Cycling is one of the hardest sports because ...

Every sport's participants think their sport is the toughest (albeit some with more justification
than others). I have rowed to a reasonable standard - believe me a close fought 2000m is pain,
albeit over in 6 min. I have done Ironman Austria (Switzerland this year) that is a tough too - but
drawn out over 12 hours (in my case!) and led to me collapsing last year.

I have the utmost respect for pro cycle riders, solo circumnavigators, etc, while minimal respect
for darts, golf, etc. These are tests of skill yes - sport? I don't think so.

Jon

Alex Noel-Tod <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

On the BBC Sport cycling website, Chris Boardman says : ""There is no doubt in my mind that the
Tour de France is the hardest sporting event there is. Put it this way, it must be the only one
where you need a haircut halfway through."

Maybe, but on that basis I reckon we lose out handsomely to Transglobal sailing (even Ellen MacA
must need another close headshave before she finally docks ?)

What criterion/criteria would you suggest ... ?

Jon Andrew said:

Every sport's participants think their sport is the toughest (albeit some with more justification
than others). I have rowed to a reasonable standard - believe me a close fought 2000m is pain,
albeit over in 6 min. I have done Ironman Austria (Switzerland this year) that is a tough too -
but drawn out over 12 hours (in my case!) and led to me collapsing last year.

I have the utmost respect for pro cycle riders, solo circumnavigators, etc, while minimal respect
for darts, golf, etc. These are tests of skill yes - sport? I don't think so.

Difference between a game and a sport, isn't it?
--
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Yep. When I've been cycling around Ireland I’ve always kinda envied the golfers, as they sure don't sweat like me at the end of the day. But then I can have a few more Guinness’s and not worry as much about the belly! That’s the measure I use.

Andy B said:

I think Tim Moore says, in his revolutions book, that pro riders die ten years younger than the
rest of us.

To quote the TdF special with this month's C+: "old lags have it that each Tour a rider completes
takes five years off his lifespan ... the record for completed tours is 15, set by Dutchman Joop
Zoetemelk, which adds up to 75 years of premature mortality. Given that he was in his late thirties
by the time he rode his valedictory race, he would have had a lifespan of more than 110 years even
if he'd dropped dead immediately after the finish in Paris - which he didn't."

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"Jon Andrew" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have the utmost respect for pro cycle riders, solo circumnavigators, etc, while minimal respect
for darts, golf, etc. These are tests of skill yes - sport? I don't think so.

Golf? A good walk ruined! (Mark Twain, I think)

Pete

"dannyfrankszzz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Yes, I've also heard that cyclists die young as well. Apparently it's something to do with the
theory that the heart is only able to beat a finite number of times and of course with a sport
like cycling

Ordinary leisure and non professional cyclists appear to live at least as long as none cyclists,
read a few obituaries in the comic.

And top cyclists resting heart rates are often only a little above half that of the unfit.

One of the reasons I've heard put forward for the shorter life of pros is performance enhancing
substance abuse.

Also many top athletes suffer the effects of hard training, which apart from anything else can
depress the immune system even if only for short periods.

Pete

John Gibson said:

This means a back ache, a numb arm, and fingertips which feel like they are on fire. I should chop
off the arm in light of all the recent arm chopping of stories in the media and get famous.
Playing guitars should be a whole lot easier than bike riding but it isnt!

I remember a Who concert a long time ago where Pete Townshend was playing his guitar so hard there
was blood pouring from his thumb. He probably didn't feel it though as I saw him in a pub before the
gig and he looked totally out of it.
--
Mark Road bike, Mountain bike and I'm getting something special built for me.

W K said:

Quoted message said:

The BMA haven't, they reckon regular cycl;ists live up to ten years longer than average.

Quoted message said:

Average cyclists don't go up to and beyond their lactate threshold almost every day of the week.

Neither do they take a variety of substances of varying degrees of mystery, trying to stay ne jump
ahead of the dope testers - which is probably more to the point.

Guy
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"Peter B" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:be1u2v$jno$1 @titan.btinternet.com:

Quoted message said:

"Jon Andrew" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have the utmost respect for pro cycle riders, solo circumnavigators, etc, while minimal respect
for darts, golf, etc. These are tests of skill yes - sport? I don't think so.

Golf? A good walk ruined! (Mark Twain, I think)

Never seen the appeal of golf (I'm obviously not corporate management material). It would be a lot
more entertaining if it used *proper* targets. The one time I had a shot at a golfing range I had a
great time trying to hit the wee tractor that went round scooping up the balls (not that I got
anywhere near). Walking round just to knock the ball into a wee hole? No thanks.

Have (proper sporting) fun!

Graeme

"Just zis Guy, you know?" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

W K said:

Quoted message said:

The BMA haven't, they reckon regular cycl;ists live up to ten years

longer

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

than average.

Quoted message said:

Average cyclists don't go up to and beyond their lactate threshold almost every day of the week.

Neither do they take a variety of substances of varying degrees of mystery, trying to stay ne jump
ahead of the dope testers - which is probably more to the point.

"speed kills"

Graeme said:

"Peter B" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:be1u2v$jno$1 @titan.btinternet.com:

Quoted message said:

"Jon Andrew" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have the utmost respect for pro cycle riders, solo circumnavigators, etc, while minimal
respect for darts, golf, etc. These are tests of skill yes - sport? I don't think so.

Golf? A good walk ruined! (Mark Twain, I think)

Never seen the appeal of golf (I'm obviously not corporate management material).

