"I've known occasions where a star's bike has attracted more attention than they did"

Staying cool when a big name turns up at your local race is mandatory

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One of the great things about cycling as a sport is the regularity with which any of us can find ourselves lining up for a race with some properly good riders.

It's especially prevalent in the UK, where traditional races like time trials can attract an entry that runs from veterans who are mainly there to see their friends, to international riders looking to hone form, or test themselves, or in some cases just have a day out.

Sir Bradley Wiggins used to turn up to local races - criteriums as well as time trials - at a point where he was an Olympic champion. And Alex Dowsett's devotion to the local club scene led one journalist to enquire as to why exactly Team Movistar were so keen to win the Maldon and District CC '10'.

What's interesting is the reaction of the other riders when a big-name rider rolls up to the race. For the most part it's an insouciance that we should be proud of. Almost no other group confronted with one of their heroes in real life and doing the very thing that makes them a hero could muster the same sort of indifference we do. It's only just this side of rudeness, and I say well done us.