Professional Cycling For the Fans - What's the story with throwing rubbish?

OK. I realise the tours have cleaners that would follow the riders up. But what message does it give? You have riders growing through some pretty amazing country, and guys are throwing rubbish, like they are important, like they are more important than the landscape.

People go on and on about role models taking drugs, banging on about how drugs are bad for the user and 'send a bad message'. What message does throwing your protein bar wrapper and drink bottle into the stream, send to the kids?

OK. I realize the tours have cleaners that would follow the riders up. But what message does it give? You have riders growing through some pretty amazing country, and guys are throwing rubbish, like they are important, like they are more important than the landscape.

People go on and on about role models taking drugs, banging on about how drugs are bad for the user and 'send a bad message'. What message does throwing your protein bar wrapper and drink bottle into the stream, send to the kids?

I'd rather start my eco-consciousness with the people who throw cigarette butts out the window of their cars because they don't want to get the car's ashtray dirty.

Or how 'bout criticizing every motor-sport that is eating up fuel and spew exhaust.

I'd rather start my eco-consciousness with the people who throw cigarette butts out the window of their cars because they don't want to get the car's ashtray dirty.

Or how 'bout criticizing every motor-sport that is eating up fuel and spew exhaust.

YOU want your car ashtray dirty? no one uses those

OK. I realise the tours have cleaners that would follow the riders up. But what message does it give? You have riders growing through some pretty amazing country, and guys are throwing rubbish, like they are important, like they are more important than the landscape.

People go on and on about role models taking drugs, banging on about how drugs are bad for the user and 'send a bad message'. What message does throwing your protein bar wrapper and drink bottle into the stream, send to the kids?

:wtf: They are important, that's why they have people clean up for them.

How about, instead of whining about it, you propose a solution that's better than having someone else clean up after them.

They're not throwing rubbish. They're distributing souvenirs.

They should carry trash bags. Eco-friendly and green, of course. Then they should be required to give environmental classes to children since they are role models.

OK. I realise the tours have cleaners that would follow the riders up. But what message does it give? You have riders growing through some pretty amazing country, and guys are throwing rubbish, like they are important, like they are more important than the landscape.

People go on and on about role models taking drugs, banging on about how drugs are bad for the user and 'send a bad message'. What message does throwing your protein bar wrapper and drink bottle into the stream, send to the kids?


If you want to get into the "What message does it send to the kids?" . . . . be prepared to go back to to the beginning of time.

My solution: take the bottles and the wrappers back to the team cars, where they get them from.

My solution: take the bottles and the wrappers back to the team cars, where they get them from.

But that's kind of stupid when there are people who pick it up.

But that's kind of stupid when there are people who pick it up.

What, they guarantee to pick up every piece?

What's so hard about putting your wrapper back in your pocket?

I'm disgusted by all the cars and roads. They should race on goat trails and hunt for food every night.

I'm disgusted by all the cars and roads. They should race on goat trails and hunt for food every night.

Yes give each rider 1 Buck knife, a few matches and a bit of chocolate. Of course they would not be allowed to throw the chocolate wrapper on the ground, what message would that send to kids?

But they should have to hunt their own dinner each evening.

ps> this thread is a joke right? no one is honestly losing sleep over bicycle racers dropping their candy bar wrappers on the ground during a race event, yes? This is just a thread is intended to be silly, yes?

The riders should make their own knife during the race, you wanna eat meat, get forging!

The spectators enjoy picking up the water bottles for souveneirs, the same as baseball fans catching a foul ball. As far as the wrappers go, the spectators are probably leaving behind more garbage than the riders are.

They should carry trash bags. Eco-friendly and green, of course. Then they should be required to give environmental classes to children since they are role models.

Oh, please. This is a tempest in a teapot. The amount of "pollution" by the peloton is nothing. Look at the hordes of spectators by the side of the road, trampling pristine mountain meadows, throwing trash all over the place-just the drunks pissing by the roadside cause thousands of times more pollution than the peloton.

Oh, please. This is a tempest in a teapot. The amount of "pollution" by the peloton is nothing. Look at the hordes of spectators by the side of the road, trampling pristine mountain meadows, throwing trash all over the place-just the drunks pissing by the roadside cause thousands of times more pollution than the peloton.

It went over your head, but I was joking.

Yes give each rider 1 Buck knife, a few matches and a bit of chocolate. Of course they would not be allowed to throw the chocolate wrapper on the ground, what message would that send to kids?

