Is anyone else into the tour? That TT was sensational, and to think some of these over-paid footballers complain about being tired. They don't know what the word tired means. Stunning.

Since quite alot of competitors have been found using drugs cycling and the Tour De France has lost a lot of the worlds interest.

True, but people shouldn't let that detract from the achievements of others who are clean, that would be a real shame. Same goes for athletics. Also at the end of the day cycling fans are cycling fans and will watch it anyway. It is a shame though when a sport comes under scrutiny because of something like that, it does leave a sour taste in the mouth somewhat.

I was thinking of starting a post about Lance, but didn't think anyone would be interested.

I've watched a few stages live (TV) this year and most of the highlights. Lance's accent of L'Alp Duez was awesome, it reminded me of Marco Pantani leaving the peleton for dead in 1997.

I don't think there is any doubt that Lance Armstrong is the finest athlete on the planet at the moment. To take a minute out of Jan's time was just awe inspiring and a testomany to the human spirit.

p.s. I have a picture of Pantani leaving the peleton for dead up a mountain as my screen saver and I'm drinking out of a Tour 98 mug I got when the tour finished in Cork that year.

............. and he has won his 4th Stage of this year's Tour today.

"Lance inspirational Armstrong" What a guy.

Yeah he is just incredible. To compare him with some of today's 'athletes' who complain if they have to get out of bed before midday more than twice a week is frankly embarassing. There is phenomenal and then there is Lance. The guy can ascend ridiculous mountains averaging speeds that most people couldn't average on a flat run. Not only that he does it day after day and still finds the energy to sprint at the end and then claim that his legs feel 'incredible'! It's a shame that over here at least it is very much a minority thing, and so many millions of people are ignorant to, as a post above says, surely the most supreme sportsman currently alive.

I watched him in the uphill time trial..Knock 2 mins off Basso & 1 min off Ulrich...and ive just watched him Today win the hardest mountain stage in the Tour..How does He do it ????? I'm 65 this year and you might see me out this weekend trying to impersonating Him ( if I can get my legs up to his speed).

He is incredible. And he does it all with just one ball!

For those who don't know, he had testicular cancer and had a ball cut off. Made an amazing recovery after months of chemo. He's still going strong and putting most men to shame.

Hats off to the guy!

To my mind. the TDF is a much underated event in this country. The drugs thing a few years ago didn't help it though.

Respect.

Nomme

I've read Lance Armstrong's autobiography. It's a brilliant read and very inspiring.

I was out today and missed a stage can you let me Know what happened. and who won ?.

Hi to all cycling fans,i had the privilage of being on the alpe d'huez on the 21st of july his year!

The speed that they came up there was awesome,i did it in 1hr 10mins which was fast for me,the speed that they did was so fast even their sprinters where fast!

The atmosphere was incredable,just wish i was in Paris for the end of the tour.

I went for a run out on the bike today, inspired by Lance I tried to ride his style..I got into a lower gear, got the legs spinning and away I went for about 100 yards I came to a small rise so I stood up on the pedals like he does...Then it all went wrong, my right knee gave way I wobbled about a bit then sat down again I changed gear again missed a couple of sprockets and then gave up. I arrived back home in time to watch him in the ITT, Iv'e got to addmit he's wonderful..I'll bet after the race he goes into a phone box and changes back into Clark Kent.

Ouch Timbuk, maybe you should shave your legs and cut your balls off. Cuts down on wind friction. I used to date a cyclist and he shaved his legs. Ugh!

Originally posted by Funke88
Ouch Timbuk, maybe you should shave your legs and cut your balls off. Cuts down on wind friction. I used to date a cyclist and he shaved his legs. Ugh!

Yep, that's the done thing I'm afraid! My Dad used to ride at a high level and had to do the same.

as a racing cyclist i dont shave my legs,i get them waxed!! ouch ouch, ouch !!

Originally posted by Funke88
Ouch Timbuk, maybe you should shave your legs and cut your balls off. Cuts down on wind friction. I used to date a cyclist and he shaved his legs. Ugh! You just sound like your mother.

Originally posted by Lickszz
Since quite alot of competitors have been found using drugs cycling and the Tour De France has lost a lot of the worlds interest.

But the difference is that cyclists use performance enhancing drugs... whereas footballers use life enhancing drugs.

Regardless, cyclists make footballers and their managers look pathetic.

Originally posted by Timbuck
I'll bet after the race he goes into a phone box and changes back into Clark Kent.
Nahh, he just turns back into Superman when he has a rest ;)

Originally posted by Tony
But the difference is that cyclists use performance enhancing drugs... whereas footballers use life enhancing drugs.

Regardless, cyclists make footballers and their managers look pathetic.

True to a certain extent but you if you are wanting to find the ultimate athlete look at rowing. It doesn't get much better, apart from Evander Holyfields 300 bmt down to 45 bmt after a minutes rest.

Originally posted by Tony
But the difference is that cyclists use performance enhancing drugs... whereas footballers use life enhancing drugs.

