in the city centre of Manchester, where there are a few communities with massive ammounts of black people - all I see is black cyclists!
In fact, I went out on a ride recently with about 8 of them. I was the only white guy there. About 50% of the cyclists I know are black.
I guess it depends on where you live. Some places have a very low percentage of black people living in them.
I am thinking you are a young boy Bhima, that is good for you but you will grow and experience will tell you that when swimming with shark bites are going to happen. We will provide bandage.
Lock your bike well
AVE DEFENDED CALVES0 -
They probably don't cycle in clubs etc because whenever they do some t!t makes some comment like "not many black cyclists around. Presume you havn't come from the swimming pool".Note: the above post is an opinion and not fact. It might be a lie.0
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Bhima wrote:Where do you all live?
I live in the city centre of Manchester, where there are a few communities with massive ammounts of black people - all I see is black cyclists!
In fact, I went out on a ride recently with about 8 of them. I was the only white guy there. About 50% of the cyclists I know are black.
I guess it depends on where you live. Some places have a very low percentage of black people living in them.
about 8? you sure it wasn't 9?
some of my best friends are cyclists"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Roscobob wrote:Am I right in saying that black people have different bone densities to white people? I think there are other differences too. That's why top swimmers are white.
Could be the same kind of thing here?
I'm part indigenous so I can vouch for this.
"Apparently", black people have a thicker skull (hence heavier head). That is why they are harder to knock out in boxing and why they don't swim very well.
It's the excuse I use when suffering up a climb (and hence why I can descend quicker than most).
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Bhima wrote:Where do you all live?
I live in the city centre of Manchester, where there are a few communities with massive ammounts of black people - all I see is black cyclists!
In fact, I went out on a ride recently with about 8 of them. I was the only white guy there. About 50% of the cyclists I know are black.
I guess it depends on where you live. Some places have a very low percentage of black people living in them.
This is exactly what I meant when I started this thread - every kid has a bike growing up independent of colour or creed, its a right of passage. This has been going on for generations not just in the UK but other countries with diverse populations, France, Netherlands, Germany, so how come in the pro-ranks (hence why the post was placed in the pro section and not cake stop) there is a disproportionately low percentage of any other ethnic gene pool other than caucasian. Is there a problem at the 12-16 age group where people might start to take cycling seriously with a view to turning pro ?0 -
mididoctors wrote:Bhima wrote:Where do you all live?
I live in the city centre of Manchester, where there are a few communities with massive ammounts of black people - all I see is black cyclists!
In fact, I went out on a ride recently with about 8 of them. I was the only white guy there. About 50% of the cyclists I know are black.
I guess it depends on where you live. Some places have a very low percentage of black people living in them.
about 8? you sure it wasn't 9?
some of my best friends are cyclists
rofl 0 -
Roscobob wrote:mididoctors wrote:Roscobob wrote:Am I right in saying that black people have different bone densities to white people? I think there are other differences too. That's why top swimmers are white.
Could be the same kind of thing here?
b0llux
Wow, how insightful. The swimming thing is not b0llocks, it's scientific fact.
Not sure where the scientific facts came from( Jennifer Aniston perhaps) but was sent this link about blacks and swimming.
http://cbs4.com/video/?id=51081@wfor.dayport.com0 -
Roscobob wrote:mididoctors wrote:Roscobob wrote:Am I right in saying that black people have different bone densities to white people? I think there are other differences too. That's why top swimmers are white.
Could be the same kind of thing here?
b0llux
Wow, how insightful. The swimming thing is not b0llocks, it's scientific fact.
VERY thin ice.
The link above demonstrates exactly why.Note: the above post is an opinion and not fact. It might be a lie.0 -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/progin ... /fri.shtml
scroll down a bit - there's a radio show on this tomorrow
it's a hard life if you don't weaken.0 -
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GeorgeShaw wrote:Is this the kind of thread we're going to have to expect now that fat a*se Griffin has been on TV?
