Bike Racing Is Stupid?

​

No, anyone who knows me even as an one time acquaintance probably knows that I absolutely love bike racing!  I was asked to join in on this Bicycles to the Rescue Podcast to share my opinions on the subject.  It was a lot of fun and brought out some interesting discussions.  Brendan and Kevin do a great job with their podcasts...check them out here:

Bicycles to the Rescue Podcasts  

As for me, I've always been pretty passionate about bikes, and then I participated in my first mountain bike race in 1993.  It was only about 6 miles long, up and down a ski slope, over some of the most challenging and scariest terrain I had ever ridden.  Some of it was less riding and more hanging on for dear life.  I thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest and that my lungs would burst.  Or that my legs would catch on fire they burned so badly.  I finished somewhere in the middle of the pack of college kids.  Nothing to write home about for sure.  But I couldn't wait until I could do it again!  I was hooked.

Despite racing for a few years, I was not into reading about racing or watching racing.  I do  remember watching the mountain bikers in the Atlanta Olympics, but besides that cycling was limited at best but also not something that really held my interest.  However, in 1997, after a few years of road racing, I began to be intrigued thanks to a mentor of mine constantly referring to pro races he had seen.  He was often "commentate" on sections of our training rides together and it always made me smile.  But I never really watched much.

Jump ahead a couple of years and Lance Armstrong certainly caught my attention, along with the attention cyclists and non-cyclists around the globe.  I instantly became a fan of at least the Tour, which slowly morphed into an avid viewer of any bicycle race I was fortunate enough to catch on TV or record on my VHS.

Well, there's not many folks who don't know how the Lance story turned out.  {Coincidentally, when I get done with this post, I can't wait to sit down and watch ESPN's 30 for 30 on Lance, Part 2.)

Although there have been many cyclists caught cheating, this incredible saga perhaps dealt the greatest blow to the sport.  Through recent changes in doping control, we see that the cheating has trickled down to amateur levels as well.  Racers are getting popped at the big events, so who knows what's going on even at the local level.  There's even a little needle icon on some results compiling websites so you know who's been busted or not.

As a fan, it's certainly disappointing.  I want to believe that these amazing men and women of the professional ranks can do these "superhuman" feats without the aid of performance enhancing drugs.  I understand that this may be a naive look at the sport, but I still want to believe.

As a competitor, yes,  it's bothersome to think that someone may beat me and many others due to performance enhancing drugs.  Although it's not drugs, I was "beat" by a racer who cut the course in the 2013 Hampshire 100k Elite Mountain Bike Race.  I was shortly afterwards awarded the win once the truth came out, but it definitely left me with a weird feeling inside.  So when top finishers may have gotten there due to doping, it's definitely deflating.

HOWEVER, I am still a fan. I will continue to be a fan and believe in the goodness of the racers and their support staff.  I love the drama.  I love the action.  I love the perseverance. 

HOWEVER, I am still a racer.  I will continue to be a racer and believe that  we are all on a level playing field as far as the rules are concerned.  I will continue to do my best and have fun and persevere.

So while I don't think watching bike racing is for everyone, nor is racing bikes.  But bike racing is certainly not stupid.  It's a beautiful sport and we just have to hope that when racing returns, whenever that may be, it can be cleaner than ever!

Until then...keep riding and stay safe.

Cheers,

Coach Brian