Regardless, cyclists make footballers and their managers look pathetic.


Footballers? A load of posing overpaid nancies kicking a white balloon about in white carpet slippers!

In the old footie days it was a solid leather ball that you just didn't dare head when it was wet and football boots were like ski shoes.

And the fans could take their booze, not like the flag waving, face painted ninnies of today. :o :D

Originally posted by Lickszz
In the old footie days it was a solid leather ball that you just didn't dare head when it was wet and football boots were like ski shoes.:o :D

Solid leather ball? ... PAH.. you wer' lucky!

We 'ad to 'ed a spike ;)

Originally posted by Lickszz
True to a certain extent but you if you are wanting to find the ultimate athlete look at rowing. It doesn't get much better, apart from Evander Holyfields 300 bmt down to 45 bmt after a minutes rest.

I'm not sure to be honest. No doubt people like Redgrave are incredible athletes, strong as an ox, but these cyclists are exerting themselves at similar and higher levels for hundreds of miles day after day up mountains. It's pretty hard to equate. Today should just be a procession, Lance will come home quietly in the pack I expect. All hail the greatest cyclist in history!

There was a great interview on the radio this morning.

Asked about his success and how he manages it when there are so many drugs in the sport (implying - how did he not get caught?)

Lance replied (paraphrased)...

'It's nothing more than simple hard work. Where are you on December 25th or January 1st?

I'm cycling. That's why I win.'

Yeah, that's the mentality you find in any true great. Tiger Woods and Jonny Wilkinson as two current examples are both know for being utterly obsessive about what they do, no surprise that they rise to the top (a bit of talent helps and all!). Will be a great moment when he crosses that line today. To think of all those great names from the past, and he is going to look down on every single one of them come tonight.

Originally posted by john t
as a racing cyclist i dont shave my legs,i get them waxed!! ouch ouch, ouch !! Honestly Why ???? does it really help in some way?... I can't emagine how.??? Hairy legs collect sweat in beads on the hairs and the wind evaporats the sweat causing cooling....somebody please explain.
P.S. Body builders shave off chest hair..is this vanity???.

If you have no hair on your leg the gravel rash and cuts are a lot less painful than if you have hairy legs. Cuts and grazes heal faster. Also, its easier for massage - which is nice if you are doing 150 miles a day for a week or two at racing pace.

Racing cyclists hit the road a lot... at anything up to 40mph+... with virtually nothing but lycra for protection (useful helemets are a very new invention).

Yet another reason why they are the greatest athletes! :thumbsup:

So why do touring cyclists shave the hair off ???.

I've never met any that do.

cycling is great, everyone should do it...


i know someone who does upto 160 miles a day, he's an incredibly fit guy. usually does one ride before we go out to 'warm up' which is generally just as long as the planned ride...


I was reading about another bloke riding the Great Continental Divide in America, from Canada to Mexico, 2500miles off road. He did the lot in 18 days 5 hours, which to me is more impressive than the 1500 miles done in the tour, on road over 21 days... Another guy doing around 360miles in 24 hours off road.
Endurance riders are probably amongst the fittest people in the world.

Does anybody remember Benny from the Phoenix CC...He used to cycle to the Mediteranian and back for His Fortnights Holyday every summer in the 60's ..all he took with him was his saddlebag a cape and a pump..he used to ride sunrise to sunset and sleep rolled up in his cape at the roadside.. He didn't bathe until he got there, he used to say "first wash in the Med"...He looked Italian with long greasy black hair and liked people to call him Bengimino..He was a Turner at some Sheffield Firm. I remember he turned up at the Club Xmas Dinner one Year with "his Wife, his Ex- Wife and his Girfriend (all platinum blonds)...I believe he held some 12 & 24 Hour records for a while...Saddly He died aged about 42 with Cancer.

We're all really proud over here about Lance, except for the lunatic few who say cycling is not an athletic pursuit, not like baseball, Give me a break! That another American tour winner Greg Lemonde should declare him a drug user is the ultimate in sour grapes. Perhaps Greg's french name had some thing to do with it. Some frenchman on TV said that Lance Armstrong is ruining the tour by winning so much. No entente cordiale.

LeMonde is a disgrace. Pure jealousy. I"m sure the French guy in question would be equally disgusted if a French cylicst ran away with it every year! Are there seriously people who don't regard it an 'athletic pursuit'. It is the ultimate athletic pursuit! Baseball? OK I don't know the slightest thing about it's intricacies, but I do know it generally consists of hitting a ball and running for a few seconds! Hardly cycling up a few mountains every day is it? Is Lance up there with people like Tiger Woods in terms of status? If anyone's up with Tiger, that is.

Originally posted by Jonesy
All hail the greatest cyclist in history!

I beg to differ.

Lance Armstrong cannot even bunnyhop - let alone jump a set of 50foot doubles at 45mph.

I think you'll find there are more talented cyclists/bike riders in BMX Racing than in road biking. Jamie Staff for Olympic Gold anyone? ...owes it all to BMX.

