explaining bike racing to outsiders?

[RedheadDane]

Err... no durr they race for three weeks without ever stopping!
Some people...

 

[marinoni]

It's a tough thing to do. I always look at it this way: If you took someone who's never even heard of hockey to an NHL game, you could spend 2-3 minutes giving them the basics and they'd have a great time.That's not to say it's tactically simple, you just don't need the details to have fun. What could you say about bike racing in 2 minutes? It took me years and years to get to where I could watch a race and really get whats going on and why. That's what you need to really enjoy it. I've shown friends and family videos like Pantani on Alpe d'huez or the 03 Tour stage to Luz Ardiden where Armstsrong got his bars tangled up. That's exciting stuff and they liked it, but for every day like that there's 4-5 230km flat stages that test even my devotion.
I hate to say it but I don't think bike racing will ever really catch on in North America. It's likely there will even be a dropoff if when LA retires no other US rider steps up.

 

[plodderbob]

I hate to say it but I don't think bike racing will ever really catch on in North America. It's likely there will even be a dropoff if when LA retires no other US rider steps up.

Enter a certain Mr P Taylor.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

The best solution: move to Belgium. Cycling is in our blood. No need to explain anything

 

[santacruz]

I don't see how chess is so frequently used to explain cycling! I guess I don't know that much about chess?? Chess makes me brain hurt.. when I explain bike racing I just say it's like NASCAR, YOU GOTTA GO FAST!!

 

[tubularglue]

this would be a good watch for those unknowns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlB4gms5elo

 

[Fourier]

Riders seek the coloured jerseys not because they fancy them but because it means they are leading the race in some category.
Also: jersey colours are based on lontime traditions and/or sponsors, with no input from rider's personal preferences and/or sexual orientation.
So people: The Maglia Rosa is absolutely cool and if a rider is leading the Giro he may don a pink uniform and a pink helmet and ride a pink bike with pink bar tape and still be the coolest rider in the world for that moment.

 

[danyela]

Possibly the most annoying thing... when friends see a picture of me (or any cyclist) racing or in a bunch etc, 'why aren't you winning?'