‘Creating our own utopias’: the Black cycling revolution sweeping the globe
I speak to a former elite racer about my love of cycling and the grassroots groups breaking cultural barriers to entry
Economic rather than cultural barriers I would have thought.
But actually discussing this would lead to thinking that certain gene sets – associated with skin colour, yes, but only associated – lead to an outperformance at certain tasks. Which would never do now, would it, for we’re all blank slates.
Cycling is expensive. Not so much the kit itself. Rather, the surface upon which to do it. Lossa nicely paved roads seems to be a useful precursor. That means being in a rich country.
There are cultural issues as well. I’ve heard – somewhere or other – that Eritrea hsa a significant road racing scene as a result of the Italian colonial influence.
But still – a useful starting point is that it’s necessary to have 100 miles of paved road before it’s possible to have a 100 mile road race.
Then there’s that physical issue. Now this is just me gobbing off, not speaking from any position of knowledge. But it’s certainly possible that the gene sets which make West Africans bad swimmers and excellent short distance sprinters could have an influence on certain types of cycling. Dunno, kirin maybe, or track sprints, or that one where they start really slow on opposite sides of the track etc. Similarly, we might think that East African (and altitude upbringing) gene sets which lead to long distance running success might be usefully applied to 100 mile road races. It’s even possible to go one step further into real speculation and think that Indios raised at 12 and 14 thousand feet might do well in sprinting up Alps. You know, speculation.
To be crude about it, as the black world gets rich it’s entirely possible to think that those – varied, as above associated with but not actually determined by skin colours – gene sets might lead to conwuering cycling. As has happened with sprinting and long distance running of course. Though I do think that the real irruption in mountains is going to come when the Incas discover the wheel.
Anyway, such speculation aside. I don;t think that it’s cultural issues at all. It’s money. Cycling is just one of those things that – for the sport, not the replacement for Shank’s Pony – thrives in a rich society. Because, d’ye see, roads?
Oh, I’m sure the real answer is ‘racism’ again…
For what it’s worth: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_Taylor
The spaces I’ve been in – from velodromes, bicycle shops or exhibitions – there weren’t any Black people promoting their brands or creativities. The entire culture, even in magazines, is all white.
Lol. Lives in a white country – seems annoyed that white people are everywhere…
Hey, that’s my bike!
In all likelihood Nesquik owes her enthusiasm to a pedalo on the Blue Nile.
Chris Froome grew up in Kenya; seemed a pretty decent bike rider.
Cyclo-cross and mountain biking don’t need roads.
I have a carbon fibre road bike that I used to use for training and triathlons, that was quite expensive. But the bike I used to use for commuting is more of an off road style bike that I bought in 1993. I used it because bits of the old disused railway line weren’t too well surfaced and it could take the rough with the smooth. It definitely paid for itself with all the diesel I saved by not using the car.
I read a while back that it was the bicycle that opened up France by allowing rural types to travel more extensively, cheaply. That’ll have required roads first but probably they were there already. Anyway, the French are keen on cycling, as we know.
What about American blacks? Similar situation, surely. Cheap travel, though perhaps not as cheap as riding on freight trains. Do American blacks cycle? Does anyone, there?
‘Sir, a negro’s cycling is like a dog’s walking on his hind legs. It is not done well; but you are surprised to find it done at all.’
Norman – Do American blacks cycle? Does anyone, there?
Yes (after being banned for drunk driving)
– Is it cos I is black?
– No, it’s because you’re an entitled road hogging lycra twat. Now fuck off out the way.
More seriously, I do see black riders on the roads, singly and in mixed race groups. If there is discrimination here it isn’t total.
Black men are of course at a significant disadvantage because of the shape of the saddle. For obvious reasons.
“…it’s necessary to have 100 miles of paved road before it’s possible to have a 100 mile road race. ”
Really? Two laps on a 50 mile road? Three on a 34 mile road*? Four on a 25 mile road? I could go on. 🙂
* and 2 miles to slow down after the sprint finish.
Does this mean they will no longer compete in the catch-a-missionary race?
And another thing: will African drag queens be allowed to compete in the women’s cycle races?
Ummm yeah… road and track cycling is something you start about as young as when you aspire to get into Formula 1. About 4-5 years old….
It takes a *lot* of talent and training to get to the point where you can add to your income as an amateur. Even more so to get into the paid category, let alone “well-paid”.
And then generally not even enough to retire.
Africans do not compete in cycling because they can’t.
They don’t because it’s a bad investment of your time and energy. About anything else has a better chance of making your daily bread.
Unless you’re state-sponsored… Which is why a hell of a lot of peeps in cycling outside the few countries where it’s a tradition ( really just Clogland, Belgium and France…) are Armed Forces…
Because Olympics, status, and …Stuff…
I see lots of black youths on bicycles where I live, usually just before, or just after, they have nicked someone’s hand held mobile phone.
Am I racist?
Am I racist?
If you’re not now, just pop into any major British city and you soon will be.
Hope that helps x
No, you’re just observant.
Around here I see a lot of black (or dark brown) youths completely dressed in the black gang uniform, balaclavas on, carrying Deliveroo or Just Eat boxes on their electric bikes. Why the need to hide your face from the public surveillance cameras if you’re innocently delivering a takeaway? I suspect the contents of those couriers’ boxes frequently create a pungent smell, and not that of curry.
Nitpicking, but the races that start on opposite sides of the track aren’t those that start slowly.
If we’re talking genetics, Africa has more genetic diversity by far than any other population. So if you’re looking for a genetic advantage in any physical activity you’re more likely to find it in Africa.
Shame that they seem to come up short on the mental advantages. Or maybe that’s a why. If you have the physical you’re less likely to breed for the mental. They didn’t pass through the severe genetic bottle neck that was moving out of Africa.
Cycling requires smooth roads, but all our trainee cyclists keep breaking their limbs in our many potholes.
Does cycling require a smooth road?
These days they sell things that you put your bike on and it provides resistance so you can train in your garage when the weather is a bit shit. (So September through to July in the UK).
Or there’s those things at gyms and sold by Peloton or somebody that give you a little graphic to look at of someone cycling as they provide varying levels of resistance.
Or as Frank H points out…
Do a half mile loop of paved bit and then circle it 200 times. doesn’t even have to be that paved. Do it on a gravel track and then when the athlete goes to the paved stuff they’ll go like the clappers.
@CD
But how would you voluntarily get people to do this? With sports, you do something, you enjoy it, you get better at it, you become competitive. You’re asking people to become competitive before they’ve even tried the activity.
“Africa has more genetic diversity by far than any other population.” That’s one of those true lies. It’s true literally but it’s political propaganda intended to mislead – the great bulk of the diversity is concentrated in handfuls of people, mostly still hunter-gatherers e.g. yer Bushmen, yer Pygmies, and a group in Tanzania called Hadza.
I assume that we are using “Africans” in the American sense, excluding the swarthy white people of North Africa, and the mixed-race folk of Madagascar and South Africa.