You wanna show off your lungs and muscles?....run a marathon or do the Tour - you wanna see great skills?....look to Bicycle Motocross or one of its offspring.

I concour.

(Well done Lance though)

Ok, all hail the greatest road cyclist! I appreciate what the BMX/stunt guys do and stuff when I see it on TV, it is damn impressive, in terms of pure physical strain though, it goes without saying that those guys don't have to be in the same shape as your tour riders. Not in terms of their hearts anyway. I guess you have to be physically strong to pull off some of the moves the BMX guys do but I have never tried- I would only fall off and look like a complete tit! In terms of being a talented cyclist as far as tricks and stuff are concerned then sure obviously there are speciailists at that, two very different sports though really like you say. Depends whether you want to see a guy breathing out of his ears up a mountain or someone jumping over a car!

Hudu, Try again when you cease being 13. As for baseball players, you only have to look at their beer bellies and fat arses to see what kind of athletes they are. Vastly overpaid and underworked. They're great spitters though a gallon an inning.

Originally posted by hudu


You wanna show off your lungs and muscles?....run a marathon or do the Tour - you wanna see great skills?....look to Bicycle Motocross or one of its offspring.

I concour.

(Well done Lance though)

I beg to differ, decsending a mountain on a bike with 23 mm wide tyres, of speeds up to 75 mph takes a lot of skill and guts.

But hudu, that's all very different from the athletic physical achievement needed by long distance racing cyclists.

Tricks are acrobatics - lots of skill yes, but not the same sort of requirement as distance or racing. Footballers are definately fitter.

Downhill / bmx... again, very brave and requires fitness, but it hardly compares physically does it? Footballers are probably fitter.

Who do you think is the fittest?

Lance Armstrong -v- David Beckham.
Lance Armstrong -v- Steve Peat
Lance Armstrong -v- Ryan Nyquist

No question about it I reckon

As for skill... well the peleton has to be one of the most dangerous sporting environments around. 200 riders elbow to elbow, wheel to wheel, at high speed, self propelled, around sharp switchbacks, with nothing but a bit of polystyrene for head protection.

There's far more skill in that than jumping your way around a purpose made marshalled track with half a dozen kids in kevlar body armour.

Each to their own I guess. :shakes:

Originally posted by Tony
As for skill... well the peleton has to be one of the most dangerous sporting environments around. 200 riders elbow to elbow, wheel to wheel, at high speed, self propelled, around sharp switchbacks, with nothing but a bit of polystyrene for head protection.


Yeah, quite unbelievable that there aren't more accidents, people probably think sitting the middle of the pelotoon is easy... not so!

I'm 36 Bucky boy!

Wise in the way of bikes for 34 of those years.

Seems to me British Cycling is suddenly waking up to the fact that any hopes of new talent coming into cycling (as they understand it) is most likely to come in from the talent mine that is BMX or MTB.

The USA Olympic team is also starting to fiind that there are AA Pro BMXers who can outperform their top sprint team riders having never previously cocked a leg over a road bike.

I wasn't particularly having a go at Lance if you read my post, moreso at the narrow minded attitudes of 'cyclists' to BMX. Its not 'kids doing tricks on little bikes' any more - as young 'stuck in 84' Buck seems to think.

It is now an Olympic Sport.

The other side of bmx - where Very Big Kids are now getting paid millions for doing mindblowing tricks on little kids bikes....tends to just laugh at cyclists as Old People on Bikes...

...ironic eh?

I'll say it again.

Nice one Lance.

:thumbsup:

I stand corrected Hudu, my apologies. I guess my opinion about extreme sports of any kind including skiiing, biking and moto cross comes from seeing so many guys on TV especially from California with giant egos and minor IQs. I'm a good deal older than you having been a road racing cyclist for many years, though I took my kids to race BMX, which created the teenager image. They now race 250cc Kawasaki dirt bikes in their early thirties which for all its jumping is a lot safer than Grand Prix.

Downhill / bmx... again, very brave and requires fitness, but it hardly compares physically does it? Footballers are probably fitter.

Pro DH'er Brian Lopes decided to enter an XC race a while back, not his discipline at all but ended up winning... did the same with a road race then went and did track racing. all requiring massive amounts of fitness that would probably scare a footballer! from what i heard, Mr Lopes was given the opportunity to race for the US track team in Athens a while back, not sure if he is or not...

want to see skill on a bike? Wade Simmons and Ryan Leech (http://www.ryanleech.com/videos/movies/manifestotease3.mov and http://www.ryanleech.com/videos/movies/manifestotease1.mov says it all really). not saying Lance is better or not, just a different type of skill...

Originally posted by daevh
Pro DH'er Brian Lopes decided to enter an XC race a while back, not his discipline at all but ended up winning... did the same with a road race then went and did track racing. all requiring massive amounts of fitness that would probably scare a footballer! from what i heard, Mr Lopes was given the opportunity to race for the US track team in Athens a while back, not sure if he is or not...



