Reading this article about the style of professional riders got me thinking. First, about how on the few occassions I've been lucky enough to ride with Pro's I've always been impressed by their pedalling 'souplesse' (whatever that means, it sounds right). And second, about riders I've either tried to emulate or aspire towards, in terms of riding 'style'. There's lots of riders out there I respect but if I had to name one guy it would have to be Johnny T for the following reasons:
- He was around when I was growing up and getting into mtb'ing as a teenager.
- He won at downhill, cross country and even raced road bikes for 7-11.
- He epitomises an age before you had to be a 'specialist'. Just ride.
- He had bags of style- catching some air on your drops anyone?
- He didn't look like an emaciated refugee.
- He didn't look like an emaciated refugee.
- He rode a Yeti. Heck, even his Raleigh was a nice bike (future postings I feel).
No matter how good, or how stylish (!) I get on a bike in any discipline, I'll still never be as good, or as cool, as Johnny T.
Heck yes. I had a poster of him hooning down a World Cup run with that Tioga disk wheel. I might be tempted to chuck Steve Peat in too, simply on the basis that he was also downhilling on a rigid bike as we were setting out and I personally feel has to be admired for staying at the top of his game for nearly two decades. And Ricey for his no handed wheelie...or is that not quite the style you were thinking.
ReplyDelete