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- Also, this is a pro’s job, training on roads (especially those they will be racing on).
Other multimillionaires also drive their cars on the public roads Joe uses and expect not to have hoards of fans driving in convoy behind.
Only multibillionaires can almost escape that with private aircraft, not exactly what society should be aiming to emulate.
Maybe they should ask for payrises to build their own racing tracks?
- By your rationale, people should also not be allowed to get close to the animal pen railings at zoos, or to approach a dog on a leash.
- Oh, I did not forget. My experience has been that riders who are strong enough to stay on my wheel (or the wheel of any skilled rider who reads this site, I imagine) during high-speed descents are knowledgeable and respectful of road etiquette.
Aside from this, giving privilege to pro riders opens the door wider to elitism, and no one needs that.
- When they close them, which is not always the case. Often the public “participates” with the hope no-one will change. behaviour due to the situation or presence of the star(s).
In any case, it is but one of several situations to consider when weighing how to behave towards others in general.
- Sure, one can imagine the scenario with cars being a totally different scenario, since this article concerns bicyclists.
Your film crew reference is appreciated, however it is noteworthy that film crews pay for road closure permits.
- No, I'm referring to the second rider, who both Jonas and the amateur following him had sped past, and who then asked Jonas if he could help when he got to the bottom and saw Jonas had crashed; Jonas told him angrily to go away. This rider was very understanding and sympathised with Jonas.
- Do you know anything about pro cyclists’ working methods?
Have you never noticed that almost ALL pro training crashes happen when they’re not with their team?
How do you expect riders to ride together or with their teams almost the whole year when each has their home and family somewhere totally different.
It’s even pretty likely that some have contract clauses forbidding them to do group rides with friends or non-pros without authorisation, already just for insurance purposes.
Another reason many pros may be reluctant about letting any old anonymous amateur tag along. How can you trust his experience or skills in case of an emergency move or braking, especially when he’s got one hand reserved for his picture-taking?
- “He was going down fast just to get rid of me”
That kind of sounds like he didn’t appreciate the guy much before he maybe offered to help. So, angry, yes I get it. You expect him to say thanks to a guy without whom he’d have had a nice relaxing productive ride without the (future) stress of having another crash experience. Heck, I see people already getting nervous at the office when they feel someone behind their back is watching their screen and there’s ZERO danger.
- Sorry, but your comment just leaves so much to answer.
And so according to you, it’s perfectly normal someone curious or looking for some adventure would start chasing an ambulance or fire engine too (not even necessarily up close)?
- To add another layer for those who have problems deciding what is normal or not.
Imagine it had not been Jonas but one of the nicer ladies (pick your favourite) or just your good-looking* wife or daughter and some anonymous guy starts riding up real close taking out his phone without asking or revealing anything about himself so who’s to know if he’s not a paparazzi, stalker, or fan of a rival rider (we’ve seen what WVA “fans” are capable of wrt e.g. MVDP).
As regards the road being public, you conveniently forgot that nobody is supposed to ride close to anyone else at any speed and in any case, ANYWHERE there isn’t a crowd and you insist on getting very close to some other person is invading someone’s right to some private space. Would you go plonk yourself right next to another person on an empty beach?
Please, a bit of common sense and savoir-vivre when applying theoretical rules.
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