I think it comes down to if the audience can relate to it. I mean, everyone has tried to have sex with flowers, that's why O'Keefe's stuff was so popular.

(just kidding)

But seriously, most people just don't relate to cycling. They don't "get it". It's just riding a bike to them. Just like some people can't relate to ethnic art. Like a scene of an African American girl getting her hair combed by her mom. Some people will get it because they know it's 30 minutes of pure hell that both people involved hate to do, but it's necessary and worth it in the end. And certainly a bonding experience for it all.

There are similar scenes in cycling: Epic climbs, sprints, being and feeling alone on long rides, "digging deep", etc...that only cyclists can relate to.