Telegraph article on cycling obsessives

Rizzio

As a long-time lurker here, I've learned much from this forum. And I'm hoping that this Telegraph piece about the progress of my obsession will strike a chord with many on here. It will be on the front of the Weekend section in tomorrow's (5 July) Daily Telegraph; part of a 7-page cycling special. Unfortunately, the thing went to press before I could warn the editor that it's a very, very bad idea to label a list of sportives, "Races", which - in the print edition - is exactly what they've been and gone and done. :roll:

DavidJB

I'll get some popcorn.

Rizzio

Incidentally, apologies if it's bad form to make a first post here without introducing oneself.

I'm 48, cycling since Sept 2012, initially on a 1982 Motobécane, then a 2nd-hand Bianchi Via Nirone Veloce and, most recently, a Canyon Ultimate Al 9.0 Di2, on which I race in 3rd-cat races here in rural France - and will be bringing to England for Ride London next month. Yes, the smooth, empty roads of France are a luxury, but I've also much enjoyed riding out with the road clubs in Farnham and Westbury on trips to the UK, and a few sorties in the hills of Kent, too.

bianchimoon

Nice article Rizzio

CiB

I read that piece last night and thought it actually did a very good job of summarising the appeal and the way it all takes hold of an individual.

As a side issue Mr Rizzio, do what extent does the paper publish its various cycling articles as click-bait? It strikes me that if one article doesn't generate enough comments another will follow a day or two later that's much clearly intended to appeal to the knuckle-draggers who comment on there. Is it editorial policy?

Rizzio

CiB wrote:

As a side issue Mr Rizzio, do what extent does the paper publish its various cycling articles as click-bait? It strikes me that if one article doesn't generate enough comments another will follow a day or two later that's much clearly intended to appeal to the knuckle-draggers who comment on there. Is it editorial policy?

Good question. I don't work inside the paper, but when I last visited, the newsroom was dominated by a vast screen which shows all the stories currently trending on the Telegraph website, with the number of hits each has received. That's certainly the currency, these days. And, as it happens, road cycling is one subject which generates a lot of hits - especially this week.

PaulS77

Thanks for posting, enjoyed reading that :-)

florerider

Rizzio wrote:

As a long-time lurker here, I've learned much from this forum. And I'm hoping that this Telegraph piece about the progress of my obsession will strike a chord with many on here. It will be on the front of the Weekend section in tomorrow's (5 July) Daily Telegraph; part of a 7-page cycling special. Unfortunately, the thing went to press before I could warn the editor that it's a very, very bad idea to label a list of sportives, "Races", which - in the print edition - is exactly what they've been and gone and done. :roll:

This is typical of the Telegraph - be given a fact but then say whatever they wanted to say, even if it is incorrect. They do it all the while, especially on topics they take a stance.

Rizzio - used to enjoy your articles very much in the years long gone when we bought the weekend papers. Still got the plane? How about posting some pics of it if so?

CiB

Rizzio wrote:

CiB wrote:

As a side issue Mr Rizzio, do what extent does the paper publish its various cycling articles as click-bait? It strikes me that if one article doesn't generate enough comments another will follow a day or two later that's much clearly intended to appeal to the knuckle-draggers who comment on there. Is it editorial policy?

Good question. I don't work inside the paper, but when I last visited, the newsroom was dominated by a vast screen which shows all the stories currently trending on the Telegraph website, with the number of hits each has received. That's certainly the currency, these days. And, as it happens, road cycling is one subject which generates a lot of hits - especially this week.

Interesting. Thanks for the response.

Rizzio

florerider wrote:

Rizzio - used to enjoy your articles very much in the years long gone when we bought the weekend papers. Still got the plane? How about posting some pics of it if so?

Haha. Yes, the Luscombe is still airworthy, although I'm too busy cycling to fly it much! And the money I spent on my Canyon bike was an advance, technically (ie. in conversations with SWMBO), borrowed against what I should be able to get for the plane when I sell it. That was meant to happen a few months ago but, again, I've been distracted, your honour... 8)

Moonbiker

I like the contrast in experssions on your wifes face & your in first pic. 8)

Rizzio

Moonbiker wrote:

I like the contrast in experssions on your wifes face & your in first pic. 8)

I felt bad for my wife! The photographer told her to look grumpy, honest.

(Also felt bad for my local club-mates here in France, who gamely cycled round town with me for half an hour, following a Renault Megane with the Telegraph photographer sitting in the boot, only for all those pics to be left on the cutting-room floor)...

Old_Timer

Nicely written article, Rizzio, it is a good read and really timely. Not just for the TdF Grand Depart and stages in the UK, the boom in riding over in the Island is incredible to watch unfold. This makes the 70's bike boom seem pale from the way that unfolded here in the states. Mainly it was BSO and Schwinn Continentals or Peugeot UO-8 for teens here. The top of the line cycles and the Rapha Rage makes for fun times with the internet bringing new updates every few seconds. Your description of the modern news room hit home on that point, squarely. Thanks for the post, nice to have you posting here with us.

cookeeemonster

A good read, well written - and even the comments section is mostly nutcase free at the moment

Steve236

I certainly identified with a lot of this - my trigger was the Olympic road race funnily enough. For most people who got into cycling around then it seems to have been either the 2012 TdF or the Olympic TT that started it off.
Has anyone read the linked article about why does cycling attract so many snobs.
IME whenever a sport goes through a boom period (I remember golf in the late 80s early 90s and cricket after the 2005 ashes as I'm particularly prone to getting into things as a result of them) there's always an element of backlash from the long standing devotees towards the newbies.

