JT Burkard

Cycling fans are a strong bunch. They are energetic, they are passionate, and they are in the way. For years I find myself yelling at the TV "GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY". I have some issues I will list and I would love to hear your thoughts on them as well.

When climbing a mountain, why do they have to crowd in on the road and block any chance for an attack? They are blocking the road, the riders, the motorcycles, and the cars. Froome had to run up the side of a mountain because the masses were blocking the road causing a collision, disabling his bike. Nibali, a world class contender, taken out with a camera strap. Plus countless other crowd issued accidents.

Why must these crazies run next to the rider? They don't want you to run next to them. They don't want you to push them from their ass. They couldn't care less what you are yelling at them, possibly in a language they don't understand. More idiots are out there looking for their 10 seconds of fame instead of caring about the race. Especially the naked guys or the banana hammock wearing whackos. I noticed children doing this too. These parents need to teach these kids this is not right.

Selfie fools - I don't know how many times these narcissistic phone holding fools wind up in the way of the rider, only to improve their Facebook profile pic.
Also related - Camera kooks - Standing in the middle of the race to get a photo with your phone is ridiculous! They become an object in the way of the peloton.

These flags are getting out of hand. I don't know how many times these morons are draping their countries flags over the riders where they have to duck and ride through them. No one cares about your damn flag. There is no reason to shake it at the rider. You want to represent your country, display it in a respectful manner.

Spitting or shoving riders - There was some grey haired, overweight guy who took a shot at Froome twice this year, trying to push him over. Others were spitting on him, and Team Sky. This behaviour is unacceptable! You wouldn't do this to a person on the street. What makes it right when its these cyclists?

The barriers are there to keep the crowd from the cyclists. DON"T STAND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF IT!!!

This is the one thing about these races that gets my blood boiling. I get so angry and would love to be at the race just once and push one of these a-holes off the side of a mountain. The UCI and race organisers need to help solve some of these issues. What are your thoughts and additions?

kydeadhead

Giacomo 1 

That's a tough one.

Its easy for us sitting at home to say "look at these idiots", but it could be different when you've been sitting on the side of a mountain for hours or even overnight, waiting for that magic moment when the riders come by, and the excitement just sweeps you up. Big crowds all worked up, youthful exuberance, often fuelled by alcohol, is a toxic combination.

I guess its always been a self policed sport, and my guess it will remain so. I see no other alternative.

Flip Flop Rider

it's not ruining it but it's a negative. Flares are ridiculous and should be banned. If they (the crowd) are back even a little it would take care of it. No need to go overboard

Iride01 

At least they don't ambush the riders they don't like and beat them up like they used to do in the early days of the Tdf.

diphthong

it's something for the riders to contend with and plan for when considering an mountain stage attack. if they've (or other teammates have) previewed the climb/stage
or ridden it before, they'll be aware of the pinch points. that's why it's so critical to have that (especially first hand) groundtruthing knowledge. can be the difference
between a stage win, gaining/losing time or crashing out. and no, i generally don't think it's ruining (except for the occasional yahoo that actually physically interferes)
the mountain stages. every sport has its idiosyncrasies that factor into a final result. whether it's soggy pitch, home field advantage, watered down basepaths, long grass,
unresponsive parquet, abusive fans, cramped/outdated visitors locker rooms, differing dimensions of the playing surface/field, playing offense into the wind in the 4th quarter...

Caretaker

No I don't shout at the TV when the fans on mountains crowd the road. 99.99% of them know what they're doing and the riders are aware of this.
Most problems are caused by stupid people with smart phones but that's just a fact of modern life.
There's the very small number of people intent on assaulting riders, like the guy with Froome and the other person who reached out across the barrier to grab GT's arm. Lot of this is driven by social media and statements by people like Hinault who should know better.
The access fans have to the event is what makes the sport what it is, a community spectacle.

bikecrate

To me it is part of the excitement of the race. I believe I've heard many riders comment on the thrill of the fans' cheers drives them on. However, there have been a trend of some fans crossing the line from spectators to participants in the race. Some better policing would help. I've mentioned in another thread that the Vuelta seems to have less of this problem. Most "runners" get grab right away by the police and are removed.

