About a week ago, I got a call at my desk from CNN. My first thought was: who is this and what are they trying to sell me?? Turns out they were doing an article about cycling and business and someone tipped them off to my Midwest Cycling Networking group.
Here’s the article:
For entrepreneurs, cycling is the new golf
I was more than willing to share the gospel of cycling as well as how it has positively impacted me personally as well as my business’ bottom line. It’s definitely a “good news” story – I’m in better shape at almost 45 than I was at 25, and I’ve met so many awesome friends over the past 6 years that I lost count a long time ago. For me, bikes and business have been a true blessing. I’ve grown my fitness, my business, but most importantly – my base of friends. Not business-name-tag-wearing acquaintances, but TRUE friends. Guys who would bail me out of jail at 2:00am on a Saturday, no questions asked.
So after the article was posted for a day or two I went back and re-read it. By the way, one of the other guys they referenced was John Schnatter, founder of Papa John’s. Maybe you’ve heard of his business?
Anyway, I read the article and then I read a handful of the comments. WOW. Apparently bunch of spiteful, arrogant assholes read the CNN Money Blog. Here are a couple of sample comments:
“You’re the same as the person riding next to you. So it makes people more approachable. ” What BS, pricks on $5000 bikes are still pricks.
Can’t compare the networking potential between golfing and biking. The idea is dumb. You basically eliminating from your network all people that are out of shape, which is most of the ones that could be beneficial. This article is useless.
Another stupid article by a failing news outlet. Cycling is not the new golf. You aren’t going to invite your client cycling. Especially if he’s a giant fat golf playing couch potato. Even fat people golf. not a lot of fat people out cycling and when they are out cycling, they need to stop wearing the outfit!
I’d go on, but you get the picture. To make matters worse, Golf Digest ran the article and gave their version of cycling hate speech too:
‘Cycling is the new golf,’ says CNN Money. Really?
Normally, I’d blow this off, but let’s just say I’m in a mood today. Here was my response:
I’m a very easy-going guy. I ride because I love it. It makes me a better person, Dad, husband and friend. I have no tolerance for hate-speech, and I don’t understand it. If you’re fat and unhappy, change it. If you enjoy golf or some other sport/activity, great! That’s what life’s all about. But to go out of your way to criticize and condemn others for doing something that can only be interpreted as good/healthy, I don’t get it. Get a life. In fact, get my life. Losers.
...Faster than Last 