I've been wondering about this for some time, and the recent conviction of Australian MTB champion Chris Jongewaard for reckless driving and nearly killing a cyclist has once again brought the subject to my attention: what type of cyclists do you respect?
The case pertaining to that rider is quite a complex one and it seems both driver and victim were blameworthy to some degree. I won't go into the details of this case, but you can read the full Appeals Judge's verdict here:
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/sa/SADC/2009/90.html
I don't know Mr Jongewaard at all, and I admit that his case is an unusual one, yet I doubt he would've received the support and sympathy of so many other cyclists if he wasn't a champion athlete. I have to imagine that if he were a low-status Sunday club-rider and he'd run over and nearly killed a cyclist he'd be routinely ostracised by his clubmates.
Earlier this year, while his case was still to be heard, Mr Jongewaard was featured in an Australian cycling magazine talking about his latest bike and he was clearly portrayed as a 'king of the bunch' with no mention of his recent history. Of course, he may rightfully enjoy the presumption of innocence at such a time, yet, again, it's hard to believe he'd be as warmly accepted by other cyclists (and cycling publications) for what he'd done if he was just an average joe.
I'm sure many of you here reading this can attest to knowing and riding with some utter douchebags that receive respect not comensurate with their qualities as a person, but rather with their fleeting ability to pedal a bicycle a little better than others.
Some personal experience: I was a relative newby in a Saturday morning bunch ten years ago when the 'king of the pack' hit a rock and went tumbling down, taking me with him. Dusting ourselves off after the crash, I noticed he was surrounded by acolytes while there I was all by my lonesone, much more seriously hurt in both bike and body. In fact, my forks were broken and they all rode off without me, not checking to see if I was able to continue. Sure, besides being a better cyclist than me, maybe he was just much more likable than me too. Or maybe the bunch had surrended to a pack-mentality and I was an expendable, low-status grunt.
It's not my intention here to pick on Mr Jongewaard, for his case is quite a sad one with clearly no winners. I have merely used his case as a starting point: When it comes to riding a bike, who do you respect?
The case pertaining to that rider is quite a complex one and it seems both driver and victim were blameworthy to some degree. I won't go into the details of this case, but you can read the full Appeals Judge's verdict here:
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/sa/SADC/2009/90.html
I don't know Mr Jongewaard at all, and I admit that his case is an unusual one, yet I doubt he would've received the support and sympathy of so many other cyclists if he wasn't a champion athlete. I have to imagine that if he were a low-status Sunday club-rider and he'd run over and nearly killed a cyclist he'd be routinely ostracised by his clubmates.
Earlier this year, while his case was still to be heard, Mr Jongewaard was featured in an Australian cycling magazine talking about his latest bike and he was clearly portrayed as a 'king of the bunch' with no mention of his recent history. Of course, he may rightfully enjoy the presumption of innocence at such a time, yet, again, it's hard to believe he'd be as warmly accepted by other cyclists (and cycling publications) for what he'd done if he was just an average joe.
I'm sure many of you here reading this can attest to knowing and riding with some utter douchebags that receive respect not comensurate with their qualities as a person, but rather with their fleeting ability to pedal a bicycle a little better than others.
Some personal experience: I was a relative newby in a Saturday morning bunch ten years ago when the 'king of the pack' hit a rock and went tumbling down, taking me with him. Dusting ourselves off after the crash, I noticed he was surrounded by acolytes while there I was all by my lonesone, much more seriously hurt in both bike and body. In fact, my forks were broken and they all rode off without me, not checking to see if I was able to continue. Sure, besides being a better cyclist than me, maybe he was just much more likable than me too. Or maybe the bunch had surrended to a pack-mentality and I was an expendable, low-status grunt.
It's not my intention here to pick on Mr Jongewaard, for his case is quite a sad one with clearly no winners. I have merely used his case as a starting point: When it comes to riding a bike, who do you respect?
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