But they should have to hunt their own dinner each evening.

ps> this thread is a joke right? no one is honestly losing sleep over bicycle racers dropping their candy bar wrappers on the ground during a race event, yes? This is just a thread is intended to be silly, yes?

and a trash bag, of course.

Actually, how about they award bonus time for riders who stop and pick up trash along the way? I'd like to see Lance and Contador fighting over the same old bottle, while Sastre races ahead for a scrap of tin foil by the road.

and a trash bag, of course.

Actually, how about they award bonus time for riders who stop and pick up trash along the way? I'd like to see Lance and Contador fighting over the same old bottle, while Sastre races ahead for a scrap of tin foil by the road.

:roflmao2:

Oh, please. This is a tempest in a teapot. The amount of "pollution" by the peloton is nothing. Look at the hordes of spectators by the side of the road, trampling pristine mountain meadows, throwing trash all over the place-just the drunks pissing by the roadside cause thousands of times more pollution than the peloton.

Yes. You're not getting it. The question is: what message does the peloton send by throwing rubbish at the landscape? What kind of connection do people watching the race both on TV and on the side of the road make between themselves and the riders when the riders throw their trash off their bikes?

It's the American way. . . let someone else pick up the litter!

They should carry trash bags. Eco-friendly and green, of course. Then they should be required to give environmental classes to children since they are role models.

They've got it covered - in the Official Rules even - as long as they don't throw anything on the road (which means bottles and bags apparently).

ARTICLE 6
FEEDING
Refreshments for riders are distributed in two ways:

a) Feeding stations

Supplies at feeding stations are handed out by the staff accompanying the teams. This distribution takes place only in areas clearly marked with official banners and signs, except in cases where other provisions have been clearly indicated beforehand. Stations will be set up on only one side of the roadway, the rules specifying on the right side only.

b) Outside feeding stations Supplies of drinks from the organiser’s motorcycles are permitted for riders
who have made breakaways and their sports manager’s car is not present at the front of the race. These supplies can be made available according to the distance rules set out in the regulations of the sport of cycling applicable to road races, as established by UCI. This may be done by using feeding bags and drink containers.

Rules governing feeding are as follows:

• In general, continuous supplying is authorised between the signs located near the 50th kilometre and the signs marking the end of the feeding zone posted 20 kilometres from the finish. Race directors may, with the approval of the stewards, change these provisions during a stage to adapt to weather conditions or any exceptional circumstances.

• Riders must fall back to a position even with their sports manager’s car and behind the car of the race director or the stewards;

• In the event of a breakaway, supplying is authorised at the back of the group, as long as the group includes no more than fifteen riders;

• In general, no calls are allowed on Radio-Tour from 12 kilometres before each feeding station and 10 kilometres thereafter.

• Any spraying of competitors from a vehicle is strictly forbidden.

Competitors who accept food or drink from spectators do so at their own risk, including that of criminal prosecution. To prevent falls of multiple riders and spectator injuries or encouraging spectators to cross the road, it is strictly forbidden to carelessly jettison food, feeding bags or drink containers or any other accessory. A special motorcycle is assigned to collect waste. Carrying or using glass containers is
strictly forbidden. Competitors are not allowed to throw anything onto the road.

The original post WAS a joke, right?? I too vote we cut the lips off all smokers who cast butts out their windows first, then address this issue.

Yes. You're not getting it. The question is: what message does the peloton send by throwing rubbish at the landscape? What kind of connection do people watching the race both on TV and on the side of the road make between themselves and the riders when the riders throw their trash off their bikes?
what message ? that is there is still some hope for the French after all,they haven't completely surrendered to the whacko environmentalist.

Hey, another question that gets asked every freakin' year!

You're worried about a bunch of stuff that ultimately gets picked up by fans yet don't have a concern about the two dozen following vehicles spewing pollutants into the air.

It's sending no message to the "wide-eyed, impressionable chilluns" because....they aren't watching the Tour. They're too busy blowing up things and killing people on Xbox.

Seriously? do you REALLY think that kids are watching the Tour, and will then go ride their bikes and throw trash all over the place in order to emulate their favourite rider?

WTF?

Seriously? do you REALLY think that kids are watching the Tour, and will then go ride their bikes and throw trash all over the place in order to emulate their favourite rider?

WTF?

