Page 7 - Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

25-06.-2006, 11:44 AM

#91

palewin

Registered User

Join Date: Oct 2004

Location: NJ

Posts: 257

Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyler1212

The oldest woman thought to have ever lived (Jeanne Louis) from France rode a bicycle until she was 100 years old. She lived 122 years. And you speak of midde age!?@#$!

Let's stay a little more current. Jeanne Longo, age 47, just won both the French elite women's TT and RR titles! Of course Jeanne has about as many national and world titles as she is old (i.e. many!) so she is not a "normal" example. And in the world of exceptional athletes, I believe Jackie Boyer (1st American to ride in the TdF) won the Sea Otter Classic RR this year at age 51.

29-06.-2006, 08:32 AM	#92
wiredued Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,172	Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers. Age, fitness level or stuff doesn't matter. Desire to improve is what matters there are only two choices head towards better health or worse health. __________________ Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. http://www.earnharts.com/html/reala...ecific.asp?id=3

30-06.-2006, 06:23 AM

#93

musher

Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2006

Location: Cascades-Wenatchee WA

Posts: 124

Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullGod

I'm a Cat 1 and I have raced a fair bit recently in UK and Holland, Belgium. It has struck me recently that our sport has always had a major image problem, and unlike football (soccer) cycling is definitely not considered a fashionable sport. A standard comment I hear from friends is that it's very boring to watch, and that "they're all on drugs anyway", as well as more juvenile comments about shaved legs and tight lycra.

On a local level, the cyclists that people see out "training" seem to be frequently over 50 and overweight, yet still feeling the need to wear a replica pro kit, and even worse ride a pro level bike. Imagine how people would laugh if they went to the park and saw a group of middle aged and elderly men kicking a soccerball around, all dressed in replica Arsenal and Barcelona strips, complete to the team socks, attempting feebly to emulate the tricks and theatrics of Messrs Henry and Ronaldinho.

I know when I am in my 50's the last thing I want to be doing is risking impotence and a heart attack grinding into the wind in April. Worse still are the over analytical endless discussions of mature riders who have also "invested" in powermeters and HR monitors and are busy trying to improve their 180w FT. Why not just get a touring bike and take a leisurely ride along a canal or something? You're never gong to be young again. I have no objection to those who raced in their prime and ride a bit after "retirement" to keep the athlete's heart in check, but those who take up such a demanding sport in middle age? I believe it's called a mid life crisis fellas....what are you trying to prove?

So, whenever the average person is exposed to cycling it's either yet another drugs bust, scary Lance making the TdF boring, a "Fred" provoking a pitying laugh by riding along at 18kph with his knees pointing outwards astride a Trek Madone, or some bore droning on about crank length or resistance levels of tubs v clinchers.

I don't necessarily agree with all my sentiment here, and I have deliberately expressed myself in controversial terms...but I'd be interested to hear any agreements and disagreements on the issues I raised.

I am a Master 50+, Racing in the Pacific N-West USA,i traine 15+ hour a week.I am French-Basque,i have race in France,Belgium,Lux. & other country's.Yes cycling is very much a fashionable sport,i shave my legs & there look great

,i am far from been overweight 63.5 kg. I just got my 1 st NEW BIKE a TIME VXSR(i hope you are a little jealouse),to replace my very used steel frame( it's not the bike ,but the rider who make the difference). Ihave waited 39 years for a very nice bike,how long are you willing to wait?i am far from risking Impotence& heart A. ,my FTP:340-64-531 (BullGod:365-70-521),my resting pulse 42 MaxHR184.I traine with CAT:1-2-3 &have no probleme keeping-up the pace. The Major Problem here is YOU with your Poor Sportsman sheep.If there were only CAT1 you would not feel so Special

It's the oldtimer who have made cycling what it is today, we are still waiting for you, you need to Focus more on your training & worry less about others

. So when are you Turning PRO

or maybe the money is not enought or are you Afraid of the Hard work you will have to do for your TEAM?

I sincerely whish you the best & hope that you are NOT FRENCH (it woud be sad).Musher

21-10.-2006, 02:47 AM

#94

bulaboy

Registered User

Join Date: Jan 2006

Location: chicagoland

Posts: 70

Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullGod

If this guy moves in next door to you your lawn is gonna die.

