The only reason I would stay away from a period piece is because sometimes the women are painted in a very stereotypical weakling wallflower way - that's something I don't want to do. I want to show strength in the women I play and a journey of some sort.
I refuse to be molded into some stereotypical ballplayer that has no interests really no life no depth no intelligence.
It seemed romantic but also tragic - people would be winning but then lose it all or crash but fight on break bones but get back on their bikes and try to finish. Just getting to the end was seen as an achievement in itself.