Yet Another Cycling Forum

Off Topic => The Pub => Arts and Entertainment => Topic started by: drossall on 16 July, 2012, 09:00:22 pm

Title: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: drossall on 16 July, 2012, 09:00:22 pm
Who's going to try it?
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: John Henry on 16 July, 2012, 09:04:36 pm
It would be rude not to.

Just hoping that it isn't to bikes what 'Top Gear' is to cars.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: tiermat on 16 July, 2012, 09:05:43 pm
After seeing a trailer on the ITV4 coverage, earlier, I have now set the MythTV box to record it.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 16 July, 2012, 10:13:31 pm
I'm going to.  Even if it is a bit top gear like.  In fact.  Imagine Hayles and Co challenging Clarkson and co to a double-header.  The cycle-boys take on the car-boyos in a reasonably priced car and the car boyos have to give it a go on the rollers....  ;D
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Karla on 16 July, 2012, 10:36:52 pm
They've scheduled it at the same time as University Challenge, the eejits!
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Deano on 16 July, 2012, 10:39:20 pm
They've scheduled it at the same time as University Challenge, the eejits!

How did York do tonight, by the way? I only caught the end and saw that York were on.

I'll definitely watch the show. It's about time. I imagine, though, that it'll be aimed at beginners and a general audience, so the TV equivalent of Cycling Plus.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: mcshroom on 16 July, 2012, 11:05:17 pm
If they ever put ITV4 back on the freeview transmitters round here* then I may be able to watch it :(



*if you can't supply the whole of freeview, why the hell do you take channels off the system to put HD copies of others on (at 3-4 SD channels per HD channel)?
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Karla on 16 July, 2012, 11:12:02 pm
They've scheduled it at the same time as University Challenge, the eejits!

How did York do tonight, by the way? I only caught the end and saw that York were on.

I'll definitely watch the show. It's about time. I imagine, though, that it'll be aimed at beginners and a general audience, so the TV equivalent of Cycling Plus.

...or Cycling Active maybe?

As for the program: I wish we'd been drawn opposite Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and sodding Dance!  The scores remained close for a lot of the time, but ended in an exact reversal of last year's York match. 
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: drossall on 16 July, 2012, 11:31:57 pm
I'm going to.  Even if it is a bit top gear like.  In fact.  Imagine Hayles and Co challenging Clarkson and co to a double-header.  The cycle-boys take on the car-boyos in a reasonably priced car and the car boyos have to give it a go on the rollers....  ;D
You're giving me visions of Jeremy Clarkson doing two laps of an airfield on a reasonably-priced BSO...
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: LEE on 17 July, 2012, 03:51:09 pm
Waiting patiently for the YACF pedantic moan-fest that usually follows any cycling on TV.

I think we should all prepare for the TV show by taking 30 minutes to relax, breathe deeply and try to remember that not everyone is all that bothered about the correct way to thread the leather straps on Carradice saddlebags. (I suppose this could be covered by a James May character if we are making a Top Gear analogy).
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 17 July, 2012, 03:55:37 pm
d try to remember that not everyone is all that bothered about the correct way to thread the leather straps on Carradice saddlebags.
Why the hell not? It's important!

For pete's sakes, people need to get a sense of proportion, stop waffling about 'helmets', undertaking tipper lorries driven by homicidal maniacs, and start looking into the really important matters.

Cotton duck

Quill stems

Reynolds tubing

These are the things that made the British Empire the Great British Empire.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: LEE on 17 July, 2012, 05:39:42 pm
d try to remember that not everyone is all that bothered about the correct way to thread the leather straps on Carradice saddlebags.
Why the hell not? It's important!

For pete's sakes, people need to get a sense of proportion, stop waffling about 'helmets', undertaking tipper lorries driven by homicidal maniacs, and start looking into the really important matters.

Cotton duck

Quill stems

Reynolds tubing

These are the things that made the British Empire the Great British Empire.

And maybe the only things we are still actually manufacturing
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Kim on 17 July, 2012, 06:43:26 pm
Maybe a bit of pedal-powered Top Gear wouldn't actually a bad thing?

I mean, those of us with an advanced interest in pingfuckits or Carradice threading are always going to find better quality information and discussion on the interweb.

A bit of light-hearted bikey fun (with a spattering of useful info for beginners) could be just the thing.  Imagine a television version of this article (http://road.cc/content/feature/12692-scrapheap-challenge), for example.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: John Henry on 17 July, 2012, 06:57:32 pm
Maybe a bit of pedal-powered Top Gear wouldn't actually a bad thing?

I mean, those of us with an advanced interest in pingfuckits or Carradice threading are always going to find better quality information and discussion on the interweb.

A bit of light-hearted bikey fun (with a spattering of useful info for beginners) could be just the thing.

That's true. I don't want dull and earnest. I would want light-hearted bikey fun. When I say I don't want it to be to bikes what Top Gear is to cars, I mean... well, Top Gear is mainly about the presenters showing off these days, isn't it? Some bike content would be good.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Kim on 17 July, 2012, 06:59:39 pm
I must confess to not really having seen much Top Gear since it was still doing an impression of a car show.  I think the last full episode I saw was the one where they did the car vs bike vs tube vs boat race across London - which is exactly the sort of thing that would fit in on a light-hearted bikey fun show.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: mattc on 17 July, 2012, 07:46:03 pm
Maybe a bit of pedal-powered Top Gear wouldn't actually a bad thing?

I mean, those of us with an advanced interest in pingfuckits or Carradice threading are always going to find better quality information and discussion on the interweb.

A bit of light-hearted bikey fun (with a spattering of useful info for beginners) could be just the thing.

That's true. I don't want dull and earnest. I would want light-hearted bikey fun. When I say I don't want it to be to bikes what Top Gear is to cars, I mean... well, Top Gear is mainly about the presenters showing off these days, isn't it? Some bike content would be good.
The discussion of ping-fuckit alloy grades and so-on is NOT best suited to the TV format. Some light-hearted discussion, good visual stuff etc IS.

TG gets some of this right - the problem is that it went too far, becoming (as JH says) a sort of poor comedy show. Perhaps Tomorrow's World would be a better template? Or Bob Fleming, Carl Hooper, Prof Denzil Dexter ...
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: LindaG on 23 July, 2012, 08:36:05 pm
Nigel Mansell?  Really?
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: robgul on 23 July, 2012, 08:37:56 pm
Just saw it.. was pretty good!

Better than I thought it would be.

You just have to be joking .... 100% unadulterated crap. 

Obree ? what was he saying? - Mansell ? - why was he there? - just kept on using the Cav word "incredible" ... and Fisher ... what was that all about ... the only bit of remote value was Wayne Hemingway.

Totally out of touch ...

Rob
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: John Henry on 23 July, 2012, 08:43:14 pm
Liked the pre-recorded sections, cringed at the drivel being spouted in the chatty bits on the sofa.

I always thought Mansell was a self-aggrandising knob when he was in F1, and this evening confirmed it.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: robgul on 23 July, 2012, 08:52:41 pm
Just saw it.. was pretty good!

Better than I thought it would be.

You just have to be joking .... 100% unadulterated crap. 

Obree ? what was he saying? - Mansell ? - why was he there? - just kept on using the Cav word "incredible" ... and Fisher ... what was that all about ... the only bit of remote value was Wayne Hemingway.

Totally out of touch ...

Rob

On further reflection ... as soon as I saw it was at Look Mum No Hands I should have realised it was going to be all FaceTwit and no substance.  Just lacked some couriers with no-brake fixies that were the typical LMNH customers the twice I've been there (had the lights pinched off my bike the second time)

.. and the presenter ????

Rob
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: drossall on 23 July, 2012, 08:58:23 pm
Well I liked it. As above, pitched at a general interest level.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: LindaG on 23 July, 2012, 09:05:14 pm
The bit about the Olympic RR was OK.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: LindaG on 23 July, 2012, 09:08:24 pm
However. I don't appreciate being told to wear a magic hat by a petrolhead who can't keep his bike the right way up.

Graeme Obree was great! He gabbled a bit at first which sounded like nerves but I liked his safety advice.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: SpaceBadger on 23 July, 2012, 09:16:16 pm
Nigel Mansell just gave some personal advice about wearing helmets. What's so wrong with that?

Most of the programme was crap in my opinion. Guests trying to be heard over cafe background noise didn't help either.

