"Bob LeDrew" (bobledrew1) 12/28/2014 at 11:29 • Filed to: bikelopnik, peter sagan, madness

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is a hell of a bike rider. He's a bit of an eccentric, prone to popping wheelies on his uber-expensive road bike, and seems to have more fun than the average ProTour rider. And it doesn't hurt his results (2014 Green Jersey for most points in the Tour de France). Combine that with only being 23, and you have someone who could dominate top-level cycling for a decade or so.

But he also has some serious cojones tucked into that cycling onesie. Watch this descent from the 2014 Tour de Suisse:

I'm not saying that car racers are wimps. But it's one thing to go fast when you're surrounded by the finest safety materials that hundreds of millions of dollars in R&D can fashion; another when your skin's only protection from a bouncy skid along the tarmac at 55 mph is a thin layer of spandex.

Bricks > Bob LeDrew 12/28/2014 at 11:34

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My first thought was "why is an astronomer racing bikes", then I felt really stupid.

ttyymmnn > Bob LeDrew 12/28/2014 at 11:56

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I'm at best an amateur cyclist, but I watch as much of the TdF as I can every year. I'm amazed by the stamina and bravery of these guys, especially on these ridiculous descents. At 55+mph on those tiny tires, the level of control is amazing. I've always wanted to be on one of the motorcycles that runs along with the tour. I'm sure it's a lot of work to keep up while staying out of the way, but what a terrific trip through the European countryside!

Bob LeDrew > ttyymmnn 12/28/2014 at 12:22

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We're all amateurs compared to these dudes. I've been near that velocity a few times, but at anywhere over 40, I start thinking about those tires and the road surface and just how small a thing would have to happen for shit to get REAL very quickly, and I start sitting up. The old saying about pilots "Old pilots, bold pilots, but no old bold pilots" comes to mind.

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > Bob LeDrew 12/29/2014 at 10:24

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Sagan is one of the best bike handlers I have ever seen in the professional road ranks.

I used to race and having been over 50mph on many occasions I can honestly say it is NOT for the faint of heart. It is weird because my body knows when I am going faster than about 47mph on my bike.

I miss racing. Fun times.