Road Cycling - do you get smartass "go lance!" comments from the peanut gallery?

there was some of it last summer, but it's dramatically increased in the last few weeks as lance's feat has come into the public eye.

it doesn't happen so much when i'm on the route where all the cyclists are, but when i'm on my way (usually up 1st ave in manhattan), dressed in jersey, shorts, helmet, hammering up a hill, people find will shout "lance!" or "go lance!" or "yeah! tour de france!" and the like.

Does it bother you? It could be a lot worse.

why is in smartass? Sounds cool to me, they obviously know about cycling which, in America, is really saying something and they are shouting some support of cycling or showing their enthusiasm for the sport.

Next time just shout back, "Alright, yeah, go Lance!"

The other day some guy leaned half out of his pick up truck that had a confederate flag in the rear window shouting "I support Lance" showing off his yellow bracelet.

So up here in God's Country, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting an Amish person. I mean, they're thick as thieves round these parts.

I was out on my ride yesterday, barreling up the State HighWay and pulled out to pass a line of them in thier buggy's (buggies?). As I clear the lead one, the guy calls out "Go Lance".

I spent the rest of the ride trying to fathom how the hell this guy would know about Lance Armstrong.

it doesn't bother me at all, it's kind of cute and kind of nice to see that people are recognizing LA's accomplishments. most of the time, i'll just give a smile or thumbs up.

after all, it beats "nice shorts, ******!"

hehehe....when my GF and i see guys all decked out in their full road ensemble, we usually make jokes to ourselves very similar to the what you listed...usually it's "GO LANCE GO!!!" but we never yell at them. i think that's just rude.

i've never gotten any of those comments, but then again, i don't wear the whole racer ensemble.

it doesn't bother me at all, it's kind of cute and kind of nice to see that people are recognizing LA's accomplishments. most of the time, i'll just give a smile or thumbs up.

after all, it beats "nice shorts, ******!"

:lol:

I spent the rest of the ride trying to fathom how the hell this guy would know about Lance Armstrong.

they can read newspapers, you know...

I got "Hey you Fat Fu*K!" one time, but never a "Go Lance!"

I'd take it as a compliment... I think people generally mean it as a joke, not to be mean or rude or anything like that. I had a lady yell that at me once and I did my whole arms in the air champion pose... she seemed to think it was pretty funny.

Could it mean that Americans are beginning to recognize cycling for the sport that it is?? Could it mean that cyclists may elicite a bit more respect while sharing the road with motorists? If so.....then
Thank You Lance.

I spent the rest of the ride trying to fathom how the hell this guy would know about Lance Armstrong.

Newspapers?

I've never gotten a "Go Lance" comment (at least not that I understood)... But back in 1996 I was riding on a rather narrow twisty road in Virginia. No way could a car pass safely, and the car behind me was actually being respectful. Just hanging back and waiting for a safe opportunity to pass. Anyway, it was flat, so I hammered to about 27, 28 mph for about a mile before hitting a straight-away. The car behind me pulled up along side, the guy rolled down the window and just said "ATLANTA IS THE OTHER WAY !" (Atlanta was hosting the Summer Olympics that year).

Another time I was doing the Moose Tour in Maine. We were heading up some long climb into Rangeley. The group I was riding with got split apart as we started ascending, and I was in the front. As I neared the top of the climb, a car pulled up along side me. I was in the middle of serious redneck country, so I was prepared for the worst. But instead the guy said "If this is a race, you are WAY ahead !". :)

Could it mean that Americans are beginning to recognize cycling for the sport that it is?? Could it mean that cyclists may elicite a bit more respect while sharing the road with motorists?


I hope that Lance uses some of his fame to remind people in PSAs to share the road.

"I got "Hey you Fat Fu*K!" one time, but never a "Go Lance!""

Ultra,

Don't feel too bad, I'm sure Lance gets called that all the time. :lol:

Brian.

Newspapers?

indeed, i think LA has been on the cover of the NYT at least twice in the last few weeks.

i've gotten it, and i think it sucks.


they are mocking you, you know. it's got nothing do to with lance's accomplishments, or any feel-good crap like that. they're mocking you, and it's on the same level as poking fun at your shorts or calling you a ******.

i hate people.

