La Flèche

44 finishers in a field of 247. Some probably keeping their powder dry for LBL.

The women's race was equally exciting - brutal finish on the Huy
 
Zoophonic said:
44 finishers in a field of 247. Some probably keeping their powder dry for LBL.

The women's race was equally exciting - brutal finish on the Huy
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I think the weather did for a lot of riders - 4 degrees with rain, sleet and a bit of snow apparently. Several riders said it was the coldest weather they'd raced in.
 
What’s exciting about watching cycling? I’m asking as a bloke who doesn’t watch it, just curious as to what gives you the excitement. Do you need to have money on it to get the rush, have an affiliation with a certain rider? I’m just curious what makes the spectator get pumped when watching it, without having any dog in the fight so to speak?
 
It probably helps if you know how hard cycling can be, but I know several people who don't ride who enjoy it. It also helps if you know a little about tactics, but if you watch regularly, the commentators are very good at informing the uninitiated in what is happening on the road and why. You will also learn when to watch. Even diehard fans will rarely watch a whole race (I'm talking road racing here) outside of the main classics, so knowing that for instance a completely flat stage (unless their are crosswinds) will generally mean that all the action is in the last few kilometres can save you from a lots of 'boring' viewing.

The more you watch, the more you learn, and if you are new to it there's hell of a lot to learn, but that's part of the fun. I've been following cycling for neigh on 60 years and I've no idea why I started watching it, in fact you couldn't watch it for years as there was no TV coverage, so I could only read about it. Maybe I like it because it's not tribal like football (although some of the Sky generation might disagree) and nor is it stressful in the way that watching say Boro can be, although I might have my favourite riders I'm never disappointed if somebody else wins.
 
pierrequiroule said:
It probably helps if you know how hard cycling can be, but I know several people who don't ride who enjoy it. It also helps if you know a little about tactics, but if you watch regularly, the commentators are very good at informing the uninitiated in what is happening on the road and why. You will also learn when to watch. Even diehard fans will rarely watch a whole race (I'm talking road racing here) outside of the main classics, so knowing that for instance a completely flat stage (unless their are crosswinds) will generally mean that all the action is in the last few kilometres can save you from a lots of 'boring' viewing.

The more you watch, the more you learn, and if you are new to it there's hell of a lot to learn, but that's part of the fun. I've been following cycling for neigh on 60 years and I've no idea why I started watching it, in fact you couldn't watch it for years as there was no TV coverage, so I could only read about it. Maybe I like it because it's not tribal like football (although some of the Sky generation might disagree) and nor is it stressful in the way that watching say Boro can be, although I might have my favourite riders I'm never disappointed if somebody else wins.
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What he said.

I would add that there a very many and complex reasons that people watch and get excited by road cycling. For many it's a form of armchair tourism (particularly the Grand Tours .... the Tour de France, Giro D'Italia and Vuelta d'Espana). Some have favourite teams, favourite riders. There are many races in the calendar that make specific demands upon riders if they want to win .... and even those can be spiked by crashes or bad weather. For some it's the incredible feats of athleticism. Others the bravery .... watching riders like Pidcock or Romain Bardet descending technical mountain roads at speed is exhilerating/terrifying. Then there are total perverts who want to listen to Carlton Kirby talking about holidays he's had in a camper van.

The weird thing about watching cycling and getting hooked is that there is not usually a moment where you go "Wow, this is great ...this is the sport for me". It tends to just happen by accident.
 
pierrequiroule said:
It probably helps if you know how hard cycling can be, but I know several people who don't ride who enjoy it. It also helps if you know a little about tactics, but if you watch regularly, the commentators are very good at informing the uninitiated in what is happening on the road and why. You will also learn when to watch. Even diehard fans will rarely watch a whole race (I'm talking road racing here) outside of the main classics, so knowing that for instance a completely flat stage (unless their are crosswinds) will generally mean that all the action is in the last few kilometres can save you from a lots of 'boring' viewing.

The more you watch, the more you learn, and if you are new to it there's hell of a lot to learn, but that's part of the fun. I've been following cycling for neigh on 60 years and I've no idea why I started watching it, in fact you couldn't watch it for years as there was no TV coverage, so I could only read about it. Maybe I like it because it's not tribal like football (although some of the Sky generation might disagree) and nor is it stressful in the way that watching say Boro can be, although I might have my favourite riders I'm never disappointed if somebody else wins.
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I take those well made points mate, thanks for that. I’ll try give it a go in one of the big ones, see if I can immerse myself into it
 
For me, the difference between cycling and say football is that you know exactly what the riders are feeling and how hard it is. You can climb the same mountains as they are, sometimes hours apart, (its just you'll be going at less than half their speed and havent done 200km before it), whereas you have no idea what it's like to play elite level football.

I fell in love with originally because it was strange, exotic and it appealed to a young 11 year old who was looking for something that was exclusively "his" rather than something his brother and dad were also into (which was football) I saw the 1998 Tour de France on Channel 4 and was hooked from then on.
 
borolad259 said:
What he said.

I would add that there a very many and complex reasons that people watch and get excited by road cycling. For many it's a form of armchair tourism (particularly the Grand Tours .... the Tour de France, Giro D'Italia and Vuelta d'Espana). Some have favourite teams, favourite riders. There are many races in the calendar that make specific demands upon riders if they want to win .... and even those can be spiked by crashes or bad weather. For some it's the incredible feats of athleticism. Others the bravery .... watching riders like Pidcock or Romain Bardet descending technical mountain roads at speed is exhilerating/terrifying. Then there are total perverts who want to listen to Carlton Kirby talking about holidays he's had in a camper van.

The weird thing about watching cycling and getting hooked is that there is not usually a moment where you go "Wow, this is great ...this is the sport for me". It tends to just happen by accident.
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There's probably some perverts, who looked at the thread title and thought it was going to be about a French porn film.;)
 
gregorgregorovich said:
There's probably some perverts, who looked at the thread title and thought it was going to be about a French porn film.;)
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I'm definitely a pervert because i actually enjoy listening to Carlton Kirby's witterings - yes, I know it's a select club. They remind me of the days when I watched test cricket (a long time ago now) and the commentators would have to fill in many dull hours with endless nonsense. It's definitely an art.
 
pierrequiroule said:
I'm definitely a pervert because i actually enjoy listening to Carlton Kirby's witterings - yes, I know it's a select club. They remind me of the days when I watched test cricket (a long time ago now) and the commentators would have to fill in many dull hours with endless nonsense. It's definitely an art.
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I am in the CK club as well. Love his commentary even though its riddled with inaccuracies. i have also met the great man.
 
As mentioned above, armchair tourism. I have no interest in standing by the road to watch cycling for a few seconds but watching a race through some glorious countryside gets my attention.

I watched racing in my neighbourhood in Holland but that was just for the carnival atmosphere, food and drink stalls, fairground etc
 
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