I hope it gets better as I really got my hopes up for this.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: mcshroom on 23 July, 2012, 09:17:09 pm
The ITV player link is broked so I can't watch it :(
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Canardly on 23 July, 2012, 09:21:02 pm
What is nice to see is that cycling gets a bit of airtime for a change. It will develop hopefully. Reserve judgement.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: rower40 on 23 July, 2012, 09:47:47 pm
Does Graeme Obree come with subtitles?
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: mcshroom on 23 July, 2012, 10:15:38 pm
Bugger.  I forgot.  :facepalm:

OK.  Never used the ITV player (I mean. Why on earth would I?)  No idea how to find it.  I assume it's reasonably intuitive.   ???

Oh hang on.  Is that the one you have to sign up for and then start receiving a zillion ITV e-mails a day which, even though you've used your junk e-mail account, is still bloody annoying?

You don't need to sign up for anything (well I just didn't) and it seems reasonably intuitive, works very much like iPlayer if you've used that (oh and it's working now - this (http://www.itv.com/itvplayer/video/?Filter=322052) should link :))

I liked the show. It took some of the better ideas of the old cycling.tv innertube show, but with a proper budget and tv production values. The background noise in the interviews was annoying, but it beats the awkward silences that innertube used to have in their studio interviews.

Mansell has never been the best pundit, but does have decent links with cycling. Other than his personal view the show wasn't particularly pro-helmet (although just about all the cyclists in their videos were helmeted) and I enjoyed the piece about Box Hill.

I hope it keeps going :)
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: spesh on 23 July, 2012, 11:38:20 pm
Just like in the TdF thread, I'm reminded that the British are never happier than when they have someone or something to moan about. :demon:

Regarding the show, I'm reserving judgement - factoring in an advert break, there's not a lot of time, so hopefully they'll concentrate on 1-2 topics per show, giving a better chance of doing them something approaching justice.

At least Graeme Obree beat Wilf Lunn Gary Fisher in the roller challenge.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 24 July, 2012, 12:04:22 am
Just like in the TdF thread, I'm reminded that the British are never happier than when they have someone or something to moan about. :demon:


I'm interested in the extent to which committed cyclists fear that their activity is being taken away from them by ignorant newbies. I'm from a cycling family, and was taken to Ribble Cyles in 1969 for my first Carlton with alloy rims and toe clips. But I didn't start serious time trialing until 1992, inspired by Boardman, and then Obree. The combination of the technology and the psychological complexity was compelling. Bradley combines both of those aspects in a single person. There's bound to be a negative reaction to a general interest programme about cycling, because it's a dilution of our enthusiast's perspective. I'm inspired by it to make even more specialised films about the backwaters of our pastime, usually featuring George Berwick.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: TheLurker on 24 July, 2012, 06:53:45 am
I'm not really convinced that there's enough material to sustain the idea long term and it was a bit baggy at the seams, but I don't think anyone's made a general cycling programme before so I'm happy to give it a while to settle. 

As to the magic hat advice from Nige; well I bridled at bit at that, but he does ride a bike so he's entitled to an opinion.  Unlike some of the magic hat advocates who wouldn't know fixed from frozen.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: John Henry on 24 July, 2012, 07:00:17 am
I want newbies to be attracted to cycling. I'm a newbie myself, really - I have no cycling pedigree. And the benefits of more people on bikes outweigh the loss of that lovely sense of being in a righteous and persecuted minority.

I don't want a special-interest programme for anoraks that's basically 30 minutes about spoke lacing or a biography of teethgrinder (wonderful chap though he is) or whatever. I think most people really get that it needs to be entertaining, non-technical and light-hearted, and to appeal to the non-cycling/casual cycling masses.

I just thought the sofa-based bits were amateurish drivel, with poorly-chosen guests who didn't come across well (though on the whole I do like Graeme Obree - and I don't have problems with his accent). It was obviously put together in a hurry to reflect Wiggo's win. Perhaps future editions will be better thought out and more polished in that respect. I like it that cycling is getting more TV airtime - that doesn't mean I have to enjoy every single cycle-related programme on principle.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: tiermat on 24 July, 2012, 07:05:51 am
I think it hit it's target audience.

We are not it's target audience.  It reminded me a bit of the early days of the SKY football show, you know the one, where they sit around on the sofa and chat about football, then have a penalty shootout at the end.

I like the idea of the roller run off, do you think Obree was holding back or Fisher was giving his all?
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: JT on 24 July, 2012, 09:03:41 am
There didn't seem any point to it being filmed at LMNH - the venue certainly didn't add anything to the programme.

It was brave choosing Obree as a guest in that format as he tends to ramble on and swear a lot. I suspect a lot of his contributions were edited out. Gary Fisher came across as a knob and Mansell was OK but had too much airtime for someone with so little to say.

The Wayne Hemingway piece was good and the road race preview but why point out that the cyclists with Rob Hayles were of varying abilities and then not ask them how tough it was?

I think the above is constructive criticism rather than moaning but call it as you see fit. FWIW, I've kept it on series link.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Jaded on 24 July, 2012, 09:08:41 am
A biography of teethgrinder would be a food programme.

If it is going to be modelled on Top Gear it should be called Bottom Gear.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: mattc on 24 July, 2012, 09:26:29 am
Seems like Obree is getting some media practice in - he was on the Panaroma "Sports Foods are Overpriced Sh1te" program too. (Perhaps building for his 100mph ride?)
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: mcshroom on 24 July, 2012, 10:00:15 am
I think it hit it's target audience.

We are not it's target audience.  It reminded me a bit of the early days of the SKY football show, you know the one, where they sit around on the sofa and chat about football, then have a penalty shootout at the end.

I like the idea of the roller run off, do you think Obree was holding back or Fisher was giving his all?

Soccer AM is a pretty good comparison thinking about it :)

I think they could have named the people riding with Rob Hayles (sort of "Nic, Box Hill Wheelers" type thing) and had a regular feature with normal club riders from joining in on road racing/ mtb stuff as they do it. Theres scope for a bit about sprinting, TT, Cyclocross, track racing (different disciplines), BMX, XC and downhill in a similar vein to that piece.

I quite liked Gary Fisher (as a one off), although he is a bit wierd but I think he may have been shoe-horned into the program (as he was around). They seemed to have little to ask him and some of the other features like Obree on his new bike were curtailed rather abruptly. The challenge was a bit rushed as well.

Hopefully it will settle down with a little less content covered better. The downhilling feature next week looks interesting.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: fuzzy on 24 July, 2012, 12:02:04 pm
I have retained my series link to this.

It was the first programme of what I hope will become a long term feature. As such, it has yet to develop and establish its identity and style. I would guess that the folk responsible for the programme also watched last nights first airing and will recognise where the programme looked a bit iffy and why. These minor faults will be easily rectified.

I noticed that the presenter asked for clubs etc to FaceAche/ Twat the show with reasons why they should be included so suspect that future programmes will have more Joe Cycling Public input.

I thought the Wayne Hemmingway section of the show was a good idea but could have done with being longer. A couple of mentions were made about not being on the inside of truck and the fact that up to 17 bikes can dissapear in a truck drivers blind spot. A demonstration as to why by having a drivers eye viepoint from a truck cab would have been a good impact point.

Nigel Mansell was a bit dry and uninspiring for me. Graeme Obree was his usual enthusiastic self and tbh, I thought Gary Fisher was OK. Nice to see a god from the history of cycle development getting involved.

Overall, I thought it was OK. Not brilliant but a good start and getting some 'mainstream' coverage of our passtime/ sport/ hobby/ method of getting about the world is a good thing.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: spesh on 24 July, 2012, 12:10:38 pm
Well, it was better than the meeja slebs - sorry, presenters - on Breakfast News asking one of the UK's cycling stars if they fall off a lot.  ;)
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Honest John on 24 July, 2012, 12:11:52 pm
Good bits:
The Box Hill bit and the safety ride by the bike shop bloke.

Boring bits:
The interviews.

Bad bit:
Nigel Mansell plugging Magic Hats. He just had to spoil it all when he knew no one would argue, didn't he? And why on earth do pro-Magic Hat proselytes always refer to the head in some jokey way, as "bonce" or noggin"?

Amusement:
In almost all footage of cyclists - except for the "average London street scene" bits which included Boris- Ken-Bike riders - Magic Hats were worn. Then they run the show from LMNH, the natural habitat of the Rapha-casquette wearer and his fashionable fixed-wheel steed.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: AndyK on 24 July, 2012, 12:12:54 pm
I hope it isn't going to be all cycle sports. I'd like to see a lot more that the ordinary utility/leisure cyclist can relate to.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 24 July, 2012, 12:30:11 pm
I thought it was ok. Certainly better than nothing. Yep it was far from perfect, but fingers crossed they can sort that out eventually.

