Darren Gough slagging Le Tour

Ben6899

Yes.

But that was said in response to his comments. We see it once every other week; a post on here where the general consenus is that nothing apart from cycling really counts as sport. Okay, a few of us defend football, rugby and hockey (from memory), but on the whole "we're pretty untouchable us cyclists and all other sports can fúck off because they're not difficult enough."

RichN95.

Ben6899 wrote:

Yes.

But that was said in response to his comments. We see it once every other week; a post on here where the general consenus is that nothing apart from cycling really counts as sport. Okay, a few of us defend football, rugby and hockey (from memory), but on the whole "we're pretty untouchable us cyclists and all other sports can fúck off because they're not difficult enough."

I'm not sure how many of us actually are specifically cyclists. I'm not - I'm a hockey player (which I can't remember ever having to defend, incidently). Sure, I like going cycling occasionally but my entire 'racing' career comprises one triathlon and one sportif (both done slowly).

Cycling is the sport I watch the most on TV - I'm just a fan. I watch plenty of other sports, but far more selectively. (For example, I have little interest in hockey outside my own club).

There are certainly some who think that cycling is the only worthwhile sport, though.

PS I'm not sure what the point of this post is.

Ben6899

RichN95 wrote:

Ben6899 wrote:

Yes.

But that was said in response to his comments. We see it once every other week; a post on here where the general consenus is that nothing apart from cycling really counts as sport. Okay, a few of us defend football, rugby and hockey (from memory), but on the whole "we're pretty untouchable us cyclists and all other sports can fúck off because they're not difficult enough."

I'm not sure how many of us actually are specifically cyclists. I'm not - I'm a hockey player (which I can't remember ever having to defend, incidently). Sure, I like going cycling occasionally but my entire 'racing' career comprises one triathlon and one sportif (both done slowly).

Cycling is the sport I watch the most on TV - I'm just a fan. I watch plenty of other sports, but far more selectively. (For example, I have little interest in hockey outside my own club).

There are certainly some who think that cycling is the only worthwhile sport, though.

PS I'm not sure what the point of this post is.

Rich, I think your interest in hockey is what jogged me to add it to my list. Fair enough if you've never found yourself defending it on here.

I do honestly think I have a point about the hypocrisy though. And I'm not trying to cause offence or upset people.

frenchfighter

There is a difference between not saying anything about a sport and saying you dislike a sport.

Why would we start threads about the 'qualities' of footballers etc? I could understand your point if there were aggressive threads rubbishing other sports but I havent come across them?

I would be happy to praise other sports etc...just so happens that I think that none other touches this.

I am an exclusive road cyclist. I hardly watch or take part in any other sport, not that I would be adverse to that by any means, but I choose not to. I ride hard 2-3 times a week.

RichN95.

Ben6899 wrote:

I do honestly think I have a point about the hypocrisy though. And I'm not trying to cause offence or upset people.

You didn't offend me. I agree with you. As I said, I really don't what point I was trying to make - I was just rambling I think.

Ben6899

Oh no. Nobody has started a thread saying "football's crap" or "rugby's played by poofs". The other day someone started an interesting thread asking what constitutes something being a sport. Cue the predictable responses rubbishing most sports except cycling.

It's tiring.

It sounds like you [frenchfighter] recognise the skills and strengths required for other sports. Some simply refuse to do so.

RichN no worries.

afx237vi

TakeTheHighRoad wrote:

Surely calling him a fat nobody who hits a ball with a lump of wood is just as bad as saying cyclists can ride the Tour de France with no problems, no?

You mean chuck a ball at a lump of wood. He certainly wasn't much cop at hitting 'em.





(I kid! I kid!)

RichN95.

Vaguely on topic, I did laugh when Wiggins re-tweeted this (with no comment, but clearly with sarcasm/irony)

http://twitter.com/themichaelowen/statu ... 1062937601

Wheelspinner

afx237vi wrote:

TakeTheHighRoad wrote:

Surely calling him a fat nobody who hits a ball with a lump of wood is just as bad as saying cyclists can ride the Tour de France with no problems, no?

You mean chuck a ball at a lump of wood. He certainly wasn't much cop at hitting 'em.

No, no no... he was chucking it at the three sticks at the other end. The bloke with that big lump of wood was trying to stop the ball hitting them. Them's the rules. Gottit?

RichN95.

afx237vi wrote:

You mean chuck a ball at a lump of wood. He certainly wasn't much cop at hitting 'em.

He didn't chuck anything - that was Muralithuran (and Brett Lee)

sharky1029

I play cricket fairly frequently, and it is far easier than cycling as 90% of the time is spent standing in the field or waiting to bat eating cookies.

I think that to compete in any sport at a pro level requires lots of talent (even darts) however some are more skills based than others.
To a non cyclist, the TdF looks very fitness based and radios do seem like a way to stop the cyclists having to think.
However, without radios, there would be more crashes as that is how they are informed and it would be far harder to work as a team.

