12 questions

[gunara]

Interesting. I suppose a fictional literary work on cycling would be difficult, though. Because you probably won't be allowed to use real names of other cyclists, and then you have to create tons of fictitious characters which is necessary to emulate the scope of real cycling but annoying for the reader to have to grind through.

I can see that problem, too. But since I live in a country and regions where cycling is not really a big sports, it's a bit easier to have a workaround. The problem is still that cycling involves a lot of athletes at once, so the permission things will be far more difficult. In comparison to my tennis story, I actually used a real tennis player as the opponent - once a WTA top 100 player - without ever showing her face, but asking permission of one person is of course far more easier than from a whole peloton.

 

[King Boonen]

Wow, I am surprised by the lack of racing experience in replies so far. I just assumed most here had raced. Interesting.

Have to say, I'm quite surprised by this too. I can understand it in more popular sports, and therefore I can see why some forum members from nations where it is popular might not, but I always thought most people came to watching competitive cycling by doing it themselves, like with other niche sports. Seems I was wrong.

 

[King Boonen]

Allowed? You can use whatever names of the real world in a novel.

Almost certain this is not the case in most jurisdictions. I think you can include real people in fiction, but only if the portrayal of those people is accurate. Most fiction I read with real people included is historical, I have no idea what would happen if you were to, say, include a real cyclist and portray them as a massive doper. I think you'd probably end up with a lawsuit on your hands in a lot of places.

 

[Lui98]

Where are you from?
Italy

Who's your favourite cyclist?
I have to say that the more I grow the less I root for a specific rider but If I have to say one name, it's Nibali (that I follow since 2009/10), but I also followed Evans and Samuel Sanchez when they were active. A couple of years before he retired I finally started to understand that I really liked Contador, it was late, but not too late .


Your favourite moment in cycling history?
I need to mention the Galibier stage in Tour de France 2011, the Fuente Dé stage in the Vuelta 2012, the Arenberg stage in the Tour 2014.

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
Not much, maybe Ineos that continues to buy absolute talents everywhere, but what can you do? If you have the possibility you want the best.

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
The drama, the suspense, waiting for the storm that 90% of the time won't happen, but when it happens you know it's good.

What is the best stage or race design of all times?
Paris- Roubaix, I agree with Bolder

Which other sports do you watch the most?
Motorsport, Basketball, Football.

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
No, but I practiced futsal and basketball

How do you feel about women's cycling?
It's good to see , but it needs to improve through more funding, and the creation of academies to increase the pool of talents, it is also needed that the salaries for the pro athletes go up.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
I think it would be similar to the one of Primož Roglič, it' s quite amazing.

TT or hard climbs?
Hard climbs

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?

I would choose Rohan Dennis to show me again how he flattened the Stelvio

 

[tobydawq]

Have to say, I'm quite surprised by this too. I can understand it in more popular sports, and therefore I can see why some forum members from nations where it is popular might not, but I always thought most people came to watching competitive cycling by doing it themselves, like with other niche sports. Seems I was wrong.

I don't think cycling can be considered a niche sport in this part of the world.

In Denmark, only football and handball gets more airtime, and given that handball is a joke, cycling is number two.

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

Where are you from?
Germany
Who's your favourite cyclist?
Historically: Fausto Coppi
Current: Romain Bardet
In general: any random sprinter
Your favourite moment in cycling history?
Basically any sprint finish. Nothing beats the excitement of a sprint royale in a cycle race.
Apart from that Richard Virenque winning Paris-Tours was an awesome moment. I hate Virenque with a passion, but this shows that any rider can win on any terrain. Plus the finals hours of San Remo, Ronde and Roubaix - the holy trinity of classics always delivers.
What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
GTs are currently designed to be won by anorexic climbers. I want longer time trials, more sprint finishes and more classic-type stages.
What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
The ever-changing landscapes and the deep connection between racing and geography.
What is the best stage or race design of all times?
No idea. Racers make the race. Stage/race design is way overrated. I loved the general design of the first week of the 1999 Tour, though.
Which other sports do you watch the most?
Nothing really, apart from some Alpine Skiing.
Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
Nope. I would have probably ended up like Ivan Quaranta (minus the wins).
How do you feel about women's cycling?
I don't care about it.
You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
Fight with women in Paris, then go fishing in the Pyrenees and watching some bull-fighting before stumbling into a bike race. Oh, wait, this plot already exists...
TT or hard climbs?
Sprints.
If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?
I have no idea.