Pro DHer, Brian Lopes - Mid level achievement, former BMX Pro.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
See what I was getting at now?
See also Mike King, Eric Carter, Wade Bootes etc etc etc
Different ball game...unreal skills.

....and thankyou Buck! Ask those kids of yours who Jeremy Mcgrath is. Multiple World Supercross Champ...learned his trade and skills - and still rides - BMX.

BMX grew up too.





:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Total respect for those guys hudu, but it still doesn't change the fact that they are the exceptions that prove the rule.

The peleton has a couple of hundred riders all doing it a the same time.

Originally posted by Tony
Total respect for those guys hudu, but it still doesn't change the fact that they are the exceptions that prove the rule.

The peleton has a couple of hundred riders all doing it a the same time.

..and one winner.

The World BMX Championships were held in Holland 2 weeks ago.
Elite Men class had well over 250 entrants. Gates of 8. 45 second sprints. 4 through - four out. Ten times the intensity.

One winner.

Your point being?

I know which pack I would find it easier to ride in. Give me the Peleton anyday. That is tame in comparison.

My original point is the same.

What makes someone the worlds greatest cyclist?

Put a top AA Pro BMXer in the Tour and he would finish and probably do well with a few weeks prep. Put Lance Armstrong in an Elite Men BMX Main in any Euro or US Series round with the same prep period and he would kill himself over the first jump after being left for dead out of the gate.

Fact.

Sorry.

;)

Originally posted by hudu
What makes someone the worlds greatest cyclist?

Put a top AA Pro BMXer in the Tour and he would finish and probably do well with a few weeks prep. Put Lance Armstrong in an Elite Men BMX Main in any Euro or US Series round with the same prep period and he would kill himself over the first jump after being left for dead out of the gate.

Fact.

Sorry.

;)
Sorry, but I think you're getting a little too carried away in defence of your sport... and as a result your spouting nonsense. :P

I agree, moderator, I've seen a few BMX events in my time. 30 seconds of nonsense. The peloton at speed takes guts, stamina, and skill.

When Jamie Staff wins Olympic Gold in cycling over the next few weeks I shall bump this thread and you will apologise for the ignorance of the two posts above.

Thankyou.

:thumbsup:

Just because a Brit wins it, how does that provide any comparison whatsoever between the two sports?!

The bit about putting a BMX guy in the Tour de France 'and he would finish and probably do well with a few weeks prep'. I think that says it all. To finish the tour, let alone win it, you have to be an absolute giant of an athlete, to say that someone could come in from BMX and could not only finish but do well with 'a few weeks' prep is ridiculous. A few weeks?! A few years maybe!

Originally posted by Jonesy
Just because a Brit wins it, how does that provide any comparison whatsoever between the two sports?!

The bit about putting a BMX guy in the Tour de France 'and he would finish and probably do well with a few weeks prep'. I think that says it all. To finish the tour, let alone win it, you have to be an absolute giant of an athlete, to say that someone could come in from BMX and could not only finish but do well with 'a few weeks' prep is ridiculous. A few weeks?! A few years maybe!

Simple really.
Jamie Staff came from AA Pro BMX and did a few time trials at the BC National Cycling centre. He had never been on a road bike before other than for distance training for BMX. Within a few weeks he had beaten a Commonwealth record.
There is one comparison.
Thats why I quoted it.
And again - if anyone can read back - I re-iterate...The initial point I made in this thread was that this latest Tour victory does not make Lance Armstrong the 'Greatest ever cyclist'. There are a lot more skilled and explosive cyclists in other disciplines.
Our own Steve Peat would annihilate Lance Armstrong down a mountain for example.
I have the greatest respect for Lances achievements (again) - but come on guys...skill? To ride in the peleton? There are 11 year old kids that ride at Sheffields home track at Crookes with more bike handling skills than those roady boys.
If you don't beleive me you can go take a look - Its the 52 bus if the hills are too steep to ride up.
Remember to remove your blinkers before you arrive...
:D :D :thumbsup:

Originally posted by hudu
There are 11 year old kids that ride at Sheffields home track at Crookes with more bike handling skills than those roady boys.
If you don't beleive me you can go take a look - Its the 52 bus if the hills are too steep to ride up.
Remember to remove your blinkers before you arrive...

It must be very dark where you keep your head. :loopy:

Originally posted by hudu
There are 11 year old kids that ride at Sheffields home track at Crookes with more bike handling skills than those roady boys.
If you don't beleive me you can go take a look - Its the 52 bus if the hills are too steep to ride up.
Remember to remove your blinkers before you arrive...
:D :D :thumbsup:

Oh dear, your post up to that point was ok, but I genuinely laughed out loud when I read this. Are you for real? And do you know what speeds these guys are doing in the peloton sometimes whilst maintaining gaps of maybe an inch or two between wheels? Every time you almost come up with a creidible argument, you just stick your foot in it again!

