Lack of interest: cycling races

[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.

[zoom-zoom]

I love going to watch local races when I know a lot of the field...but to watch TdF...could not care less, in large part because of the scandals and chronic EPOing. When it was running this year it is all my MIL would talk about. At one point she started yakking to me about the race and I told her point-blank that I never watch it, don't know who half the names of cyclists are, and why I don't watch -- and she kept on yammering. Seriously?! The woman loves to name-drop. I just roll my eyes.

[shootingstar]

Which begs another question I ask myself, would I watch the female equivalent of Tour de France?

I didn't even watch the last few Summer Olympics Games. I haven't had a tv for past few years. Even before I was watching maybe 4 hrs. of tv in total weekly. Sometimes a lot less. I don't subscribe to pro cycling race news feeds. I have avoided subscribing to twitter feeds on anything I don't have facebook. I think I know there is a news blog for women' pro cycling races.

It would take some aggressive marketing for such an international race to penetrate into awareness for national-local audiences world-wide. Not to say, I wouldn't be interested but then I have to make the effort to find the info., create an online alert for myself when to watch, yaddyaddda..

There is a reason why I seem to wall myself slightly (I'm still in blogosphere..that's my social media): I like to declutter my brain from automatic bombardment of electronic alerts vying for my attention...less stress. Mind is at peace. I focus on the now, loved ones, and present future for stuff that happens live in before me.

I like participating in cycling itself. And still read non-racing stuff on cycling. But I pursue other personal interests outside of cycling also. Important for my own overall learning and enjoyment of other stuff for balance.