I thought they might do something on utility cycling when we saw Bobbin Bicycles, as they sell loads of bikes/clothing/accessories more suited to that kind of cycling. I’m seeing lots more people on sturdy Dutch-style bikes in ‘normal’ clothes these days (though nowhere near as many as I saw in Paris at the weekend). Perhaps in a later episode.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: fuzzy on 24 July, 2012, 12:44:23 pm
I thought they might do something on utility cycling when we saw Bobbin Bicycles, as they sell loads of bikes/clothing/accessories more suited to that kind of cycling. I’m seeing lots more people on sturdy Dutch-style bikes in ‘normal’ clothes these days (though nowhere near as many as I saw in Paris at the weekend). Perhaps in a later episode.

For me, that was one of the plus points about the Wayne Hemmingway segment. He was on a 'step through' framed bike and wearing casual togs- Mr Joe Public guise.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Si on 24 July, 2012, 02:55:28 pm
The old cycle show that used to have a half hour on Saturday mornings was a lot better - it just went on about bikes in an accessible way and didn't try to be the new top gear.  In fact the only thing really wrong with it was that it was a bit before its time.

Now we are at the right time and appear to have the wrong show.  I'll not write it of after one edition, but it was hard to see who'd be excited by it.  A lot of people won't know who Fisher is or what he's done and will just think "Pillock".  A lot of people will know who Mansell is and what he's done and will just think "Pillock".  And a lot of people will just be confused by Obree whether they know who he is or not.  Personally I'd have preferred a proper structured interview with both Fisher and Obree to this attempt at laid back off the cuff - alike. 

Box Hill - no, didn't get it.  All different abilities yet they tried to make out that everyone was racing, etc - very superficial.

How to cycle safely - nope, one or two good point but just seemed to be riding around posing for the most part.  No mention of going to a proper instructor for real lessons and the benefits that that can bring.

And I can't actually remember what else was on it.

I'd rather watch a half hour of Duffers doing a monologue on, well, anything really.  But as I say, I will stick with it and hope that it learns by its mistakes....and I applaud them for giving it a go.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: drossall on 24 July, 2012, 07:27:21 pm
I don't want a special-interest programme for anoraks that's basically 30 minutes about spoke lacing...
I quite liked the way that Maurice Burton was building a wheel without this ever being mentioned. Enough to pique the curiosity?

I noticed the magic hats bit, but thought it more important that road positioning never got a mention in the safety slot. It was all rather vague, whereas safety is quite substantially about behaving in a very definite and positive manner.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: bobb on 25 July, 2012, 10:23:34 am
The chat on the couch bits were a bit cringey. Nigel Mansell is as dull as ever, but it was quite amusing watching Graeme Obree and Gary Fisher trying to out-mad each other!  :P
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: JT on 25 July, 2012, 10:36:37 am
The chat on the couch bits were a bit cringey. Nigel Mansell is as dull as ever, but it was quite amusing watching Graeme Obree and Gary Fisher trying to out-mad each other!  :P

Aye but Fisher is self-consciously and deliberately mad whereas with Obree it's all natural.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: jogler on 25 July, 2012, 12:42:56 pm
Lots of cringe & condescending so lots of room for improvement so I will watch again hoping for more pertinent,even contentious issues being on the agenda.

I note that Mansell didn't explain how wearing a helmet failed to prevent him suffering a broken collar bone. :demon:
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Redlight on 25 July, 2012, 11:18:07 pm
I'm inclined to give them some rope. The first series of Blackadder, Men Behaving Badly and One Foot in the Grave were crap too.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: simonp on 30 July, 2012, 10:08:09 pm
Watched tonight's just now. Much better. And they have a rollapalluza league table. It *is* top gear for bikes.

That alpe d'huez race is just bonkers. And nice to see them getting slebs coming out of the closet as cyclists.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: padbeat on 30 July, 2012, 10:37:20 pm
I'm watching now and pinged Jeff Banks and Dermott Murgnahan (sp?) in uncredited appearances. The segments are a bit short - I'd have liked a longer interview with Eddie Merckx and the bike fitting was quite interesting, but again a bit too short. Alpe d'Huez was utterly bonkers.

Gary Kemp is still a twat though ...
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: JT on 30 July, 2012, 10:40:27 pm
Yes tonight's show, while still not brilliant, was much improved.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: bobb on 31 July, 2012, 09:04:59 am
Do they have some rule stating that each week a guest has to mention wearing a h*lmet? Last week it was Mansell, this week it was Kemp...

I want to do that Alpe d'Huez race!
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: TimC on 31 July, 2012, 09:29:28 am
Haven't seen this week's yet, but I quite liked the first one. Despite his boring Brum accent, and Mondeo-man views, Nigel Mansell has achieved a hell of a lot in his life, and is the power behind the UK Youth cycle racing team. Between him and his sons, the Mansell family definitely qualify as cyclists! Gary Fisher is Californian, and from the free-love-and-as-many-drugs-as-you-can-pack-in generation, so it's not surprising he's bonkers. But he's one hell of a rider, and 'invented' mountain bikes, so he qualifies too. Graeme Obree is now well known and accepted as being somewhat off-the-wall, but you just know he's got loads of interesting stuff to say if he can just get it out. A shame the interviewer didn't have the skillz to get the best out of these three.

The other stuff was interesting and topical and showed just enough promise that non-enthusiast-cyclists might just tune in again. And if it adds to the growing feeling that cycling is becoming 'cool', that's no bad thing.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: jogler on 31 July, 2012, 09:59:16 am
 An improvement on last week's edition.

"they" seem keen on helmet promotion which is preferable to compulsion.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: pumpkin on 31 July, 2012, 10:56:43 am
Definite improvement last night. Kemp is a celeb cyclist so I can see the idea of him being on but EM on UK tv at 8pm - fantastic. So much he could have been asked. That AdH feature was excellent but I'd never do it.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: simonp on 31 July, 2012, 10:58:13 am
Re the length of the items, on twitter they said they hope that if viewing figures are good enough, they can get a longer slot in the future.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Cyclops on 31 July, 2012, 05:42:53 pm
The programme is getting a 60 minute slot from 13th August so hopefully they'll go a bit more in depth rather than cramming in more short segments.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 31 July, 2012, 08:15:52 pm
I watched a few mins of it last night.  Not my cup of tea at all.  :(
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: fuzzy on 01 August, 2012, 07:45:10 am
My series link remains active. I thought this offering was a more slick edition and bodes well for future editions.

MegaAvalanche? That looks like something I would love to have a go at :thumbsup:

Perhaps we should suggest to the show that the rolapaluza thing could be used in the same vein as the TG Star in a reasonably priced car?
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: AndyK on 01 August, 2012, 07:53:09 am

Perhaps we should suggest to the show that the rolapaluza thing could be used in the same vein as the TG Star in a reasonably priced car?

Yes. And get Cl*rks*n on one.  :demon:
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: TimC on 01 August, 2012, 09:01:07 am
Saw Monday's episode on the ITV Player last night. It was good to see Eddie Merckx in good form - and allowing an interview in English, which I understand is quite rare. I thought Gary Kemp was quite good value too. The Alpe d'Huez race looked fantastic fun! Overall I think it's not bad - I refuse to look down my nose at it because it's a populist format; if it's going to appeal to maybe-cyclists as well as actual cyclists, it has to show that ordinary people, or unexpected people, get loads out of cycling and that the whole thing is fun and not just a worthy alternative transport or a diehard sport.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: John Henry on 01 August, 2012, 06:12:19 pm
OK, as a fairly harsh critic of the first episode, it's only fair to say that I thought the second one was a massive improvement, and I enjoyed it. It felt much more professionally produced, and the guests were well-chosen and allowed to say something interesting.

Even Kemp's pro-helmet view didn't annoy me - he couched it in terms of it being his own personal choice, and didn't use the word 'noggin' once.

I enjoyed the AdH section (mad!) and the bike fitting bit. Thumbs up to this one.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: TimO on 03 August, 2012, 02:57:52 pm
I think it's got promise.  As others have said, we're probably not the target audience, this is a bit like Micro Live, which I used to watch with the expectation of it saying something interesting, but all too often it was what I considered obvious stuff, but which was probably more interesting to the average man on the street, who at that time had probably never seen a home computer.  They are now far more ubiquitous and programs like Click! are often more technically challenging.  The comparison isn't quite so valid, given that bicycles have been common on our streets for over a century, but TV programmes about them, for some reason, seem to have been relatively rare.

