Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Doctor Morbius

Nice. That should go well with his gold tipped cane.

Just kidding, you know.

velomanct

I completely agree with this. Pro team clothes and rainbow/yellow jerseys aren't cool if you didn't earn it.

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Sillyoldtwit

Who remembers Reg Harris?

Britain's first cycling superstar was Reg Harris, five times the World Sprint Champion and the winner of two silver medals in the 1948 Olympics.

The only survivor of a tank attack in the Western Desert in 1940, Harris was discharged as 'medically unfit', but the doctors under-estimated his determined character and in 1947 he won the World Amateur Sprint Championships. In 1957, just ten years after his first world title, he retired and became the proud owner of the historic Fallowfield track in Manchester. It was renamed the Harris Stadium. But life was not easy outside the track. So in 1971 he returned to sprint racing. He caused a sensation. He was 51. Losing in the semi-finals of the British Championship didn't stop him, and in 1974 incredibly, at the age of 54 he won his fifth British Sprint Championship.

meandmybike

Does that apply to football, baseball, ice hockey and every other sport where fans wear their team's shirt or just cycling?

willocrew

I think its every individual's prerogative if he/she wants to wear team jerseys for cycling.

Obviously people are going to give you stick for it(especially if your skills aren't up to scratch) but if you're unfazed, just continue to do what you enjoy. Personally i rather wear the ordinary as i don't really like to attract too much attention.

But frankly if you're just out to have some fun in your team jersey just go ahead.

As for cycling image, the image really comes with the sport. Cycling is quite an expensive sport comparatively, and its not going to be mainstream like say soccer, as such sports are more readily available to get into quickly. As such, if the majority aren't part of it, its always going to be different and inherenty odd.

Also media coverage is important. Tennis might just seem like some game for senior people, but with the likes of maria sharapova, nadal coming up etc... its become a glamorous sport.

The same can happen to cycling.. All is needed is a David Beckham of cycling.

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meandmybike

David beckham is just the Tom Boonen of the soccer world.

BullGod

Ok. I'll admit that I agree that the more people taking up the sport the better. Shame more of them aren't 15 though...

I'm also totally supportive of anybody setting themselves a goal and training hard to achieve it, whether it's getting a pro contract at the age of 21 or making a century at 20mph when you're 70. Fair play.

There are also plenty of guys in their 50's who can ride harder than some younger riders, or can use their experience to hang on in the pack in a local race. I've seen it - I admire it. Personally though, when I am that age I intend to be taking it easy. I'm knackered enough now. Hopefully I'll have some time in 10 years to give my good woman the attention she misses out on now while I'm out training. And drinking beer of course.

I do still think though that the wearing of pro jerseys, or worse still - world champion, KOM, maillot jaune or gold shoes (!) should be left to those actually eligible and deserving. Here in Holland all the recreational roadies proudly wear Rabobank kit. I wonder if anyone ever realises that they're paying 60 Euros to voluntarily advertise a bank? Also - if you only ride 2,500km a year and you don't compete do you really need carbon frames and DuraAce? Is it not just a case of taking up the sport on a decent enough bike, having a tough time, and figuring that the solution doesn't lie in training hard but in the acquisition of space age bike technology? Let's face it - every cyclist here knows that feeling....

I'd hate to think that I had expressed an intolerant view....especially if it is pointed out by residents of a country where gay people wanting to be happy by getting married seems to be causing such a furore. I am humbled.

I should also point out that I'm not a US Cat 1 bragging about having "raced in Europe" - I've raced (and still do) in Europe because I'm a European.

Lonnie Utah

Bullgod,

After reading your second post, I don't think you were trolling with the first one (I wasn't 100% sure yesterday). I actucally agree with you on somethings like NEEDING dura ace, but if you can afford it, why not. It is smoother than some of the other stuff, so why not treat yourself. I'll agree 100% on the KOTM, Green, yellow jerseys etc. I even have a hard time (personally) with pro kit's that the common man on the street here in the US would know (USPS, DIScover, Phonak, and CSC). Other than that most Americans couldn't identify they team. I don't really care if other folks wear them, but you are not going to see me wear them. I must admit I have and wear team ONCE and Ekolog jerseys (both defunct teams) that I got a screeming deal on at gearlink. I don't think I could bring myself to wear the team bibs with them however....

Also know that not all of the folks in the U.S. think that our president is doing the right think with the whole gay marriage thing. We've got much worse problems here to deal with than that (the war(s), deficit spending, health care, etc, etc etc). It was a political stunt, that's all.

L

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SolarEnergy

That is also what I thought at first, but now I realized how good this thread is.

It's a good occasion to pay tribute to VSOT (read very special old timers)

meandmybike

Not only do they realise it, I would bet many of them have an account with Rabobank because of the team. It's called sponsorship not charity.



Maybe, maybe not. Do you have to race or ride a set amount of miles to want to enjoy a lighter bike with smoother shifting and braking? Do you think bike companies would be able to research and develop new technology without mass sales?

The same goes for team clothing. If you are providing thousands of items of clothing to a pro team you expect a commercial return in the form of the sale of replica kit.

You could also apply your argument to the drivers of super cars: if you don't race, you shouldn't drive a Ferrari. Or how about people wearing Ducati bike leathers on their Ducati motorbike? Should they stop it, too?

Sounds like someone has some serious issues with growing old. Have you been watching Logan's Run or something? Carousel! Carousel! Carousel!

wh0areume

I also agree with "why would someone pay to advertise for Discovery Channel?" (no offense to you if you do)

I didn't want to respond to the political comment so that the thread would be hijacked, but Europeans need to realize Bush's poll ratings are 30% for a reason - the US doesn't agree with him. [Lance Armstrong for president!]

Felt_Rider

One has to be old to know the movie Logan's Run
Unfortunately I saw the movie when it came to theaters.

wh0areume

FYI - I'm 24 and i've never heard of it

meandmybike

Maybe it'll be available on iPod TV in the future.