yeah I found it very interesting how he seemed to think cycling in a certain form - club cycling as he remembered and loved it - was a dying sport in Britain.
Which seems a bit odd when cycling appears to be one of the growth 'leisure pursuits' in the UK, as we keep hearing from BC.
I guess that was his point though, that cycle sport - as contested between clubs - was suffering as cycling was turning into a casual mass-participation hobby.
I'd be interested to know how club memberships and road race / time trial entries have held up over say the last 10 or 20 years.
I know there has been a feeling at some clubs that the sharp end of the amateur sport (Cat 3 up to elite racing) had been neglected bacause of a broader membership who were just interested in social club rides and sportives etc.
In the case of the club I've been going out with, it led to a split a few years back, with a bunch of the best riders leaving to form a racing club... Two racing clubs actually!
Which seems a shame as they were and are probably quite intimidating places to join, while the original club would have been left weaker - although it now seems to be in good health again. What you want ideally is a club where beginner / intermediate riders are encouraged (if they want to be) by the better riders to get fitter, stronger, faster and to race.
Interesting subject.
Reply With Quote