Seattle Forrest

I thought some in here might enjoy this. We roadies have a reputation for looking pissed off because we're training so hard. Our cousins on MTBs have basically the same thing from concentrating so hard on not crashing.

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/l...s-study-412503

Rides4Beer

I did my first race this past weekend, a duathlon, and a friend of mine who was spectating commented that I looked upset during the race. I wasn't, my race went fantastically and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I said that's just my "focus face".

Maelochs

Well, at least no one calls them "cyclists."

GrainBrain

My favorite part of the article had nothing to do with the study but instead the academic involved, Audun Hetland.

What?

Maelochs

So ... he is "living on the edge" and risking the lives of his two toddlers? What a man!

canklecat

Not sure if those articles are serious or just seriously late April Fools pranks.

Few athletes look like they're having fun during competition. Usually it hurts to push the body to extremes and we're psychologically conditioned to "be serious" about sports.

It's more noteworthy to see a successful athlete who also appears to enjoy herself. Like Flo-Jo, Florence Griffith Joyner, who often smiled broadly not only at the finish line but midway through a race when her sprint burst hit turbo and she loped away from the pack. And it wasn't mean spirited leering at the expense of her competition. Flo-Jo seemed to genuinely enjoy herself.



Ditto boxer Emmanuel Augustus, who genuinely seemed to enjoy being in the ring, putting on a show. He was his own toughest opponent, often losing controversial close decisions because judges and referees didn't like his clowning tactics. But fans loved him. And he wasn't mean spirited, despite the clowning and taunting. He was just putting on a show to entertain fans and was rewarded with many TV appearances despite his unimpressive but deceptive won/lost record. During "Sucra" Ray Oliveira's final bout, Oliveira suffered a recurrence of a neck injuy that caused spasms of excruciating pain and dizziness. When Augustus noticed Oliveira's discomfort he stopped throwing punches to the head and only threw a few to the body, mostly dancing around and giving his opponent either time to recover or for the ref or corner to stop the bout. The bout was stopped and ruled a TKO before the start of the 8th round to protect Oliveira from further injury. But Augustus didn't take advantage of his opponent's disability.

burnthesheep

Oh, it's not about the "training hard" game face. Roadies do tend to have the reputation to be more of dic%s. I ride road about 75% and gravel 25%, I can vouch for it. I've played soccer and baseball up to HS back in the day. I competed at a high level in golf until college. Done a couple 1/2 marathon run things. Now I do the bike thing. I've never in any sporting venture come across such a thing like the "dic% roadie". It's not all, but dang it's a lot.

I never showed up to a golf practice where nobody introduced themselves or shook hands or had a chat about what we'd do that day.

I like riding my road bike, but sometimes I really question my choices in how I involve myself.

Mitkraft

Don't have to try hard to convince me of that. Hanging out on bikeforums for much time can bring you to the same conclusion.

shoota 

Nothing about mtb'ing and especially downhill appeals to me in the slightest. Funny read

fietsbob

"Downhill mountain bikers don’t actually look like they enjoy it, says study"

which never interviewed any one in person, but just watched videos, online?

TMonk

It always baffles me how disparate different disciplines of cycling can be - and how ignorant we can be of each other. We really are birds of a feather!

MTB is arguable the most diverse discipline with XC featuring fit, lyrcra clad, shaved-legged types who train mostly on road bikes, and full on DH riders on the other end that look more like they're equipped for motocross. Guess what - it's all good!

XC MTB is totally a blast and I do look forward to focusing on that after the road racing season is over. One thing I appreciate about XC (and cyclocross) is that there is an element of athleticism that you don't see on road - you need to be both fit and skilled to do well.

Maelochs

Who determines what signifies a look of "enjoyment" for each individual? Somebody needs to do a study!

trailangel

They are angry that they had to buy a lift ticket because they aren't in good enough shape to ride to the starting point.

Darth Lefty 

All this needs to be complete is brain scans