tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737851275453020904.post1023558929213033753..comments2024-03-08T14:27:48.599-08:00Comments on albertnet: Is the Red Hook Criterium Series Good For Cycling?Dana Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13488621586586091954noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737851275453020904.post-33821546757895701372018-04-29T03:39:48.047-07:002018-04-29T03:39:48.047-07:00I like the special equipment, special context aspe...I like the special equipment, special context aspect of the RHC. After all, that's kind of the point of ANY game or sport: the rules. I also like the thought that it's something some of my friends can race in, and that, with a little dedication, I might have participated in it myself. I like that it is unequivocally daring. Meanwhile, I agree; cycling does not need this kind of attention. But in a way, I think that its existence is not entirely unhealthy. It sort of organizes exposure to the risks and injuries (highlighting the fact that it's not cycling itself, but the manner and circumstances of the ride that may be dangerous) and serves as an outlet for daredevil tendencies.Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07642313758311763624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737851275453020904.post-13006020294047315792016-05-24T21:17:47.864-07:002016-05-24T21:17:47.864-07:00I think if they want to make it fair, they should ...I think if they want to make it fair, they should allow any type of bikes, whether it is track pursuit specialist with their pursuit track bikes, crit specialist with their crit bikes, or any other type of bikes that those rider or specialists think they could do better with. There is no reason to limit it to fixed gear track bikes, they mind as well specify BMX bike for no reason but to see people pedal at 200rpm.<br /><br />Also, these 'American' sports seems to be more about the spectator, such as football, where the players' endurance doesn't have to last more than 10 seconds, or get constantly switched out. Versus the non American sports like cycling or soccer where its about the athletes, where they have to keep going, non-stop, but requires fans that has attention span of more than a few seconds.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737851275453020904.post-41825786521568577402016-05-24T21:00:19.621-07:002016-05-24T21:00:19.621-07:00Many of the people watch crits and circuit races n...Many of the people watch crits and circuit races not for the tactics or the actual racing, but for the excitement of a whole bunch of bikes wooshing by, which is the limit of their attention span. When the pack passes, its party time until the pack comes around again. And if there are crashes, its an added bonus not unlike seeing one in nascar.<br /><br />It is probably the same reason hockey and basketball changed from a skill and agility sport to violent checks and contacts once it comes to the US, and with hockey, they let the players fight uninterrupted until the ref thinks they had enough.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737851275453020904.post-36778190722141996012016-05-15T13:48:26.822-07:002016-05-15T13:48:26.822-07:00The enjoyment of crashes of all types, in all spor...The enjoyment of crashes of all types, in all sports and endeavors has long impressed me as an example of the ancient barbaric origins of humanity.<br /><br />Who knows? Perhaps Trimble can be persuaded to spend some of his substantial budget on building proper velodromes where fixed gear racing can flourish safely.<br />Bob Muzzynoreply@blogger.com