Maelochs

Some of the later stages (Pyrenees) the fans seemed a bit mellower .... they were out there, but fewer running along, few blocking the road, fewer screaming maniacs. I think it was the Giro where they had cops about every 20 yards or so on the worst climbs, physically moving people who blocked the way.

The situation can be improved without removing all the fans. A few arrests might even sober up the worst of them.

Caretaker

I don't get the bit about fans lining the streets in the thread title.

I mean what's wrong with people standing at the side of the street applauding and encouraging the riders?

Maelochs

Some of the fans are fans. Some are performers eager to "express" themselves and get some attention. And the "express myself" crowd isn't generally too interested in anybody else .... including the riders who are the point and purpose of the whole thing.

The guys in fright wigs and purple thongs running beside the riders screaming----they can't conceive of a world where anyone matters more than they do .... plus they have probably been drinking for 18 hours.

TiHabanero

A couple of friends went to the Tour during the Indurain days and they said without plause that the Tour is a raucous event. An unbelievable party that goes on and on and on. Not sure it would be as exciting without the crazy fans and the choke points on the climbs. Not my cup of tea as I rather watch on TV than in person except, perhaps the Champs on the final day. Apparently that, too is nutso. The wife of one guy said on the Champs you are pressed into the barrier so hard that it is impossible to move. They stood there in one spot without movement for 3 hours, and she had to pee the whole time!

Darth Lefty 

jamesdak 

I saw the TDF (twice in one day) years ago when they passed through Karlsruhe, Germany. Somehow we enjoyed it just fine without acting a fool and getting in the way. Drives me nuts to see the fans choking the roads and causing other issues.

Caretaker

Yeah, the Germans are too well behaved to invade anything, choke the roads of France or cause other issues.

brianmcg123

DLBroox

I thought this too about them being mellow. I was thinking they knew to be more careful after what happened to Nibali.

I see it as part of the sport. I read that there are undercover cops in the crowd dressed like fans as well as the visible ones you see along the course, so there is a big attempt to keep order.

They should ban flares without question.

diphthong

Jseis 

JT Burkard

Sorry for the delay in responding. I couldn't log on with my iPad so I had to wait before I had access on my computer again.

Iride - There was one older guy who ran out into the street and pushed Froome two days in a row. That's pretty ridiculous. I don't see how its acceptable in Cycling or in any sport to push, shove, or spit on the competitors. That's assault, not an overzealous fan.

Cartaker - There is nothing wrong with people lining the streets in an orderly fashion cheering on the riders. That is what they should be doing. Perhaps I didn't put my full thought in the title. It was meant to point out the fans who overrun the streets and clog them up to where it becomes impossible for the riders to do anything but ride single file.

Caretaker

Where has this happened, which city, town or village street?

CliffordK

Electric Fence?

Maelochs

I have seen lots of stages (on TV) where fans left only one bike's width open. Not rare or odd at all. Also I am sure we have All seen people running beside riders shouting at them ... and we have all seen the flares.

I don't think there is any reason to doubt what we have seen, right?

Caretaker

On mountains yes but streets in urban areas? Street: 'a public road in a city, town, or village, typically with houses and buildings on one or both sides'

I've seen fans on streets particularly in Classic races like Liege-Bastogne-Liege running after riders or leaning into the road encouraging them but I don't remember flares or it getting to where it's single file only. These are pretty knowledgeable fans who know the limits.

Cpinn3r

Barrier won't do anything, they another part of the problem. For the most part this sport is a free public spectacle, there just no way to prevent or stop all outcomes w/o placing enforcement officer every 20m, which cost a lot of money. Unless organizer or teams form some type of volunteer enforcement group, but that will just cause a headache of it;s own

IMO the alternative is for cycling teams to adapt and somehow train cyclist on self defense while on their bikes