NASCAR Drivers are taking up Cycling
05-19-17, 06:40 PM
#1
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NASCAR Drivers are taking up Cycling
I live in the heart of NASCAR country near Charlotte. We have Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Hall of Fame and lots of NASCAR garages. We car pooled to school with one of the drivers who lives in our neighborhood. I'm not a NASCAR fan but I follow some of the stuff......
Today's drivers are a lot more fitness conscious. A few have become pretty good cyclists. Some of the drivers are even pushing their crew members to ride for fitness and that helps the team.
The Assault on Mt Mitchell (102 miles with 10,000'+ climbing) was held Monday. I saw where 3 drivers rode and did quite well. Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenneth and Jamie McMurray rode and finished right at 6 hours which is very good. I think the first finisher was just 30 mins faster. George Hincapie and Bobby Julich also rode and I suspect helped the drivers along the way. The finish photos show Hincapie and Johnson crossing the line together.
I've seen lots of local articles and photos of the drivers at the event.
I also read an article where Johnson even got Dale Jr on a bike, spandex and all. I wonder what his Dad would have thought about that.......
When I get time I'll try and link some of the stuff to the post. Just thought I'd mention while I was thinking about it.
Today's drivers are a lot more fitness conscious. A few have become pretty good cyclists. Some of the drivers are even pushing their crew members to ride for fitness and that helps the team.
The Assault on Mt Mitchell (102 miles with 10,000'+ climbing) was held Monday. I saw where 3 drivers rode and did quite well. Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenneth and Jamie McMurray rode and finished right at 6 hours which is very good. I think the first finisher was just 30 mins faster. George Hincapie and Bobby Julich also rode and I suspect helped the drivers along the way. The finish photos show Hincapie and Johnson crossing the line together.
I've seen lots of local articles and photos of the drivers at the event.
I also read an article where Johnson even got Dale Jr on a bike, spandex and all. I wonder what his Dad would have thought about that.......
When I get time I'll try and link some of the stuff to the post. Just thought I'd mention while I was thinking about it.
05-20-17, 12:57 PM
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I'd rather watch 'em race bicycles. NASCAR is SO boring. Used to be a big fan.
05-20-17, 03:47 PM
#7
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Former F1 world champion James Hunt famously took up cycling after he retired.
Indycar driver Tony Kanaan is a very accomplished triathlete - which as a less accomplished triathlete I can acknowledge does not make him a highly skilled cyclist - but he does at least have a high level of bike fitness.
Not sure I can say cycling or auto racing is more entertaining to watch, either way. Grew up in the auto racing world, used to follow it and enjoy watching races but not nearly as much now and never was much of a NASCAR fan. Starting to follow pro cycling a bit more, but can't really say it's super entertaining to watch if you're not a cyclist.
Indycar driver Tony Kanaan is a very accomplished triathlete - which as a less accomplished triathlete I can acknowledge does not make him a highly skilled cyclist - but he does at least have a high level of bike fitness.
Not sure I can say cycling or auto racing is more entertaining to watch, either way. Grew up in the auto racing world, used to follow it and enjoy watching races but not nearly as much now and never was much of a NASCAR fan. Starting to follow pro cycling a bit more, but can't really say it's super entertaining to watch if you're not a cyclist.
05-21-17, 12:14 PM
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Former World Champion Formula 1 driver Jenson Button is still an active triathlete though he had to take a break to drive the Monaco Grand Prix next weekend while Fernando Alonso (who was, at one time, close to buying a whole Pro-level cycling team) tries to win at Indianapolis.
I follow Jenson Button on Strava and from what I see there he is an excellent cyclist!
Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard were both active cyclists and David still is.
Rick / OCRR
I follow Jenson Button on Strava and from what I see there he is an excellent cyclist!
Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard were both active cyclists and David still is.
Rick / OCRR
05-23-17, 12:06 PM
#10
Beicwyr Hapus
Not Nascar, but Nicky Hayden, former MotoGP world champion died this week after being hit by a car while out on his bike training on the Rimini coast.
Last edited by Gerryattrick; 05-23-17 at 02:52 PM.
05-23-17, 12:39 PM
#11
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I was on a club ride in the Santa Monica mountains last month and we came across Jenson riding with a couple of his buds. Fast rider he is.
Former World Champion Formula 1 driver Jenson Button is still an active triathlete though he had to take a break to drive the Monaco Grand Prix next weekend while Fernando Alonso (who was, at one time, close to buying a whole Pro-level cycling team) tries to win at Indianapolis.
I follow Jenson Button on Strava and from what I see there he is an excellent cyclist!
Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard were both active cyclists and David still is.
Rick / OCRR
I follow Jenson Button on Strava and from what I see there he is an excellent cyclist!
Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard were both active cyclists and David still is.
Rick / OCRR
05-25-17, 10:38 PM
#12
Senior Member
A *lot* of Formula 1 racing drivers are avid cyclists. Button, Hamilton, Ericson, Alonzo, Mark Webber (retired), and many others. Also, quite a few Le Man's drivers are cyclists.
I also follow Button on Strava. He's done a few of the same rides as I have, and my performance matches his quite closely.
But he's a triathlete, and I can't swim or run competitively, as he can. 
I also follow Button on Strava. He's done a few of the same rides as I have, and my performance matches his quite closely.
But he's a triathlete, and I can't swim or run competitively, as he can.
