wabbit

Good point, differentiating between athlete and sportsman/woman. I didn't say golf doesn't involve SKILL. In fact, I know it's one of those things that looks easier than it is. I don't think I could just go out theeeeeeeeeere and drive a ball with or without a fat stomach. In fact, the same can be said about cycling, which is probably why we get those articles-serious ones- which say cycling isn't really a sport. Because everyone can ride a bike,even little kids, and it looks easy enough, so why is it a sport? If little skinny guys like Pantani can ride a bike, big deal! However, skill is not the same thing- golfers or bowlers have skills, but not all of them are athletes. I am sure many of them do other sports to stay in shape, but I don't think that john daly lifts anything heavier than a beer stein when he's not out on the links.

belfast-biker

Yeah, everyone can learn to cycle, just like everyone can learn to ski, but what makes these guys athletes is the speed and distance they put into their sports - they put their bodies under immense strain and achieve physical things most of us can only dream of.

I cycled 35 miles today, and my legs hurt a bit. These athletes cycle a 100 miles in a day at average speeds much greater than mine and get on the bike the next day and do it all again. And again...

I'm a cyclist. They're cyclists, sportsmen and athletes.