Who else has no interest in cycle racing?

[ianrauk]

Never been interested in watching any sport, but I love the Tour de France.
The spectacle, the scenery, the whole thing. Weird because I don't think I've ever seen a single stage of the Giro and I'm told that is a better race.

The scenery on the Giro is stunning, so much so that Mrs Ian even watches it.

 

[jazzkat]

The scenery on the Giro is stunning, so much so that Mrs Ian even watches it.

I'm sure that's the case, it just never seems to get onto my radar.
I'll have to try harder next year.

 

[swee'pea99]

I'm so interested in the Tour de France peleton going past the end of the road a mile from at the end of my street that I chose to do a FNRttC instead.

It was an informed choice. I saw the peleton of the Tour of Britain go through Pocklington a couple of years ago and I was seriously underwhelmed. It's much better viewed on a television.

I am, however, going to the team presentation evening on Thursday where I'll get to see the riders in the flesh for much longer than I would have done from the roadside.

When she was living in Denmark, my sister told me about going to see the Tour de Denmark go by.

She and her then hubby went out to the middle of nowhere in particular (in plentiful supply thereabouts, according to her), where they joined a dozen or so people hanging around at a crossroads. They stood around for maybe 25 minutes, till someone said 'Here they come!' And sure enough, here they came. Quickly. Then the first few went by: thwup, thwup, thwup. Then a second or two, then the rest all went by in a mob: thwup, thwup, thwupthwupthwupthwupthwupthwupthwupthwupthwupthwupthwupthwup thwupthwup, thwup, thwup...thwup. The excitement lasted 'ooh...several seconds.' Then the road was empty, the dozen or so people half-acknowledged each other, with a sort or 'well, that was....um.....' sort of shrug. Then everyone went home.

 

[Cyclist33]

When the tour de Britain went by Warrington the other year it was very similar.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I enjoy watching cycling, I like the countryside views, and I like it when Cav sprints against Degenkolb and Kittel, I don't get excited about team sky though, they spoil the spectacle for me. I have no clue about football or rugby, I didn't know Bath had a rugby team for example, and I have no idea of what's going on in the world cup, although I had a good laugh when my dad's football team dropped out of the football league, he was miserable for weeks. Cricket is a mystery sport, how does anyone get into that?

I wouldn't enjoy cricket if I didn't understand something about it (and I think that I appreciate watching it because I was very very limited in my abilities): it's similar for me with cycling.

So, on Sunday (I hope it's Sunday) I'll ride off to a nearby point to watch the tour pass and then scuttle back home to watch the finish on TV. It's a bit of presenteeism and a bit of appreciation for me.

 

[EltonFrog]

I have no interest in nearly everything sporty, I hate footy, cricket, rugby, all of them, was not bothered about the cycling until last year, and I just happened to watch the one hour highlight show on TDF. I fecking love it, I shall be recording everyone and watch them in peace and quiet.

 

[TVC]

When she was living in Denmark, my sister told me about going to see the Tour de Denmark go by.

She and her then hubby went out to the middle of nowhere in particular (in plentiful supply thereabouts, according to her), where they joined a dozen or so people hanging around at a crossroads. They stood around for maybe 25 minutes, till someone said 'Here they come!' And sure enough, here they came. Quickly. Then the first few went by: thwup, thwup, thwup. Then a second or two, then the rest all went by in a mob: thwup, thwup, thwupthwupthwupthwupthwupthwupthwupthwupthwupthwupthwupthwup thwupthwup, thwup, thwup...thwup. The excitement lasted 'ooh...several seconds.' Then the road was empty, the dozen or so people half-acknowledged each other, with a sort or 'well, that was....um.....' sort of shrug. Then everyone went home.

The only place to go and see a road race is at the start. You get a couple of hours of set up, warm up and signing in, before they form up and roll out.
As you said, out on the road you just get a noisy blur that passes at 30mph and is gone. At the finish you just get a noisy blur that passes at 40mph and then vanishes inside big shiny busses.

 

[Cheddar George]

Love the highlights on the telly.
On the big mountain days I will watch it now and then throughout the day but on a flat stage i will just watch the finish.

 

[StuAff]

Regular road racing like the Tour is best watched on TV (Phil and Paul show only tolerable through playing bs bingo though).
For live racing though, the London Nocturne is brilliant- circuit only a mile or so round, multiple races all afternoon/evening, so plenty of action. Knackering if you're in it though....!!

 

[winjim]

I've got more into it over the last 9 yrs, really. But like with footy, I enjoy it for the event and the spectacle... can't be bothered with working out who's where in the rankings or who's not talking to who etc. Just enjoy watching 'the occasion', and obviously helps that I love going cycling anyway

This, really. Not actually bothered about the TdF as such, but enjoying the festivally atmosphere and kinda pleased that they're going to be going down some of "my" roads.

However, the fact that Sheffield and its people appear to have done bog-all to celebrate the TdF has left me rather embarrassed of my adopted city.

 

[Garry A]

I cycle and go hill walking, could I watch others doing it? No. I am a doer not a watcher.

 

[Jenkins]

I'll watch it if it's on and there's nothing better to do.

But only if Carlton Kirby's not commentating!

 

[Dave 123]

Cycle racing is great when there are motorbikes and helicopters doing all the work for you. It would be hard to keep up with the peloton and spectate too!
I'd sooner participate than watchsport, but the World Cup has dragged me in as it's entertaining football.

On Monday I'll be getting into Cambridge early and getting in and around the team busses etc.
After that I'll participate on my own bike!

 

[400bhp]

Miserable buggers

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Cycle racing is great when there are motorbikes and helicopters doing all the work for you. It would be hard to keep up with the peloton and spectate too!
I'd sooner participate than watchsport, but the World Cup has dragged me in as it's entertaining football.

On Monday I'll be getting into Cambridge early and getting in and around the team busses etc.
After that I'll participate on my own bike!

I'm not sure that the UK police are as slick at opening up the roads after the rear end has gone past as they are in France. If you're doing the same route I'd anticipate delays.