Black cyclists

[david k]

Hi everyone, maybe this has been asked before, apologies if it has.

I have only been (returned) cycling for a few months. I've been watching cycling for a few years and cannot recall seeing any black cyclists. I have watched some old films and recall seeing any black cyclists.

Can anyone shed anyone shed any light on this, is it genetics, is it because there are no black role models in cycling that young black people dont come into it. I'm sure there must be some black cyclists but they dont seem to be fairly represented, is this simply because not enough black people cycle? pro cycling seems to be just white people, dont recall seeing anything other than white.

Anyone?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

A quick google and ......

I found this

and this.

Hi everyone, maybe this has been asked before, apologies if it has.

I have only been (returned) cycling for a few months. I've been watching cycling for a few years and cannot recall seeing any black cyclists. I have watched some old films and recall seeing any black cyclists.

Can anyone shed anyone shed any light on this, is it genetics, is it because there are no black role models in cycling that young black people dont come into it. I'm sure there must be some black cyclists but they dont seem to be fairly represented, is this simply because not enough black people cycle? pro cycling seems to be just white people, dont recall seeing anything other than white.

Anyone?

 

[dellzeqq]

loads of black cyclists round our way - or did you mean, specifically, black cyclists in print or on the telly?

 

[david k]

interesting

"In 2008, with minimal training, Leong unleashed Zakayo Nderi, at the time a 26-year-old shoe-shiner with little experience climbing hills, on the famous Tour de France climb at Alpe d'Huezl. Nderi completed the climb in 42 minutes, 10 seconds, then the fastest time of the year, a time that would have placed him in the top half of Tour riders when a time trial was last held on the mountain in 2004."​

 

[ttcycle]

Yes it's been talked about before.

Also there are other ethnicities that are under represented in cycling not just black cyclists.

It's been done to death...I just hope the casual racism doesn't come up again

 

[Hicky]

Our top female BMXer is black isnt she??.....I mean the one from the advert you know, there Philips Idouwu(sp?) is buying hair dye.... VISA?

I often pass(not scalping) two regularly on my commute, one bloke on a hipster fixie and the other bloke on an ancient but nice Peugeot.

I see many "non whites" for want of a better term around work(Manchester Uni) one aisan lad on a Mongose Murice who thinks his progress is more important than kerbs/paths/pedestrians/roadworks.

I havent really noticed, I notice more newish roadbikes recently on the road fully kitted out.

 

[asterix]

York has been a bit of a white ghetto until recent years - you didn't see non-white residents let alone cyclists. The situation has changed quite a bit now.

 

[david k]

st helens doesnt have many blacks so its no surprise theres not many black cyclists

but my point is more about pro cyclists and media, just dont seem to see many no white, i may be wrong but thats my perception

 

[davefb]

its an interesting point, you'd have thought there might be some french guys especially.... though maybe all the young black guys want to play soccer , especially when you consider ( like boxing) soccer is a way out of poverty and a soccer ball is far cheaper than a bike...

now what about bmx ? is that so white ? just thinking of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanaze_Reade
I guess she'll act as a role model for the next generations ?

amazing about that nderi fella and the plan, http://www.theafricancyclist.com/the_idea.html , half of world marathon champions are from near this one town!!! which is at altitude 9000 feet! wonder if there blood levels pass the tests!

 

[david k]

ive never seen any black cyclist on the major tours

 

[david k]

considering the percentage of africans in long distance running why wouldnt they make good tour cyclists?

i presume its nothing to do with genetics but with expectations. ie, you dont see black tour cyclists so sub consciously they dont feel worthy.

why do people from under privileged backgrounds not go to uni?

 

[SavageHoutkop]

considering the percentage of africans in long distance running why wouldnt they make good tour cyclists?

i presume its nothing to do with genetics but with expectations. ie, you dont see black tour cyclists so sub consciously they dont feel worthy.

Aren't a good many of the long distance runners still born in Africa where it's a lot easier to run (barefoot if necessary) than it is to get a decent speedy expensive bike which you then need to ride on decent kept roads...?

 

[david k]

Aren't a good many of the long distance runners still born in Africa where it's a lot easier to run (barefoot if necessary) than it is to get a decent speedy expensive bike which you then need to ride on decent kept roads...?

many good distance runners in europe are from african decent

 

[mickle]

http://www.cyclorama.net/blog/events/major-taylor-education-program-launched/

http://www.cyclorama.net/viewArticle.php?id=340

 

[Stig-OT-Dump]

Let me present...

Gregory Bauge

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grégory_Baugé