Did anyone else think the footage on the supine recumbent that Graham Obree is planning on challenging the human powered land speed record with, looked a little wobbly?  I've since found some other footage, and there's no shots of him doing any moderate speed, and if he's planning on doing 80mph+ with it faired, he should be able to do 30mph+ unfaired without too much effort.  Interestingly it's a treadle type drive (which is more clearly shown here (http://tinyurl.com/d3dy2xh)), presumably because it'll make adding a fairing easier.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Kim on 03 August, 2012, 03:09:32 pm
I think it'd be hard to get on an unfamiliar 'bent of that height without wobbling a bit, no matter how strong your recumbent-fu.  That the bike's geared for speed and has a frankly terrifying steering arrangement can't help.  I wouldn't take a new bike up to 30mph without getting reasonably comfortable with how it handles at 10 first - that would be a recipe for falling off the first time you stop.

More discussion of the attempt in this thread:

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=54891.0
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: TimO on 03 August, 2012, 05:14:46 pm
That may well be the case, but if he's hoping to get over 80mph, he has quite a long way to go from wobbly cycling around at below 10mph.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Nuncio on 06 August, 2012, 01:53:39 pm
Bugger.  I forgot.  :facepalm:

Basil - a reminder for you.  This is on tonight.

[edit]  Hope it doesn't clash with Horizon.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Ashaman42 on 06 August, 2012, 07:52:08 pm
Well I watched the first episode earlier and didn't think too much of it but saw everyone saying the second was a big improvement so gave that a go too. And yes, much better.

Still not sure it's for me but will give it a couple more episodes as the Sky+ is set to record it anyway.

The Alpe D'Huez race looked absolutely bonkers. I'd give the course a go but only if I was as rich as Tony Stark and could rent the whole thing for a day for just me.  ;D I'd be too slow on a lot of it otherwise and worrying about people running up the back of me.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: bobb on 07 August, 2012, 03:46:27 pm
3rd episode - No mention of H*lmets!

Thought Rob Hayle's bit on p*nctures was spectacularly pointless - "This is what you do when you get a puncture... Slow down and stop" No shit...
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Kim on 07 August, 2012, 03:51:55 pm
I did like Alan Davies' comment about mudguards, though  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: JT on 07 August, 2012, 08:56:11 pm
I did like Alan Davies' comment about mudguards, though  :thumbsup:

That was funny. Mind that Aston Martin bike looked fugly as fuck.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: padbeat on 09 August, 2012, 10:29:20 am
It's definitely getting better, although the interviews are still a little 'clunky' and the links aren't exactly slick.  I didn't mind Rob's bit about punctures - remember this is aimed at casual cyclists as well as keen ones and if you took away the key bit of info about staying as straight as possible and not trying to turn, you might save yourself from an embarassing off.

I'm looking forward to the hour-long ones.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: tiermat on 09 August, 2012, 10:48:23 am
It's definitely getting better <SNIP>

I'm looking forward to the hour-long ones.

Yes, but it is suffering, quite badly, from "Lets fit as much as we can into 30 mins". An hour would allow for more detail on the puncture segment and maybe a better item about the mini-track.  Cut the interviews down though, FWIW when I watch TG I go and do something else when the interviews are on (it's not just TG though, Later.... sufferes the same problem, Jools Holland and Jezza are not Parky or Wogan and should just give up on the idea that they are, same here on this program).

I also think that they should make LMNH cough up some cash so they can actually say where they are and not pretend it's "Their cycle cafe"
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: TimO on 09 August, 2012, 03:03:13 pm
I also think that they should make LMNH cough up some cash so they can actually say where they are and not pretend it's "Their cycle cafe"

Presumably they are actually paying to use LMNH, and not just wandering in with a camera crew, and sitting around a table filming the programme. ;D

Do they film it live, or is it recorded?  It's not obvious to my untrained eye, and I haven't really watched it with that in mind.  If it's live, maybe YACF should pop down that day/time for a drinking session social meeting. ;D
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: tiermat on 09 August, 2012, 03:08:09 pm
According to this article, it is filmed on a Sunday:

http://roadcyclinguk.com/riding/riding-news/itv4-to-broadcast-weekly-cycling-chat-show.html
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: drossall on 09 August, 2012, 07:24:16 pm
I also think that they should make LMNH cough up some cash so they can actually say where they are and not pretend it's "Their cycle cafe"
Thanks. As a non-Londoner, I didn't recognise Look Mum No Hands. I've now tracked it down and put it on the "to visit" list.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Kim on 09 August, 2012, 09:18:52 pm
Do they film it live, or is it recorded?  It's not obvious to my untrained eye, and I haven't really watched it with that in mind.  If it's live, maybe YACF should pop down that day/time for a drinking session social meeting. ;D

There should be some sort of competition for the first person to get a YACF jersey on the programme...
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: bobb on 10 August, 2012, 02:10:55 pm
I'd never heard of LMNH until a few weeks ago when I cycled past it whilst riding across getting lost in London. I was kicking myself when I got to Liverpool St and was told I had to wait an hour until I could take my bike on the train (  ::-) ) I could have spent that hour in LMNH rather than the grotty Costa Coffee place at LS. Idiot!
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: AndyK on 13 August, 2012, 08:50:53 pm
"Once upon a time cycle cafes were unheard of, now they're popping up all over the place…"  ::-)

Maybe this show should get people who've actually cycled longer than since the end of this year's Tour to present their articles.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Bledlow on 13 August, 2012, 11:04:57 pm
I also think that they should make LMNH cough up some cash so they can actually say where they are and not pretend it's "Their cycle cafe"
On http://www.lookmumnohands.com/ (http://www.lookmumnohands.com/) -

Quote
The cycle show is filmed in the cafe every week on Sunday afternoon / evenings. This weeks guests are Ned Boulting, Rik Waddon and Dan Craven We kick off at about midday. All welcome.
Quote

So . . . not exactly a secret.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: padbeat on 13 August, 2012, 11:31:50 pm
There's something about it I couldn't quite put my finger on, and then Mrs PB said, "It's a bit Why Don't You, isn't it?"

Yes. Yes it is.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Kim on 13 August, 2012, 11:36:30 pm
Ooh.  Hopefully the Russell T Davies episodes, with Ben and the sheep with the wellies...

Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: rafletcher on 14 August, 2012, 11:56:09 am
I managed to watch about 5 minutes of the first one, and gave up, just couldn't stand it.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: TimO on 14 August, 2012, 10:43:46 pm
One of the good things about LMNH, is that their in-house beer is called Slag.  So, the challenge has to include getting a YACF jersey on camera, whilst drinking a bottle of Slag. ;D
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: drossall on 14 August, 2012, 10:47:56 pm
I enjoyed this week's again. Sorry to those who didn't.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: jogler on 14 August, 2012, 10:55:37 pm
I enjoyed this week's again.

so did I. It is improving.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 14 August, 2012, 11:05:18 pm
Definitely improving and allegedly  next week our Catford CC junior team might get a mention :)
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: drossall on 15 August, 2012, 12:00:31 am
Is anyone up for entering a YACF team for the rollers on one of these (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rower_wieloosobowy_by_Zureks.jpg)?
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: tiermat on 15 August, 2012, 09:52:51 am
I like the 1 hour long format, it allows them to do the same number of articles but assign more time to them, thus allowing them to do them properly!

The 2 commuting articles were good and the interviews are getting better as they seem less rushed and forced.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: fuzzy on 15 August, 2012, 09:57:09 am
I enjoyed it again this week and wasn't this edition longer than previous ones?
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: tiermat on 15 August, 2012, 09:59:45 am
I enjoyed it again this week and wasn't this edition longer than previous ones?

Yes, it's an hour now instead of 30 mins, hence my comments regarding this :)
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: mcshroom on 15 August, 2012, 10:25:52 am
Looks like I'll have to look it up on their player tonight then :)
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: orienteer on 15 August, 2012, 10:27:37 am
The one hour becomes 45 minutes on replay, without the ads.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: fuzzy on 15 August, 2012, 10:49:14 am
I enjoyed it again this week and wasn't this edition longer than previous ones?

Yes, it's an hour now instead of 30 mins, hence my comments regarding this :)

 :facepalm:
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: TimC on 15 August, 2012, 10:57:50 am
I like the 1 hour long format, it allows them to do the same number of articles but assign more time to them, thus allowing them to do them properly!

The 2 commuting articles were good and the interviews are getting better as they seem less rushed and forced.