Try being female, in the tight shorts and a jersey tank on a rural road in TN......... "yee-ha baby..........like them shorts.........come on, wanna ride with us?"

There's nothing worse than that.........except the same pick up trying to run you off the road because you're ignoring them!

I actually heard "Tour de France......yeah" today on my ride. I just laughed and waved at the guy. They don't mean any harm, usually. Just being goofy!

i've gotten it, and i think it sucks.


they are mocking you, you know. it's got nothing do to with lance's accomplishments, or any feel-good crap like that. they're mocking you, and it's on the same level as poking fun at your shorts or calling you a ******.

i hate people.

You need to lighten up. I doubt everyone is mocking you when they shout "GO LANCE!" ... and even if they were, who cares.

it doesn't happen so much when i'm on the route where all the cyclists are, but when i'm on my way (usually up 1st ave in manhattan), dressed in jersey, shorts, helmet, hammering up a hill, people find will shout "lance!" or "go lance!" or "yeah! tour de france!" and the like.[/QUOTE]
Question..Does your riding style resemble Lance...Could be a compliment.?
Heah, Americans are probably showing some support for the sport..we should be appreciative..
.Last two days rides...My cycling group stopped for lunch...Both days the conversation brought to our attention by passers by...Go Lance...How is Lance doing today.?.Positive attention to our sport . The same kind of pride one feels during the Olympics. Thanks. Lance.

No, but today I pass a very fat man riding very slowly on a carbon-fibre Trek that was much more bike than he needed, wearing a Credit Lyonnais citron jersey. I laughed as I passed him. He must think he is Lance, but I think he is a poseur.

I've had it happen a few times in the last few weeks. A week or two ago, some guys yelled "Go Lance" at me from their appartment window as I rode by, I was going probably 28-30mph on a flat, so between that, and the tone of their voices, I took it as a compliment. Then a few days ago while I was riding along on a recovery ride, I came up on a guy who was going pretty slow, so I anounced myself and passed, he seemed to take offense and made a sarcastic "Whatever Lance" comment.

Hasn't happened to me either. But on a long descent today, two cars actually pulled over to the side of the road and let our group go bombing down the road! I think they must've been tourists.

I have been getting a lot of "Go Lance" calls and such like a lot of you. But I was talking to my training partner, and we realized that we are so used to being hassled, that we think these people are mocking us. In reality, I think almost all of them are saying "GO Lance" as in....."I'm a Lance Fan"

I mean when I wear a Cleveland Browns hat, and people see it and say "Go brownies!" I don't think they are making fun. They are saying Hell yeah!!!

If you ignore these calls or give people the finger, then they will show up on this forum here, what snobs we all are,

So next time you hear "GO Lance!" Give them a thumbs up, and a smile.....

I have been getting a lot of "Go Lance" calls and such like a lot of you. But I was talking to my training partner, and we realized that we are so used to being hassled, that we think these people are mocking us. In reality, I think almost all of them are saying "GO Lance" as in....."I'm a Lance Fan"

I mean when I wear a Cleveland Browns hat, and people see it and say "Go brownies!" I don't think they are making fun. They are saying Hell yeah!!!

If you ignore these calls or give people the finger, then they will show up on this forum here, what snobs we all are,

So next time you hear "GO Lance!" Give them a thumbs up, and a smile.....

Ive just noticed that everyone and their mother is wearing a livestrong wristband now. Ever since I starting one who knows how long ago ive gotten the "wtf is that thing" comment, but not anymore.

the other day a few kids asked me if i was lance armstorng while i was riding (in my usps team attire).....to bad i couldnt say yes i am

No, but today I pass a very fat man riding very slowly on a carbon-fibre Trek that was much more bike than he needed, wearing a Credit Lyonnais citron jersey. I laughed as I passed him. He must think he is Lance, but I think he is a poseur.

Gee, and many on the board wonder why others think (many) roadies act like elitest snobs......don't forget, no matter how fast or cool you think you are, somewhere out there is a dude riding a 1980's Schwinn that could leave you in his dust and call you a poseur for bothering to ride an aluminum bike when you obviously aren't nearly as fast as he is on his old clunker.