The roadie set are notorious for littering - gel packets, powerbar wrappers, tubes, miscellaneous expensive bits of carbon fibre bikes (actually, I just made that last bit up) - and yes, I think it has a lot to do with pretentions of elite status brought on by the wearing of silly clothes and riding expensive bikes. The attitudes of some of these wankers is laughable. Fortuntely, these idiots are a minority in the roadie set (though their actions colour everyone's reputation) but yeah, the littering does happen.

Returning to the OP's post.
Just about everything thrown away by riders is snapped up by the fans as souvenirs (sp?). Drink bottles, mussettes and the like are highly prized. I guess exceptions would be gel wrappers and other food scraps though maybe I'm wrong there.

The Tour Down Under occurs around my home area and there is never any apparent litter left after the race has finished so even here, the collecting urge is strong. Mind you, the TDU is pretty well organised so maybe I just haven't noticed the cleanup happening.

On this year's telecast, I have seen several riders gulping gels and sticking the packet back in their pocket. Maybe there was some left (cue revolting ooze into your back pocket) or some other motive operating but I remember thinking at the time that it was mere tidiness rather than just discarding the wrapper.

Richard

The roadie set are notorious for littering - gel packets, powerbar wrappers, tubes, miscellaneous expensive bits of carbon fibre bikes (actually, I just made that last bit up) - and yes, I think it has a lot to do with pretentions of elite status brought on by the wearing of silly clothes and riding expensive bikes. The attitudes of some of these wankers is laughable. Fortuntely, these idiots are a minority in the roadie set (though their actions colour everyone's reputation) but yeah, the littering does happen.

Some roadies, yes. They didn't learn that behaviour by watching the Tour....they're just gits in general.

I carry all of my trash with me. But then, I'm not racing either. In a race, tucking a Gu packet in a jersey pocket could cost you enough time to make it second instead of first. I'm a tree-hugger, but I don't see how Tour riders tossing Gu packets or water bottles is that urgent of an environmental issue.

"Of course I litter the public highway. Every chance I get. After all, it's not the beer cans that are ugly; it's the highway that is ugly." ("The Second **** of the West," The Journey Home, 1977) - The great desert environmentalist Edward Abbey.

I've always felt similarly about cigarette butts: they're certainly closer to nature and will be long gone well before all the concrete and asphalt we've placed over the land.

"Of course I litter the public highway. Every chance I get. After all, it's not the beer cans that are ugly; it's the highway that is ugly." ("The Second **** of the West," The Journey Home, 1977) - The great desert environmentalist Edward Abbey.

I agree with Edward Abbey on this. Highways ARE ugly.
(I recommend Desert Solitaire, btw.... great book.)

My pet peeve, batters dropping their bat on the ground when they get a hit? Would it kill them to put it back where they got it?

Seriously? do you REALLY think that kids are watching the Tour, and will then go ride their bikes and throw trash all over the place in order to emulate their favourite rider?


I believe lots of people (adult and juvenile) subconciously emulate celebrity behaviour so I don't see it being such a long bow being drawn - look at all the tweenage girls that look and act like Britney these days.

I have just returned from a recent cycling holiday around France and noticed the cleanliness and lack of litter around the place, the glaring exception being L'Alpe d'Huez where there were hundreds of gel, powerbar packets and a few drink bottles scattered on the side of the road. These were obviously cycle related products on one of the most popular cycling routes in France and was quite disapointing to see.

Thank you for your comments Falchoon.

Watching Lance yesterday begin his descent from the Tormalet he just ditches his wrapper over the side of the rail. He's not using the special rubbish motorbike.

Who guarantees that each piece of gel wrapper is picked up by the following 'cleaning party'? What happens when the wind blows it away?

Thank you for your comments Falchoon.

Watching Lance yesterday begin his descent from the Tormalet he just ditches his wrapper over the side of the rail. He's not using the special rubbish motorbike.

Who guarantees that each piece of gel wrapper is picked up by the following 'cleaning party'? What happens when the wind blows it away?

once again in this upside down world am wondering if this person is serious or not....he's not using the "special rubbish motorbike" He's fiercely competing in this major event and should be concerned with a "special rubbish motorbike" Like the one person asked earlier in this thread,you all just joking right ?

once again in this upside down world am wondering if this person is serious or not....he's not using the "special rubbish motorbike" He's fiercely competing in this major event and should be concerned with a "special rubbish motorbike" Like the one person asked earlier in this thread,you all just joking right ?

