Some people just take exercise way too seriously; it’s like, “Don’t distract me I’m concentrating on my workout.” And God forbid anyone should crack a joke.

When I rode road races in England, guys would always be cracking jokes in the pack. I was in one race when a horse threw its rider and ended up in the middle of pack. One rider quipped, “Let him lead out in the gallop.” (The ‘gallop’ is the slang for the finishing sprint.)

I rode a few races here when I first arrived but the fun atmosphere was gone, and I missed it.