If we don't believe you we can go and take a look?! So, you're telling me that if I go to this place, I can see 11 year olds, racing at speeds of maybe 40mph sometimes more, for maybe 100 miles per day (have you any idea how hard it is to concentrate for that long with your wheels a matter of inches away from bikes at every angle at high speed?), in a group of 150+ riders, with their wheels almost touching? Brilliant! And here was me thinking I would have to go to France to see this sort of thing, but no, it'll be right on my doorstep when I arrive in sheffield, cheers for the tip!

If anyone has any photos of these pre-pubescent speed demons I would be most interested.....! An 11 year old can't even ride a bike at peloton speed for more than a few minutes (and even that would have to be a very grown up 11 year old!), let alone handle their bike at such speeds for maybe 6 hours a day, not to mention up and down mountains. What a laugh.

Originally posted by Jonesy
So, you're telling me that if I go to this place, I can see 11 year olds, racing at speeds of maybe 40mph sometimes more, for maybe 100 miles per day

If anyone has any photos of these pre-pubescent speed demons I would be most interested.....! An 11 year old can't even ride a bike at peloton speed for more than a few minutes (and even that would have to be a very grown up 11 year old!), let alone handle their bike at such speeds for maybe 6 hours a day, not to mention up and down mountains. What a laugh. [/B]

1. No. I am telling you that you will see kids with better bike handling skills.

2. Pre-pubescent speed demon aged 10 in fact. (http://www.bmxeurope.com/albums/album07/abs.sized.jpg) - Cheddar UK 2003. Lance Armstrong could not jump these 18 foot doubles. Fact. Nor could this kid win the Tour. Fact.

...your point appears to be to try and diss anything I say about our sport. From a standpoint of ignorance.

May I suggest you take a trip to Ringwood Park, Staveley, Chesterfield over this weekend. You could see BMX pros doing said speeds of 40 mph downhill at a round of the BCBMX National Champs. Then perhaps you can come on here and tell me they have no skills.

...I will even lend you a bike and you can have a roll around the track and see exactly what you are trying to demean. :D

Can't say fairer than that now can I?

Nobody has said that there isn't skill in BMX, unfortunately you seem to 'diss' road racing from a very bizzare standpoint which is totally flawed.

Maybe in a few years time when you have left school and grown out of your BMX bike you might realise. ;)

Anyway, I'm dipping out of this thread for now because it's boring me rigid - like BMX it just goes round and round in childish circles without getting anywhere fast.

Originally posted by Tony
Nobody has said that there isn't skill in BMX, unfortunately you seem to 'diss' road racing from a very bizzare standpoint which is totally flawed.



Exactly. It's totally pointless anyway. It's like trying to decide whether Linford Christie was a better runner than Roger Black- both runners but in different pursuits. And neither would they have been able to swap events and still compete, they would've both been lost in each other's events because it's not what they do best.

Originally posted by Tony
Nobody has said that there isn't skill in BMX, unfortunately you seem to 'diss' road racing from a very bizzare standpoint which is totally flawed.

Maybe in a few years time when you have left school and grown out of your BMX bike you might realise. ;)

Anyway, I'm dipping out of this thread for now because it's boring me rigid - like BMX it just goes round and round in childish circles without getting anywhere fast.

OK Tony. If its just abuse now you have lost your argument.
:rolleyes:


Again. I didn't see any of you take up my invite to end your narrow mindedness. Ringwood Park Stavely tomorrow still stands. I can arrange you a go round in front of about 1000 people who understand how flawed and blinkered your arguments (!??) are - safe in the knowledge that you will realise yourself after the first 10 metres.

If the ten year olds scare you, you can roll round with any of the 45+ men. If you would care to say what you said above to any of them I'm sure you they would point you the error of your naivety.

If you do bottle out, I'm sure its a good reason. Like you have to go and ride your old geriatric straight line penny-farthing bike along a dangerously straight road with some other pensioners....oops....you nearly got me at it there...easy isn't it?
;)

Vive le difference.

Originally posted by hudu
OK Tony. If its just abuse now you have lost your argument.
:rolleyes:


Again. I didn't see any of you take up my invite to end your narrow mindedness. Ringwood Park Stavely tomorrow still stands. I can arrange you a go round in front of about 1000 people who understand how flawed and blinkered your arguments (!??) are - safe in the knowledge that you will realise yourself after the first 10 metres.

If the ten year olds scare you, you can roll round with any of the 45+ men. If you would care to say what you said above to any of them I'm sure you they would point you the error of your naivety.

If you do bottle out, I'm sure its a good reason. Like you have to go and ride your old geriatric straight line penny-farthing bike along a dangerously straight road with some other pensioners....oops....you nearly got me at it there...easy isn't it?
;)

Vive le difference.

You know it's funny, you talk about people losing it and hence losing arguments, and then post that last paragraph! You talk about ignorance, when your own views on road racing clearly show a total lack of comprehension for what these guys do. See what you've done there?! It's called hypocrisy!