I thought much the same, and I enjoyed this weeks' show very much. I was very impressed by Rik Waddon - especially when he beat Dan Craven!
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: John Henry on 15 August, 2012, 05:01:26 pm
The one hour becomes 45 minutes on replay, without the ads.

Yes... the half hour was only 23 mins.

It continues to improve, and the hour format made for more satisfying features and a more relaxed pace. Good guests this week again. It is reminiscent of 'Why Don't You...?', in a good way.

I really, really want a go at BMX now. And I think i'm slightly in love with Anna whatserface.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: delthebike on 15 August, 2012, 05:37:26 pm
I really, really want a go at BMX now. And I think i'm slightly in love with Anna whatserface.
Anna "ride on the pavement" Glowinski.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: TimO on 15 August, 2012, 05:51:10 pm
I think it's definitely improving, partly because of they're more experienced at it, and definitely getting into the swing of things, but also the doubling of the duration makes things less rushed.  Some of the interviews were put on YouTube as longer versions, and when you're cutting down one of the relatively few interviews that Eddy Merckx does, that's not a good thing.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: eck on 15 August, 2012, 06:16:52 pm
I thought it was a bit London-centric and, sure, some of the features could be better but, hey, it's an hour devoted to cycling of all sorts on mainstream TV. Who would have seen that coming a year ago?
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: jogler on 15 August, 2012, 06:29:34 pm
I thought it was a bit London-centric

yes,agreed

This

but, hey, it's an hour devoted to cycling of all sorts on mainstream TV.

is it's potential ace in the pack wrt to being of benefit to cyclists already of the faith
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Redlight on 15 August, 2012, 11:09:02 pm
I really, really want a go at BMX now. And I think i'm slightly in love with Anna whatserface.
Anna "ride on the pavement" Glowinski.

Sadly, she is the weakest member of the presentation team and rather looks to be the token woman, which is a shame as she obviously is a genuine cyclist. She has potential and is comfortable on camera, but needs to slow down a little and learn to develop her own voice rather than, as it seems, try to recite the script. That's just down to age and experience. 

I suspect the research team is also pretty young - the item this week on the cycle park/gym place in Soho was introduced as if it were a completely new concept when, with the exception of the gym aspect, it has been around for a couple of decades to my knowledge (remember Bikepark in Covent Garden, anyone?).
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: drossall on 16 August, 2012, 08:01:48 am
... and, as AndyK pointed out, they also thought that cyclists' cafes were a new concept.

Didn't stop it being a good programme though.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: mattc on 16 August, 2012, 09:12:49 am
FFS, nothing is really new in cycling. If you two were the editors they'd end up with a 30 second programme. Or just racing results.  ::-)

A more important whinge; the token blonde and almost everyone she spoke to had appaling cases of AQI. I would have hit delete if they hadn't switched to someone who knew how to talk properly.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: LEE on 16 August, 2012, 01:11:02 pm
I suspect the research team is also pretty young - the item this week on the cycle park/gym place in Soho was introduced as if it were a completely new concept when, with the exception of the gym aspect, it has been around for a couple of decades to my knowledge (remember Bikepark in Covent Garden, anyone?).

I wasn't aware that they existed.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: TimO on 16 August, 2012, 01:27:36 pm
... and, as AndyK pointed out, they also thought that cyclists' cafes were a new concept.

They're common enough now (at least in London), that Time Out has done a London's Best Cycle Cafes (http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/features/9949/London-s_best_cycle_cafes.html), instead of just London's Cycle Cafes!

To be fair, even in London, they aren't exactly around every corner, and I suspect a lot less common in other parts of the country.

Wonders about doing a Cycle Cafe Ride around London... (http://jakal.sp.ph.ic.ac.uk/~timo/smilies/idea2.gif)
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: fuzzy on 16 August, 2012, 01:42:46 pm
I really, really want a go at BMX now. And I think i'm slightly in love with Anna whatserface.
Anna "ride on the pavement" Glowinski.

Sadly, she is the weakest member of the presentation team and rather looks to be the token woman, which is a shame as she obviously is a genuine cyclist. She has potential and is comfortable on camera, but needs to slow down a little and learn to develop her own voice rather than, as it seems, try to recite the script. That's just down to age and experience. 

My bold.

Don't forget the cool calm commuter facet that is presented by another female- VeloGirl (or similar tag) the very fashion oriented black lady. A nice indication that it ain't all about the lycra.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: padbeat on 16 August, 2012, 02:54:11 pm
She seemed to be the most natural and eloquent presenter on the programme. The lead guy could really do with a bit of remedial interview training. It seems a bit like:
Interviewer asks general question and points it to guest A. Guest A answers, and recieves follow up question. Guest B is asked for their opinion, switch back to guest A just before guest B gets interesting. Guest A warms up a bit, interviewer cuts him off and we go to a break.

There's no flow and its all a bit clunky. God help me but he could do worse than watch Jeremy C interview Stars in Reasonably Priced Cars.

All this notwithstanding, I do enjoy most of the programme. Rob Hayles is quite good and doesn't seem to mind taking the piss out of himself.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Notsototalnewbie on 16 August, 2012, 02:56:32 pm
I really, really want a go at BMX now. And I think i'm slightly in love with Anna whatserface.
Anna "ride on the pavement" Glowinski.

Sadly, she is the weakest member of the presentation team and rather looks to be the token woman, which is a shame as she obviously is a genuine cyclist. She has potential and is comfortable on camera, but needs to slow down a little and learn to develop her own voice rather than, as it seems, try to recite the script. That's just down to age and experience. 

My bold.

Don't forget the cool calm commuter facet that is presented by another female- VeloGirl (or similar tag) the very fashion oriented black lady. A nice indication that it ain't all about the lycra.

I’ve followed Lady Velo’s blog for a while now (to the extent that I almost said hello when I saw her pootling along the South Bank!) I’m glad they’ve picked her up because I think her presenting style is quite natural and she is a good example to illustrate that you don’t need heaps of special gear to get on a bike. The fact that some people will watch her pootling along looking lovely on her Pashley and think ‘I could do that’ is awesome – she also made a great case for seeking out quieter routes, something I had to struggle along with on my own using trial and error long before there were apps and things.

You can tell Anna isn’t quite comfortable with presenting, in fact her awkwardness reminds me of myself on the rare occasion I’m stuck in front of a camera, so I hope she’ll get better because I find her quite hard to watch at the moment.

We can sit and pick it to pieces all we like but overall I think this programme is a Good Thing. The ordinary member of the public won’t be aware that cycle cafes/cycle parks aren’t a new thing and anyway does it really matter – the main thing is they’re on the rise and that is also a Good Thing.

(what does AQI mean?)

Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: John Henry on 16 August, 2012, 04:52:21 pm

(what does AQI mean?)

Australian Questioning Intonation? When people turn every sentence into a question by making it go up at the end?

It's Anna's slight lack of naturalness in front of the camera that makes me think she's cyclist first, presenter second. And I rather like that, tbh.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: TimO on 16 August, 2012, 05:20:13 pm
... You can tell Anna isn’t quite comfortable with presenting, in fact her awkwardness reminds me of myself on the rare occasion I’m stuck in front of a camera, so I hope she’ll get better because I find her quite hard to watch at the moment. ...

I think it's just taking her a while to get used to presenting.  I don't think she's done it before, if you look her up, you realise that she's basically a cyclist, who has also designed clothes for cyclists, because she is "Ana Nichoola (http://www.ananichoola.co.uk/)" clothes.

Overall the entire show is a little bit shaky, but that's no bad thing, because it's just trying to sort out what it's doing, and how it's doing it.  I think it's improving very fast.  There have been plenty of TV series that have been pretty awful for an entire series, before they got into the swing of things.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: clarion on 16 August, 2012, 05:29:07 pm
Does anyone else remember the first series of Top Gear? 
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: John Henry on 16 August, 2012, 05:47:12 pm
Does anyone else remember the first series of Top Gear?

The one before James May joined? Yes. It was truly dire.

I'm not a massive fan of TG, but it seems to me as a non-expert that in its prime it was generally slick, confident and well-produced, despite a very shaky start. TCS has the potential to be excellent if they carry on the current rate of improvement - I reckon every episode is noticeably better than the last, at the moment.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: clarion on 16 August, 2012, 05:54:10 pm
I'm thinking of William Woolard and Noel Edmonds.  It took from 1977 to 2001 to achieve the current popular format.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: jogler on 16 August, 2012, 06:03:04 pm
Does anyone else remember the first series of Top Gear?

