Legendary cyclist shares 'shut up legs' spirit
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Former bike racer Jens Voigt poses during an interview with The Korea Times at Trek bike store in Seoul, Friday. / Courtesy of Emerson K Partners
Voigt participates in Samcheok bicycle festival
By Baek Byung-yeul
German cyclist Jens Voigt retired from professional cycling in 2014, but his famous zinger “shut up legs” still inspires not only bike riders but also individuals who are challenging their own goals.
The 45-year-old raced to win a number of grand tours, such as the Tour de France and Giros d’Italia. He also won great love from his fans for his aggressive riding style. While competing at those events, he had to overcome adversity and whenever he felt his legs getting tired during races he always yelled at them to “shut up” to keep riding.
It’s been a while since he hung up his bike, but he still tours around the world to share that never-give-up spirit.
Korean cycling fans had a rare chance to ride together with the cyclist last weekend as Voigt visited Korea to join the Around Samcheok 2017 Trek Ride Fest. The non-competitive bike festival took place in Samcheok, 290 kilometers east of Seoul, on Saturday and Sunday, with 1,500 local bike lovers riding alongside Voigt.
Prior to joining the bike festival, Voigt sat down with The Korea Times to talk about his life after retirement and help improve bicycle culture here.
“I am actually busier than before I retired. Last year, I went to Australia three times, Canada two times, the United States eight times, Chile and Brazil. I do travel a lot,” Voigt said at a Trek bike store in Seoul, Friday.
He said he has been touring the world to participate in outdoor gear companies’ promotional events and hold his own bike event, the Jensie Gran Fondo, in northern California. Overall, Voigt said he has been enjoying his life after retirement.
“It’s good life because you get a chance to meet interesting people and see beautiful places,” he said.
He said his catchphrase “shut up legs” was inspired by his father.
“I think I used ‘shut up legs’ for the first time during the Tour de France in 2006. In an interview, I was asked what I do when my body is tired and legs don’t work.
“I believe that was the first time I said ‘shut up legs.’ I force my legs to function. Probably I got the idea from my dad. My dad was full of wisdom, though he was sometimes full of funny jokes. He always said the mind controls your body.
“Now, I think ‘shut up legs’ is still going to be there when I am gone. I like the idea. Sometimes people send me pictures when there is a marathon in Brisbane that there is a ‘shut up legs’ sign on the road. Somebody also had the sign in the Boston marathon. It is everywhere. I like that.”
Voigt also emphasized how much helpful cycling can be in everyday life.
“Government and companies should support cycling more because somebody that can go on bike to his workplace is a healthier person and is more creative. He is a better worker for the company. And when he gets older, he is less likely to have diabetes or other problems like being overweight. So the government and companies should support bike riding a lot more and that is why I think a bike should be a part of your daily life,” he said.
Voigt also said there should be more effort to reduce conflicts between bike riders and car drivers. “Throughout the world, bike culture is growing strongly. But a lot of people, car drivers, have no experience with bike riders and cars on the same road. Sometimes that causes conflict between them,” he said.