American spectators

[hfer07]

Simple. What is wrong with the mentality? Why show up on the side of the roads if they see cycling as joke?

Made me grine a tiny, tiny, tiny, tiny, tiny, tiny bit when I saw a chicken running after the riders on the 1st stage of TOC last year but the 'funny moment' soon faded and got and still is getting ridiculous. They even transfered the behaviours to this years Tour. I know it's only a majority and there are many passioned american fans out there but come on..

the problem with American spectators in cycling is the attitude:

*If you notice, they aren't really cheering the riders-they are desperate to attract attention-even at the expense of making the riders uncomfortable...

* the tackier, distasteful & grotesque - the better-because is "Cool and fun" by American standards

* Excitement about the competition isn't what motives those a$$h0les to do what they do-is the lack of understanding of the sport-because none of them even practice it

 

[ImmaculateKadence]

I have alot more respect for the 'normal' dedicated cycling fan, who usually stand along the course with their racing clothes and their bike alongside the road/mountain and just stand there and cheer the loudest they can for their favorite rider. And those fans always are the dupe because of the running guys.

Agreed. I love the fans that stand on the roadside with a pumping fist yelling encouragements. The fans that run alongside, with few exceptions, are nothing but a distraction. I don't doubt their love or enthusiasm for the sport; I just see it as misdirected. It's also apparent they have never raced before. It's more of an attempt at airtime, selfish really.

The worst are those that actually interfere trying to make some sort of point: Like that fatass at the TOC a couple years ago wearing the bumblebee outfit poking Lance with a giant syringe or the guy wearing surgical garb poking Contador in the face with a stethoscope. The fans not paying any attention that get too close and cause a crash are just as bad. There is no place for that disrespect or irresponsibility in this sport.

 

[Rip:30]

the problem with American spectators in cycling is the attitude:

*If you notice, they aren't really cheering the riders-they are desperate to attract attention-even at the expense of making the riders uncomfortable...

* the tackier, distasteful & grotesque - the better-because is "Cool and fun" by American standards

* Excitement about the competition isn't what motives those a$$h0les to do what they do-is the lack of understanding of the sport-because none of them even practice it

It's because watching bike races in person is boring. Why would I ever stand around all day to watch a bunch of dudes in spandex ride by me in a pack for like 20 seconds. No thanks, I'd rather go for a ride myself and maybe check out the finish on the internet later.

The other point is completely stupid, b/c if you ever go to bike race in the US the only people in attendance are other racers.

 

[Rip:30]

Simple. What is wrong with the mentality? Why show up on the side of the roads if they see cycling as joke?

Made me grine a tiny, tiny, tiny, tiny, tiny, tiny bit when I saw a chicken running after the riders on the 1st stage of TOC last year but the 'funny moment' soon faded and got and still is getting ridiculous. They even transfered the behaviours to this years Tour. I know it's only a majority and there are many passioned american fans out there but come on..

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

the problem with american spectators in cycling is the attitude:

*if you notice, they aren't really cheering the riders-they are desperate to attract attention-even at the expense of making the riders uncomfortable...

* the tackier, distasteful & grotesque - the better-because is "cool and fun" by american standards

* excitement about the competition isn't what motives those a$$h0les to do what they do-is the lack of understanding of the sport-because none of them even practice it

+10000000000000

 

[Deagol]

.... or the guy wearing surgical garb poking Contador in the face with a stethoscope. The fans not paying any attention that get too close and cause a crash are just as bad. There is no place for that disrespect or irresponsibility in this sport.

Oh wait, that was in Europe, darn ....
There goes the OP's point about US fans.

 

[daveinzambia]

what is the phrase, picture says a thousand words

seen loads of riders saying how fantastic the atmosphere was today and thanking fans.

 

[9000ft]

Funny,

I was at Vail today and Independence yesterday and of the many thousands of fans there, the VAST majority where not folks dressed as chickens, or banana's but fairly normal looking folks who enthusiastically cheered every rider along, from the leaders to the guys struggling to hang on to the grupetto. From what I saw the folks who decided to get a bit more, shall we say "colorful" where not too far out of proportion to the over the top fans you see in the big Euro races and stayed out of the way and were harmless. Not my style but what the hell, give 'em credit for showing up and showing support for the race.

