Most "Avid" Cycling Country?

[mpemburn]

When searching around for information on bikes, maintenance, riding tips, etc., the vast majority of info I see is from the UK. This probably has something to do with the fact that I'm an English speaker (well, okay—"American" speaker), but I find comparatively little from the U.S. Since this an international forum, can you weigh in on how enthusiast your compatriots, in general, are about the sport?

 

[Drago]

Put it this way. Im a cyclist, and if I caught fire I doubt many people would waste piss on extinguishing the conflagration

That said, those who do like cycling tend to really like it. We're rabid about it.

 

[Oldhippy]

It is also not just a sport. Some of us use cycles for every day transport and don't dress up just to get from A to B.

 

[Drago]

I must admit, I do like to dress up in all the gear for cycling. Makes me feel purposeful, and it's just sooo comfortable. Yep, a sequined ball gown is wonderful cycling attire.

 

[mpemburn]

I must admit, I do like to dress up in all the gear for cycling. Makes me feel purposeful, and it's just sooo comfortable. Yep, a sequined ball gown is wonderful cycling attire.

And here I thought I was alone in this. My people!

 

[DB Cooper]

I think most people would say it was the Netherlands. They've got the best cycling infrastructure.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

It’s certainly on the increase with more and more new cyclists joining the ranks. But there is another statistic that the average annual distance walked in Britain is about 180 miles or no more than 1/2 mile a day average. For every healthy active individual there are 9 sedentary and unhealthy compatriots who don’t think anything of driving distances you can bike door to door in less than 30 mins.

Those who find they enjoy cycling do tend to really get into it. The cafe or pub ride being a favourite.

 

[Moodyman]

Cycling in the UK has benefited from success at the Olympics post-2008, the staging of the Tour de France in 2014 and subsequent annual Tour de Yorkshire.

We're also close to mainland Europe and places like Belgium, France, Italy and Spain, which are the epicentres of road cycling.

So, yes, if you're American you'll likely see more online cycling activity based in the UK.

But the UK is far from cycle friendly. We're probably not as bad as the US or Australia, but we're a long way from many EU countries.

 

[slowmotion]

For recreational cycling, the French are pretty keen. Go to any part of rural France in the summer and you'll see lots of people having fun. They seem to have got a happy balance between riding and enjoying long lunches.

 

[mpemburn]

To be fair, we do have a pretty good cycling community where I live—and it is far and away more in the mainstream than when I was a young racer in the 1970s. A few star American riders (like Sue Novara and Greg LeMond) changed the landscape dramatically. We now have professional and annual tours that we could only dream of back then.

 

[Arrowfoot]

To be fair, we do have a pretty good cycling community where I live—and it is far and away more in the mainstream than when I was a young racer in the 1970s. A few star American riders (like Sue Novara and Greg LeMond) changed the landscape dramatically. We now have professional and annual tours that we could only dream of back then.

I suspect in the American context, there are so many other pursuits such as rodeos, NFLs, adrenalin sports, etc etc, that cycling despite the numbers don't have the profile that it has in West Europe. Have been to the US - East Coast / West Coast over 25 years on a near annual basis and see cycle couriers in places like NY etc but nothing else. One exception was the Silicon valley on the cycle carriage car on Caltrain.

In contrast, in Europe, you will see politicians often on bikes to the common man from Bromptons folders to racing bikes. So bikes are nearly everywhere and serve as sport, transport, hobby etc. Just head to a supermarket in Germany and you will see patrons coming in their bikes with the baskets in front in various attires to shop. You rarely see this in the US. In Europe when you check into a small hotels, you would sometimes see a guest taking a bike into the elevator. It is not uncommon for bike enthusiast to bring along their bikes on business trips and spend the weekend cycling or cycling at the end of their work commitment.

When I visit my colleagues and counterparts in the US, not a single one has a bike while I have colleagues in Singapore and Hong Kong let alone Europe who are into full on cycling with lycra and all. In Thailand and Vietnam I see tourers from Europe and Asia but not from the States though I am sure there are some

The irony is that many of us have bikes from the US. I have 2 in my collection but not a single bike form the UK.

 

[steveindenmark]

I cycle 20 kms to work every morning starting at 4.30am. Believe me it was not a sport this morning. It was that really fine misty rain that a head torch and the best GoreTex hates. But I felt like a champion when I finally rolled into work.

 

[fossyant]

Belgium has a really big 'road' scene - my mate went there to 'race' as a teenager, and still lives and rides there !

 

[bitsandbobs]

If you're talking about pro bike racing, the intensity with which it's followed in Belgium is difficult to beat.

Utility cycling, I would guess Denmark or Netherlands.

 

[DRM]

If you're talking about pro bike racing, the intensity with which it's followed in Belgium is difficult to beat.

Utility cycling, I would guess Denmark or Netherlands.

Belgium it’s truly huge, road in spring & summer, cyclocross in autumn and winter, especially considering the weather they get too, some great cycle infrastructure too, France is good for cycling, a lot of club runs on a Sunday and plenty of races at all levels too, Netherlands has good infrastructure and utility cycling, i noticed that around the Bay of Naples there was no noticeable cycling, but saying that it was terrifying driving there, you’d have to be suicidal to cycle there.