Lack of interest: cycling races

[shootingstar]

Yesterday evening, a friend (that I mentioned in another thread) phoned me to chat and mentioned there was a cycling race happening in my neighbourhood at that moment. She didn't know either until she saw roadblocks while driving her mother near my neighbourhood.

Somehow I had no interest in walking out to figure out where the race course was. She emailed me 2 hrs. later with a photo which signalled it was a race that honoured a cycling racer who was killed in car accident (when he was cycling) a few yrs. ago. There about 20-30 guys racing ...from what I could see in the photo. Then I went to bed.

I appreciate the athleticism of bike racing, climbing against the clock, etc. --but somehow I just haven't found enough enthusiasm to watch bike racing regularily nor follow the professional race cycling news. Even the Tour de France I would only catch snippets of it when the tv was on. Dearie watches it like me...when we happen to be around at home and not for the whole race stage.

There are times I wonder if there's something wrong with me since I've lived a cycling lifestyle, transportation-wise and touring oriented, for so long. But then my partner is something like me...only vague, pedestrian interest. And he has done waaaaaay more cycling mileage wise than I have. On top of that, our in-person cycling friends are something like us: dim knowledge of only 2-3 key professional racers, catching a race for half hr. And then we're off to do other stuff in life or end up cycling away for the day.

[Crankin]

I don't see that this is a big deal. I do watch races on line or TV when I have nothing else to do. As with other sporting events, I don't sit home and watch them on TV all of the time, as I'd rather be out participating in a sport. But, that said, I do follow what's going on in the cycling/racing world. Actually, pretty closely, through stuff I read on line. Perhaps this is because I've had some personal connection to the amateur/pro racing world through my son and exchange student, and went to several local/New England races during that time. I've occasionally gone to see SheFly race, too. Certain types of races are fun to watch and fun events, too.

[shootingstar]

It probably makes a difference to know other people in person who race and they are friends, family like your situation, Crankin.

It doesn't bother me...I just wonder..as a fleeting thought. Like a fly that buzzes around and then flies away.

We have neither personal contacts, that race at all. Not a priority for us. And these are cyclists who have cycled across Canada-U.S. I have a partner who isn't particularily competitive in his nature on bike. He has been competitive in business, but cycling really means challenging himself. Not beating out the other guy. He tells me of cyclists who don't even fit the racing image who pass him. He's delighted to share such stories with anyone.

[azfiddle]

My interest went from zero to sometimes paying attention.

Quite a few pros train in Tucson in the winter, and we have met a couple, including Tommy Danielson and Phil Gaimon, from Garmin Sharp. Most of the time it's too hard to actually watch races unless we can get replays on the computer (like tour tracker for Tour of Utah this week or Tour de Frances when we buy the package.

And I'm getting coaching from a pro racer now, so I like to see how she's doing in her races, but just see occasional results online.

[pll]

Watching races has grown on me. I clearly remember the first time I paid attention to a stage of the Tour de France (a friend wanted to come to my place and watch it ... his TV was broken) and I just did not get why it would be interesting. I understand it better now and it is fun. If I have to workout on the trainer, having a race on the TV or computer makes a big difference in the ease of the workout.

Last year another friend convinced me of participating in races myself. I did it as an experience (not my thing: I ended up viewing road races as opportunities to ride elsewhere... most of the participants could be my daughters!). Tried cyclocross and gravel races, as well. Those are more fun.

[Owlie]

I don't really care either, although when I was working at a bike shop, I sort-of paid attention to the pros so I could actually participate in conversation with customers. I do have former co-workers/friends who participate in local races (well, back-in-Ohio local), so I always ask or check to see how they did. Nothing beyond that, though.

[tulip]

I've been watching the Tour de France since 1986, when ABC Sports had one hour of coverage on Saturday. I really enjoy it. YMMV.