An Explanation Of The Fascination Of Cycle Racing Please.

[Zzxyn]

Can someone please explain the current fascination of cycle racing. The country side backdrops are magnificent, and people travel many miles in order to see the cyclists flash by in just a few seconds, and then its over.
Whilst the endurance of the cyclists are noteworthy, cannot understand how that brief moment is so fascinating. There must be some additional pleasure in seeing someone ride past on a push bike that I am totally unaware of.
Would be delighted to have it explained to me.

[jim360]

I was at the opening day of the Tour de France in Leeds -- what with its being my home town, there was that rather special aspect of one of the world's largest sporting events passing, almost literally, right outside my doorstep. And then there is the atmosphere, and in the TdF at least the various ride-past included a lot of stuff before and after the peloton. While that took a few seconds to pass, the whole procession before and after was well over an hour. Quite a lot to enjoy, apart from just feeling part of it all.

I expect that's a one-off for me, though. I'm not that into cycling, and it was just nice to be a part of it.

[woofgang]

no idea.

[New Judge]

I must say I'm extremely puzzled by bike racing (at least from the spectators' point of view).

I'm sure it's a fine sport in which to particpate (if you like that sort of thing). But from a spectators' viewpoint it must be about as exciting as golf (two blokes walking across a field).

Another puzzling aspect is why the organisers choose the most unsuitable domain to run their events. Yorkshire is a most incongruous area to run a bike race,what with all its hills and dales. Further, I've seen pictures of the race going through Haworth. I've been there a few times (I actually attended the wedding of a friend in the local church at the top of the hill some years ago) and a more ridiculous place to organise a race is hard to imagine.

The Tour de France (which should confine itself to that country rather than impose itself on other nations who usually have better sense) seems to take delight in routing its competitors across the most mountainous areas of the country. There are plenty of "velodromes" where cyclists can ride round and round in circles without disturbing anybody (and I rather like the quirkiness of the Kierin with the postman on his moped and the Madison where nobody really knows who has won) and really that's where bike racing should be confined to.

[mastercraft]

'Current fascination'... Are you assuming that nobody stood on the roadside in the Alps or Pyrenees, ten, twenty or thirty years ago?

[Baldric]

///Tour de FRANCE in Leeds///
Just doesn't look right does it?
Can't help with your question, sorry, but it leaves me cold!

[Prudie]

They irritate me so much when I'm driving that I could never put that behind me and watch them on foot.

[ichkeria]

"Yorkshire is a most incongruous area to run a bike race,what with all its hills and dales. "

Presumably that was written tongue in cheek :-) Those are the bits that make it interesting!
Add a few traffic jams to a Formula One GP and that might make them a bit more interesting too

[Hopkirk]

It's a bit more interesting than watching the London bleeding marathon, now that is dull and tedious.

[Zzxyn]

Thanks for all the opinions given, but alas no answer given to the question.
Perhaps there isn't one ? Thanks again to all.

[brionon]

ER--we all like different things for different reasons! There are people who like Basketball !!

[jourdain2]

No, I can't explain it. Lived in France until very recently and regularly had the road closed by our house for a lot of cars distributing goody-bags to pass by, followed by about 2 seconds-worth of cyclists. Best I can do is that all the local families used the occasion to have a get-together and sit and natter (and eat and drink) whilst they waited. Also the 'goody-bags' were much prized.

After a lot of exposure I, too, fail to find the secret to any interest and that is despite a friend's grandson being accepted by, and now cycling for, a famous team - I forget which, sorry. Actually, I became very fed-up of the arrogant closure of the road. (Once I had to get OH from hospital and needed to drive over fields at the back to get him inside - not good.)

[trt]

I cant understand it either Zzxn, so boring, a bit like the marathon on 2 wheels.