Every 15 years or so, this rumor circulates: Cycling causes male infertility.
And, not long after the story circulates, a study disproves it.
Sometimes I think that there's a conspiracy afoot: The rumor starts, and scientists (young and trying to get tenure someplace, I imagine) get grants to do those studies that, in fact, cycling does nothing to affect men's ability to spawn progeny.
Let's see...Eddy Mercx, Bernard Hinault, Jacques Anquetil, Fausto Coppi and Laurent Fignon each had two kids. So did Stephen Roche, by his first wife--as Ferdi Kubler did by his second. I suspect that was a choice on their (or their spouse's) part , as it was for many Europeans of their generation. Or, perhaps, they spent so much time training during their most fertile years that they didn't have the time--or energy--to devote to, uh, extracurricular activities.
Gino Bartali and Greg Lemond each had three. So did Pedro Delgado.
So, all right, if I haven't convinced you that cycling doesn't cause male infertility, maybe this will:
or, more precisely, that bike sculpture in Devon, along the route of the Tour of Britain, was re-formed:
Hmm...Maybe the bicycle really can be part of a man's manhood after all.
Me, I don't have to wonder whether or not cycling causes male infertility. At least, I haven't had to worry about it since I underwent my transition!
And, not long after the story circulates, a study disproves it.
Sometimes I think that there's a conspiracy afoot: The rumor starts, and scientists (young and trying to get tenure someplace, I imagine) get grants to do those studies that, in fact, cycling does nothing to affect men's ability to spawn progeny.
Let's see...Eddy Mercx, Bernard Hinault, Jacques Anquetil, Fausto Coppi and Laurent Fignon each had two kids. So did Stephen Roche, by his first wife--as Ferdi Kubler did by his second. I suspect that was a choice on their (or their spouse's) part , as it was for many Europeans of their generation. Or, perhaps, they spent so much time training during their most fertile years that they didn't have the time--or energy--to devote to, uh, extracurricular activities.
Gino Bartali and Greg Lemond each had three. So did Pedro Delgado.
So, all right, if I haven't convinced you that cycling doesn't cause male infertility, maybe this will:
or, more precisely, that bike sculpture in Devon, along the route of the Tour of Britain, was re-formed:
Hmm...Maybe the bicycle really can be part of a man's manhood after all.
Me, I don't have to wonder whether or not cycling causes male infertility. At least, I haven't had to worry about it since I underwent my transition!
