Recently, Jeff, Corey, Butch and I were sitting at Yia Yia's and talking about Chris Eatough, Craig Gordon and last year's 24hr "Worlds." (In fact, Butch even blogged about it.)
At one point, we started talking about the film "24 Solo" and how it would portray the Gordon's victory. The skeptics (Jeff and I) commented that we felt the spin would be "this is what it takes to beat Eatough." It's a truth that can be embellished to make second place almost look more noble and Gordon a bit more insane. A snippet from the updated trailer is Gordon in the hospital commenting about how he couldn't pull away from Chris.
That's not to take anything away from either guy. It's more of a comment on what happens when you stand behind the view finder and the perspective you take with you when you get there. (including the knowledge of who is paying for the film.)
I am really looking forward to the film. It would be interesting to take someone who doesn't race endurance races or someone who doesn't competitively cycle. After all, I was called (as I am sure many of you were) a lunatic for riding to work in negative temps this week. What would a "non-racer" think of Gordan's win and how will the presentation affect their conclusions regarding 24hr racing, not to mention Eatough and Gordon?
How's that for thinking too much?
Team Over-Analysis signing off.
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5 comments:
Nah, you're not over analyzing. You're probably dead on.
Risking permanent damage to your body and death is insane. No race is worth it.
I agree with the above. I'll be surprised if Gordon gets a fair shake in the movie for what he did.
I get the same from non-cyclists when they stop into my office to look at the ice dripping off my bike and shake their heads. However, it's people like Eatough and Gordon that make me realize that you can never be strong enough; there'll always be someone else willing to push that much harder. So I do what I can or want.
Gordons push was stepping into insanity, but that was what it took to be the best. Regardless of how good a rider Chris is, it still is a win and an upset.
It might be crazy to step of the ledge, but as long as you have some metaphorical parachutte does it matter?
Let's go ride 300 miles now.
Say what you want about the results, all I know is that a regular working class guy beat a pro . Chris deciding "it's not worth it" to do his job makes me laugh and wonder what he's be like if he had a real job like the rest of us.
And as for the risk factor, as I said before you have a better chance of getting hit and killed on a training ride than a fatality in a medically monitored event.
Transiowa might however kill you as I don't even know if anyone other than me as first aid.
Dallas "Man you guys are making this sound like it's an extreme sport. it's not " Sigurdur
I've worked for the Twenty4hours of Adrenalin the past few years, both as a trail guy and event guy.I've seen many 24 hour races, and a few worlds.
After being in the thick of it...for 24 hours watching the race unfold,and watching those guys go through the feedzones time after time I can honestly say it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. The way Gordon rode was un-believable. I can remeber vividly him RIPPING thorugh his feedzone at 3 am his crew running after him, Gordon yelling " I FUCKING love it!" over and over again. It made everybody shiver just a little bit.
Reading blogs and forums and news spots, everyone seems to say he went over the edge, but I think they would say otherwise if htey actually were there. Being on the crew....it was a given Eatough would win, we've seen it so many times. But watching these guys duking it out Norba pace for 8+ hours.....amazing.
Seeing that the 24Solo has a huge finacial backing from Trek, I only hope they portray Gordon in the manner he deserves. I heard a radio interview with him recently,like most of us, he rides to work. The difference is that he gets up at 4:45am and rides 70kms each way....everyday. If that isnt a working class hero over comming a giant, I dont know what is.
Anyway, thanks for the rant. I just posted a blurb about it on my blog(www.thefinegrind.blogspot.com)so I felt i had to say something. Keep up the great blog, I usually check it out everyday. -Ryan
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