22-10.-2006, 04:59 AM	#95
FriendlyFred Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 73	Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers. I can't speak for anyone except myself. I'm out there riding not to impress anyone, or to be part of a hip crowd. I ride because I love riding. I've bought the best bike I can afford, as I've always wanted a really good bike, but never once have I looked down on someone else's bike. Likewise, I could care less how I dress, as long as I'm comfortable when I'm riding, what difference does it make. If others want to ride in full team gear and they're comfortable and having fun, that's great for them. My name sort of says it all....I'm a friendly fred out there. As I see it, the more people who ride, the better. I don't care if everyone else is on a Wal-Mart special, if they're out there riding, I think it's great. You see, the more people who ride, the more likely it is that more bike trails will be built, the more likely people are to be aware of and careful of bicyclists on the road, the more bike shops will open. I want everyone, no matter the age or income, to be out there on a bike. I just can't see a down side to that. If you're ever in the Farmington Valley in Connecticut, let's go ride! Friendly Fred in Simsbury

24-10.-2006, 02:46 AM	#96
Lucy_Aspenwind Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 454	Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers. Huh? I would say cycling, like most sports, has some unflattering (as well as positive) stereotypes associated with it. However, I'd definitely say older riders, in team kits or whatever, are not a source of any sort of negative image. On the contrary, to me it strikes a positive association - people that are older can be in great shape with a low-impact activity like cycling. I think you certainly see a lot more of the 50+ crowd cycling than you do say, running/jogging. FWIW - I could care less what kits or jersey's people where. If you are out riding, getting fit, working hard then wear whatever feels right. Pink works for me I admire and am always impressed by older people who ride - regardless of power level. Also I've realized that a rider who is twice my age can easily be much more fit than I am - namely some of the ones in this forum.

24-10.-2006, 03:49 AM	#97
Pendejo Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 527	Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers. Sadly, what a few of the younger competitive riders in this forum don't realize is that, like all the rest of us, they are just chumps, too, when compared to the levels above them. In fact, when you get down to it, if you're not the team leader on one of the pro teams, you're just another interchangeable domestique chump.

24-10.-2006, 04:14 AM

#98

RapDaddyo

Registered User

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Posts: 4,115

Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pendejo

Sadly, what a few of the younger competitive riders in this forum don't realize is that, like all the rest of us, they are just chumps, too, when compared to the levels above them. In fact, when you get down to it, if you're not the team leader on one of the pro teams, you're just another interchangeable domestique chump.

So, I guess that makes LA an interchangeable domestique chump (IDC?). I wonder if anybody has told him.

24-10.-2006, 07:15 AM

#99

Sillyoldtwit

Registered User

Join Date: Jan 2006

Location: IN PEACE AND QUIET

Posts: 1,396

Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucy_Aspenwind

I admire and am always impressed by older people who ride - regardless of power level. Also I've realized that a rider who is twice my age can easily be much more fit than I am - namely some of the ones in this forum.

Who can Lucy be talking about? I don't know any old riders in this forum, do you RD?

24-10.-2006, 08:19 AM

#100

RapDaddyo

Registered User

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Posts: 4,115

Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sillyoldtwit

Who can Lucy be talking about? I don't know any old riders in this forum, do you RD?

I'm not sure. I do get to buy coffee at the senior discount for the 30-somethings in my club after I have kicked their asses on the climbs. Does that count?

24-10.-2006, 08:41 AM

#101

Sillyoldtwit

Registered User

Join Date: Jan 2006

Location: IN PEACE AND QUIET

Posts: 1,396

Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RapDaddyo

I'm not sure. I do get to buy coffee at the senior discount for the 30-somethings in my club after I have kicked their asses on the climbs. Does that count?

Yeah, that counts. I'ts you Lucy is talking about. What about a Japanese walking stick for your birthday?

24-10.-2006, 09:15 AM

#102

RapDaddyo

Registered User

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Posts: 4,115

Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sillyoldtwit

Yeah, that counts. I'ts you Lucy is talking about. What about a Japanese walking stick for your birthday?

Cool.

Is it long enough to use for the pole vault?

24-10.-2006, 02:58 PM

#103

Alex Simmons

Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2006

Location: Sydney, Australia

Posts: 1,743

Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sillyoldtwit

Yeah, that counts. I'ts you Lucy is talking about. What about a Japanese walking stick for your birthday?

You'll have to speak up sonny, I can't hear you.....

24-10.-2006, 04:05 PM

#104

BottleCage

Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2004

Posts: 83

Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ric_stern/RST

what about the over 50's riders who can thrash cat 1 riders...? there are quite a few about...

ric

Should we call up Ned? ;-)

24-10.-2006, 07:06 PM	#105
mikesbytes Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ashfield, Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 1,709	Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers. Cycling must age people more than other sports; Cycling 35 = vet Running 40 = vet Power Lifting 45 = vet __________________ Training Log

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