 :hand:

stay on topic,don't allow this thread to drift to that topic
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: clarion on 16 August, 2012, 06:17:03 pm
I imagine it's the format and 'feel' that they are aiming for.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: John Henry on 16 August, 2012, 06:17:52 pm
Does anyone else remember the first series of Top Gear?

 :hand:

stay on topic,don't allow this thread to drift to that topic

Comparisons between TCS and Top Gear are inevitable, given the subject matter and format. I don't think it's irrelevant. The 'new' format of Top Gear has become very popular, but the first series was pretty bad. (I remember the older Edmonds/Woollard era, but I don't remember how popular it was.)

But we could talk about 'Men Behaving Badly', 'Blackadder' or 'Only Fools and Horses' if you prefer. Or a load of others. The point is that there have been a large number of programmes which have became very popular, but which struggled to find their feet in their first series. TCS has teething troubles, but my perception is that it's getting there.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: mattc on 17 August, 2012, 06:16:12 pm

(what does AQI mean?)

Australian Questioning Intonation? When people turn every sentence into a question by making it go up at the end?

It's Anna's slight lack of naturalness in front of the camera that makes me think she's cyclist first, presenter second. And I rather like that, tbh.
That's right? It's become very popular with the yoof today? Not only does it make them harder to listen to? But it  makes them sound uncertain of what they speak, which is unhelpful when they're presenting factual stuff for our consumption?

(It pleased me that the younger TeamGB riders - like Trotty - avoid it completely, even when all squeally and schoolgirly.)

Hopefully it's a symptom of inexperience in front of a camera; she'll get better, and I'd rather have cyclists presenting it than converted motoring journos  ::-)
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: clarion on 19 August, 2012, 07:38:12 pm
Joff Summerfield has mentioned on FB that he will be on the next edition.

I must find it on the intertubes.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Wobbly John on 19 August, 2012, 08:04:32 pm
Joff Summerfield has mentioned on FB that he will be on the next edition.

 :D

He did feature greatly in the trailers for the series.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Hummers on 20 August, 2012, 08:57:06 pm
Definitelty better than the first episode in the series (although this is a relative term).

It does make you reailse that despite having a bike (and riding it), the sort of cycling you do is just one small part of cycling.

H
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Wobbly John on 20 August, 2012, 08:59:02 pm
Go Joffffffffffffffffffff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: jogler on 20 August, 2012, 09:03:05 pm
Olympic Gold medalist comes 2nd to Joff :thumbsup:

The programme  keeps getting better.
Lizzie Armistead came over really well.I reckon she has the necessary to do well in TV cycle media when she hangs her wheels up.
She's certainly switched on.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: LEE on 20 August, 2012, 11:15:22 pm
Comparison of folding bikes that didn't compare the folding procedures or price was a bit poorly thought out I thought. 

However I enjoyed the continual stream of odd people coming out of the cafe, caught in the glare of the camera whilst the interview was going on. I wonder if that toasted sandwich found its rightful owner.

Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: TimO on 20 August, 2012, 11:43:34 pm
Comparison of folding bikes that didn't compare the folding procedures or price was a bit poorly thought out I thought. ...

That was exactly my thought!

A Moulton TSR2 is probably more expensive than most Bromptons, and I have no idea how a Mezzo compares to either of those price-wise.

Most Moultons don't really fold, they'll come apart relatively simply with some tools, but not close to the sub-30 seconds that a Brompton can be folded or unfolded in.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: padbeat on 21 August, 2012, 01:10:08 am
"No, Jeff, you don't need £6 million to run a Pro women's team. It's only £450,000. How about it?"

Well done that woman!

This week's was much improved. It's still not exactly slick, but the interviews were better and I think they're getting the hang of it.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: AndyK on 21 August, 2012, 08:07:38 am
I can't help feeling it's lacking something, because every week without fail I forget it's on and end up watching on catch-up.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: bobb on 21 August, 2012, 09:19:26 am
I didn't realise Jeff Banks was a cat 1 in his day.

Rob's folder piece was a bit rubbish. He should have a least ranked them rather than just saying "I quite like this one". And mentioned the price. And fold size. And....
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: LEE on 21 August, 2012, 09:24:56 am
I didn't realise Jeff Banks was a cat 1 in his day.

Rob's folder piece was a bit rubbish. He should have a least ranked them rather than just saying "I quite like this one". And mentioned the price. And fold size. And....

Still, at least I now know that a Penny-Farthing is quicker than a Mezzo folder, when you include the time to assemble Mezzo. 
I think it's something we'd all been wondering.
Title: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: AndyK on 21 August, 2012, 11:25:18 am
Moultons are not folders. Seems the assumption is small wheels = folder. Also you don't get out of the saddle on a Moulton.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 21 August, 2012, 11:47:11 am
I honk on my Moulton lots. Riding a Duomatic at PBP03, I wasn't going to get around otherwise. You just need more preload, a stiifer spring and more damping, along with a 'sympathetic' cadence.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: AndyK on 21 August, 2012, 12:35:23 pm
And constant references to 'fold-up' bikes was really grating on me. What are they, five years old or something? They're folders or folding bikes.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 21 August, 2012, 02:04:23 pm
"No, Jeff, you don't need £6 million to run a Pro women's team. It's only £450,000. How about it?"
If I win Euromillions, I'll be sponsoring women's cycling.  :D
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: fuzzy on 21 August, 2012, 02:09:09 pm
"No, Jeff, you don't need £6 million to run a Pro women's team. It's only £450,000. How about it?"
If I win Euromillions, I'll be sponsoring women's cycling.  :D

Yay, Yay and thrice Yay for Team EG Pro Cycling :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: AndyK on 21 August, 2012, 03:54:29 pm
I've now watched last night's show. Still far too much focus on cycling as a sport and not enough on cycling as transport.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: twiddler on 25 August, 2012, 07:37:20 pm
As this thread records TCS is definately on the way up, i quite like Graham Little, i think he had a challenge being given the lead role on a new show and has grown steadily in confidence.  He seemed to make a bit of a leap forward when Ned Boulting was on - a bit unfair on Ned to use this as a direct similie but perhaps it was a bit horses and donkeys?  Seemed to help GL keep calm and he relaxed further into his role.

Having had a bit of a read around i believe the producer of the show has been wanting to make it for a year and a half, it was commissioned just six weeks or so before the first episode was broadcast, so just turning out a programme was an acheivement - they've done a good job of raising the bar week on week since.  Some of the items could be better but i expect this will come in time, no-one's commented on the fact that part of the feature on folding bikes was filmed in autumn, so they're presumably having to draw a bit wider to fill 45 mins.
Really enjoyed the last show - would never have imagined Jeff Banks would be such a good guest, and alongside Lizzie and Dani it was fun, informative and amusing, making it the best sofa interview yet.

I understand the producer is keen to promote the benefits of cycling in the round, the practical as well as the sporting, i guess all will be revealed as the show unfolds, certainly it's looking good enough (to me, at least!) to get a re-commission.  I'd quite like to see Danny MacAskill out and about doing interviews, he seems a really likeable guy despite being ridiculously talented, and in this vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3547uGVVZw shows why he might do well in such a role.

Just me two-penneth, i bid thee farewell.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: rogerzilla on 25 August, 2012, 09:00:11 pm
I would have liked to see them fold and unfold all the folders.  That's when you'd see that the Mezzo's front wheel has to come out of the dropout and it is a potentially unsafe design.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: mcshroom on 25 August, 2012, 09:05:53 pm
I would have liked to see them fold and unfold all the folders.  That's when you'd see that the Mezzo's front wheel has to come out of the dropout and it is a potentially unsafe design.

Only if he hadn't tried to fold the moulton first
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 25 August, 2012, 09:11:18 pm
Endured the whole of last week's show.  Should be named the London Cycle Show.  Or at least the Urban Cycle Show.  Where was the countryside ?  The Dawes Galaxies ?  The drum ups ?  Obviously not cool enough.  That they've chosen to present it from a wannabe cool and trendy coffee shop in the middle of London says it all.   Compare and contrast The Adventure Show.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: mcshroom on 25 August, 2012, 09:21:29 pm
Endured the whole of last week's show.  Should be named the London Cycle Show.  Or at least the Urban Cycle Show.  Where was the countryside ?  The Dawes Galaxies ?  The drum ups ?  Obviously not cool enough.  That they've chosen to present it from a wannabe cool and trendy coffee shop in the middle of London says it all.   Compare and contrast The Adventure Show.

everything has to be focussed on London doesn't it - I mean everywhere outside of the M25 is just a wasteland obviously.

