Vim Quietude

Riding a bike.

Okay, now I've heard this more than a few times and I just can't understand it. People don't give Lance Armstrong credit as a great athlete because "all he does is ride a bike." I've seen this a few times on different talk shows and it just amazes me.

Firstly, I don't see how anyone can argue that what LA does isn't athletic. I suppose the argument is that it's nothing out of the ordinary. Well, I have two arguments against that.

Let's compare with other athletes. I don't think anyone will argue that Michael Jordan isn't a great athlete. In fact, many people would argue that he's one of the greatest athletes ever in any sport. Well guess what? All he does is throw a ball into a hoop. I can throw a ball into a hoop. I can also play defense and everything else. So why is MJ considered so great if you don't think Lance is?

One thing I can't do, however, is dunk. But that's not out of the ordinary IMO. A lot of people can dunk. Some people can dunk without even jumping. I'll bet that there are more people who can dunk a basketball than there are people who can ride a bike from elevation:0 to evelation:one mile up without stopping.

So are we looking for something out of the ordinary, then? I don't think so. People who can do something abnormal are often considered feaks or sideshows. I think the true definition of an athlete is someone who can do what most people do, only much better. Odd that greatness has to be accepted first.

posted by Deriser @ 4:39 AM