Now that the games at London 2012 Olympics have at last started all the anticipation is over and we can look forward to many days of thrills (and inevitable disappointments) as we watch our sporting heroes and national icons compete and hopefully win medals.
After the victory of Bradley Wiggins and his British teammates at the quintessentially French event, the Tour de France, cycling as a sport and pastime has risen up our consciousness in an unprecedented way and many are predicting an increase in the popularity of cycling as a result. But how does the experience of the ordinary cyclist in the land of the rosbifs compare to that of being on two wheels over the Channel? Whatever success the British cycling team have in the upcoming festival of sport, France still beats the UK hands down as a fun place to ride a bike. This is particularly true in areas like Normandy, Champagne Ardennes and Les Apilles where the landscape suits leisure riders and does not involve them in the scary gradients of the Tour.
France is particularly amenable to cyclists. The French public - including French motorists - demonstrates a positively benign and friendly attitude to riders. It's not all down to the weather, although the French weather is generally more cycling-friendly than the British (especially this summer), but more to do with the mentality of many of the drivers. Brits see cyclists as pests while the French welcome the diversity of different modes of transport, believing that the roads are there for every type of vehicle not just the motor car.
Of course, there's no real cycling tradition in the UK, unlike in France. There, bikes are an integral part of the culture, and drivers have an in-built respect for cyclists. No wonder Bradley Wiggins, who triumphed so spectacularly at the Tour de France and is predicted to win at least one gold medal in London spends a lot of time in France. He can expect a warmer climate, better road conditions and a positive cycling culture there as compared to cycling at home. He also speaks fluent French which no doubt endears him to the native population.
The French love affair with the bicycle may also have a lot to do with the countryside, its sleepy villages and quieter roads. The smell of freshly baked bread as you set off in the morning and the mid-afternoon clank of boules in the early evening may also contribute. But more than this, it has a lot to do with the generally welcoming attitude you get on two wheels, even when your accent exposes you as a Brit.
France is geared up for cycling. In many towns there are even special traffic lights for cyclists, located at a lower level so you don't have to crane your neck to see them. Motorists give you extra clearance as they overtake and you don't have to be an Olympics gold medallist to be made to feel welcome.
Drivers toot their horns but not to warn you to get out of the way. It is a simple courtesy to let you know that they are there and about to overtake. And on rural roads French drivers change their motorway habit of driving at breakneck speeds and slow down as if to enjoy the ambience! So cyclists are given the space to enjoy their pursuit.
France is, traditionally, a cycling friendly country. You only need to think of the passion that the French display for the annual Tour de France, where the entire country positively welcomes the cyclists and their entourages and gets really passionate about the whole affair. It's part of the French July experience. Roads are closed all over the country for local cycling competitions and time trials and on many a French country road at weekends you will come across more than one group of cyclists. And it's not an activity reserved for the young - you will see all ages peddling along enthusiastically. Often the very elderly will astound you with their energy and it can be difficult to overtake them as they speed up seemingly impossible inclines with apparent ease! No wonder France is the home of the greatest cycling event in the world. (Even though they have had to accept the ignominy of British winners this year).
The French, in general, display respect for cyclists, and are far more cyclist aware than is often the case in the UK. Courtesy, patience and care seem to be built into a French driver's psyche in a way that doesn't exist here at home. But will this change given the coverage the British achievements at this year's traditionally French obsession? In the meantime, a cycling holiday in France may be just the thing to recharge your batteries and give you a real French experience - see for yourself the favourable welcome you will receive. French Pedals organises tours for all ages and abilities (not just people of Bradley's abilities!) in some of the loveliest and most cycling-friendly regions of this cycling-obsessed land.
At the start of the London 2012 Olympics when we anticipate several cycling medals for Team GB this article compares the British attitudes to cycling as a recreation and mode of transport to those of France where the recent Tour de France was won for the first time by a Brit. Will all this success mean that cycling becomes more high profile and therefore more acceptable to the average Brit - particularly the motorist?
