LemondFanForeve

Ironic considering youre posting on a cycling board.......why are you here & not on a BMX board?

LemondFanForeve

Apparently YOU do Corky.....

sleepy

Sick burn, Greg.
Are you still camping out behind Armstrong's mansion? Didn't work for that guy who was obsessed with Spielberg.

HardyWeinberg

I hate to resurrect this thread but...

https://www.theolympian.com/2012/08/0...ce-walker.html

himespau 

Holy ****, they walk for 30 miles? And don't get bored out of their skulls? To me, giving medals for race walking is like giving out olympic medals for going on charity rides or maybe that NY grand fondo that that dude got busted for. It's a freaking walk, how do you turn that into a race? Is race watching the sunset on the beach with a beer the next Olympic event?

Cat4Lifer

HardyWeinberg

I think there's that race-walk from opposite ends of the supermarket to the one checkout lane that only has one person whose order is almost done.

Keith99

I'm good with making fun of men's racewalking. I want to see the women before I make a call on them however. Some of them might wiggle in interesting ways.

chasm54

They walk 50km at between eight and nine miles per hour. When I can run a marathon faster than they can walk it, then I'll laugh.

himespau 

Oh yeah, I totally get that it's an impressive feat, it's just that there's already a race involving people going long distances on their feet and it's called long distance running. Why do you need to add in something else where one foot has to always be on the ground. And if this is an olympic sport why not the backwards 100 m dash?

HardyWeinberg

three-legged races, potato sack races...


edit -> and wheelbarrow races!

himespau 

Skipping for height and distance AND speed

sci_femme

Well, USA is a birthplace of both BMX and mountain biking. Theoretically, USA should dominate the arena in both sports, for the sake of countless teenagers looking up to the stars. And yet Beijing performance was dismal in both events, a guy from Lithuania - LITHUANIA!!! - took the gold in BMX. Does anyone know where the heck Lithuania is?
If this "winning" streak continues in London, Team USA should be publicly flogged in the city square by Gary Fisher and Keith Bontrager taking turns.

midschool22

omfg!!!!! Thank you!!!!!

chasm54

Lithuanians are pretty clear about its whereabouts. Amazing as it may seem, not everyone describes their country's location relative to the position of the USA.

chasm54

They aren't "adding it in". Unlike BMX and mountain biking, it has been in for a while. And you could say the same about BMX - there's already a race involving people going as fast as they can on bikes, it's called track cycling. Dont get me wrong, I have always thought race walking was odd. But then, I don't really "get" BMX, or Dressage, or synchronised swimming, either. Lots of people are dedicated to, and extraordinarily good at, things I don't appreciate. My lack of interest is my problem, not theirs.

They're including golf next time. Now that is ridiculous.

curiouskid55

first sensible thing Phil has said in 20 years

Giacomo 1 

Not to speak for sci_femme, but I think he was being alittle tongue in cheek.

But I do understand what he is saying, as Lithuania has a total population of only 3.5 million people, while we probably have 3.5 million BMX'ers here. The odds really should favor us in this very important Olympic event.

And let's be honest, Lithuania is alittle tough to find on a map...

LesterOfPuppets

BMXers ride 20" wheels because it's tradition, something that BMX doesn't have, according to some posts here

If 20" wheels really bother you but you like BMX otherwise there are 24" cruiser classes or maybe 4-cross or dual slalom would work for you.

sci_femme

Precisely, my friend! Except one thing - I AM A CHICK! "Femme" is "woman" in French, and I am a scientist, therefore sci_femme = geek chick.

My son BMX'd for couple years and was disappointed at Beijing performance....

Wolfvegas

Amen, also when does the olympic MTB start?

Rhinelander

Hear hear... much truth in this! (not that I'm a "walker" fan) and great 'reality assessment. But the sentiments out there also make me think how much "traditional" olympic events should matter, if at all (see individual persuit). I remember starting an argument with my Dad, then former (retired) sports reporter who "worked" at consecutive summer and winter games from 1952 (Helsinki / Oslo) to 1984 (Los Angeles / Sarajevo) that Golfers are overpaid *******... (lol). you don't wanna know how I was corrected.

Rhinelander

as to the BMX / Mountain Bike thing. yes my personal nature loves to laugh when I hear "grown men" in full leathers on tiny little bikes... (lol). yet, no matter my personal take, I have to defend the mountain bikers because their competition format reminds me of the traditional "cross country" events which have been around quite a long time. In the old days on somewhat modified road machines and not the modern mountain bikes of today. As far as personal sentiment is concerned, I would agree that BMX belongs to the RedBull X-Games and by all means should have their niche. Just not in the Olympic Games

Rhinelander

I want Marray Walker back...

mihlbach

Adult BMX racers are not kid sized bikes. People who insist that BMX bike are too small are ignorant about bicycle geometry and/or have only ever seen Wal-mart versions of BMX bikes.

Real BMX race bikes come in sizes just like any other type of racing bike. My BMX racer has a wheelbase similar to my road bike and it actually has a longer top tube. Standing up, it fits like a normal bike. Adult BMX bikes also tend to have very long cranks (180-185mm) and a raised BB. Little kids can't ride adult BMX bikes.

The 20" wheels make the bikes more maneuverable over jumps although there are BMX classes that use larger wheels up to 26". BMX bikes are made for sprinting over jumps. You don't really use the saddle when racing, which is why it is usually slammed and the low top tube keeps your reproductive organs intact when you crash.