Reminds me of things like the transport spending around England:-

Quote
London - £2,731
South-east of England - £792
East Midlands - £311
West Midlands - £269
Yorkshire and Humberside - £201
North-west of England - £134
Eastern England - £43
South-west of England - £19
North-east of England - £5

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-16235349
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: twiddler on 25 August, 2012, 10:14:17 pm
Sometimes i wonder if my posts go entirely unread or whether people just have their grumpy boots on?  ::-)
Surely you can lay off a bit and give them some credit for their efforts?  As i understand it they're a bunch of small fish who've developed and made a handful of TV shows, not global uberfuhrermeisters!
Mind you, i wish they'd do something about our bins, it's a bloody disgrace that is!  And what are they making tv programmes about bloody cycling for anyway?
 :demon:
Title: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: ran doner on 25 August, 2012, 10:27:38 pm
I now know the bloke in Liege with his foot caught in the railings with all the paramedics around him was Jeff Banks. Brits abroad hey. ;)

Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: redshift on 25 August, 2012, 10:57:19 pm
Ooh.  Hopefully the Russell T Davies episodes, with Ben and the sheep with the wellies...

Crikey, I worked on some of those.  #old

Oh, and the comparison stands.  Some of the edits feel a bit odd to me, and the links are a bit LINK! if you know what I mean?  However, it's a cycling show on real TV (well, ITV4 anyway) so I'll give it time to grow.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: TimO on 26 August, 2012, 10:48:49 am
Given what's been said about the timescales involved, it's a bit of an achievement to have managed to produce anything!  The London bit probably partly relates to that, and like it or not, it is the capital city, so it's always going to be easier to get guests, access to equipment and technical staff, quite possibly also cheaper (which is going to be an issue for a small company), as well as probably more appropriate stories, and recently the Olympics with a high cycling profile (which was quite possibly one of the reasons ITV decided to do the show at this time).  It's also the city with most of those factors, and a very large cycling population, which given a wish to do more general cycling stuff, rather than racing, is going to be a necessity.

I suspect Look Mum No Hands is as much about ease of availability than anything else.  They could have used a studio, but a suitable one may not have been easily available within the time, but I think LMNH lends a little but of authenticity to the feel, and I quite like the occasional clank of dishes, or someone dropping something in the background!

(Redshift is probably more able to comment on many of these aspects, I'm just guessing).

I don't think they're sports centred, although it's always going to be easier to find stories and people relating to that, especially with all the recent success, but they've done stuff, and had guests on who aren't directly related to current cycling sports, the recently mentioned folders, Gary Fisher, Jeff Banks all being good examples.

I hadn't realised that the Folder bit was filmed in Autumn, that's amusing, since they weren't necessarily wearing dramatically different clothes to what you would wear in an English summer. ;D
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: teethgrinder on 26 August, 2012, 04:02:17 pm
I prefer having it filmed in the cafe. Much better to show a cafe that is busy with cyclists, showing that cycling is allready well established than filming in a souless studio IMO.
I didn't think much of the piece with the Brompton, Moulton and Mezo. Pretty much amounted to, here are some bikes, I like this one best but the others were OK. The End. Would have been good to demonstrate their folding/dismantling. I was surprised that he didn't seem to rate the Moulton but that was probably because he's a bouncy climber. I never had trouble on my Moulton and only use the front suspension lock out on my mountain bike for super steep climbs where hitting something would bounce my front wheel off the ground.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 26 August, 2012, 09:16:26 pm
The London bit probably partly relates to that, and like it or not, it is the capital city, so it's always going to be easier to get guests

That will be London celebrity guests then.  For me this programme will only gain credibility when it starts sharing its sofa with the likes of George Berwick.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Redlight on 26 August, 2012, 09:24:38 pm
The London bit probably partly relates to that, and like it or not, it is the capital city, so it's always going to be easier to get guests

That will be London celebrity guests then.  For me this programme will only gain credibility when it starts sharing its sofa with the likes of George Berwick.

Perhaps George as the viewer-at-home's first contact with Audaxing might not be optimal. Maybe we should suggest they interview Salvatore when he eventually gets home.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: simonp on 26 August, 2012, 09:48:20 pm
The London bit probably partly relates to that, and like it or not, it is the capital city, so it's always going to be easier to get guests

That will be London celebrity guests then.  For me this programme will only gain credibility when it starts sharing its sofa with the likes of George Berwick.

When they asked on twitter about any cycling scenes they should be aware of I replied with Audax. So, you never know, they might be listening.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: LEE on 27 August, 2012, 10:08:01 pm
Sometimes i wonder if my posts go entirely unread or whether people just have their grumpy boots on?  ::-)
Surely you can lay off a bit and give them some credit for their efforts?  As i understand it they're a bunch of small fish who've developed and made a handful of TV shows, not global uberfuhrermeisters!
Mind you, i wish they'd do something about our bins, it's a bloody disgrace that is!  And what are they making tv programmes about bloody cycling for anyway?
 :demon:

Maybe you should read my post on page 1

Quote
Waiting patiently for the YACF pedantic moan-fest that usually follows any cycling on TV.

I think we should all prepare for the TV show by taking 30 minutes to relax, breathe deeply and try to remember that not everyone is all that bothered about the correct way to thread the leather straps on Carradice saddlebags. (I suppose this could be covered by a James May character if we are making a Top Gear analogy).


It's not that our YACF glass is half empty, rather that it is totally empty, someone knocked it on the floor, where it smashed, and we subsequently stood on it in bare feet.

This thread should be a long line of posts along the lines of "Hooray..a program about cycling at last" but of course it isn't.

Check out the Tour de France TV coverage threads for more examples (You think Hitler did some bad things but just see what Sherwin and Ligget get up to.)
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: twiddler on 27 August, 2012, 11:42:47 pm
You clearly knew what to expect Paul!
I made my first post having read the entire thread and there is a general indication that it is improving, i also note one post which says that the producers have been asking for input from the 'cycling community', which surely bodes well for it's development?

All of that aside, what are your takes on the show, as mentioned i think Graham Little's doing a pretty good job, they've had a varied mix of guests some more interesting than others, but have also managed to draw some big name guests, can understand why they included the roller racing thing but it seems a bit of a dead end.  What would you like to see to improve it?  What would you add / remove / feature?

For those who complain it is too London-centric i challenge you to do something of sufficient merit to warrant a feature, rather than criticise and pull down the hard work of others!  :P  :demon:
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: LEE on 28 August, 2012, 10:08:12 am
My take on the show is that I'm glad it's there, it shows things are improving cycling-wise (I'm sure it's gone from 30 mins to 60 mins but can't be bothered to check).

They have a small budget but manage to get some surprisingly famous people on there (well, famous to keen cyclists perhaps).

I think they need to develop a format for properly testing bikes and make it a regular slot. 

New cyclists always ask "what type of bike should I buy" and this show would be an ideal way of helping them.

Tell me about Gore-tex vs Event jackets perhaps and what the sensible commuters are wearing perhaps.

Sometimes (actually always) the interviews can feel a bit drawn out, so take 5 minutes to show people how to fix a puncture or something, in a "Mechanics Workshop" piece.

As much as I'm never likely to play Bicycle polo or MTB Trials riding it's good that we get to see different branches of the sport.  I hope we get some coverage of Track, Sportives, Audax, Touring..etc.

I hope that, if they ever cover Audax, they interview one of the Rapha boys who completed PBP and the qualifiers.  Their ride reports and photos are the best I've seen and would really help promote Audax to a less "Cotton-Ducky" generation.

It's so new that they are still finding their feet.  I hope it establishes itself and gives them enough time to perfect a format before it gets pulled.  I can't  believe it's hitting TV budgets that hard so it may survive in place of yet another "Friends" or "Top Gear" repeat. 

It's on my Series-Link so I'll be watching it as long as they make it (unless they turn it into some meaningless-to-cycling "Top Gear" format).
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 28 August, 2012, 07:45:30 pm
My proposals to improve the show.
 
- Base each programme on an event, eg a cycle rally/audax/sportive/charity ride/race/track meet.  Present on location from the event, cover that in depth but interspersed with the magazine pieces
- Ensure that over the series the events chosen cover the complete spectrum of cycling and cover the entire UK, although a bias towards Scotland would be entirely understandable given that we have the best scenery  ;)
- Show the presenters taking part in the activities presented
- Forget about celebrities, it isn't OK! magazine.  Focus on normal people, and the enjoyment they are getting from the event
- Include magazine pieces on how to's, on kit selection, on favourite rides, and favourite tea stops (cake !)

