Is cycling a sport?

[Sittingduck]

You missed out "maybe".

Maybe... I did.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Sure, its an activity.

But is it a sport?

It is, on the whole, a non competitive activity (baring a few exceptions), requires little or no skill and can be undertaken by even the least physically fit or mentally gifted ( as evident on many of my commutes)

When we see the old chap riding to the allotment with his front basket full of cabbage and wearing his sunday best...is he engaging in a sport?

When the kids ride to the park for a kick around, when did the sporting activity begin for them, on the bike or on the grass?

I have my own opinion and a reason for asking (before you accuse me of trolling)

The old chap is riding to the allotment is not taking part in sport.

The kids riding to the park for a kick around are also not engaged in sport.

These two examples are using it as transportation.

However - if the kids decide to race each other there, it's as much like a sport as them kicking the ball around is a 'sport'. The example is just as equal to professional cycling as the kicking a ball around is to professional football.

Cycling is a sport, but it doesn't mean that every cyclist is competing in the said sport.
Golf is a sport, but it doesn't mean that the man going out for nine holes to relax is competing the the sport.
Running is a sport, but the new mum jogging to lose weight isn't competing in a sport.

In short, it's a sport, but it doesn't follow that everyone cycling has to be taking part.

 

[Radchenister]

What if the bloke going to the allotment was trying to get there on time to meet his mate and kept checking his watch?

 

[Radchenister]

...and what if his mate was also cycling and usually got there first?

 

[themosquitoking]

Competitively it's a sport as you don't have a game of cycling.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

What if the bloke going to the allotment was trying to get there on time to meet his mate and kept checking his watch?

Then he should have set off earlier

 

[Radchenister]

What if they lived next door to each other and set off side by side - ha, get out of that!?

 

[steve52]

On occasion ( like TOT today) it's more like Rugby

View attachment 22302

huh whats the problem? they all have protective lycra on? we had it tough!

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

What if they lived next door to each other and set off side by side - ha, get out of that!?

Then he's already met his mate. What's so urgent at the allotment, anyway?

 

[Radchenister]

They weren't going to the allotment, the OP just mistook two leisure/sports cyclists for gardeners.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Sure, its an activity.

But is it a sport?

It is, on the whole, a non competitive activity (baring a few exceptions), requires little or no skill and can be undertaken by even the least physically fit or mentally gifted ( as evident on many of my commutes)

I play football with the guys at work, I don't understand the rules (baring a few exceptions), requires little or no skill to kick a ball and can be undertaken by even the least physically fit or mentally gifted, but some people consider this to be a sport.

The intent determines if its a sport, the kid cycling in the park is doing so for fun, the guy cycling to the allotment may do so because its convienient or he wants to lose weight. A cyclist involved with the sporting side of cycling undertakes structured training for the goal of becoming faster, stronger and a better cyclist.

 

[snorri]

It's a mode of transport.

 

[jonny jeez]

The old chap is riding to the allotment is not taking part in sport.

The kids riding to the park for a kick around are also not engaged in sport.

These two examples are using it as transportation.

However - if the kids decide to race each other there, it's as much like a sport as them kicking the ball around is a 'sport'. The example is just as equal to professional cycling as the kicking a ball around is to professional football.

Cycling is a sport, but it doesn't mean that every cyclist is competing in the said sport.
Golf is a sport, but it doesn't mean that the man going out for nine holes to relax is competing the the sport.
Running is a sport, but the new mum jogging to lose weight isn't competing in a sport.

In short, it's a sport, but it doesn't follow that everyone cycling has to be taking part.

I like this response, its along the same lines as my own opinion, so tell me...what would you say if someone told you that cycling was a pastime taken up by those who aren't very good at sport?

I should come clean and tell you my opinion.

I DO consider it a sport in that it requires an effort to accomplish well and is a physical activity, that delivers a huge sense of physical satisfaction and accomplishment . i don't generally care what others think as its my chosen pastime, not the definition of me, but i do get wound up by sofa sportsmen who refer to it as some second class sport.

Heres another good one, i was mocked for wearing a club shirt on saturday ( by a stranger). Irony was, he was wearing an arsenal shirt. A shirt for a team that he is not a member, does not participate with, cannot contribute to and will never be part of.

I couldn't get all that out as i span past him. Never mind, the frustration from the comment helped me up the hills!

 

[snorri]

IThere's plenty of lycra clad road worriers around here who view it as a sport,

I wondered about the spelling in that sentence, then I realised worriers/warriors, both could apply.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

On Saturday I stopped for a drink in a park and watched a young lad in the football court practising his tricks on a stunt bike. Given the concentration, dedication and balance needed, I'll go for cycling is a physical art.