Don't even know where Stavely Park or whatever is, I don't even live in Sheffield yet, and even if I did then personally I couldn't give a monkeys. Which of us actually said that we could pull tricks on a bike? None of us actually claimed that we could, so quite what you're rambling on about I don't know. In the same way, I"m sure bearing in mind that road racing is just a load of old blokes on bikes and it is really easy compared to some of the stuff your 'radical sick homeboys' might pull off, you would happily enter yourself into the upcoming tour of Britain and stay the pace in front of a few thousand people? I guess not huh. And likewise, I'm sure you'll have a good reason, like putting a sticker of Avril Lavigne on your handlebars!

Loved the picture you posted to supposedly substantiate what you're saying, of some kid a few feet in the air. I've kicked strikers higher up in the air then that when I"m playing football, and I didn't need any springs or ramps!

Originally posted by Jonesy
You know it's funny, you talk about people losing it and hence losing arguments, and then post that last paragraph! You talk about ignorance, when your own views on road racing clearly show a total lack of comprehension for what these guys do. See what you've done there?! It's called hypocrisy!

Yawn. I posted the last paragraph as an ironic reposte to Tonys imbecilic attack and qualified it with a 'see how easy it is' as I did the same to highlight this point.

Don't even know where Stavely Park or whatever is, I don't even live in Sheffield yet, and even if I did then personally I couldn't give a monkeys. Which of us actually said that we could pull tricks on a bike?

Tricks? I have been talking about BMX Racing. What 'tricks'? Again you display a shocking ignorance of the subject matter. Are you thinking of BMX vert? Dirt Jumping? Flatland? Street? Park? Oh dear...


None of us actually claimed that we could, so quite what you're rambling on about I don't know. In the same way, I"m sure bearing in mind that road racing is just a load of old blokes on bikes and it is really easy compared to some of the stuff your 'radical sick homeboys' might pull off, you would happily enter yourself into the upcoming tour of Britain and stay the pace in front of a few thousand people? I guess not huh. And likewise, I'm sure you'll have a good reason, like putting a sticker of Avril Lavigne on your handlebars!

Avril Lavigne? Brilliant mate. And I thought it was you lot that were calling me a kid? Hahahahaha! - Hypocrisy? :D


Loved the picture you posted to supposedly substantiate what you're saying, of some kid a few feet in the air. I've kicked strikers higher up in the air then that when I"m playing football, and I didn't need any springs or ramps!

Again. No 'springs or ramps' at BMX Racing. Ooops! The pic was posted for this reason...

Quote:
Originally posted by Jonesy
"If anyone has any photos of these pre-pubescent speed demons I would be most interested.....! "


Well done at yer footie fouls mate...but could you kick anyone this high? I post this to simply re-iterate (Again!) my point...

Little kid on a bike? (http://www.bmxmania.com/JustinLongShotCropSm.jpg)

This is AA Pro Justin Loffredo (Aged 29 like most peak athletes) going over a set of 65 foot long 20 foot deep doubles at 45mph in the UCI World BMX SX Championships. Was it you that said originally that Lance Armstrong was the 'worlds greatest cyclist'? Thats where I came in and disagreed. Still do. Theres more to cycling than riding in straight lines. You live in a bubble if you think otherwise.

Read the posts back.

The kids are coming.


:thumbsup:

Originally posted by hudu
Yawn. I posted the last paragraph as an ironic reposte to Tonys imbecilic attack and qualified it with a 'see how easy it is' as I did the same to highlight this point.



Tricks? I have been talking about BMX Racing. What 'tricks'? Again you display a shocking ignorance of the subject matter. Are you thinking of BMX vert? Dirt Jumping? Flatland? Street? Park? Oh dear...




Avril Lavigne? Brilliant mate. And I thought it was you lot that were calling me a kid? Hahahahaha! - Hypocrisy? :D




Again. No 'springs or ramps' at BMX Racing. Ooops! The pic was posted for this reason...

Quote:
Originally posted by Jonesy
"If anyone has any photos of these pre-pubescent speed demons I would be most interested.....! "


Well done at yer footie fouls mate...but could you kick anyone this high? I post this to simply re-iterate (Again!) my point...

Little kid on a bike? (http://www.bmxmania.com/JustinLongShotCropSm.jpg)

This is AA Pro Justin Loffredo (Aged 29 like most peak athletes) going over a set of 65 foot long 20 foot deep doubles at 45mph in the UCI World BMX SX Championships. Was it you that said originally that Lance Armstrong was the 'worlds greatest cyclist'? Thats where I came in and disagreed. Still do. Theres more to cycling than riding in straight lines. You live in a bubble if you think otherwise.

Read the posts back.

The kids are coming.


:thumbsup:

Maybe you are missing the irony of what I am saying too. You see,you don't like it when people say that tour riders are the best cyclists and stuff, citing 'ignorance'. You are quite happy to make glib comments about peloton riding being easy, but when someone throws back glib and deliberately 'ignorant' comments about BMX biking and deliberately makes out a 2 year old could do it and there's no skill to it, as you do with the tour, you don't like it do you? Don't dish it out if you can't take it back! And about Avril Lavigne, what's that got to do with me being a kid?! It was just a jibe, similar to that which, again, you are happy to throw, but don't seem to be able to take.