 

[Deagol]

Funny,

I was at Vail today and Independence yesterday and of the many thousands of fans there, the VAST majority where not folks dressed as chickens, or banana's but fairly normal looking folks who enthusiastically cheered every rider along, from the leaders to the guys struggling to hang on to the grupetto. From what I saw the folks who decided to get a bit more, shall we say "colorful" where not too far out of proportion to the over the top fans you see in the big Euro races and stayed out of the way and were harmless. Not my style but what the hell, give 'em credit for showing up and showing support for the race.

I was there too (stage 2). One point someone made about none of the fans being racers was about as far from the truth as they could be. Tons of racers up there, including at least three from the US national team, plus also Dave Weins if I am not mistaken. At least half the spectators on bikes looked fit and many in their local team kit. No drunks as far as I could tell and everyone was mostly friendly.

 

[spanky wanderlust]

I was there too (stage 2). One point someone made about none of the fans being racers was about as far from the truth as they could be. Tons of racers up there, including at least three from the US national team, plus also Dave Weins if I am not mistaken. At least half the spectators on bikes looked fit and many in their local team kit. No drunks as far as I could tell and everyone was mostly friendly.

you guys are not doing your part to debase the entire american public based on the actions of very few people.

if you are not careful, moose mcknuckles will not plus your posts.

please stick to the cn forum party line.

 

[Master50]

I guess you missed the guy in the red fuzzy suit that knocked the Neutral bike down on independence pass? Americans get in the way, Euros run along side not usually in the riders path, Americans turn their backs on the cars a lot and it is just plain silly how so many young men dress in bikinis and underwear. As for Didi in the devil suit? He used to be just about the only one! and almost never gets in the way, Now every few meters is some nut job looking for personal attention and a lot less about making a tribute to the riders. A lot of these kooks in European races speak English as their first language. You figure out where they come from.

 

[Race Radio]

Funny,

I was at Vail today and Independence yesterday and of the many thousands of fans there, the VAST majority where not folks dressed as chickens, or banana's but fairly normal looking folks who enthusiastically cheered every rider along, from the leaders to the guys struggling to hang on to the grupetto. From what I saw the folks who decided to get a bit more, shall we say "colorful" where not too far out of proportion to the over the top fans you see in the big Euro races and stayed out of the way and were harmless. Not my style but what the hell, give 'em credit for showing up and showing support for the race.

I agree, Colorado has had far less fans looking for TV time. ToC was a different deal. Every weirdo who did not get enough attention from mommy and daddy was out there trying to get attention.

 

[Sidbike]

In the past decade or so I recall:

Guirini vs photographer
Flecha/Hoogerland vs media car
Hushod vs green hand from behind barrier
Lance vs kid's mussette bag
multiple rider vs motorcycle
multiple rider vs dog
Astana guy vs careless fan standing on road at this years tdf
Rider vs kid (yesterday at Vuelta or was it Colorado??)

I can't recall a single crash involving someone in a costume running along the race. Has it ever happened?

 

[Jancouver]

European fans are better huh?:

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

ahahaha @ Adelaide crows jersey.

Look at me! Look at me! Hey, everyone, look at me! I hope my DVR is catching this.

when flecha stall this guys flag at the vuelta = priceless. more so the commentators reaction.

 

[Martin318is]

At the Tour do not see a mountain full of Devils. ToC has been a magnet for idiots the last few years.

There was however - booing corner on Alp d'Huez this year. The Dutch have generally gone nuts there every year. I would agree though that they are very restrained compared to some of the people we are discussing here

People hate antler dude because he runs around with an american flag but his dedication is unparalleled. Hoffman is always found amid huge crowds and Did is usuallly among other fans too, but antler dude studies the parcors, picks a spot where there will be no fans, then dresses up, goes and waits there for hours and starts running when the peloton comes.

