Coffee a Love Hate Relationship
1. Doping.
Doping was so prevalent in the late 1990s that some professional riders say only 1-2% of riders were not taking drugs. The culture of drugs infiltrated the sport so much, that riders could justify it to themselves on the grounds that ‘everyone else was doing it’. Doping seriously affects both the physical and mental health of cyclists. There are numerous examples of professional cyclists dying early. Even more worryingly many top cyclists have struggled with mental health problems, quite likely as a result of prolonged drug use. Marco Pantani and the Spanish cylist Jimenez spring to mind.
2. The Doping denials
The only thing worse that dope taking is the painful spectacle of professional cyclists trying to deny their doping. Who can forget, Rumsas, who claimed the 400 packets of EPO, steroids e.t.c. found in his car were for the use of his wife? Or who can remember a tearful Richard Virenque claim he had never taken any doping products in his life.
3. Innocent Cyclists getting tarred with the doping brush.
Despite the huge pressures to take doping products, there are and always have been cyclists who ride clean. Yet, unfortunately, they get tarred with the same brush. Cycling is so mired in doping scandals, that it is easy to assume ‘everyone is on dope’ But, I sincerely feel there are cyclists who sincerely try to ride clean: Chris Boardman, Graeme Obree are two who spring to mind. There are many others, but, with regard to cycling people take a suspicious attitude. Even amateur cyclists have suspicions raised.
4. Dangerous Driving
In the UK, over 3,000 people die per year. It is the biggest cause of death amongst young adults. Yet, there are only piecemeal efforts to try and reduce dangerous driving. It is hard to prosecute bad driving. The law only gets involved, when someone has been killed, i.e. when it is too late.
5. Bad Cyclists
Some cyclists feel that they are at perfect liberty to ignore all laws. – riding without lights, cycling through all Red lights, cycling recklessly. These examples of bad cyling are a stick with which the anti cycling lobby can use to beat down any improvements in cycling facilities.
6. Provision for Cycling in UK.
Cycle lanes are often a joke – More dangerous than roads. Very little is spent on cycling facilities in the UK, it is not seen as a high priority.
7. Bike Theft.
1000s of bikes get stolen every week in the UK. If you report it to the police they will most likely reply. ‘well what do you expect if you spend £500 on a bike’ ‘ well you should have used 3 locks worth £100.
The police rarely investigate bike theft, they usually just blame the cyclist for having the stupidity to park a bike in the city centre. I can’t imagine the police saying to motorists. ‘well what do you expect if you spend £30,000 on a car’ You should have put £5,000 worth of security on the car.
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