Don't be a d1ck

No, but today I pass a very fat man riding very slowly on a carbon-fibre Trek that was much more bike than he needed, wearing a Credit Lyonnais citron jersey. I laughed as I passed him. He must think he is Lance, but I think he is a poseur.

nothing wrong with being a fan

if more people get out and ENJOY biking...and maybe get a little more fit in the process...all the better

I think some are fans but a lot are just mocking. Its like whenever I run any where around hear I get smartass "run forest run" comments, mostly from jackass teenagers but some 20 somethings as well.
On the other hand I've never got any thing while riding, though a dude in the left lane of the local 4 lane 45mph state highway let me merge I think he was kind of shocked to see a bike doing 40 and signaling to merge, let alone a mountainbike with panniers.(about a 3% down grade and catching a slight draft from the vehicle in front of me)

the other day a few kids asked me if i was lance armstorng while i was riding (in my usps team attire).....to bad i couldnt say yes i am

I was on a group ride a couple of weeks ago and one of the riders had on a USPS jersey. As we passed by one house, a lady was watering her plants and yelled out, "aren't you supposed to be in France?" The rider responded with, "I took a wrong turn!" And I chimed in with, "don't worry... we're guiding him back on course!"

I have been getting a lot of "Go Lance" calls and such like a lot of you. But I was talking to my training partner, and we realized that we are so used to being hassled, that we think these people are mocking us. In reality, I think almost all of them are saying "GO Lance" as in....."I'm a Lance Fan"

I mean when I wear a Cleveland Browns hat, and people see it and say "Go brownies!" I don't think they are making fun. They are saying Hell yeah!!!

If you ignore these calls or give people the finger, then they will show up on this forum here, what snobs we all are,

So next time you hear "GO Lance!" Give them a thumbs up, and a smile.....
Ageed. Let's give people the benefit of a doubt. With all the media play of the Tour & Lance, I think people are showing support.

indeed, i think LA has been on the cover of the NYT at least twice in the last few weeks.

Yeah, thats it. The Amish noted the article while checking his stock portfolio...........

Some fat guy (big gut) about half my age sitting on his front porch and drinking a beer yelled, "Go Lance", as I rode by on Saturday. Didn't bother me. I just yelled back, "Almost, but not quite."

I think some are fans but a lot are just mocking. Its like whenever I run any where around hear I get smartass "run forest run" comments, mostly from jackass teenagers but some 20 somethings as well.
On the other hand I've never got any thing while riding, though a dude in the left lane of the local 4 lane 45mph state highway let me merge I think he was kind of shocked to see a bike doing 40 and signaling to merge, let alone a mountainbike with panniers.(about a 3% down grade and catching a slight draft from the vehicle in front of me)

My brother and I rate the "Go Lance" comments right there with the jackasses who yell "run forest run" as we go running by. I have yet to see anyone serious about cycling yell "go Lance" at me. It's all morons. Although, whoever said that "Go Lance" comments are better than "nice shorts ******" comments I have to agree with, :p .

Ive just noticed that everyone and their mother is wearing a livestrong wristband now. Ever since I starting one who knows how long ago ive gotten the "wtf is that thing" comment, but not anymore.
As a matter of fact, my Mother IS wearing one... Lately, she's been leaving the house wearing 2 and coming home wearing none. She's giving them away. The latest she gave to the receptionist at her Oncologists office.

No, but today I pass a very fat man riding very slowly on a carbon-fibre Trek that was much more bike than he needed, wearing a Credit Lyonnais citron jersey. I laughed as I passed him. He must think he is Lance, but I think he is a poseur.
As long as he's happy, dreams are free !!

No, but today I pass a very fat man riding very slowly on a carbon-fibre Trek that was much more bike than he needed, wearing a Credit Lyonnais citron jersey. I laughed as I passed him. He must think he is Lance, but I think he is a poseur.

And I think your a troll. Go be a @ss-bucket on some other forum.

went 150 miles this weekend, only got one 'go lance'. :(

The other day some guy leaned half out of his pick up truck that had a confederate flag in the rear window shouting "I support Lance" showing off his yellow bracelet.
Now that's pretty cool. The NASCAR crowd is probably getting into it because of all the crashes....

I got my first "Go Lance" the other day, middle-aged female in an SUV. Don't think it was mocking.