Actually, dont care at all about the nationality of the flag he is holding, its the risk of the size of flag that is more important. As to the safety of his helmet, I call BS. There have been numerous ocassions were he has had to run more into the middle of the road than would be safe because his stupid antlers are nearly hitting spectators on the left and riders on the right.

 

[Ragerod]

It's a case of separating those that are genuinely cheering on the cyclists and those doing it to be on TV, make a statement or because its fun.

I have no problem with Didi or Antler Dude because they don't appear drunk, have a history of making the effort on a regular basis and are sensible about it.

My problem is with those that challenge themselves to run alongside for as long as they can without considering other spectators and the amateur photographers that stand right in the way for the sake of a photo.

 

[skidmark]

Yeah, that's a bit of a broad brushstroke to say something about 'American fans'. I agree with Hrotha about Antler Dude, for example. I dislike him because he cheers Levi (who I don't like), but as far as a rowdy and dangerous fan goes, from my memory I usually see him earlier up on climbs when there aren't as many people, and running a safe distance beside the riders in a clear straight line. Same with the devil, never shows up 2km from a MTF, often just shows up in the middle of things at a (presumably) strategically chosen spot where it's uphill enough that he can run beside them and do his schtick. Attention seeking it is, but it's kind of harmless fun and a nice little in-joke for those following cycling, to have those noticeable figures.

Running in front of riders, running beside riders on parts of mountains that are packed, interfering with riders in any way, is totally less cool in my eyes. RR is right, I saw alot of that at ToC, more than in alot of European races for sure. But to say that American fans are somehow generally more disrespectful than European fans is a bit simplistic. I would agree with the general narrative that Europe has bred more cycling fans who understand how the sport works and understand how to interact with it without being undpredictably risky, but I see alot of bad behaviour on that side of the pond as well.

Either way, I'd never trade that for a cycling without fans sharing the road with riders. I love the sport more than any other for a variety of reasons, but the 2 main ones are that I identify with the athletes as I'm an avid bike rider myself, and I love the uniqueness of the ability of fans to share the 'playing field' with the athletes. So, although it sometimes does look like the crazy fans are tempting fate by running amok, I think the risk of that happening is rather low.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Silly thread. The crowds have been really big in Colorado. Good to see.


Do peaople really think that In Europe you don't get supproters who just want to get their face on TV. Even though Cycling is a smaller sport in the US, it is evident by what benpounder has said that it is very popular there. Also due to the fact america's population is quite large that the small propportion of cycling followers is quite large in number.

 

[Jamsque]

European fans are better huh?:

No because you see European fans are smart and sophisticated and love the sport for pure reasons and never dress up or do stupid things as the race goes by or interfere with the riders.

This thread is stupid, people who hate Amercian fans for expressing their enjoyment of the sport in a different way are stupid.

 

[Jeanne]

If they don't interfere with the riders who cares whether they are running, skipping or doing cartwheels?

+1. That's exactly what I think.

 

[Astana1]

The OP needs to lighten up.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Best cycling crowd in the world.

 

[hrotha]

It's not a problem of nationality, but of cycling culture. American cycling culture is relatively undeveloped, so alongside true cycling enthusiasts you get people who know the sport mostly from the Tour and copy what they see there - namely, the stupid costumes and the running alongside riders. If they had learned their cycling from the Ronde they would just choose a good spot and go berserk there. The Tour is the only cycling event that's truly global, so in Europe you get tons of attention-grabbing idiots too. European smugness is not justified (we're not superior and more cultured and yadda yadda), it's a matter of numbers.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Best cycling crowd in the world.

US fans seemed to be doing quite quite well in this debate, until BR sealed their fate with his glowing endorsement.

IMO: Anyone who runs aside riders; European or American, is a tosseur, par excellence.
The: "They can express themselves anyway the like, just so long as they don't cause an accident," argument is only good, up until the time we have that inevitable accident.
The saying: "No use crying over spilt milk," mean anything around here?