I’m not sure I ever learned anything from watching pro cycling, at least nothing I could apply to my own riding. The race tactics the pros employ to put pressure on their rivals are fascinating, but don’t come into play on a regular ride with friends, though I have thrown the occasional elbow (but only to Mike and Bruce) when pretending to jockey for position.
I forget who taught me to jump BMX bikes. Maybe I just monkey-saw-monkey-did? There is so much basic bike handling I was able to bring from childhood into my adult life, and that’s probably down to years spent just figuring it out, whaling rims against curbs, landing jumps I ought not to have ridden off in the first place, all in a time when my bones were still rubber and common sense was far less common.
I suppose that is quite literally the School of Hard Knocks, though I should give credit to my fellow students. I learned as much from their scraped knees and (undiagnosed) concussions as from my own.
Later, when I started riding road bikes, I learned from the Queen of the Local Crits when to shift, when to stand into the pedals, how to ride in a paceline, all that stuff, techniques and etiquette. Only blow a snot rocket when you’re on the back. Try not to stop pedaling. The price for a snot rocket shouldn’t be wasted watts.
On the mountain bike, I watched Hans Rey and Martyn Ashton videos for the basics of trials riding, which are just regular mountain bike handling in the most exaggerated way you could imagine. I went to the park and practiced (without ever getting very far). These days I’m watching Chris Akrigg and Ali Clarkson and some few others, without getting close to being able to ride like they do.
This week’s TCI Friday wonders who you learned to ride bikes from. Was it by watching pros? Did you have a cycling mentor? Did you watch how-to videos? Who taught you what you know about riding bikes?
A teenager down the street first taught me to ride a two wheeler as a youngster; thanks again, Susie!
Since then, I’ve been so entirely bemused by being on two wheels that whatever skills I’ve acquired seem to have just seeped in over all the revolutions and miles. And then there’s the many instances of trying to keep up with my faster buddies; much learning there. Finally there is the lifelong accumulation of smarts around how to use my body intelligently to create strength (this grows as age lessens my “brute” strength; it’s not an even exchange, but it’s something).
After surviving my Evil Knievel inspired youth, I started reading about the exploits of Greg Lemond but really didn’t know anything about being a cyclist. Then I met my best friend Clark who showed me how to string together day long MTB rides. Those rides included a co-worker, Red, who used to road race and who taught me how to lay down the power and really suffer. Thanks to this succession of mentors I will enjoy riding bikes for as long as I am alive.
My mom’s bestie Gail whom I refereed to as “Aunt Gail” was married to a lawyer who was back in the 60s-70s what would now be a Cat 1/Elite road racer. They had a lot of bike stuff at their place. At 6 or 7 when we moved back to VA I was behind the other kids since I did not know how to ride a bike. We went to their house and not only did she have a bike for me, a purple Schwinn StingRay, but had me riding that afternoon before dinner. She gave me the bike and I was on my way.
I never really looked up to any pros or icons and still don’t. The biggest influences have always been my friends. Just the sense of adventure and later aggression. I never paid much attention to the why’s, who’s, how’s or what’s. I just went for it for better or worse. As time went on efforts at rad-getting blended into it, but again I really did not pay much attention to any pros.
I have pals who are phenomenal riders and they push me and sometimes I push them. Our friendships however extend beyond the cycling realm. I’ve ridden with pros and sponsored riders. Some were cool and some less so. What can I say? No heroes, just ride.
My Dad taught me, ages ago.
When I picked up cycling for real a bit less than 20 years ago, I learned from the more experienced people I rode with. And that’s held true on the road, gravel, and MTB.
CX is different. I’ve attended many clinics, learning from national champs and regional coaches. And I’ve spectated a LOT of professional CX, which is by far the best discipline to learn tips, techniques, and tricks from watching.