
Bradley Wiggins: a shoo-in for sports personality of the year?
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
Introduction
When
I was young and used to watch the Tour de France on the TV with my dad, a British man called
Chris Boardman would appear every now and then with a bike from the future and a helmet
shaped like a teardropand win the opening time trial. He'd wear the race
leader's yellow jersey for a few days and then, inexorably, he'd begin to
moonwalk down the rankings, slipping back through the peloton like a discarded
water bottle. Two weeks into the Tour, at the end of a long day's racing,
presenter Gary Imlach would sigh, look down the camera and murmur what, deep
down, we all already knew: Boardman overboard. He'd retired from the race.
Flash
forward 10 years and British road cycling stands at the gateway to an unthinkable new
era of dominance, masterminded by the Billy Beane-like figure of Dave Brailsford,
British Cycling's performance director. His
micromanagement of Team Sky - a largely British affair funded by enthusiast
James Murdoch, of all people - contributed to Britain's haul of eight stage wins
this year, and fulfilled his much-derided 2009 goal of producing a British Tour
champion within five years.
And
what a champion. Bradley Wiggins - reformed drinker, diehard mod, soundbite
vending machine - looks absolutely nailed on for this year's sports personality
of the year. Sport thrives on heroes, and true heroes, like Wiggo, have
character. It's a shame the UK doesn't have more mountains to practise on, but
the sheer brilliance and charisma of "Le Gentleman", as the French call him,
could bring on the biggest boom British cycling has ever had.
The basics
Assuming
you already know how to ride a bike (if you don't, go here), the roads of the nation are yours.
Whatever wheels you own, try taking a ride out into the countryside - though
make sure you take a helmet, a map, plenty of drinks, a high-vis jacket and some
lights. Bikes are nostalgia machines, and few things match the sheer childish
joy of freewheeling down a deserted road on a summer's day. Go to Dorset,
perhaps - the climbs are killer but the views are magnificent. Practise riding
non-handed, so you can celebrate your first stage win in style, by gripping the
crossbar with your knees.
When
encountering traffic: ride close to the kerb, but not too close - motorists will
take it as a signal to push you around. Don't be aggressive, but hold your
space. You are also a vehicle on the road, and they must treat you as such.
Health benefits
Numerous
studies show that cyclists live longer. This could be due to the cardiovascular
benefits of the activity, or to the fact that cycling has been known to help alleviate depression.
As a low-impact exercise, it can be good for those recovering from injury.
Equipment, costs and practicalities
There
are basically two types of bikes for road cycling. First is the hybrid, which is
like a streamlined mountain bike, good for city riding and also
long-distance endurance rides. Second is your full-on racing bike complete with
lightweight frame and jet-pack. Any road cyclist worth their salt will possess
the second, but if you're just starting out you could do worse than a humble
hybrid. Around £300 is the minimum for a new bike of good quality. Try your
local independent bike shop, where the staff are paid to know what they're
talking about.
Decent
racing bikes go for more because quality lightweight materials cost a bit.
Again, ask the experts behind the counter and don't be afraid of shopping around
and doing your research online. If you decide to purchase secondhand, ask for
documentation and a detailed history to determine it isn't stolen. Helmets
should cost £30 minimum, while a decent set of lights come in at around £15.
Trendiness rating: 10/10
If cycling is the coolest sport in the world, and we're
the best nation at it, then we must the best nation in the world. Don't look at
me - that's just logic. Simple logic.
Inside line
Matt
Winston, British road cycling: "Road cycling is a very simple sport to get into - you can
do it anywhere and all you need is a bike. A helmet is strongly recommended, a
bike in roadworthy condition is essential, and the kit – it's up to you! You can
go out for a ride in general sportswear or go for Lycra if you're looking at
riding longer distances in more comfort.
"There
are plenty of organised rides for beginners throughgoskyride.com to help you build more confidence on the
roads and to try out riding with a group. There are hundreds of road cycling clubs that you can get involved with to
explore further and put in more training – you can find your nearest using
the British Cycling club finder."
Find out more
britishcycling.org.uk - the home of British Cycling.
letour.fr - official website of road cycling's greatest event.
A
clip montage of the great Spanish cyclist Miguel Indurain
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