Is cycling a sport?

WinPitcher

Just wondering what all the experts on what constitutes a sport think.



Steve

tkd7

Cycling is a sport. It involves strength, endurance, and strategy.

It is not, however, a very good spectator sport to watch these attributes.

To me, there is a spectrum from game (strategy based) to sport (athletic based). On one end of the spectrum are games like chess. On the other end are athletic events like track. Everything else falls in between as there are elements of both. Basketball is more towards the sport end of the spectrum than baseball, but it doesn't make one better than the other. Archery is more towards the game end of the spectrum than baseball.

Gator5220

Yes, it is a sport, for the reasons listed above.

megatron

Yes, it is a sport because drugs must be taken to achieve greatness (except for Lance)

J/K......Yes, it is definitely a sport, and I think it is a great spectator sport......just not a great one in the U.S.

tkd7

<< <i>Cycling is a sport. It involves strength, endurance, and strategy.

It is not, however, a very good spectator sport to watch these attributes.

<< <i>

I will say it is the best tailgating sport. I live in NJ and there is the Tour of Somerville every Memorial Day. It is one big party with people having barbeques on the fron lawn as the race goes by. There are street vendors and the whole nine yards.

Even beyond that there is the Tour de France. Can get better tailgating than that. What other top event in the sport is free, all you have to do is show up at the side of the road?

DirtyHarry

I think it's a sport. A cyclyist is a specialized trained athelete competeing against others in their venue.

Axtell

Absolutely a sport...unlike the 'sport' (ha!) of race car driving, the athlete is actually powering the machine. Watching some of the tour de france the past few years, those climbs through the mountains are unreal.

baseballfanatic

<< <i>

<< <i>Cycling is a sport. It involves strength, endurance, and strategy.

It is not, however, a very good spectator sport to watch these attributes.

<< <i>

I will say it is the best tailgating sport. I live in NJ and there is the Tour of Somerville every Memorial Day. It is one big party with people having barbeques on the fron lawn as the race goes by. There are street vendors and the whole nine yards.

Even beyond that there is the Tour de France. Can get better tailgating than that. What other top event in the sport is free, all you have to do is show up at the side of the road? >>



I can't tell you how many THOUSANDS of times I have driven past Eric Heiden's bicycle in the glass case on main street in Somerville. Though it may be a sport, I can't see what attracts fans to something (most) people can do with little or no effort. Kinda like watching poker or bowling.............

coinkat

yes

tkd7

<< <i>
I can't tell you how many THOUSANDS of times I have driven past Eric Heiden's bicycle in the glass case on main street in Somerville. Though it may be a sport, I can't see what attracts fans to something (most) people can do with little or no effort. Kinda like watching poker or bowling............. >>



Its funny, I have heard people say before that anyone can ride a bike, what makes it so special, and I've never ever understood that. I think those people should find a local bike race and enter to see what it is like. Its not like running a 5K where everyone that finishes gets a time and a medal for participation even though they never ran for one second at the pace of the winner. In bike racing, if you can't stay within striking distance of the winner, you are out of the event. No time, no medal, no nothing. Go home and train some more.

So yes, I can ride a bike. I can shoot free throws, throw a baseball, kick a soccer ball, and swim in a pool, but I've never thought that I was a competitor in the NBA, MLB, MSL, or Olympics.

joestalin

Id like to see MJ, Bonds or TO ride a bike up one side of the alps and back down again. There are no time outs in cycling!

JS