Bike racers line up for bio-break
This lovely photo depicts bicyclists in the 99th Milan-Sanremo race in Italy last week. They've all lined up to take a leak. My friend Jess Hemerly who sent the image says the scene, er, reminds her of San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood. Hit the link to see the full photo, taken by Roberto Bettini, as it appeared on Cyclingnews.com. Link
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I mean no offense, but I can say that Italy is one of the dirtiest countries I've ever visited, especially in contrast to Germany. This sight doesn't surprise me in the least.
so, no girls on this race, eh?
Having worked for a cycling team for a few years, I can tell you that this is a very common site in a bike race. These "nature breaks" occur in every bike race in every country at nearly every level of the sport. It's just not the kind of thing they show on ESPN or EuroSport. They typically happen within the first few km of the start of a race and they involve nearly the entire peleton, Italians, French, Germans, Americans, Belgians, etc. You get the idea, everybody pees. Especially after you've spent the last 2 hours topping up the fluid levels.
Really, this is a pretty mundane site compared to seeing a rider manage to pull down the bib shorts and take a wee going 25 mph in the middle of the race. I've never seen a spectator get hosed, but I'm sure its happened.
As MellowKnees suggests, female racers face a little more complicated procedure, but I can assure you that in the middle of a race they are no more modest than male riders.
-TD
This happens at every cycling race, usually it is an agreed upon "truce". How do you think they race for 6+ hours at a time? They do it in Germany too.
What...don't all races have a pisstop?
So if I do my duty off of a bridge I get cuffed and stuffed by the authorities. However, if I put on Technicolor tights, a helmet and have a bike nearby with 20 others dressed the same way, it's all good.
Got it.
a shocking lack of proper commitment. I am sure some surgical procedure must exist so the truly dedicated sportsman could dispense with this whole urination business altogether.
the truly dedicated sportsman could dispense with this whole urination business altogether
Fetish killer.
Are they peeing in bottles? I sure hope so.
bottles?! My dear lady, the only bottles cyclists might have are for one purpose only. No,no, we do not wish to be encouraging that sort of thing! Bottles indeed!
Are they peeing in bottles? I sure hope so.
It's called Gatorade.
It's got Electrolytes!
Isn't this why they have commercial breaks on TV?
I must say, for a bunch of guys taking a leak, it sure is colorful. You gotta give them that.
Cyclists aren't the only ones, runners do it too. Word to the wise, if you ever run the NYC marathon, make sure you're on the UPPER deck of the Verrazano...
I had no idea they had agreed upon stops. I figured everyone just went while in the saddle.
yup
http://www.spongywonder.com/sS_med.jpg
man, i'd hate to be stuck standing at the bottom of that hill.... :oP
I thought maybe the dry river beyond the barrier was calling to them to restore it's flow by inducing theirs.