I'm thinking they should establish a different shade of green jersey that would go to the rider who left the smallest cabon foot print. The one who never misses the "special rubbish motorbike" and/or always makes sure his candy wrapper ends up in an approved waste basket. Also, this new "green" jersey would go to any rider who uses a bicycle that they pruches from Craigslist so that no new carbons had been created. We should reward riders who recycle bicycles by purchasing a used one from CL or Ebay instead of buying new. This would set a good example for kids (and quite possibly help my CL sales).

We might also include a jersey for the best personal hygene but that should go in a different thread.

IAlso, this new "green" jersey would go to any rider who uses a bicycle that they pruches from Craigslist so that no new carbons had been created. We should reward riders who recycle bicycles by purchasing a used one from CL or Ebay instead of buying new.

Which brings up an interesting question. What exactly is the Carbon Footprint on a CF bike? If the frame weighs 1100g (for example), is the footprint 1100g?

Lance's next nike commercial:

"We can work together to find a cure for cancer. And, be sure not to litter!"

Seriously OP, you're worrying about something completely negligible. Until I opened this thread, I never even thought about what happens to the riders' trash.

If this is truly important to you, start a NPO who's mission is to "clean up the peleton" or fly yourself over to France and follow the tour around with a bag and a pointy stick.

What, they guarantee to pick up every piece?

What's so hard about putting your wrapper back in your pocket?


So they should just carry the extra stuff around WHILE RACING?

Cause that makes sense. These riders have a few wrappers each day, thrown across a race that has been raced for a very long time. They have cleaners who pick up the mess, both the racers and the tourists (as i understand cleaners do both jobs), and so it's really not a big deal. Is there pollution? yes, but not an amount worthy being douchy over.

I'm thinking they should establish a different shade of green jersey that would go to the rider who left the smallest cabon foot print. The one who never misses the "special rubbish motorbike" and/or always makes sure his candy wrapper ends up in an approved waste basket. Also, this new "green" jersey would go to any rider who uses a bicycle that they pruches from Craigslist so that no new carbons had been created. We should reward riders who recycle bicycles by purchasing a used one from CL or Ebay instead of buying new. This would set a good example for kids (and quite possibly help my CL sales).

We might also include a jersey for the best personal hygene but that should go in a different thread.

This green jersey you speak of would slow people down, so in effect we already have it with the rouge.

It is kind of funny when they're filming looking back at the peloton to and you see a bottle fly out every few seconds. I doubt that many get left behind since they would make an easy souvenier so I don't think I'll lose much sleep over this issue.

the wrappers are bio degradable now anyway
just

the wrappers are bio degradable now anyway :D
be funny if the bidons were too...what souvenir? :lol:

They should be prohibited from throwing trash into the country side. Instead, place all bottles, wrappers, and sacks onto the pavement and transform the race into an obstacle course. Versus could show more crashes, which is always good for ratings.

They should be prohibited from throwing trash into the country side. Instead, place all bottles, wrappers, and sacks onto the pavement and transform the race into an obstacle course. Versus could show more crashes, which is always good for ratings.

funny you say this...during one stage the peloton was moving along a natural wall barrier to one side I saw a rider toss his bottle which then bounced off the wall and back into the middle of the peloton...I thought "that can't be good to hit at full speed"....I also saw the same thing happen when the group was riding through one of the towns...a bottle bouncing of a wall and back into the street.

funny you say this...during one stage the peloton was moving along a natural wall barrier to one side I saw a rider toss his bottle which then bounced off the wall and back into the middle of the peloton...I thought "that can't be good to hit at full speed"....I also saw the same thing happen when the group was riding through own of the towns...a bottle bouncing of a wall and back into the street.

Oh, I like it. Throw a bottle up a little higher and have it ricochet into someone's head.

Brilliant attack move.

So the message the riders are sending the general public is: it's ok for us to litter, but not you?

Maybe they should make the water bottles using edible materials. So after they drink, they can just EAT the bottle.

YUM!

So the message the riders are sending the general public is: it's ok for us to litter, but not you?

Oh for F##k's Sake....YES.

They have people following behind them picking it up. We don't. Are you dense, or just a troll?

So the message the riders are sending the general public is: it's ok for us to litter, but not you?

People who have brains understand that this is not the type of behavior these people follow in their normal lives. Because they dont have people cleaning up for them after training runs. So, chill out already.

Again, just chill. We're not going to have an appreciable amount of people become litterbugs from watching the tour. Will some kid throw his wrapper because he saw a pro do it? maybe. But then it's up to his parents who should be responsible for being his real role models to take him in line for it.