bikehoco

I’m curious what the percentage of people here watch cycling on tv?

People ride for all sorts of reasons (competition, exercise, entertainment, etc). I’ve been riding for decades but it never led to watching it on tv.

I suspect the same same group of people who dress up like pros to go ride are the same ones who watch.

bikehoco

I also drive a car but don’t watch car racing on tv.

I also like to go for walks but don’t watch race walking on tv.

To each his own I guess.

caloso

I don’t know what the percentage of BF members who watch cycling, but everyone I know who races also watches racing on TV. Same as I’d imagine everyone who plays soccer competitively watches soccer on TV.

If your riding is transportational or for exercise but not competitive, I could see why the sporting aspect of bike racing wouldn’t appeal.

bikehoco

Makes sense. So maybe the real question is how many people here race.

caloso

It’s probably a small percentage compared to other forums like Slowtwitch or Trainerroad. This is a pretty general group.

Wildwood 

What cycling coverage on TV are you talking about?
I did not think it existed in USA.

Corn Hole national championship was televised.
Poker championships get televised.

The new american sports environment.

wolfchild

Road cycling is extremely boring to watch... I do sometimes watch off road adventure bikepacking or mountain biking on YouTube...I am the same way about cars. I like watching off road adventures but I hate anything to do with driving or racing on pavement.

wolfchild

A lot of cyclists do " imaginary races"...Chasing down random strangers, passing them and then claiming victory for winning a race.

hillyman

I watch the major Tours especially the mountain stages when I can. Just because I don't race and ride a slower pace to take in the sights and explore doesn't mean I can't appreciate athletes at the top of their game. To each their own the way they want to experience cycling.

Ed Wiser

I watch cycling on GCN race pass. But I am a cycling fan of many years now. I remember Greg Lemond’s race wins and the excitement of his first tour wins. I never find it boring as I have learned about the tactics and learn about the different riders. Most here in the US have never been able to learn about the pro sport so I am sure it would seem that way to you.

Germany_chris

I don't mind reading about it but I don't have the attention span to watch a bunch of colors moving down the road.

_ForceD_

I’ve been riding road bikes for about 40 years but I’ve never been into road racing myself...I’ve done it just a handful of times. I have done a lot of triathlons over the years however. But, I do like to follow major stage races, maybe the spring classics. I like watching them on TV...but I usually end up falling asleep. I can certainly see how others find it boring. I think the TTs and the major climbing stages are more interesting (less sleepy). I don’t care too much for off-road racing, or triathlon on TV. It seems to me that once the field spreads out there is ‘almost’ never a change in the standings.

Dan

indyfabz

I don’t dress up like a pro but will watch TdF coverage when I can.

But thanks for playing.

GlennR

[QUOTE=indyfabz;21891400]I don’t dress up like a pro /QUOTE]
Can't fit in into "race fit" kit?

I certainly don't

indyfabz

[QUOTE=GlennR;21891422]Was referring to literally dressing up like a pro. I’ve never owned one team jersey or pair of shorts.

Comments like the OP’s are trite.

2cam16

Been riding since I was a kid and been watching and following since then. I don't pay for anything premium so if it's on any of the channels I have, I'm there.

veganbikes

I watch Stars and Watercarriers and a Sunday in Hell (though not as often recently probably need to re-watch again soon) and certainly we play the Le Tour at the shop and sometimes the Vuelta and Giro (though last year we missed the Giro for some reason though I caught glimpses) I don't often watch sports live on T.V. but I do enjoy it when I do but I don't have a ton of friends who would come over with snacks and watch that stuff like an American style Oblong Handball (with very little actual feet used in relation to the ball). say like the Super Bowl. I could probably convince them to do it but I know they wouldn't enjoy it so much and I am usually busy doing many things to worry about watching sports.

Would love to see that stuff live though watching it in real time at the event is always fun.

GlennR

[QUOTE=indyfabz;21891443]<<insert picture of very large man in Lampre kit>>

Bill in VA

The wife and I watch the the Tour, the Giro, and the Vuelta as well as various cyclocross races, and occasional mountain bike events. We also watch the World Championships, especially the track events. We have been heavy watchers since 2011 thanks to the various NBC sports and Olympic channels and the Spanish language channels.

We do not wear spandex or kit, or race, and we ride steel frame bikes without disc brakes. The only other sports we watch are baseball, biathlon and archery.

Doug64

My wife and I watch many of the major races and championships on NBC Sports Gold. I raced, my wife was a triathlete, and our son was a very talented CX racer. We enjoy wathcing most types of bike racing. We made a point of being in Paris for the ending of the Tour de France in 2011. We were on a 3-month bike tour in Europe and I needed some work done on an injured eye. We timed the medical work in Paris to be in the same week as the end of the Tour . We got a place, close to the finish line, on the Champs- Elysee to see the finish.

We got to the finish line about 4 hours early, and got a good spot.

indyfabz

In ‘95 four of us were riding to a Giro stage finish at the Bianchi factory when Pantani came spinning along in the opposite direction. He was sitting out the tour to get ready for the TdF after being injured in training that spring. In ‘87 I rode “with” (behind, actually) 7-11 and later Coors Lite the day before the US pro road race championship. Quite a thrill for the relative newb I was. Don’t think I even owned a jersey back then. Bike was a used Trek 660 with Campy Nuovo drivetrain and black Modolo brakes with (*gasp*) aero levers.

gregf83 

We have a week of Pro races in the summer which are well attended by cyclists and non-cyclists. All my cycling friends watch on TV/Internet when available. Most are older and have raced at one time or another. I think it's probably similar to most other sports like Hockey, Football, Baseball etc - anyone who has played at any competitive level tends to appreciate what professionals are capable of even if they quit playing in grade school.

Random11

I've watched the TdF the past couple of years, but I confess that I record it to watch later, and fast forward through most of it.

indyfabz

I.e., the commercials.

tomato coupe

Dress up like pros? Does that mean wearing cycling shorts instead of basketball shorts?