"There's more to cycling than riding in straight lines" huh? Yeah, and guess what, road racers would say 'there's more to cycling than jumping up in the air'. Works both ways, you see?!

Originally posted by Jonesy
Maybe you are missing the irony of what I am saying too. You see,you don't like it when people say that tour riders are the best cyclists and stuff, citing 'ignorance'. You are quite happy to make glib comments about peloton riding being easy, but when someone throws back glib and deliberately 'ignorant' comments about BMX biking and deliberately makes out a 2 year old could do it and there's no skill to it, as you do with the tour, you don't like it do you? Don't dish it out if you can't take it back! And about Avril Lavigne, what's that got to do with me being a kid?! It was just a jibe, similar to that which, again, you are happy to throw, but don't seem to be able to take.

"There's more to cycling than riding in straight lines" huh? Yeah, and guess what, road racers would say 'there's more to cycling than jumping up in the air'. Works both ways, you see?!

Agreed. As I said. Read back carefully and you will see I have backed up my comments. I said that 'in comparison' Peleton riding is easier and I know where I would rather be for safety.
And nor did I start with the nonsense about kids on bikes. I think you'll find that was Buck who did that first. According to his profile he is a 73 year old cyclist. I have every respect for that - and would imagine 73 year old BMXers would have too (yes. There are!) - That is the sort of ignorance that my subsequent posts are intended to address.

If you look at my OP I also praise Lance. Having ridden road races myself (!!!!) I do know the differences. Ask anyone at British Cycling HQ (I can give you contacts) about the potential of Jamie Staff (one example I gave) to do well in the Olympics and they will say they are surprised by the athleticism of top BMXers. Add the skill factor and I rest my case.

I would go on - but my mummy tells me not to talk to strangers

;) - So I extend an olive branch for now.

Be calm everyone - Its all just messing about on bikes at the end of the day.

:)

Having read the posts on this thread I thought I would add mine.

Being a woman I have never watched cycling before, but I have been involved in most other sports with my kids.

On the recommendation of a friend I watched the Tour de France for the first time and got hooked on the passion with which the riders take on every stage.

I can`t believe the dedication Lance Armstrong has for the sport and life. Nothing seems to stop him. I then went out and bought both the books he wrote about his life and it was such an eye-opener.

In most sports if they recieve an injury they then stop what they are doing and look forward to the next time they compete. Not in cycling, blood loss, skin loss, headaches due to injury, whatever they get up get on the bike and get on with it. Probably the only sport men can do this without making a fuss of the injury.

As cyclists no stage is the same, no day is the same. Thet use their inteligance, strength and determination every single time they get on their bikes. What other sport do you compete in for 3 weeks with 2 rest days(even training on these days) and most days they are on the bike for 6 hours and over. I can`t think of another sport that lasts as long with you competiting every day.

I have read the posts about how the Peleton helps, yes up to a certain pount but I don`t remember Lance crossing the finishing line with the Peleton right behind his back wheel. He uses a strategy and then takes on the leader or seperates himself from the Peleton. No one else does this for him and no one does this better. The Peleton can`t be the excuse for this man`s talent. He believes in himself and I wish I had a fraction of his self-belief he has. He rides every day and examines how he rides and how he can possibly gain seconds to win a stage or a race.

All sportsmen can excel in their chosen sport but Lance takes this to a diffrent level, he is a diffrent type of sportsman.

I now look at cyclists in a diffrent light, in fact I look at life diffrently. I would love to ride a bike if only for the fact that you are the one in control and no-one else is.

Originally posted by hudu
When Jamie Staff wins Olympic Gold in cycling over the next few weeks I shall bump this thread and you will apologise for the ignorance of the two posts above.

Thankyou.

:thumbsup:

That shows me up as a fraud then eh? ;)

Jamie was disqualified from the final for, erm...not sure really???

Breathing near another rider?

Maybe (conspiricay theory) they didn't want some jumped up bmxer coming from nowhere and winning EVERYTHING within a year and making it look easy?

Hard luck Staffy mate.

(Incidentally - Chris Hoy came from BMX too...GOLD:thumbsup: )

Well done to all the GB Cycling team.

Lol yeah. Nice to see some success on the track, especially Hoy, fantastic stuff. That event was breathtaking.

Why talk about Lance when you have your very own forum cyclist.
I'm on a come back........John t watch out,, back to your previous status, Nicholas..Ghur.

i'm waiting for you cycleracer,as usual at the top of a hill g'hur!

Originally posted by rosie
Having read the posts on this thread I thought I would add mine.

Being a woman I have never watched cycling before, but I have been involved in most other sports with my kids.

On the recommendation of a friend I watched the Tour de France for the first time and got hooked on the passion with which the riders take on every stage.

I can`t believe the dedication Lance Armstrong has for the sport and life. Nothing seems to stop him. I then went out and bought both the books he wrote about his life and it was such an eye-opener.