It is the same with most sports, in order to be a pro you have to have been doing it since a young age however yo still need natural talent to do it.

afx237vi

RichN95 wrote:

afx237vi wrote:

You mean chuck a ball at a lump of wood. He certainly wasn't much cop at hitting 'em.

He didn't chuck anything - that was Muralithuran (and Brett Lee)

Murali has nothing on Malinga the Slinga!

Which reminds me... cycling has better nicknames than cricket too 8)

RichN95.

afx237vi wrote:

Which reminds me... cycling has better nicknames than cricket too 8)

Cricket has had some goods ones too, though. 'Pica' for Graham Dilley is a favourite, as are 'Tugga' for Steve Waugh and 'Afghanistan' for Mark Waugh (the forgotten Waugh).

They're not as poetic, but they're wittier.

Both sports are better than Lamps, JT, Wazza, Stevie G and co.

RichN95.

sharky1029 wrote:

I think that to compete in any sport at a pro level requires lots of talent (even darts) however some are more skills based than others.

In the skill based sports, the idea of 'talent' is something of a myth. I'm currently reading Bounce by Matthew Syed in which he debunks the 'natural talent' theory. He puts forward the theory (not really his) that practice is far more important - huge amounts of practice. He himself is an ex-Olympic table tennis player and he starts the book by saying that a huge amount of top UK table tennis players have come from the same single area of Reading that he did.

Nobody comes to those 'skill sports' late and succeeds. Cycling on the other hand is largely down to natural physical abilities. Even if I (with a low VO2 max) trained constantly since I could first ride a bike, I would never get close to being a pro (although I may have made a great track sprinter). However, some people can switch straight across (eg Greg Van Avermaet - ex-reserve team goalkeeper for KSK Beveren)

domhopson

Brian Smith, as have I have called him a few things this evening!!!

jerry3571

I think this may relate to Darren Gough.

Anonymous

RichN95 wrote:

afx237vi wrote:

Which reminds me... cycling has better nicknames than cricket too 8)

Cricket has had some goods ones too, though. 'Pica' for Graham Dilley is a favourite, as are 'Tugga' for Steve Waugh and 'Afghanistan' for Mark Waugh (the forgotten Waugh).

They're not as poetic, but they're wittier.

Both sports are better than Lamps, JT, Wazza, Stevie G and co.

"One Size" shows that football isn't all bad.

Wheelspinner

Gladstone Small being nicknamed "Pearl" was sharp too.

dg74

Ah Goughie and that Durham fella.

As pointed out at nufcthreatlevel blog, Durham will say one thing and Goughie will say the total opposite and daft sods from the home counties (normally lfc or man u fans) will ring in and argue and be charged a quid odd for the 'pleasure'.

Not the brightest of people, Durham and Goughie.

sing_for_absolution

My only post to this thread is why is the op listening to Talksport? :shock:

stevec205gti

Wheelspinner wrote:

afx237vi wrote:

TakeTheHighRoad wrote:

Surely calling him a fat nobody who hits a ball with a lump of wood is just as bad as saying cyclists can ride the Tour de France with no problems, no?

You mean chuck a ball at a lump of wood. He certainly wasn't much cop at hitting 'em.

No, no no... he was chucking it at the three sticks at the other end. The bloke with that big lump of wood was trying to stop the ball hitting them. Them's the rules. Gottit?

I think you'll find they're laws......

finchy

RichN95 wrote:

afx237vi wrote:

Which reminds me... cycling has better nicknames than cricket too 8)

Cricket has had some goods ones too, though. 'Pica' for Graham Dilley is a favourite, as are 'Tugga' for Steve Waugh and 'Afghanistan' for Mark Waugh (the forgotten Waugh).

They're not as poetic, but they're wittier.

Both sports are better than Lamps, JT, Wazza, Stevie G and co.

Alternatively Fat Frank/Lumplard, Shrek, Stevie Me.

verylonglegs

RichN95 wrote:

sharky1029 wrote:

I think that to compete in any sport at a pro level requires lots of talent (even darts) however some are more skills based than others.

In the skill based sports, the idea of 'talent' is something of a myth. I'm currently reading Bounce by Matthew Syed in which he debunks the 'natural talent' theory. He puts forward the theory (not really his) that practice is far more important - huge amounts of practice. He himself is an ex-Olympic table tennis player and he starts the book by saying that a huge amount of top UK table tennis players have come from the same single area of Reading that he did.

Nobody comes to those 'skill sports' late and succeeds. Cycling on the other hand is largely down to natural physical abilities. Even if I (with a low VO2 max) trained constantly since I could first ride a bike, I would never get close to being a pro (although I may have made a great track sprinter). However, some people can switch straight across (eg Greg Van Avermaet - ex-reserve team goalkeeper for KSK Beveren)

I'm currently about two thirds of the way through the book too. I can actually relate to it's content when applied to darts, my dad always had a board set up at home and during my student days I had a period of about a year when I played for around 3 hours a day and it got to the point where I'd be getting a few 180's in my games against him. Opened my eyes to what is possible with practice that's for sure but darts is a very easy example as it just a repetitive arm action you are training. I'd describe top darts players as dedicated rather than talented.