Are Europeans faster than North Americans?
04-30-08, 07:44 PM
#31
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well one thing in regards to European vs. American cyclists - Americans have won 11 out of the last 22 TDF's (if you count Landis)
heh - sorry, had to go there.
heh - sorry, had to go there.
04-30-08, 07:46 PM
#32
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euros are more superior to us common yanks in all respects. except the pale euros. anyway, euro kids are fluent in 3 languages before american kids (even adults) can use english effectively.
Last edited by kniprm; 05-01-08 at 01:08 AM.
04-30-08, 08:07 PM
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04-30-08, 08:08 PM
#35
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I was about to say that I'm bilingual, then I remembered I'm not even American.
04-30-08, 08:12 PM
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04-30-08, 08:16 PM
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ah, you mean like when Major Taylor bailed on the first TDF because he had better things to do? 
04-30-08, 08:17 PM
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04-30-08, 08:18 PM
#39
Peloton Shelter Dog
But all the best NFL players are American.
04-30-08, 08:24 PM
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04-30-08, 08:38 PM
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My guess (pulled straight from my 'merican ass) would be that at the TOP levels, the speeds are about the same at the elite levels. This is because at that point, it doesn't really matter what country you're from, you're simply a well trained human. However, at the more amateur levels, it does become more of a cultural thing, so yes, perhaps the lower level races would be faster in Europe.
Keeping in mind I'm a 23 year old who's never been west of Iowa, and has spent just under a month in Philly and NY, my opinion's worth ****.
Keeping in mind I'm a 23 year old who's never been west of Iowa, and has spent just under a month in Philly and NY, my opinion's worth ****.
04-30-08, 08:38 PM
#42
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04-30-08, 08:40 PM
#43
Peloton Shelter Dog
Besides, Pcad lives in his own little world, a place called Schwagsville. I like that country. It's like the Dept. of Defense but with a smaller budget and without the $9 trillion national debt.
04-30-08, 09:24 PM
#44
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I say yes too. You start much earlier racing on the road. The only problem is the $$ or lack of it, sometimes finding a good shop that has serious bikes is harder. Of course depending on where you live it may have more choice, but until not long ago, maybe 6-7 years ago lots of racers (on sponsored teams) would have a steel bike with ultegra. Sometimes a decent race will have so many good juniors, it is like racing at the world cup level, with the talent present.
The diet is very different and the clubs have many programs from about 12-15 years old and onwards.
The Aussies are pretty good too. There is a no BS, no fuss attitude for cycling here. They just get the job done.
The diet is very different and the clubs have many programs from about 12-15 years old and onwards.
The Aussies are pretty good too. There is a no BS, no fuss attitude for cycling here. They just get the job done.
04-30-08, 09:25 PM
#45
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i also think that kids play outside more and are generally more active than kids here. combine that with more opportunities for competition at a young age and more scouting for talent early and they've got an edge on us yanks.
i'm serious about the better nutrition too. western europeans eat healthier fresher food from day one.
i'm serious about the better nutrition too. western europeans eat healthier fresher food from day one.
04-30-08, 09:46 PM
#46
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hey surferbruce, I was serious about the diet also. I go to the USA about 4-5 times a year for work and to be honest I get disgusted by the huge servings of food when you eat out. I am a big man and do not need to eat that much food each day.
Not sure about the USA, but in europe McDonalds places actually go broke and close. Of course you can eat perfect in the USA, but the choice is there for you. Some times over here there is only a local fresh market to go to in smaller towns.
Ft critical, I am not sure. We have club grading and open grading races. Club racing A would be B or even C open sometimes. Not sure how it equals the USA? When you race in summer here and have trent wilson, hilton clarke, graham brown, matt white etc etc all back having some training, they ride A grade of course.
working 5 days a week, kids, wife, house repayments and then racing for at best 5th place or something each week all summer starts to suck hard. Ive been to the USA and in certain areas, a race there can be like a state or national due to the depth of talent and the sheer volume of riders (you get that with about 400 million population) and in the same way in Europe you get areas where lots of riders live and race locally and every race can be a mini worlds.
Overall I'd say Europe has aslightly higher level for racing across the board. You grow up wanting to play football, Alpine ski and race bikes. We'll I did anyway.
Not sure about the USA, but in europe McDonalds places actually go broke and close. Of course you can eat perfect in the USA, but the choice is there for you. Some times over here there is only a local fresh market to go to in smaller towns.
Ft critical, I am not sure. We have club grading and open grading races. Club racing A would be B or even C open sometimes. Not sure how it equals the USA? When you race in summer here and have trent wilson, hilton clarke, graham brown, matt white etc etc all back having some training, they ride A grade of course.
working 5 days a week, kids, wife, house repayments and then racing for at best 5th place or something each week all summer starts to suck hard. Ive been to the USA and in certain areas, a race there can be like a state or national due to the depth of talent and the sheer volume of riders (you get that with about 400 million population) and in the same way in Europe you get areas where lots of riders live and race locally and every race can be a mini worlds.
Overall I'd say Europe has aslightly higher level for racing across the board. You grow up wanting to play football, Alpine ski and race bikes. We'll I did anyway.
04-30-08, 10:26 PM
#50
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I have the limited view of the world?
I did live in Europe in a cycling heavy area, in Colorado, California and in Sydney, Australia. Never raced in the USA on the bike though, rode a lot of nice places. upsate NY, raleigh NC, florida, Austin TX, all over CO and San diego, LA etc etc.
I know lots of folks in europe who see cyclists as Racers or Tourists, the rest don't really count.
I did live in Europe in a cycling heavy area, in Colorado, California and in Sydney, Australia. Never raced in the USA on the bike though, rode a lot of nice places. upsate NY, raleigh NC, florida, Austin TX, all over CO and San diego, LA etc etc.
I know lots of folks in europe who see cyclists as Racers or Tourists, the rest don't really count.