When I was a kid, my heroes were just a few baseball players and a racecar driver or two. Without the constant bombardment of gossip television and the interwebs, information was moderately scarce, but I have the feeling that even in today’s world, the 70’s versions of celebrities like Johnny Bench and Richard Petty would fail to make asses out of themselves.
I know that many of the celebrities from my youth were less than upstanding citizens, and I also know that celebrities of today are under the big brother-like eye of every dipshit with a camera, computer, and website. But it seems to me that many of today’s celebrities are complete morons. Take for example that guy who won all those medals for swimming at the last Olympics. Yes, I do know his name. Hey Einstein, you win an Olympic medal, you have to stay away from the pipe when you’re in public. I’m sorry, but that’s just the way it is. It doesn’t make you a persecuted stoner, it just makes you an idiot.
I love this question, because I love the fact that cyclists are wagered upon just like boxers and horses. Yeah, I know, other sports are wagered upon too -- ball sports and whatnot -- but when I think about sports that have a book, I think about the suffering sports.
I have to apologize for the lengthy radio silence, but this whole Interbike trade show stuff takes its toll. I spent the greater part of the last two days coating myself with dust out at the Outdoor Demo.
The good news is that there's a nice amount of buzz and my Sh*tbike column is in the brand new, ink-smelling issue of Bike magazine. You should pick up a copy.
I know this is a bit of an easy way out, but I would like you to watch this here YouTube video -- it is the coolest race I ever watched. It is a track race, over a relatively short distance compared to the classics and the grand tours but it is cool nonetheless. The track is a wonderful place but I must say that I find too many track riders to be loud-talkers who would rather tell you how amazing they are than show you how amazing they are. But with that said, I will tell you that the young man who came out on top of this race was not your typical track racer -- and you'll see that this was no ordinary race. Nope, you're just not supposed to race on the track like my former teammate did. Enjoy.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a winner, and I have to tell you that it was not an easy decision. Whether the stories were about personal racing experiences or races they'd seen, each story was entertaining -- and Dan B, I actually spewed Red Bull out of my nose and onto the back of the airplane seat in front of me when I read yours. I guess that's the thing I like most about the sport and culture of cycling -- people are passionate about it, and it is not just pigeon-holed into one form, or one discipline. I think that's also why despite some of the sport's problems, the fans still come out ... and always will.
I've been meaning to ask this question, and thought that now would be the perfect time because of the time of year we are approaching, and especially after reading your last post on the food!
What are some techniques your used to keep you weight from getting out of hand during the fall/ winter months?
As cyclists approach their "off-season," what is the key to eating enough to make gains in power/ strength while keeping somewhere close to the "racing weight?" Surely you've got some great stories about cyclists and their weight.
A Dog in a Hat celebrates the glory of bike racing, but thrillingly tells the hard reality of professional cycling and sheer physical agony of racing day after day. Buy the book.
When I was a kid, my heroes were just a few baseball players and a racecar driver or two. Without the constant bombardment of gossip television and the interwebs, information was moderately scarce, but I have the feeling that even in today’s world, the 70’s versions of celebrities like Johnny Bench and Richard Petty would fail to make asses out of themselves.
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Patrik Lyons - Oakmont, Pennsylvania
Scott Carmichael - Sparta, Tennessee