Gee, and many on the board wonder why others think (many) roadies act like elitest snobs......don't forget, no matter how fast or cool you think you are, somewhere out there is a dude riding a 1980's Schwinn that could leave you in his dust and call you a poseur for bothering to ride an aluminum bike when you obviously aren't nearly as fast as he is on his old clunker.

Don't be a d1ck

Well said. I think I love you!
:love:





nothing wrong with being a fan

if more people get out and ENJOY biking...and maybe get a little more fit in the process...all the better

EXACTLY!! I think I love you, too!
:love:





And I think your a troll. Go be a @ss-bucket on some other forum.

No, girlfriend, I am A.Troll. Sounds like he is just a bike snob.





No, but today I pass a very fat man riding very slowly on a carbon-fibre Trek that was much more bike than he needed, wearing a Credit Lyonnais citron jersey. I laughed as I passed him. He must think he is Lance, but I think he is a poseur.

So this was a "very fat" poseur who was a slowpoke riding a fancy bike wearing a cool jersey who thought he was Lance? I can't wait to hear how you describe yourself. Come on, let's hear it!





Some fat guy (big gut) about half my age sitting on his front porch and drinking a beer yelled, "Go Lance", as I rode by on Saturday. Didn't bother me. I just yelled back, "Almost, but not quite."

Ron, Ron, Ron....name-calling doesn't become you, boyfriend. Next time "a big guy with a beer gut" would do and would sound SO much nicer!




Now, to get back to the topic at hand, I have to say that no one has ever mistaken me for Lance Armstrong. I have WAY too much hair! Lance IS my boyfriend, though! :love:

:D

Well, I don't get it when I'm actually riding. But I ride my bike on errands a lot - post office, library, liquor store, grocery store, swimming pool, etc. and quite a few of the folks at my stops have said "go, Lance" or something like it to me. Not mockingly but in the "making conversation" kind of way.

Could it mean that Americans are beginning to recognize cycling for the sport that it is?? Could it mean that cyclists may elicite a bit more respect while sharing the road with motorists? If so.....then
Thank You Lance.

I wonder as well...

I don't know whether it's coincidence or not, but this year I've had fewer problems with unnecessary horn honking, flipping the bird, etc. from motorists.

No "Go Lance!" either, but yesterday I got a huge smile from an attractive housewife that passed me..

Thank you, Lance!

Haven't gotten a "Go Lance" comment while on the bike but I keep running into folks wearing Livestrong bands and more often than not they'll say "Go Lance!" or "Go Posties!"

I did have a homeless guy yell at me the other morning about 6am. It's a totally empty street and I saw this guy pushing his shopping cart. He sees me. I wave. He points up the street and says, "He's a minute ahead!"

Does Mr. Homeless have the same tape running in his head that I'm hearing? Phil Ligget describing how this gutsy young American is chasing down the break! Weird.

I got a "Nice bike ******", the other day. ............. I was about 10 meters short of catching him at the next stop sign, and busting him in the mouth. lol It gives me a reason to work on increasing my avg mph. :)

I got a "Nice bike ******", the other day. ............. I was about 10 meters short of catching him at the next stop sign, and busting him in the mouth. lol It gives me a reason to work on increasing my avg mph. :)

Why? Don't you have a nice bike? ;)

In the guys defense, It is a celeste green Bianchi. The color is questionable. :)

In the north Chicago suburbs, not many guys wear the blue jerseys of the Posties. Reason being is that there are two Posties (Ventura and Labbe) from here and they wear their Postal uniforms when out riding (I'm not sure if it is because they have a contract to do so, or they get many free duds and do so, or if they are just (rightfully) proud of being on the USPS Pro Cycling team). So it would be a TAD embrassing to be on a ride and have a real Postie pass you in the same outfit. ;)

Of course, next year, it'll be OK to wear that jersey/shorts in this area! :D

BTW, every time I see Ventura riding (we seem to hit a lot of the same roads), he smiles and waves and often says hello if we're in earshot. A lesson to all the 'I'm so serious and into my training that I can't manage a headnod to other cyclists' riders out there. Hey, you'll never be as good as him and he makes the effort to do it!

my feeling on this is, at least they are aware of who Lance is....

even if they are mocking you when shouting that out as they drive by... there is an awareness there.. and awareness can be a good thing... it could, someday, lead to better acceptance of bikes on roads.

jeff