Maybe it's more interesting to ask why there are so few Finns in the pro ranks, seeing as cross-country skiing is very popular over there, is a massively aerobic sport, and has had it's own encounters with EPO over the years.
i think its people like you with such defensive views who encourage racism.
the thread asks a simple question, its only the ultra defensive types who jump on the racism bandwagon, like its bad to discuss anything that includes skin colour
im white with no racist bone in my body thats why this thread did not bother me in the slightest....
i mean really flip it the other way and ask yourself would it be such a disgrace if it was "why no whites who ride?"
who cares really?.
dont make it into such a big dealCarerra Fury 080 -
I dont think black people are going to be saying 'oh, its my bones, my bones (density), I cant cycle, swim or do ice hockey. I must play American Football.'0
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There isn't many black windsurfers, skiers, tobagan racers, formula 1 drivers, rally cross drivers, snowboarders, chess players, star trek fans, politicans, urban mountain bikers, golfers (except T Woods), tennis players, polo sport, badminton players or into heavy metal music and folk music! The list goes on and on. :roll: :roll: - yes, that is a double eye roller!0
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An impressive climb on Alpe d huez by a kenyan
http://urbanvelo.org/the-african-cyclist-follow-up/
and the story behind it
http://www.theafricancyclist.com/home.html
It was interesting to read that one of the reasons they couldnt compete in europe was visa applications being turned down and lacking the funding of a major financial backer. I spent the summer in Africa and caught wind of Team Rwanda which has found sponsorship by two big backers in africa in the form of mtn and fina bank, so you never know in the not too distant future we may see black faces at the grand tours.
http://projectrwanda.org/team/adrien-and-lance
It still doesnt quite explain why theres not that many black european riders though.0 -
I might have to reitterate a point already made, just to make sure I'm reading them right:
Who cares? Why should any group be equally represented in cycling? If there is discrimination out there that I'm unaware of, then certainly it should be stamped out. Cycling should be for anyone who wants to join in. If not, musing on peoples' racial characteristics does wiff of ignorance I'm afraid.
I promise at my low standard of cycling I have never, ever considered my bone density or my likeliness of winning a pro-tour before getting on a bike. I'll be bold enough to assume no-one on this forum has either.0 -
This thread is beyond tedious.
I supose the important issue/quesion is whether cycling clubs/establishment operates in such a way as to act as a barrier to ethnic minority participation? Which would, of course, be completely unacceptable, and necessitate serious action. For me the answer is categorically 'no'. Black kids just, for the most part, chose to do other things.
Perhaps we should force them to participate to get the numbers up and make us all feel better?!0 -
I would honestly like to believe that there were no differences between the races but clearly there are and there's plenty of evidence to support this (such as the article referred to already in this discussion).
There's also plenty of anecdotal evidence:
How many non-black sprinters have gone below 10 seconds for the 100 m relative to the number of black sub 10 second sprinters?
Where do the south sea islands find all these amazingly gifted rugby players who frighten the hell out of all the more populous rugby nations (The combined population of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa is something like 500,000)
I think the proposition that all human races are equally likely to generate world class athletes in sport X is busted. No way Usain Bolt could have been anything other than a man of recent african descent.
The reason black people aren't as well represented in Golf, Tennis and Cycling is because they are to a real extent excluded. With respect to cycling this is largely an economic exclusion. Given enough money and time Eritrea or Kenya would produce a cyclist that would win the TdF...and probably before we'll see a white British athlete win it.0 -
There's a dangerous confusion here.
As regards economic circumstances - t'was ever thus. Irrespective of ethnicity. That said, I'm sure if you took a respresentative sample of black kids from more affluent families, their participation in minority sports (such as cycling) would be no different to black kids from more affluent families. Economic exclusion (in whatever form) is part an parcel of life, but (in the UK at least), it does come down to choice.
As for whether there are numerous Africans with the athletic capacity to be a ProTour rider, then I'm sure there are. Just as I'm sure there are in China, South America, India etc.
So what?0 -
Just picked up on this thread. I think that most of the physiological stuff is a dead end. I'm all for trying to encourage/ensure more equal access to good things like education and health - it has been part of my job to "sell" these benefits and counter any exclusion or discrimination. Grass roots cycling is a good thing to be shared. I'd like to see more people from more backgrounds to enjoy it and thereafter achieve their potential.
I read a biography of Major Taylor (world champion sprinter in c1898 first US black sports star) recently - its very exciting and moving. In the US there are now Major Taylor cycling clubs dedicated to enabling inner city kids to get involved in recreational and competitive cycling. CTC's Bike Club project and BC's Go-Ride schemes should do the same in the UK. Is anyone else out there interested?
Great to hear about Rwanda, Kenya and Eritrea. Competitive and recreational cycling is still very suburban and white in UK. I hope this will change. It was good to hear from you Road Crawler.0
