Perceptions of a Doper. Part 1

[Reformed]

The surge in cycling popularity has nothing to do with pro cycling. It is middle aged men (mostly) who need non-impact exercise to stay in shape and prove that they've still got it.

Bingo.

I started because I was a broken down runner and was coming off of surgery. The river trail I ride weekly is just about 80% 45-70 year old guys who are out there everyday.

 

[mewmewmew13]

Remember, there was also a 'bike boom' in the 1970s. The highest point ever.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bike_boom


"Bike boom or bicycle craze refers to several different times when, for a period of a few years, many people in many parts of Europe and North America wanted to buy and ride a bicycle. In brief, they occurred in 1819, 1868, the decade of the 1890s, and the 1970s. In North America the term is sometimes used to refer specifically to the last major boom, the one of the 1970s."

also:
http://nbda.com/articles/industry-overview-2010-pg34.htm

"The industry’s high point, in terms of unit sales, was the so-called "bike boom" in the 1970s. The boom ended suddenly when the industry reached a rapid saturation point and did not have breadth of product choices to sustain sales levels."

"2010 was a recovery year for the U.S. bicycle industry, with direct effect sales growing nearly 15% from 2009."

...I don't see a 'Lance-specific effect'. It is also interesting to note the Lemond years---great numbers there.

 

[mewmewmew13]

Oh I will go so far as to speculate that bike sales go up just as much with regard to the price of gas for driving here in the U.S....
...I know I commute by bike as much as I can just because I do not like to buy gas.

gas effect

 

[amp300]

...I know I commute by bike as much as I can just because I do not like to buy gas.

+1, hate buying gas.

 

[veganrob]

Oh I will go so far as to speculate that bike sales go up just as much with regard to the price of gas for driving here in the U.S....
...I know I commute by bike as much as I can just because I do not like to buy gas.

gas effect

Same here. It is only eight mile ride but it is very liberating.

 

[mewmewmew13]

off topic I know but.....

ok back on topic....

 

[rata de sentina]

I emailed him to ask him was the quote accurate!

His reply



Make that of what you will.

Great post. Good work. I think we can all read between the lines.

 

[DirtyWorks]

.... However it brought people into the shop.

That's not selling lots of bikes across a nation the size of the U.S. So, the final answer remains Wonderboy's wins did not dramatically improve bike sales. Instead, look to other factors mentioned in this thread. (gas prices, infrastructure, access, etc.)

As others mentioned, it might have sold a few more beers and swoosh-screened clothes. Those aren't the bicycle industry.

 

[MarkvW]

That's not selling lots of bikes across a nation the size of the U.S. So, the final answer remains Wonderboy's wins did not dramatically improve bike sales. Instead, look to other factors mentioned in this thread. (gas prices, infrastructure, access, etc.)

As others mentioned, it might have sold a few more beers and swoosh-screened clothes. Those aren't the bicycle industry.

You've modified your position. So you are willing to accept the proposition that Wonderboy had an improving--but not dramatic--impact on bike sales?

 

[veganrob]

As others mentioned, it might have sold a few more beers and swoosh-screened clothes. Those aren't the bicycle industry.

That swill he promotes is not beer.

 

[Ripper]

You've modified your position. So you are willing to accept the proposition that Wonderboy had an improving--but not dramatic--impact on bike sales?

Lance reduced the rate of cancer.

 

[42x16ss]

That's not selling lots of bikes across a nation the size of the U.S. So, the final answer remains Wonderboy's wins did not dramatically improve bike sales. Instead, look to other factors mentioned in this thread. (gas prices, infrastructure, access, etc.)

As others mentioned, it might have sold a few more beers and swoosh-screened clothes. Those aren't the bicycle industry.

Maybe not, but when someone with a back story like Armstrong is out getting publicity for dominating the world's biggest bike race it can't hurt (from a shop owner's perspective) can it?

 

[Benotti69]

Some of Ivan Basso's Thoughts Ahead of Giro

Will you miss Contador a bit? What do you think of his disqualification?

"In cycling there are already too many people who speak without any knowledge. Of Alberto I can only say that he is the strongest rider in the world for the grand tours.

But, he's out for doping. And, recently they caught Galimzyanov who confessed of using EPO...

"Yet cycling has changed, it is the sport that has invested the most against doping, and I feel I can say that it is finally clean."

As we can see the Omerta is still safe with Basso!