Every time I venture onto cycling related forums on the internet I remember why I stay away from them for most of the rest of the time!
I guess internet forums are a microcosm of life in some ways, teeming with people who have different opinions and come from very different worlds thus creating a challenging enviroment in such a situation.
Rational argument often goes out the window and people behave and speak to each other in a manner that most would never tolerate when discussing the same thing face to face.
The Cycling News forums are such a place.
Unless you have been on a round the world solo yachting adventure or been living out in the scrub for weeks on end you would know that the world’s greatest cycling race, the Tour de France is on again and it has caused me to break my usual rules and venture back into the world of cycling forums.
The only reason I am doing this is because interested parties discussing the race often can provide tidbits of information about the Tour and provide links to websites which are useful for anyone with an interest in the sport as the forums are a very cosmopolitan place.
During July when the Tour is on the place becomes much more vibrant than usual with fanboys (and girls) of particular riders queing up to sing the praises of their hero which is usually met with much derision from those with a passionate attachment to some other idol.
The thing which amazes me, as someone who has followed the sport since I was old enough to walk and has a been a competitive cyclist is how clueless many, if not most of those who congregate there are when it comes to the subtleties of cycle racing.
It is not a sport which I thought would be the type to attract the casual fan but it appears I am wrong with all sorts jumping on the bandwagon and giving uninformed analysis of what is going on and why.
July is a bad month as many who would never usually bother registering and commenting seem to pop up as surely as weeds in the garden and want to make their spurious points without really knowing what they are on about.
Australians make up quite a proportion of those providing this discombulated banter and with a Briton, Bradley Wiggins being a hot favourite to win the race this year the good old poms have turned up showing their hollow knowledge is no better than the other no-nothings who want to waste bandwith by spewing out questionable opinion.
Ah well. I still find some value in a few knowledgeable souls who hide out in the nooks and crannies of the place but I am sure most of the comments are provided by people who have never turned a pedal over in competitive anger and wouldn’t know a brake lever from a quick release.
As for the race itself, it is still early days. Our own defending champion Cadel Evans appears to be riding strongly but I have a sneaking suspicion the aforementioned Englishmen Wiggins has a bit in reserve and may cruise to victory. Of course his father was an Australian track cycling star. Maybe we can claim some reflected glory if it comes to pass that he wins the big race. Cheer a pom!? Nah, I don’t think so either. Have a great day.
I guess internet forums are a microcosm of life in some ways, teeming with people who have different opinions and come from very different worlds thus creating a challenging enviroment in such a situation.
Rational argument often goes out the window and people behave and speak to each other in a manner that most would never tolerate when discussing the same thing face to face.
The Cycling News forums are such a place.
Unless you have been on a round the world solo yachting adventure or been living out in the scrub for weeks on end you would know that the world’s greatest cycling race, the Tour de France is on again and it has caused me to break my usual rules and venture back into the world of cycling forums.
The only reason I am doing this is because interested parties discussing the race often can provide tidbits of information about the Tour and provide links to websites which are useful for anyone with an interest in the sport as the forums are a very cosmopolitan place.
During July when the Tour is on the place becomes much more vibrant than usual with fanboys (and girls) of particular riders queing up to sing the praises of their hero which is usually met with much derision from those with a passionate attachment to some other idol.
The thing which amazes me, as someone who has followed the sport since I was old enough to walk and has a been a competitive cyclist is how clueless many, if not most of those who congregate there are when it comes to the subtleties of cycle racing.
It is not a sport which I thought would be the type to attract the casual fan but it appears I am wrong with all sorts jumping on the bandwagon and giving uninformed analysis of what is going on and why.
July is a bad month as many who would never usually bother registering and commenting seem to pop up as surely as weeds in the garden and want to make their spurious points without really knowing what they are on about.
Australians make up quite a proportion of those providing this discombulated banter and with a Briton, Bradley Wiggins being a hot favourite to win the race this year the good old poms have turned up showing their hollow knowledge is no better than the other no-nothings who want to waste bandwith by spewing out questionable opinion.
Ah well. I still find some value in a few knowledgeable souls who hide out in the nooks and crannies of the place but I am sure most of the comments are provided by people who have never turned a pedal over in competitive anger and wouldn’t know a brake lever from a quick release.
As for the race itself, it is still early days. Our own defending champion Cadel Evans appears to be riding strongly but I have a sneaking suspicion the aforementioned Englishmen Wiggins has a bit in reserve and may cruise to victory. Of course his father was an Australian track cycling star. Maybe we can claim some reflected glory if it comes to pass that he wins the big race. Cheer a pom!? Nah, I don’t think so either. Have a great day.
Strange Notations From a Laborious Life 