Why does everyone I talk to know a supreme cyclist?
Discussion
I may just have an exalted circle of acquaintances but whenever I am asked about my cycling, the person to who I reply always knows some one who has cycled Lands End to John O'Groats, completed the coast to coast and back in a day or ridden across the Sahara.
Is it just me or is the rest of the world an Olympic class athlete?
Steve
Is it just me or is the rest of the world an Olympic class athlete?
Steve
okgo said:
The natural measure of difficulty for people that don't ride is distance. So I don't think OP should worry too much.
How far did Davina ride the other day? Quite a way I think, riding for a long time is something many people can do.
Hutch wrote a column about this a while back, telling people he could cycle at nearly 30mph for 20 minutes but no One actually cared unless they were a time triallist. Everyone could however recognise the achievements of the guy who rode a 400km audax in 24 hours though. How far did Davina ride the other day? Quite a way I think, riding for a long time is something many people can do.
Edited by okgo on Tuesday 8th April 16:06
It should be said however that the psychological demands placed on riding long distances are often over looked, I have read the effects on the guys who do RAAM and they are wrecks at the end. I know that's a race but the physical/mental element fascinates me, as does the effects of solo trams Atlantic yachtsmen but that's a bit different. Going long is still an incredible undertaking. Get up, ride 200 miles in a day knowing you have to do it again the next day....
Gargamel said:
Same in running,
Can't go fast? Go long....
I am never going to run a sub 20 minute 5k, but I have completed a couple of marathons.
Likewise, I have cycled 130 miles in around 12 hours. But compared to a decent pro, that is practically standing still.
This. Know quite a few people that have done marathons, which is a fantastic achievement and I have a huge amount of respect for anyone that can do it. Personally I don't think I could cope with the distance- I'd get bored. I used to be able to do 1500m in 3:55, and my PB for 5 miles is 27:41. Go tell that to the man on the street though and it means nothing. I haven't done much running at all in the last 10 years, and last weekend I did one of the "parkrun" 5K's just to see what happened and did 19:45 which to me was a bit "meh" but gives me something to build on. Beat my brother in law though which was the main objective Can't go fast? Go long....
I am never going to run a sub 20 minute 5k, but I have completed a couple of marathons.
Likewise, I have cycled 130 miles in around 12 hours. But compared to a decent pro, that is practically standing still.
Edited by lufbramatt on Tuesday 8th April 16:25
okgo said:
The natural measure of difficulty for people that don't ride is distance. So I don't think OP should worry too much.
How far did Davina ride the other day? Quite a way I think, riding for a long time is something many people can do.
Fast is nothing. When you can achieve 50% of what Dick Hoyt does you can really say you've earned your bragging rights.How far did Davina ride the other day? Quite a way I think, riding for a long time is something many people can do.
Edited by okgo on Tuesday 8th April 16:06
http://www.teamhoyt.com/
lufbramatt said:
This. Know quite a few people that have done marathons, which is a fantastic achievement and I have a huge amount of respect for anyone that can do it. Personally I don't think I could cope with the distance- I'd get bored. I used to be able to do 1500m in 3:55, and my PB for 5 miles is 27:41. I haven't done much running at all in the last 10 years, and last weekend I did one of the "parkrun" 5K's just to see what happened and did 19:45 which to me was a bit "meh" but gives me something to build on. Beat my brother in law though which was the main objective
3.55 is a fast time indeed, that would have won you the gold medal in 1928 in the Olympics. Though of course these days you'd need to knock another 20 seconds off to be professional standard. I think what the OP is experiencing is well known in running circles, everyone gets recognition for "doing a marathon" whther they did it in 3hours or walked everything after mile six...
But tell them you did sub 45m 10k and they look blank and then tell you about someone they know who did a marathon.
My Godmother's husband was the first Brit to cycle more than 500 miles in 24 hours. My mind boggles. He's also a thoroughly good egg.
Gargamel said:
3.55 is a fast time indeed, that would have won you the gold medal in 1928 in the Olympics. Though of course these days you'd need to knock another 20 seconds off to be professional standard.
I think what the OP is experiencing is well known in running circles, everyone gets recognition for "doing a marathon" whther they did it in 3hours or walked everything after mile six...
But tell them you did sub 45m 10k and they look blank and then tell you about someone they know who did a marathon.
I was 18 when I did that 1500m time, one of my biggest regrets is not carrying on with the training when I was at uni as I know I could have run quicker, doubt I ever will now as life tends to get in the way of things like that. I think what the OP is experiencing is well known in running circles, everyone gets recognition for "doing a marathon" whther they did it in 3hours or walked everything after mile six...
But tell them you did sub 45m 10k and they look blank and then tell you about someone they know who did a marathon.
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