In my experience, at least for me,it takes more commitment to be a mediocre bike racer, than it does to be mediocre in other endeavors.
I can participate, and be moderately competitive,at least at a low level, on not much effort in golf, tennis, basketball for example.
To even be at a level to be in the game, bike racing takes a much greater commitment for me.
At an elite level, most any sport takes tremendous effort and commitment.
But for bike racing, it seems to me the anty to just get in the game is higher than most others.
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You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.