Fab Foodie
hanging-on in quiet desperation ...
- Location
- Kirton, Devon.
Today should be a historic day for British Cycling, certainly one I never dreamed possible even a few years ago. Thanks to The Lottery, British Cycling, Boardman, Brailsford and his team, C4 for daring to televise, Team Sky et al. It's a truly spectacular rags to riches story and all involved deserve the plaudits they'll recieve.
But, spare a moment also for the unsung heroes of the day, those that run and participate in our local cycle-clubs. People, enthusiasts volunteers that have kept the sport of cycling alive in the UK for countless years, the helpers at the early Sunday morning time trial, the club runs, the circuit races, Herne hill etc, marshalls for local races and Audaxes. These have long been the bedrock and torch bearers of cycling in this country, a sport seemingly almost clandestine in it's lack of profile.
I was reminded of this during a cafe-stop on a Sunday Club run talking to Mattc and Phil Dyson where we were discussing the state of cycling clubs. It's seems to me that in road-biking at least there is a mood change. The rise of the pay-and-play 'Mamil Sportive' is changing the natutre of cycling and cyclist. Whereas clubs by their nature provided sport with a sense of community, members helped to make it work and people took turns to repay the club by volunteering on events etc. Sportives do not require such an attitude for people to ride as long as they have the cash, the rest is sorted.
Whilst cycling is growing faster than ever, I wonder if clubs will benefit againstthe quick bang for your buck of the Sportive world favoured by the newbies? I hope they do, for they too have given us todays winners, they've provided people with support on a road to success. So love your local club. They're not perfect, but they need you to help them.
So spare a thought for all the Clubmen of this country, who never dreamed of this day while Bradders dons his Yellow.
Cheers
FF.
But, spare a moment also for the unsung heroes of the day, those that run and participate in our local cycle-clubs. People, enthusiasts volunteers that have kept the sport of cycling alive in the UK for countless years, the helpers at the early Sunday morning time trial, the club runs, the circuit races, Herne hill etc, marshalls for local races and Audaxes. These have long been the bedrock and torch bearers of cycling in this country, a sport seemingly almost clandestine in it's lack of profile.
I was reminded of this during a cafe-stop on a Sunday Club run talking to Mattc and Phil Dyson where we were discussing the state of cycling clubs. It's seems to me that in road-biking at least there is a mood change. The rise of the pay-and-play 'Mamil Sportive' is changing the natutre of cycling and cyclist. Whereas clubs by their nature provided sport with a sense of community, members helped to make it work and people took turns to repay the club by volunteering on events etc. Sportives do not require such an attitude for people to ride as long as they have the cash, the rest is sorted.
Whilst cycling is growing faster than ever, I wonder if clubs will benefit againstthe quick bang for your buck of the Sportive world favoured by the newbies? I hope they do, for they too have given us todays winners, they've provided people with support on a road to success. So love your local club. They're not perfect, but they need you to help them.
So spare a thought for all the Clubmen of this country, who never dreamed of this day while Bradders dons his Yellow.
Cheers
FF.