 

[Cookster15]

Have to say, I'm quite surprised by this too. I can understand it in more popular sports, and therefore I can see why some forum members from nations where it is popular might not, but I always thought most people came to watching competitive cycling by doing it themselves, like with other niche sports. Seems I was wrong.

Its a pleasant surprise to me. It means the sport has wider appeal than we think. But it also explains some opinions on riders especially the question, why doesn't this rider attack more? .

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Where are you from?
UK (virtually the centre of England)

Who's your favourite cyclist?
From the past: Tom Boonen or Alberto Contador

Currently: It depends. Probably van Alert or Van der Poel, although Ackermann, Kämna, Tim Wellens are also up there.

Your favourite moment in cycling history?
Either Boonen's Paris Roubaix in 2012 or spectating irl Gilbert's Flanders win.

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
Governing bodies of the sport. Especially British Cycling and the UCI.

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
Not sure. To quote Sagan "it's flipping Cycling"

What is the best stage or race design of all times?
Anything in the Race Design Thread on this forum.
Realistically, any stage in the past that has seen long range attacks that shook the HC of a race up.

Which other sports do you watch the most?
Motorsports (mainly F1 and endurance or GT racing), Downhill and XC skiing, Biathlon, Triathlon and sometimes Luge and Bobsleigh. May rugby at a push.

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
CX at national level, Road races, Crits and TTs

How do you feel about women's cycling?
Bit of a Chicken or Egg situation. If you have more coverage, then more sponsors will come and the whole women's side of the sport will become better funded and supported. But also one needs more sponsors so funding is better and it will get more coverage.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
Interesting concept. I'd need more than a few minutes to come up with something decent.

TT or hard climbs?
Hard climbs all day long. Although you can't go wrong with an all out solo effort against the clock (open dual carriageways with tea and biscuits at the end are optional).

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?
Probably Van Der Poel. His skills are 100 times better than mine.

 

[BlueRoads]

Almost certain this is not the case in most jurisdictions. I think you can include real people in fiction, but only if the portrayal of those people is accurate. Most fiction I read with real people included is historical, I have no idea what would happen if you were to, say, include a real cyclist and portray them as a massive doper. I think you'd probably end up with a lawsuit on your hands in a lot of places.

Yeah, in Germany at least it's not a problem to use real names, as long as you don't attribute stories to them which could be regarded as real or could damage the reputation. However, doing damage to the reputation may be reached easily, so you have to be careful with that. But just using the names as in "I was riding alongside van der Poel and caught his glance" is no problem and I can't imagine that it is in other countries.

 

[Koronin]

Have to say, I'm quite surprised by this too. I can understand it in more popular sports, and therefore I can see why some forum members from nations where it is popular might not, but I always thought most people came to watching competitive cycling by doing it themselves, like with other niche sports. Seems I was wrong.

raises hand I'm from one of those countries it's niche sport. However, my husband spent the better part of 3 to 4 years in Spain while in the Air Force and that's part of where he started watching the sport. I met him after he was out the Air Force and he's the one that introduced me to the sport.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Where are you from?
Kidderminster, England.

Who's your favourite cyclist?
Tough to say as there are plenty I like, without one standing above the others. If I had to pick I’d choose Cav (see below)

Your favourite moment in cycling history?
My dad suddenly passed away in 2016, his favourite cyclist by far was Mark Cavendish and loved the Tour de France every summer. On stage 1 of the 2016 Tour , not long after my Dad’s passing, Cav obviously won the stage and the yellow jersey for the first time. A lot of memories came flooding back and it was a pretty emotional time.

