Heckling gone too far or too thin skinned?

[Tony]

Originally Posted by FlashUNC

That's a great approach for making a more inclusive, welcoming sport.

It is what it is, there are hecklers in cyclocross.
Some folks take themselves too seriously.

[FlashUNC]

Originally Posted by Tony

It is what it is, there are hecklers in cyclocross.
Some folks take themselves too seriously.

Anyone who feels the need to go to a bike race in the cold, the woods and the mud and heckle a total stranger is a small and insecure person driving people away from what is already a niche and -- in the larger picture of bike racing -- dying sport.

Some real genius at work there for some sick burns bruh.

[CunegoFan]

Originally Posted by FlashUNC

That's a great approach for making a more inclusive, welcoming sport.

From now on thou shall only heckle straight white males. Anyone who self identifies as oppressed should expect a special privilege of not being treated like everyone else.

McFade? The Streisand effect will probably keep that taunt alive for a long time.

[FlashUNC]

Originally Posted by CunegoFan

From now on thou shall only heckle straight white males. Anyone who self identifies as oppressed should expect a special privilege of not being treated like everyone else.

McFade? The Streisand effect will probably keep that taunt alive for a long time.

Well that's a stretch, Lance.

[makoti]

Originally Posted by peanutgallery

That's like heckling in gym class at elementary school. Right or wrong, toughen up and just pray that the 2nd place check cashes...and isn't Kohls cash or something

No, in gym class it's likely another "competitor" doing the heckling. Here, it's someone doing jack squat yelling crap at a person who is actually DOING what the heckler came to watch.
I agree with above - doing this at an individual sport event is just incredibly lame.

[Tony]

Originally Posted by FlashUNC

Anyone who feels the need to go to a bike race in the cold, the woods and the mud and heckle a total stranger is a small and insecure person driving people away from what is already a niche and -- in the larger picture of bike racing -- dying sport.

Some real genius at work there for some sick burns bruh.

Heckling is not my style, some go too far.
In this case I don't understand why she's taking such offence? "there was a time where your comment would have made me cry" It was a joke that she is fading, so what. As a pro xc racer it would be on that person to detach themselves from what they can't control. No one can be who you want them to be, we are responsible for our moods and happiness.

[TonyG]

There is only one answer; if you have anything to say get on a bike and say it with your legs otherwise STFU!

[BobbyJones]

Originally Posted by Tony

Folks know what they are getting into when they decided to do cx racing.
If they don’t want their feeling hurt they should get another job/hobby or grow thicker skin. Some people just want to get into the rider head, but it's usually all in good fun, like in this instance.

Is this what cyclocross has turned into?

[saab2000]

Heckling of strangers is pathetic and not part of any sport. It's bullying, pure and simple.

To what part of sportsmanship does heckling belong?

[SlowPokePete]

I was a spectator at SuperCross over the weekend, my first CX race ever, and was really amazed by the toughness the riders displayed in really tough conditions (see my Insta for some pics => https://www.instagram.com/slowpokepete/)... this was the pro/elite field.

As I watched the last place rider come around the course again and again in mud, snow, and close to freezing conditions, one thought that occurred to me is how lonely it is out there, lap after lap.

I can only imagine how people screaming out derogatory comments could piss somebody off.

SPP

[saab2000]

Originally Posted by Tony

It is what it is, there are hecklers in cyclocross.

When did this start? I watched top grade cyclocross in Europe for a decade when I lived there and I don't ever remember any heckling. On the contrary - I remember spectators encouraging everyone in the race because you know what? The spectators aren't in the race and hecklers don't have the stones to enter the race.

That dude in Belgium a few years ago who kicked a drunk heckler has my full support.

[ergott]

Originally Posted by gavingould

heckle your friends, cheer strangers.

100%

I couldn't have said it better.

[ergott]

It really saddens me that some people on this forum are being told by the racers that they don't want to be heckled by strangers and they respond with "get over it" or "toughen up". I would have thought that a direct request would be cause for some self reflection and perhaps a change in attitude.

If you know the rider and they thrive with a good razzing by all means. If someone asks you to stop something that you have to go out of your way to do, don't do it. Please, we're all on this planet together and life would be better if we always consider the thoughts of the person on the other side of anything we write/say. It's called being a good member of society.

[BryanE]

Can't take anyone serious that "flocked"to the sport of cyclocross. Did she join the race with a group of church members? I was heckled at Iceman. I was overwhelmed with joy that someone I didn't know talked to me. Is this really an issue?

[macaroon]

Seems something out of nothing

“McFadden is going to McFade”

" It’s crude, it’s distasteful, it’s demeaning, it’s harassment."

Think she needs to get a grip TBH.