Tour of America's Dairyland - Day One
I am not a confident cyclist. I often have too little faith in my abilities. Today, I both could and should have raced a lot harder, and more confidently. I can't let others get in my head.
I started today's race at the back of the field. There I felt trapped as the single file line of riders continued in their waving line of serpentine maneuvers through the course’s six corners. As the columnar pack of 70+ riders worked their way into a rhythm, I worked up my courage to make a bold pass and break the chain of riders in an attempt to move closer to the front. This move was cut short.
A cycling stereo type the often holds true is that of the category 1 cyclist - they are often elitist. As I came around an unnamed rider (Hint: he rides for a team that is named after a state, then a form of public transportation infrastructure, and a common type of dwelling) I was reminded of this reality.
Coming into the first corner on the course I saw an opportunity to make a pass. The unnamed rider had elected to take a wide line and had "left a door open" for an inside pass. I stamped on my pedals and seized the opportunity.
Instead of accepting that being passed on the inside will forever be a part of Crit racing, even more so if you are leaving open gaps, this rider decided to "put me in my place". As I came inside the corner, he pushed the limits of my bike handling abilities by changing his line and forcefully hip-checking my handlebars intentionally directing me into the pothole at the apex of the turn. After his physical act of intimidation, he then turned his head and told me that I had better not ever try to pass him "like that" again.
At first I just shrugged it off. People are aggressive in bike races, they're hyped on adrenaline and often hot headed in the intensity of the moment. But, is that an excuse to behave poorly?
I know, this type of thing happens. It's become an accepted part of crit racing. The big teams push the little guys around. The only ways to escape the cycle is to go faster than them, or to join them. However, in this case, what is normal in cycling is not acceptable.
If elite level Crit racing has become characterized by physical aggression and verbal beratement, what right do we have as racers to lament the lack of participation, sponsorship deals, and public interest? What happened to us? When did we lose our sense of fun? Aren't we all here to “play bikes”?
I get it, there is a lot of pressure on riders to perform at an extremely high level. Sparse races and even rarer sponsorship deals can induce a state of manic drive that sees fellow competitors only as a threat. Furthermore, there is an element of effectiveness to an attitude that puts winning before kindness. Indeed, many more races have been won by backstabbing, uncouth attacks, and devious tactics than have ever been won through compassion. But, as cycling stands today, in an atmosphere completely lacking empathy, it is not as beautiful a sport as it deserves to be.
Here's the problem in my estimation: It is commonly accepted that race results are more important than than the racers around you. Period.
Is that number on the ranking's sheet really that valuable though?
I'm not saying that we should get together with our rival competitors and talk about our feelings as we race. But, we should at least hold ourselves to the same standards of courtesy and manners that are socially required off the bike during our races as well.
This is a lengthy tirade. But, I think it is an important discussion to have.
Are you, your team, your cycling community creating an environment that encourages racing? Or do you allow elements of unsportsmanlike conduct to exist in your races? Does your conduct encourage people to push their limits and try to be the best racer they can be? Or have you accepted that the best way to keep yourself moving up is by pushing others down?
What can we do to make bike racing more fun, and less elitist?
Ending note: I counted the unnamed rider making three inside passes during the remainder of the race. He must have forgotten that he doesn't find that type of pass acceptable.
A cycling stereo type the often holds true is that of the category 1 cyclist - they are often elitist. As I came around an unnamed rider (Hint: he rides for a team that is named after a state, then a form of public transportation infrastructure, and a common type of dwelling) I was reminded of this reality.
Coming into the first corner on the course I saw an opportunity to make a pass. The unnamed rider had elected to take a wide line and had "left a door open" for an inside pass. I stamped on my pedals and seized the opportunity.
Instead of accepting that being passed on the inside will forever be a part of Crit racing, even more so if you are leaving open gaps, this rider decided to "put me in my place". As I came inside the corner, he pushed the limits of my bike handling abilities by changing his line and forcefully hip-checking my handlebars intentionally directing me into the pothole at the apex of the turn. After his physical act of intimidation, he then turned his head and told me that I had better not ever try to pass him "like that" again.
At first I just shrugged it off. People are aggressive in bike races, they're hyped on adrenaline and often hot headed in the intensity of the moment. But, is that an excuse to behave poorly?
I know, this type of thing happens. It's become an accepted part of crit racing. The big teams push the little guys around. The only ways to escape the cycle is to go faster than them, or to join them. However, in this case, what is normal in cycling is not acceptable.
If elite level Crit racing has become characterized by physical aggression and verbal beratement, what right do we have as racers to lament the lack of participation, sponsorship deals, and public interest? What happened to us? When did we lose our sense of fun? Aren't we all here to “play bikes”?
I get it, there is a lot of pressure on riders to perform at an extremely high level. Sparse races and even rarer sponsorship deals can induce a state of manic drive that sees fellow competitors only as a threat. Furthermore, there is an element of effectiveness to an attitude that puts winning before kindness. Indeed, many more races have been won by backstabbing, uncouth attacks, and devious tactics than have ever been won through compassion. But, as cycling stands today, in an atmosphere completely lacking empathy, it is not as beautiful a sport as it deserves to be.
Here's the problem in my estimation: It is commonly accepted that race results are more important than than the racers around you. Period.
Is that number on the ranking's sheet really that valuable though?
I'm not saying that we should get together with our rival competitors and talk about our feelings as we race. But, we should at least hold ourselves to the same standards of courtesy and manners that are socially required off the bike during our races as well.
This is a lengthy tirade. But, I think it is an important discussion to have.
Are you, your team, your cycling community creating an environment that encourages racing? Or do you allow elements of unsportsmanlike conduct to exist in your races? Does your conduct encourage people to push their limits and try to be the best racer they can be? Or have you accepted that the best way to keep yourself moving up is by pushing others down?
What can we do to make bike racing more fun, and less elitist?
Ending note: I counted the unnamed rider making three inside passes during the remainder of the race. He must have forgotten that he doesn't find that type of pass acceptable.
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