In most sports if they recieve an injury they then stop what they are doing and look forward to the next time they compete. Not in cycling, blood loss, skin loss, headaches due to injury, whatever they get up get on the bike and get on with it. Probably the only sport men can do this without making a fuss of the injury.

As cyclists no stage is the same, no day is the same. Thet use their inteligance, strength and determination every single time they get on their bikes. What other sport do you compete in for 3 weeks with 2 rest days(even training on these days) and most days they are on the bike for 6 hours and over. I can`t think of another sport that lasts as long with you competiting every day.

I have read the posts about how the Peleton helps, yes up to a certain pount but I don`t remember Lance crossing the finishing line with the Peleton right behind his back wheel. He uses a strategy and then takes on the leader or seperates himself from the Peleton. No one else does this for him and no one does this better. The Peleton can`t be the excuse for this man`s talent. He believes in himself and I wish I had a fraction of his self-belief he has. He rides every day and examines how he rides and how he can possibly gain seconds to win a stage or a race.

All sportsmen can excel in their chosen sport but Lance takes this to a diffrent level, he is a diffrent type of sportsman.

I now look at cyclists in a diffrent light, in fact I look at life diffrently. I would love to ride a bike if only for the fact that you are the one in control and no-one else is. Hmmm, sounds an all to familiar point of view this, its as if you have been quoted by a keen cyclist.
Funny enough I know a cyclist who shares the same view as you, he's a big fan of Lance as i am of Ullrich though he climbs like Ullrich and i climb like Lance.
Hmmmm, Ah well Rosie, whats your view of the Veulta.

You a friend of Christopher then.

We have spoke about Lance Armstrong for most of the week as we have been together all the time this week.

Will you be at the Tour of Britain by any chance.

Originally posted by john t
Hi to all cycling fans,i had the privilage of being on the alpe d'huez on the 21st of july his year!

The speed that they came up there was awesome,i did it in 1hr 10mins which was fast for me,the speed that they did was so fast even their sprinters where fast!

The atmosphere was incredable,just wish i was in Paris for the end of the tour.

I recall the 1987 Tour de France. Ireland's Stephen Roche was having a great race but had been dropped by Delgado and Chiapucci (I think) on Alpe D'Huez.

The leaders are about to cross the line and a shadow appears about 50 yards away round the corner behind them. The TV had done nothing but follow the front two for ages so we had seen nothing else. C4's Phil Liggett said something like "And who's that? (Bewildered)...It looks like Stephen Roche...(realisation) IT IS STEPHEN ROCHE!" cue mayhem.

The hard nut had got a second wind and almost caught them by himself, on one of the hardest parts of perhaps one of the hardest sporting events.

I believe that he collapsed on the line, oxygen mask the lot.

Originally posted by Lickszz
The hard nut had got a second wind and almost caught them by himself, on one of the hardest parts of perhaps one of the hardest sporting events.

I believe that he collapsed on the line, oxygen mask the lot. Hehe, he should have been in BMX - the ultimate sport ;)

Lickszz.....

the climb was actually La planya,in the alps!i did this climb 2 yrs ago when i did the etape de tour from aims to clues.
Unfortunatly my accomadation was at the top of this climb so every time i went out for a ride i had the honour of climbing this brute to get back!2000 metres!
This climb was last used in the tour in 2002,and was won by micheal boogard of rabobank,followed by carlos sastre of csc,3rd was lance him self.

happy cycling
john t

Originally posted by Tony
Hehe, he should have been in BMX - the ultimate sport ;)

Interesting link (http://www.vintagebmx.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=014671) in light of the points I was making in here...:thumbsup:

Sorry to add to such an old thread, but I missed it first time round.

Originally posted by Lickszz
I recall the 1987 Tour de France. Ireland's Stephen Roche was having a great race but....

Reading this brought back great memories of what I regard (for me, IMO, subjectively !!) as the golden years of the TDF.

A number of great rivalries followed each other:

Hinault v's Fignon
Hinault v's LeMond (How badly did I want that La Vie Clare/LOOK jersey!!) Hand in hand over L'Alp.
LeMond v's Fignon (Fignon's face was a picture on the Champs)
Delgado v's Roche
Then the rise of Indurain.
All the while Kelly was glued to the green jersey, before Abdujaparov exploded on the scene.

The C4 coverage was superb and Phil Liggett's comentary of Roche's miracle recovery on La Plagne ranks (IMO) as one of TV commentaries best moments.. not for it's eloquence, but for the emotion and the passion with which he screamed/croaked "It IS Stephen Roche!"

Got to admit I lost interest in it after that era, but huge respect for what Armstrong has done since

And cos I'm really bored, I'll add my 2 pennuth to the Lance v's BMX discussion (2 months to late!)...

To say Lance is the greatest cyclist in the world cannot be justified. That's like saying Michael Schumacher is the greatest motor racer in the world.

There are too many diverse disciplines in either sport to regard one man as best overall.

But I think this point was corrected by Jonesy early on...
Ok, all hail the greatest road cyclist!

However the rest still made amusing reading. Passionate posts are always a good read....