Job Discussion Forums

asromacalcio · Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 54

Where in the world is professional cycling (road, Lance Armstrong style) a popular participant sport, but there is little traffic? In Italy (the north) it's all the rage but the amount of cars spoils it for me.

Got to have something to do when lessons finish.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

I don't understand. If you are a professional road cyclist you would know where the spoprt is popular. If you are not then you cannot participate in it.

Do you mean: "Where in the world is amateur and semi-professional road cycle-racing a popular participant sport, but there is little traffic?"

asromacalcio · Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 54

OK, amateur cycling will do.

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

Go off road?

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:57 pm Post subject:

Not in Latin America, unfortunately.

Justin

MamaOaxaca · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 201 Location: Mixteca, Oaxaca

Actually it's fairly popluar in Mexico Justin.
In the last several years there have been some world class cyclists come out of Mexico and the media has drawn attention to the sport.
In my part of Mexico there isn't much highway traffic and what traffic there is, is rarely travelling more than 45 mph, due to the geography and lack of funding for road maintenance.

BUT most motorists are not considerate to the cyclists they share the road with, the cyclist must yeild because they are smaller, period.

It's quiet popular to combine cycling with religious pilgrimages here and just about every time I'm out on the interstate I see a group of cyclists on their way to the Juquila shrine.

Just last Saturday, I met a Swedish women cycling her way from Baja California to Chiapas.

medusa · Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Posts: 50 Location: France / India

I live 30km from Bordeaux, France in the countryside and it's pretty damn popular here!!!!
Everyday, there are streams of groups of cyclists flying around the area, it's very hilly with windy roads in a beautiful setting (vinyards and more vinyards) but not much opportunities for full time teaching however.....

Oh, and there's a large triathlon movement, maybe that's why!
The cars are used to it, but perhaps not too sparing if you're a lone rider......

asromacalcio · Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 54

helmsman · Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 58 Location: GCC

You can scratch the Arabian Gulf off your list. I bought a mountain bike in the UAE and tried to ride it on the roads, but I gave it up pretty quickly on account of the insane local driving habits. This is a shame because the weather is usually dry and sunny and the roads are in beautiful condition, in general. Unfortunately the local Arabs, being rich, can afford powerful SUVs and luxury cars and enjoy driving them a top speed, regardless of the conditions. Naturally, traffic fatalities are among the highest in the world. Still, there is a hardcore group of cyclists and triathletes who somehow manage to train and race. Too dangerous for me though. I�ll stick to riding in the sand. Good luck in Latvia. And be sure to let us know how it is.