Colinthecop

Nope, don't recognise any of that.... :roll:

Ok, maybe just a little.... :?

Actually, it's all true isn't it.... 8)

florerider

Rizzio

I remember your earlier pieces on starting cycling. Have you thought of getting them into Procycling? imo they would add a suitable light hearted element to the monthly read.

Have you published a collection? A book of selections would be a good chrissy present. Mrs FR would like one for sure.

Frank Wilson

Just seemed like a collection of most peoples memories / jottings /anecdotes from this or any other cycling message board.

If that is what passes as journalism nowadays thank god I never purchase a newspaper.

Rizzio

Steve236 wrote:

I certainly identified with a lot of this - my trigger was the Olympic road race funnily enough.

Ha, yes, that road race seared itself into my consciousness, too. There was something so painful about the way it gradually turned from a celebration into a wake, as the truth slowly dawned that the break would never be caught; the commentators' noisy excitement giving way to longer and longer, tight-lipped pauses; the growing sense that the mountain was becoming too big to climb.

And yet there was something touchingly heroic and glorious and human about it all, too, wasn't there? The sense that we were watching a bunch of blokes spending themselves in a worthy yet ultimately futile cause. By being mortal and fallible, they suddenly became a little less godlike; a little more like ourselves. So, yes, that was a trigger for me, too. Although I have to be a bit careful about whom I tell that the real reason I started cycling was to redeem Mark Cavendish.

Rizzio

florerider wrote:

I remember your earlier pieces on starting cycling. Have you thought of getting them into Procycling? imo they would add a suitable light hearted element to the monthly read.

Have you published a collection? A book of selections would be a good chrissy present. Mrs FR would like one for sure.

Thanks for the suggestion, Florerider. I do have a book idea simmering at the back of my mind, but other projects are currently keeping it there. I appreciate the encouragement, even so! Thank you.

kingstonian

Rizzio wrote:

Incidentally, apologies if it's bad form to make a first post here without introducing oneself.

I'm 48, cycling since Sept 2012, initially on a 1982 Motobécane, then a 2nd-hand Bianchi Via Nirone Veloce and, most recently, a Canyon Ultimate Al 9.0 Di2, on which I race in 3rd-cat races here in rural France - and will be bringing to England for Ride London next month. Yes, the smooth, empty roads of France are a luxury, but I've also much enjoyed riding out with the road clubs in Farnham and Westbury on trips to the UK, and a few sorties in the hills of Kent, too.

Always good to hear of someone else who has been riding a Motobecane. Mine is from 1978, have had it since the late 80's and just refurbished it. Where in France do you race? In 1989 I spent almost a year racing in France, mainly in the Loire Valley but some stuff further south too.

florerider

the office is reading the article and laughing, not sure if it is with me or at me :roll:

Steve236

Rizzio wrote:

Steve236 wrote:

I certainly identified with a lot of this - my trigger was the Olympic road race funnily enough.

Ha, yes, that road race seared itself into my consciousness, too. There was something so painful about the way it gradually turned from a celebration into a wake, as the truth slowly dawned that the break would never be caught; the commentators' noisy excitement giving way to longer and longer, tight-lipped pauses; the growing sense that the mountain was becoming too big to climb.

And yet there was something touchingly heroic and glorious and human about it all, too, wasn't there? The sense that we were watching a bunch of blokes spending themselves in a worthy yet ultimately futile cause. By being mortal and fallible, they suddenly became a little less godlike; a little more like ourselves. So, yes, that was a trigger for me, too. Although I have to be a bit careful about whom I tell that the real reason I started cycling was to redeem Mark Cavendish.

That race was a great primer into the tactics of team road racing for the uninitiated. The other thing I remember was Cav's interview with the BBC sports reporter at the end "Don't ask stupid questions.... do you know about cycling?" I thought ace, a sport with characters in it!

Rizzio

Steve236 wrote:

The other thing I remember was Cav's interview with the BBC sports reporter at the end "Don't ask stupid questions.... do you know about cycling?" I thought ace, a sport with characters in it!

Yes, and as Chris Boardman has already pointed out during the commentary on the TdF Stage 1 today: if Cav doesn't win in Harrogate, woe betide the poor journalist who has the job, straight afterwards, of asking him how he feels...

il sole

Just read the article and all the cycling stuff in today's paper...very well written article Rizzio :-) I remember reading your first account of that fateful first ride out you had with the old guys from the club in France!! Tres amusant!!

Just as an aside though, did anyone else notice that the full page sky ads had geraint Thomas in the foreground not Chris froome...thought that was perhaps a little odd???!

Nick_M

Nice article, OP! Thanks for sharing.

bigmul

Good read :-)