What if you could?

[smurfalicious]

What if you could meet your favorite pro cyclist for drinks at swanky cocktail bar? Would you do it? Would you be afraid it would ruin the fantasy? Is it like finding out Santa Claus isn't real?

[Eden]

I wouldn't want to. I don't necessarily think that it would have to be disillusioning, but I think unless you had an actual reason for meeting the person, other than that they were famous and you were an admirer then it would be very awkward.

[7rider]

I went out for sushi with my favorite cyclist last night. Okay...so it wasn't a swanky place....and the cyclist isn't a pro, he's my DH. But he can still kick my @zz on a bike if he wanted to, but he doesn't and he's super sweet. Got no fantasies or illusions about those so-called pros.
:D

[Mr. Bloom]

Santa Claus isn't real?

You mean he's not?:eek::eek::eek:

Eden +1 -

Funny note though: I have these friends & acquaintenances that get excited about getting their pictures taken with famous people (I'm talking Presidential stature...) and then hanging the pictures on the wall. There's no more a relationship/connection there than there is with a stranger on the street... One even bragged about going hunting with Schwarzkoph...then I found out that "Stormin' Norman" charges $50,000 + expenses for such a privilege...hmmm...on the streets, they call that something else, don't they???

so, unless I thought that there would be mutually engaging conversation that would be "fun", I'd have no interest.

[Bluetree]

I'm not enamored with celebrities/athletes. Unless you know them conversations are usually limited and stifled. In my past work experience I've had a press credential that put me in contact with the Who's Who of the NBA and NHL. It's not all that.

I've always had more fun with the team broadcasters. They're usually extroverts, love to talk and have the best stories!

PS. Of the cyclists, the easier person I found to talk to was Floyd. The worst? Zabriskie... And he's my favorite pro!

PPS... If you ever run accross Phil and Paul, they're a lot of fun! Hope to see them at the TOC this year! ;)

[Zen]

I would still go to meet Elvis.

[redrhodie]

I think it would be fun to meet Christian Vandevelde. Technically not my favorite cyclist, Bob Roll would be high on my party list, too. I'm not sure swanky would be my choice for meeting either of them. Maybe bowling.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I went out for sushi with my favorite cyclist last night. Okay...so it wasn't a swanky place....and the cyclist isn't a pro, he's my DH. But he can still kick my @zz on a bike if he wanted to, but he doesn't and he's super sweet. Got no fantasies or illusions about those so-called pros.
:D

Same here. :)

[jobob]

I'd meet Jens at a brewpub. :cool:

[malkin]

Not swanky, but if any of them happened to be sitting at the bar at my local, I'd chat them up, just like I do pretty much everyone else.

[RoadRaven]

Yeah... I'd like to meet them... but I'd feel a little out of place in a swanky cocktail bar...

I also wonder about some of the guys and gals I might choose drinking alcohol... I know some of them don't, and as I rarely do, I wonder if I might meet them somewhere else... a nice cafe on the waterfront meaybe?

And no, I don't think it would be disillusioning. Its good to find out peole are "real"... whether its quirky little habits, self-effacing, or complete ego-centrism. People are real... just like me. The people I admire are not on a pedastal, but I sure would be interested to chat.

[Urlea]

I'm guessing I'd enjoy the time and be more inspired coming away from sitting down and having drinks with any one of you than some pro. :)

[alpinerabbit]

I'd just be too tempted to touch on the doping topic...:confused:

[RoadRaven]

I'm guessing I'd enjoy the time and be more inspired coming away from sitting down and having drinks with any one of you than some pro. :)

Well said, Urlea.
I agree - wish I'd said it in my post. I would find it so very interesting to sit with a "pro" or "semi-pro" (and I have - our own elites and NZ riders who compete internationally and have places in international teams are very approachable and interesting)... if we are talking about being inspired, give me a long natter with someone from TE anyday.

[Geonz]

swanky cocktails... fame...

neither one appeals; too illusory.

Don't have a "favorite pro" anyway. I'm much more inspired by folks who are doing it for other reasons and nobler awards :)

[Andrea]

I think it would be fun to meet Christian Vandevelde. Technically not my favorite cyclist, Bob Roll would be high on my party list, too. I'm not sure swanky would be my choice for meeting either of them. Maybe bowling.

I got to meet Bob Roll once! We had our photo taken together with his arm around me, and as we "separated" after the shot was made, he seemingly deliberately brushed his hand across my butt cheek... my initial reaction was to turn around and slap his rear, because he had some nice, tight jeans on, and the sound of it would have been amazing... but it was a slightly formal party, and I didn't want to embarrass the host (though he told me later that he would have laughed his butt off if I'd done it).

Bob, if you're out there... I owe you one!

[Tuckervill]

Long ago, on election night when Clinton was elected, a good friend went down to the Old State House to be there when he came out to claim his prize. There was much revelry and the grounds were packed with all manner of people. My friend stood in the pack and talked to the man over her left shoulder about all the current trivia about the election, etc. At the end, when the crowd started to lighten up, she was finally able to turn and face the man she had been conversing with for 2 hours, she thought, "hmmm, he looks familiar..." but she didn't say anything.

They eventually went their separate ways, and shortly she ran into an acquaintance who wanted to know...what is Tom Cruise doing here and how does she know him!?

She said she really enjoyed talking to him, and it must have been fun for him, too, to talk to someone who didn't really know who he was. I don't think I would have been able to talk to him like a normal person if I had been in the same situation.

Karen

[Crankin]

I am not one for celebs either, but I wouldn't mind meeting a pro cyclist if the opportunity came up. But, I have my own "pro cyclist" who currently is without a team (my former exchange student). After living with someone who's a pro and being around lots of amateur racers, you really get to see the sacrifice and cr@p they put up with. I have found that generally, all of the pros or serious racers I have met are really smart, a little weird, but mostly people that I would choose as friends.
When Bobby Lea (the guy who caused all the stink about wearing masks at the Olympics) stayed at my house this summer, I found him to be fascinating, extremely articulate, and just plain nice.

[ny biker]

I met a few members of the US Postal team at the Tour of Hope finale a few years back. I had my picture taken with Chechu Rubiera and Tony Cruz. They were very nice.

I met former Trek/VW pro Sue Haywood when I was involved in the Wildflower Mountain Biking for Women video. She was super-nice and very down to earth.

I would love to take Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen out for a few beers.

[Aggie_Ama]

Last year we went to see the Tour of California. The opening prologue was on my birthday, I would have given anything to have Phil and Paul join me for a birthday beer after words when my husband took me out in Palo Alto. Okay, Bobke sounds fun too he could have come. :p

Some of the pros I would like to grab a drink with but probably not my favorites. I love George Hincapie but I doubt he is exciting to chill with.