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
I seem to say the same thing every year, but team strength is terrible for racing. It seems Jumbo have now taken over from the Sky/Ineos reign of sucking the life out of stage races to an even bigger extent.

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
I like having several races in one to watch over the course of a Grand Tour, the stage win, the jersey and breakaway battles and of course GC. Also you get to see some pretty special parts of the world throughout a season.

What is the best stage or race design of all times?
Paris-Roubaix will always be one of my favourites.

Which other sports do you watch the most?
A lot. I own shares in racehorses and broodmares so I watch a fair amount of horse racing. Plus football, American football, biathlon, cricket, golf and plenty of motorsport.

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
Never. Just social rides.

How do you feel about women's cycling?
I don’t go out of my way to watch like I would with other sports, but I do enjoy watching when I can.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
Probably some sort of ‘rags to riches’ story of a young guy in a poor country who makes it to the big time. Add in the usual moral dilemmas of the clinic and cash and I’d expect at least half a dozen award nominations!

TT or hard climbs?
Hard climbs

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?
We don’t have any massively long mountains here, but I’d love to spend a day in the Alps with a pro and learning how to do a tough descent full gas.

 

[sir fly]

Too extensive questionnaire...

But learning that RhD has some shot-putting experience is priceless!

 

[BlueRoads]

Too extensive questionnaire...

Fine. Here's a questionnaire just for you, it only has three questions:

How good is your shot-putting?
Would you rather rent RhD for an hour of shot-putting or a day of cycling?
Did you ever race yourself or do you only fly?

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Would you rather rent RhD for an hour of shot-putting or a day of cycling?

My guess is, that it would probably be much easier to throw her than to use her as a bike.
The latter would require an oddly shaped body.

 

[BlueRoads]

My guess is, that it would probably be much easier to throw her than to use her as a bike.
The latter would require an oddly shaped body.

I don't love you anymore. You have a sick mind.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Good thread! Funny to read other forum members' posts. Here's mine.

Where are you from?
Denmark

Who's your favourite cyclist?
When I was a child, Indurain. When I started following cycling again after I didn't as a teenager, Contador. Currently, Evenepoel.

Your favourite moment in cycling history?
Contador on Fuente De or Contador winning on Angliru in 2017.

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
The whining from the riders and the extreme weather protocol.

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
The story telling. The cultural and historical impact.

What is the best stage or race design of all times?
Paris-Roubaix

Which other sports do you watch the most?
Disc golf

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
No. Well, yes. I entered two races, won one and DNF the other. I quit my "carreer" after that.

How do you feel about women's cycling?
I don't watch it. It doesn't appeal to me.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
Probably some sort of re-telling of a biblical story.

TT or hard climbs?
Climbs, although I do like ITT's (seing I had a soft spot for Indurain, that should be no surprise)

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?
Van Aert to show me how to do everything.

 

[Jamaican Jerk Chicken]

Where are you from?
Unfortunately I‘m legally not allowed to share that information

Who's your favourite cyclist?
I don’t know

Your favourite moment in cycling history?
Man running next to Chris Froome carrying a giant inhaler

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
Not much

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
I am to lazy too write

What is the best stage or race design of all times?
I don’t know

Which other sports do you watch the most?
I don’t watch other sports

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
Come on...

How do you feel about women's cycling?
I don’t like it

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
WHO WRITES A NOVEL SET IN PRO CYCLING?

TT or hard climbs?
I can’t really decide

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?
Uhhhhhh not sure let me think

 

[sir fly]

Fine. Here's a questionnaire just for you, it only has three questions:

How good is your shot-putting?
Would you rather rent RhD for an hour of shot-putting or a day of cycling?
Did you ever race yourself or do you only fly?

My shot-putting's probably far better than RhD's cycling, thus I'd rather get rented for a day of air racing.