I was once taken on a golf day by my _management team_. A number of them turned up with there
own sticks and shoes etc. I had not touched a golf club since playing crazy golf in
Bridlington as a kid.

There were about 40 people in total, playing nine holes. Guess who came second :-) I think I
scored 34.

I have never touch a golf club since and don't intend to. I also enjoyed cycling past all the BMWs
etc and asking the receptionist at the club where the bike racks were...

John "Tiger" Tomlinson Remove the singers of Spam before replying

"W K" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Just zis Guy, you know?" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

W K said:

> The BMA haven't, they reckon regular cycl;ists live up to ten years

longer

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> than average.

Quoted message said:

Average cyclists don't go up to and beyond their lactate threshold

almost

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

every day of the week.

Neither do they take a variety of substances of varying degrees of mystery, trying to stay ne
jump ahead of the dope testers - which is probably more to the point.

"speed kills"

Was looking at a biography of Tom Simpson in the bike shop yesterday. Most depressing. Decided my
brother didn't want it for his birthday.

A

W K <[email hidden]> wrote:
: How much do TdF riders try to keep off mega-performances on one particular day, so that they can
: get up the next day to do it all again.

Quite a lot I think. If you look at stage winners, they'll often have an anoymous day the bunch the
day (or two) before one they are targetting and then not be seen again for a few days afterwards.

If you want to win the thing then you've got to string it together for at least three days in a row
in the mountains.

Arthur

--
Arthur Clune clune.orgclune.orgOpen ↗ Power is delightful. Absolute power is absolutely delightful -
Lord Lester

"the Mark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

John Gibson said:

This means a back ache, a numb arm, and fingertips which feel like they are on fire. I should
chop off the arm in light of all the recent arm chopping of stories in the media and get famous.
Playing guitars should be a whole lot easier than bike riding but it isnt!

I remember a Who concert a long time ago where Pete Townshend was playing his guitar so hard there
was blood pouring from his thumb. He probably didn't feel it though as I saw him in a pub before
the gig and he looked totally out of it.

I've said elsewhere in the thread "speed kills".

Reason 1001 for cycling: take regular exercise the coke and hookers won't do you in when you are in
your 60's.

In article <[email hidden]>, Alex Noel-Tod
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

On the BBC Sport cycling website, Chris Boardman says : ""There is no doubt in my mind that the
Tour de France is the hardest sporting event there is. Put it this way, it must be the only one
where you need a haircut halfway through."

Maybe, but on that basis I reckon we lose out handsomely to Transglobal sailing (even Ellen MacA
must need another close headshave before she finally docks ?)

What criterion/criteria would you suggest ... ?

How about the Marathon des Sables? 243km of desert in six days (saharamarathon.co.uksaharamarathon.co.ukOpen ↗)

--
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John Tomlinson said:

I also enjoyed cycling past all the BMWs etc and asking the receptionist at the club where the
bike racks were ...

Excellent

--
Andy Morris

AndyAtJinkasDotFreeserve.Co.UK

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"Ben" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Jon Andrew said:

Every sport's participants think their sport is the toughest (albeit some with more
justification than others). I have rowed to a reasonable standard - believe me a close fought
2000m is pain, albeit over in 6 min. I have done Ironman Austria (Switzerland this year) that is
a tough too - but drawn out over 12 hours (in my case!) and led to me collapsing last year.

I have the utmost respect for pro cycle riders, solo circumnavigators, etc, while minimal
respect for darts, golf, etc. These are tests of skill yes - sport? I don't think so.

Difference between a game and a sport, isn't it?

To me the difference between a game or a sport is if any physical ability or judgement is required.

If it is (cycling, athletics, football, petanque, snooker, darts) then it's a sport. If it isn't
(chess, bridge) then it's a game.

Snooker and darts may not involve a high level of fitness (!!!!) but they do involve eye-to-hand
co-ordination and accuracy.

Otherwise - where would you draw the line?

F A

Quoted message said:

Snooker and darts may not involve a high level of fitness (!!!!) but they

do

Quoted message said:

involve eye-to-hand co-ordination and accuracy.

Otherwise - where would you draw the line?

F A

At Snooker and Darts for a kick off !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Farmer Alfalfa" <[email hidden]> wrote: ( To me the difference between a game or a
sport is if any physical ability or ) judgement is required. ( ... ) Otherwise - where would
you draw the line?

If you can smoke whilst doing it [well], it's a game.

(Some peopleon bicycles may well treat it as a game.)

Farmer Alfalfa said:

Quoted message said:

Difference between a game and a sport, isn't it?

To me the difference between a game or a sport is if any physical ability or judgement is required.

If it is (cycling, athletics, football, petanque, snooker, darts) then it's a sport. If it isn't
(chess, bridge) then it's a game.

Snooker and darts may not involve a high level of fitness (!!!!) but they do involve eye-to-hand
co-ordination and accuracy.

Otherwise - where would you draw the line?

Hi FA

I fly kites. More precisely, I fly two line stunt kites. To me, this is merely a hobby or a passtime
but many, mainly those who hail from the left side of the pond, maintain it's a sport.

I'm quite happy to agree with those who assert that kitesurfing and parakiting (similar to land
yachting but using a kite for power rather than a regular sail) are sports, but standing in a field,
holding two lines and showing off the a crowd, a sport? The man from Worthing, he say no.

On the subject of chess: most chessees are reasonably fit. Healthy body, healthy mind, I suppose.
Regarding darts: ISTM that dartees spend many an hour finely adjusting their centres of gravity.
Dedication indeed.

James

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