“Nice morning”

If you have been out on your bike in these past few weeks you will have noticed a strange creature in the side of the road, where you normally are. They are usually a larger creature than the conventional occupant of the kerb with glorious natural hair in abundance, all over their body.

These individuals are clothed in anything from running shorts, to the complete 1991 Carrera outfit, an outfit which Claudio Chiapucchi attempted to confuse the public that cyclists were looked appropriate in denim shorts! Some are bare chested, some adorned in football tops, some are squeezed into a jersey that fitted their previous bikes journey, 10 kgs ago.

And the bikes, cables firing vertically out of the brake levers, rattly, with the 6 speed chain welded into the 13 sprocket for a painfull, difficult to stay vertical – 25 revs per minute cadence. Frames: too big, too small, too long and always with the saddle so high, the motion of pedalling making their hips do a seesaw impersonation. The tell tale line of sweat filled underwear is visible in its presence through the Lycra and later will announce to the wearer its presence, in other ways! A mess maybe, but to the untrained eye they look like you and I. A cyclist.

These people are have been inspired by the Tour de France on the television. Inspired by the superhuman efforts of our heroes and the sheer beauty of an efficient, professional cyclist, and thought to themselves “I’m going for a spin”
They have made the effort to relive a youthful past, or borrowed a bike to give it a go.

We might feel worlds apart from these creatures, but they are our sports future. They could be the father of a champion or the sale of a new machine that keeps the local bike shop open. They are the growth of the finest toughest sport in the world and are welcome to the space on the side of the road in all their fluorescent, wheezing beauty.

And for that very reason, it is why the sport must be on its best behaviour in the month of July. “I’m going for a spin” might not happen if another drugs scandal kills the image of a hero and makes him look life a thief. On the bike fighting or poor sportsmanship is not the message our sports needs.

The hairy creature at the side of the road, wobbling, dressed in trainers and a red face, is only a year and a friendly cycling club away from becoming you and I. Most cycling magazines double their sales in July. If our sport can improve, and encourage this interest we will win. With the evidence this year on alpine passes of most athletes breathing thru their mouths, not their noses, the trust and honesty is returning.

I’m off for a spin with my helmet facing the correct way, but in my 1987 La vie Claire woollen jersey, just to show camaraderie.