roadwarrior

Well said.

roadwarrior

But the great thing about golf is supremely gifted, in top physical condition, #1 on the planet Tiger Woods missed the cut at the British Open and Tom Watson, at 59 years of age might just win.

Ih8lucky13

That episode is hilarious when Michael finds out Toby is back .

NO NO NOOOOOOOOO!

botto 

priceless.

BillyD

I have trouble sitting by when we start saying things like endurance and aerobic stamina are what makes cyclists athletes. In terms of endurance requirements, mountain climbing the world class peaks takes an incredible amount of endurance. People actually die, routinely, climbing some of the toughest peaks. Does that make mountain climbers athletes? No, they're just stubborn enough to keep at it until they become a world class climber.

And aerobics . . . you can take any willing slug and put him in an aerobic conditioning program and eventually he'll get there. That's not athleticism . . . that's just dogged conditioning over time. Anybody can do that.

I'm convinced the pro cyclists are athletes, simply because of all they have to be competitive in that sport. But endurance and aerobic stamina alone does not make you an athlete or a pro. There's some other intangible ingredient that is hard to put your finger on in cycling and that you must have to compete. I don't know what it is. I really don't care, because I don't have it.

Basketball, baseball & football are easier sports to distinguish the athletes from the non-athletes. When you have no 'game' in these sports it's clear to everyone looking and even to yourself. Some of you may want to belittle the athleticism of these guys because you yourself sucked when you tried them, but you can't take away the fact that these guys are athletes. That's ridiculous.

Maybe they can't do a century, but you'd fall on your face trying to even foul off a changeup. I bet with some practice most of them could do a century . . . well maybe not Sabathia . . . but there's no doubt that you couldn't hit a fastball with a lifetime of training. If you could, you'd be a baseball player.

So let's not forget. We wannabees -- You and I -- are not athletes because we can cycle good, or because we got aerobic stamina and endurance. If you sucked at the other sports, sorry, you suck at this one too unless you're a pro. There's an ingredient that separates the elite cyclists, the athletes, from us wannabees. When somebody discovers what that is please let me know. Until then you should just enjoy your passion and don't worry about what other people think.

n8tron

Tell him to descend a mountain road at 60+mph and still say it doesn't require skill.

Walter

3+ pages of fluff and only one answer that is really............correct.

And it's from PCad no less.

I love these threads. I've been here since 2001 and no one has won one of these arguments yet.

Someone new is always willing to try though......

Matt2.8NJ

I don't think McDonalds will feel the loss if you and your esteemed colleague quit to pursue your athletic goals.

YungBurke

Solution: Take his fat, ballpark peanut eating ***** outside, set up non cycling specific obstacle course. Spank him at obstacle course, preferably thrice. Inform him that your primary exercise is cycling. Query what his primary exercise is. You have just shown that cycling requires more athleticism than his brand of "x"

coasting 

if cycling isn't athletic, how did i nearly have a heart attack today trying to keep up.

cyclezealot

Agree with Response #1. He's a know it all jerk. I'd have a hard time coping with his stupidity.. Like to see him climb Mt Ventoux with it's extreme grade coming out of Vaison.. Fat arse football players, bet they can't./. Still, he's not worth arguing with.

531Aussie

Ha! Is that the guy who throws at 96mph, or is that another fat guy?

roccobike

Let me guess, your co-worker is the same person who can't understand why you spent all that money buying a bike from a bike shop when he sees a road bike at WalMart for under $250. It even says 'SHIMANO EQUIPPED" in 1 inch letters on the frame so it must be good.

dolfinack

The troll knows... he is baiting you. Ignnore the troll.

Ih8lucky13

Yes I am sure that CC Sabathia cares what you think. He only makes 23 million a year for the next 7 years.

Zan

Bleh, fine, I'll do what should've been done a while ago.


Athleticism:
Athlete:
Cycling:
So if you believe a cyclist is "physically strong and well developed," he must be "of or befitting ... athletes." Therefore he must possess "the natural or acquired traits ... that are necessary for physical exercise or sports, especially those performed in competitive contexts." No one would doubt that cycling is the "sport of riding or traveling by bicycle." Therefore, to participate in the "sport of riding ... by bicycle," you must possess the "strength, agility, and endurance that [is] necessary for ... sports." This makes you an "Athlete."

fmw

I would just invite him to take a 150 mile ride at 25 mph and see whether or not any athleticism or physical conditioning was involved.

patentcad

Wait.

It's not?

Luddite

I wish I was "not athletic" like real Cyclists...

coasting 

what is your employer's policy on brawling at work?

jdon

That is all you need to do. I have used it on an annoying neighbor and he never commented on cycling again

Chris516

He is loony.

scorch

I had a similar talk with a co worker of mine. I think it has to do alot with "attention *****dom". Someone who just wants to test you a little bit, and it goes back to mom and dad and the need for attention. Most likely, people who think this way are the youngest or only child. or have had some experience in their past that makes them think this way.. Just a little psychological idea to this.

But does it really matter what they think? Shrug it off and go ride.

I_Like_Bike

So if someone who is an athlete starts cycling he all the sudden is not an athlete?

dr_max

You can't judge what you don't know well...

Has he ever been in a race in a pack at 50 kph average with other cyclists cutting your wheel, you step off your saddle to balance your body on the left to move your bike on the right o avoid that braking rear wheel of the rider in front of you, managing the holes while staying tuned for any echapee that could happen and watch your teamates in the pack to get into the front and catch back the 2 guys in front at 2mins or slow the pace of the pack to keep your rider in front permanently in the breakaway?

The answer is NO of course so his judgement is falacious and unaknowledgable.