After the victory of Bradley Wiggins and his British teammates at the quintessentially French event, the Tour de France, cycling as a sport and pastime has risen up our consciousness in an unprecedented way and many are predicting an increase in the popularity of cycling as a result. But how does the experience of the ordinary cyclist in the land of the rosbifs compare to that of being on two wheels over the Channel? Whatever success the British cycling team have in the upcoming festival of sport, France still beats the UK hands down as a fun place to ride a bike. This is particularly true in areas like Normandy, Champagne Ardennes and Les Apilles where the landscape suits leisure riders and does not involve them in the scary gradients of the Tour.
France is particularly amenable to cyclists. The French public - including French motorists - demonstrates a positively benign and friendly attitude to riders. It's not all down to the weather, although the French weather is generally more cycling-friendly than the British (especially this summer), but more to do with the mentality of many of the drivers. Brits see cyclists as pests while the French welcome the diversity of different modes of transport, believing that the roads are there for every type of vehicle not just the motor car.
Of course, there's no real cycling tradition in the UK, unlike in France. There, bikes are an integral part of the culture, and drivers have an in-built respect for cyclists. No wonder Bradley Wiggins, who triumphed so spectacularly at the Tour de France and is predicted to win at least one gold medal in London spends a lot of time in France. He can expect a warmer climate, better road conditions and a positive cycling culture there as compared to cycling at home. He also speaks fluent French which no doubt endears him to the native population.
The French love affair with the bicycle may also have a lot to do with the countryside, its sleepy villages and quieter roads. The smell of freshly baked bread as you set off in the morning and the mid-afternoon clank of boules in the early evening may also contribute. But more than this, it has a lot to do with the generally welcoming attitude you get on two wheels, even when your accent exposes you as a Brit.
France is geared up for cycling. In many towns there are even special traffic lights for cyclists, located at a lower level so you don't have to crane your neck to see them. Motorists give you extra clearance as they overtake and you don't have to be an Olympics gold medallist to be made to feel welcome.
Drivers toot their horns but not to warn you to get out of the way. It is a simple courtesy to let you know that they are there and about to overtake. And on rural roads French drivers change their motorway habit of driving at breakneck speeds and slow down as if to enjoy the ambience! So cyclists are given the space to enjoy their pursuit.
France is, traditionally, a cycling friendly country. You only need to think of the passion that the French display for the annual Tour de France, where the entire country positively welcomes the cyclists and their entourages and gets really passionate about the whole affair. It's part of the French July experience. Roads are closed all over the country for local cycling competitions and time trials and on many a French country road at weekends you will come across more than one group of cyclists. And it's not an activity reserved for the young - you will see all ages peddling along enthusiastically. Often the very elderly will astound you with their energy and it can be difficult to overtake them as they speed up seemingly impossible inclines with apparent ease! No wonder France is the home of the greatest cycling event in the world. (Even though they have had to accept the ignominy of British winners this year).
The French, in general, display respect for cyclists, and are far more cyclist aware than is often the case in the UK. Courtesy, patience and care seem to be built into a French driver's psyche in a way that doesn't exist here at home. But will this change given the coverage the British achievements at this year's traditionally French obsession? In the meantime, a cycling holiday in France may be just the thing to recharge your batteries and give you a real French experience - see for yourself the favourable welcome you will receive. French Pedals organises tours for all ages and abilities (not just people of Bradley's abilities!) in some of the loveliest and most cycling-friendly regions of this cycling-obsessed land.
At the start of the London 2012 Olympics when we anticipate several cycling medals for Team GB this article compares the British attitudes to cycling as a recreation and mode of transport to those of France where the recent Tour de France was won for the first time by a Brit. Will all this success mean that cycling becomes more high profile and therefore more acceptable to the average Brit - particularly the motorist?
评论
发表评论