Almost mainstream

Last week I was talking with some casual friends and the one was inquiring how much I ride, what type of bikes, and how many bike races I do a year.  He rides on a hybrid bike and likes to use bike paths and the towpath.  We talk about climbing hills and how difficult that can be.  He inquires into how many miles do I ride a year.  He then asks 'So what do you do for a cardio workout, run?'  I look at him for a second, baffled, and realize he means what he is asking.  'Nope, just ride my bike' and I leave it at that.  

Just as that experience further reinforced that our bicycle racing sport is a niche sport, I came across an article in a old ESPN the Magazine at my barber shop.  The article was about one of the ESPN authors hearing about the 'The World Sauna Competition' in Finland and deciding to give it a try.  The competition is made up of several heats with each starting at 230 degrees F and going up from there!  There is a champion that wins it almost every year, t.v. coverage, and sponsors involved with the competition.  Winners and losers leave the competition with skin boils and torched lungs.  It is unreal what people will compete it.  Cycling seems mainstream compares to these 'sports'.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46235000/jpg/_46235826_sauna_afp766.jpg