A lot of amateur cyclists “get too carried away” – Wiggins

Making reference to those riding around Surrey on a Sunday, Sir Bradley Wiggins has said that cycling can be ‘a bit too elitist’. He says that one-upmanship in equipment and physical performance can detract from the simple joy of riding your bike.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Wiggins said that there was an element of elitism when it came to bikes and equipment.

“You only have to look to Surrey on a Sunday morning, on the old Olympic routes, and you’ll see that even though people just cycle as a hobby, they’re not riding – they’re racing.

“This competitive edge has developed with cyclists – certainly amongst the men. It’s the new golf. You not only go out and race each other, but you also have to have the best equipment. So I think that sometimes does get a little carried away, and can actually take a lot away from the simply enjoyment of participation.”

Wiggins was speaking at the launch of a new Prudential RideLondon event. The 46-mile route, shorn of some of the more challenging climbs from the longer route, has been created specifically for younger and less experienced riders.

Wiggins – who apparently missed the memo from organisers about it not being a race – said a lot of people just loved getting on their bikes. “You obviously can’t disregard the competitive element – that’s there in every sport. But I think this new race is a testament to the demand for more enjoyable, less serious cycling.”

His advice to people is to get on a bike, “be it one you own or one borrowed from friends,” and just give the sport a try. “Then you might decide that it’s not for you – and that’s fine. But, equally, you might decide that you really like it and you want to do it every day that week.”

He added that at every level, enjoyment was the main thing.

“I mean, that’s why I’ve been cycling for almost 25 years now, and that’s why I intend to keep going for another 25. That sense of freedom is only matched by the sense of accomplishment. Because at any level – whether you’re at Olympic or Tour de France level or just going out for a ride on Sunday – when you get back in and have a shower, you can tell yourself that you’ve really achieved something. And that feels good, whether you've cycled one mile or 100 miles.”

He also said that the ability to participate in the same arena as the pros is one of the major selling points of cycling – as those riding the Olympic route perhaps prove.

“I go out cycling on normal roads all the time, and I see beginners and other cyclists who recognise me. There’s no other sport like that. You wouldn’t go down the park and see Johnny Wilkinson practising his kicks. You wouldn’t bump into David Haye next to the punch bag at your local Fitness First. But that’s the great thing about cycling, it’s open to everyone.”