 

[RedheadDane]

Too extensive questionnaire...

But learning that RhD has some shot-putting experience is priceless!

I wouldn't call it "experience". More like... trying not to drop the bloody thing on my feet!

My shot-putting's probably far better than RhD's cycling, thus I'd rather get rented for a day of air racing.

My cycling is great! For the every day "getting around" bit.

 

[Berflamand]

Where are you from?
Ghent, Belgium

Who's your favourite cyclist?
Past: Boonen
Present: probably Evenepoel but I'm a fan of the DQS team so I'd say every rider on that team.

Your favourite moment in cycling history?
Boonen winning his fourth Paris-Roubaix after a 50km solo and this being his fourth classic win of the season (after E3 Prijs, Gent-Wevelgem and Ronde van Vlaanderen)

What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
I don't really know. Sure there will be lots of things that can be improved but I enjoy watching cycling so I don't want to think about the negatives.

What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
Endurance, weather elements, variety, possibility for totally different parcours for different type of riders, close interaction with the public, multiple goals in the same (stage) race, vulnerability of the riders, beautiful and impressive landscapes, team tactics against individual tactics/performances, ...

What is the best stage or race design of all times?
Paris-Roubaix closely followed by Strade Bianche and Ronde van Vlaanderen

Which other sports do you watch the most?
I follow lots of sports but apart from cycling I only really watch football on a regular base.

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
No

How do you feel about women's cycling?
I follow it a little but don't feel very strong about it.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
Thought about if for a moment, but I have nothing.

TT or hard climbs?
Difficult. I like them both. But no prologues or TT's of less than 15km. Proper TT's or proper hard climbs.

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?
I would also like to improve my technique and descending skills but unlike other posters I wouldn't choose Mohoric. I don't exactly want to die and my level of skill and fearlessness will never be that high.

I'd take a rider who simply has a good but not exceptional technique and descending skills (I guess that should be pretty much every pro rider apart from Zakarin and other Reichenbachs). Now that I think of it, I also want to learn how to ride in echelons. Maybe I'll take Lampaert or Asgreen.

 

[tobydawq]

I don't love you anymore. You have a sick mind.

Talk about an unwarranted temper tantrum!

 

[Carols]

Where are you from?
PA USA


Who's your favourite cyclist?
Il Pirata


Your favourite moment in cycling history?
Tie:
LeMond's 1989 final ITT
Marco's 1998 Double
Contador's 2012 Fuente De


What's wrong with cycling at the moment?
The UCI's inability to standardize penalties-when they are called and consequences.


What makes cycling better than other sports (to watch)?
It's a Long Chess Match on wheels featuring the long, slow burn of Attrition, The excitement Attacks, the interplay of Tactics, But mostly that it reflects life; facing obstacles and overcoming them, failing (getting dropped) and working your way back, falling down and getting up to continue the battle.

What is the best stage or race design of all times?
No idea

Which other sports do you watch the most?
Horse racing, figure skating.

Have you ever raced competitively yourself?
No

How do you feel about women's cycling?
I don't follow it.

You are writing a novel set in pro cycling – what's your plot?
Long time water carrier tells and teaches the many facets of cycling to his young son and trains him. His son becomes a Legend!

TT or hard climbs?
Climbs

If you could rent a current pro rider for one day to help you improve your cycling, who would you choose and what should they show you?
Vincenzo Nibali
Removing his shoes???

 

[Samu Cuenca]

I don't love you anymore. You have a sick mind.

Michael Rasmussen would love the idea of turning himself into a bike. 6.81 would be his ideal weight.
I'm sure Esteban Chaves could draw a sketch for him.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

I wouldn't call it "experience". More like... trying not to drop the bloody thing on my feet!

Sounds like my idea of shotput when I did athletics! If i did actually throw it, it's more of a watch how close it lands to me than see how far I can get it!

 

[tobydawq]

If you throw it, you're doing it wrong.