BBC Scotland viewers may notice a parallel between the above and the aforementioned Adventure Show  :)

Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: twiddler on 28 August, 2012, 09:56:00 pm
I'd like to see the Adventure Show but live on the warmer, drier side of the line, has the Snow Roads one been on yet?

I understand your comments RoJ but i think they are looking to make something which is more widely accessible, scrapping the celebrity and presenter participation is fair enough, but i think they are intended to help people to buy into it and to show that 'look you're getting to know this presenter, they're not especially gifted perhaps but they can have a go and enjoy it so perhaps you can too'. 

Well that's my perspective at least.

Just caught this weeks episode and really enjoyed it, i think they're getting a nice balance and feel but it needs the full hour (read 45 minute) slot.

Can one watch the Vipond turn himself inside out on YouTube?
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: David Martin on 28 August, 2012, 10:10:43 pm
I did suggest they cover carrying stupidly inappropriate loads by bike. Maybe they should go and visit Mr Wobbly.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Kim on 28 August, 2012, 10:52:59 pm
Ooh.  Hopefully the Russell T Davies episodes, with Ben and the sheep with the wellies...

Crikey, I worked on some of those.  #old

Awesome!   :D
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 29 August, 2012, 07:06:57 am
Can one watch the Vipond turn himself inside out on YouTube?

I expect it will be on i-player.  They seem to be having a summer break at the moment, the last programme was from the MTB World Cup in Fort William in July, their next programme appears to be scheduled for October. 
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: padbeat on 31 August, 2012, 08:56:44 am
I remember watching Dougie blowing out of his ass climbing the Bealach na Ba challenge, and looking very wobbly and in need of more gears going around the hairpins. And then some git shoved a camera in his face while he was trying not to vom.

That's worth paying the TV licence for! ;D
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: David Martin on 01 September, 2012, 08:32:54 pm
That would be this Mr Vipond at the hairpins on the Cairn O'Mount..?

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8462/7908276420_07c6f5c1eb_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmam/7908276420/)
Ooops! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmam/7908276420/) by davidmamartin (http://www.flickr.com/people/davidmam/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 01 September, 2012, 09:41:48 pm
^  David, I hope you didn't knock him off on purpose !
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: David Martin on 01 September, 2012, 10:02:04 pm
It was a mechanical. I'm looking forward to that episode of the adventure show airing..
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: David Martin on 03 September, 2012, 09:55:03 pm
I liked the balance bike bit - just moved our balance bike on from the youngest to the cousins and now on to a local family with a 3yo. They really are the way to go and every primary school with a reception class should have some (and every nursery too!) Ours was the Lidl special from about 5 years ago.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: mattc on 04 September, 2012, 01:40:29 pm
That would be this Mr Vipond at the hairpins on the Cairn O'Mount..?
Massively OT ramble:

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: AndyK on 04 September, 2012, 02:47:26 pm
Worn BB= New pedals? Where was that service, Halfrauds?
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: jogler on 04 September, 2012, 03:11:42 pm
I assumed it was in the workshop at LMNH.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: fuzzy on 04 September, 2012, 03:34:21 pm
I think the segment was filmed in Nornireland, where the presenter johnny comes from.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: tiermat on 04 September, 2012, 03:53:34 pm
Worn BB= New pedals? Where was that service, Halfrauds?

To be fair he did say the bearings in the pedals were worn, and showed how to check.  He also mentioned what effect that would have (extra strain on knees and hips)
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 04 September, 2012, 09:31:00 pm
Having been alerted by the tweets of Mark Beaumont and Jill Douglas I recorded this edition and sat down to watch fast forward button at the ready not expecting it to be any better than the one I watched a few weeks ago.  I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised.  I remain disappointed about the lack of Dawes Galaxies and cotton duck but it was nevertheless quite watchable.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: fuzzy on 05 September, 2012, 11:08:39 am
I think this edition has been the best yet. The balance seems to be developing and the regular presenters seem to be settling in and becoming more comfortable in their roles.

Roger Hammond was a very good guest and Jill Douglas is a media pro anyway.

Mark Beaumont is the most comfortable in front of the camera, non pro peleton type rider I have seen on the show.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: LEE on 05 September, 2012, 02:48:24 pm
  I remain disappointed about the lack of Dawes Galaxies and cotton duck but it was nevertheless quite watchable.

There was an old codger who kept walking in front of camera...he looked like he may own a Dawes Galaxy and Cotton Duck.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: twiddler on 05 September, 2012, 09:20:25 pm
I think this edition has been the best yet. The balance seems to be developing and the regular presenters seem to be settling in and becoming more comfortable in their roles.

Ditto that, Anna seemed much better in this episode, i think they've nailed it now - it's a really good programmme.
One thing about the bike maintenance bit which surprised was that they didn't change the cables, but from the way the presenter was nudging and refreshing the conversation i think the mechanic might've got a bit of camera fright, which is fair enough.
Balance bike thing was interesting, never seen them before and never realised how big Mark Beaumont is!
Really happy for the programme makers, hooray for cycling!  ;D
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: LEE on 11 September, 2012, 09:55:54 am
Anyone feel slightly uneasy watching Kristian House descending the Stelvio pass?
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: jogler on 11 September, 2012, 02:21:13 pm
No
I now have that descent on my list of things to do before I die ;D
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: clarion on 11 September, 2012, 02:32:42 pm
Only just before, if you get it wrong :o
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: tiermat on 11 September, 2012, 03:35:01 pm
Anyone feel slightly uneasy watching Kristian House descending the Stelvio pass?

There were definitely some clean-inducing moments in the film they showed of his descent, especially the two tunnel bits....
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 11 September, 2012, 10:36:44 pm
I didn't realise Jeff Banks was a cat 1 in his day.



 Jeff Banks has been a Catford member for years & decided to put something back in by sponsoring our Junior team  ;D he's all right
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: AndyK on 11 September, 2012, 10:50:23 pm
Still far too much focus on cycling as a sport instead of transport. Getting bored with it now.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: bobb on 12 September, 2012, 01:14:22 pm
Don't watch it then.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: AndyK on 12 September, 2012, 01:20:32 pm
Don't watch it then.

It's been that uninteresting I've forgotten it's on every Monday and watched the next day on catch up. If it was that good I wouldn't forget it's on. Not everyone is a mamil or roadie. If they want to appeal to a wider audience then they need to switch the content from 75% sport to 75% transport.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: TimC on 12 September, 2012, 01:31:10 pm
Don't watch it then.

It's been that uninteresting I've forgotten it's on every Monday and watched the next day on catch up. If it was that good I wouldn't forget it's on. Not everyone is a mamil or roadie. If they want to appeal to a wider audience then they need to switch the content from 75% sport to 75% transport.

I'm not sure I agree. If Top Gear was all about Ford Fiestas, VW Polos and Hyundai i20s, and the best technique for booking a ticket on National Express buses, I doubt it would get many viewers. Equally, while cycling for transport may be very worthy, it's not very sexy and is unlikely to inspire great TV. There's a place for it, and I think it actually gets a fair bit of coverage, but the interesting stuff that will get the enthusiasts tuning in is competitive, fast, skilful, unusual, and colourful.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: AndyK on 12 September, 2012, 01:36:16 pm
Don't watch it then.

It's been that uninteresting I've forgotten it's on every Monday and watched the next day on catch up. If it was that good I wouldn't forget it's on. Not everyone is a mamil or roadie. If they want to appeal to a wider audience then they need to switch the content from 75% sport to 75% transport.

I'm not sure I agree. If Top Gear was all about Ford Fiestas, VW Polos and Hyundai i20s, and the best technique for booking a ticket on National Express buses, I doubt it would get many viewers. Equally, while cycling for transport may be very worthy, it's not very sexy and is unlikely to inspire great TV. There's a place for it, and I think it actually gets a fair bit of coverage, but the interesting stuff that will get the enthusiasts tuning in is competitive, fast, skilful, unusual, and colourful.

Top Gear does not dedicate most of it's time to motor sport, it always talks about cars as transport first. The only mentions of 'sport' are in the lap times. If it took the format of the cycle show most of Top Gear would be about F1, RAC Rallies, and Touring Car Championships.

I have neighbours who are regular utility cyclists, but they have zero interest in cycle sport. When I mentioned  the cycle show to them their reply was almost exactly that, 'We don't race'. The over-emphasis on cycle sport is a massive turn off for the majority of cyclists, because they simply don't associate themselves with racing, road bikes, or lycra.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: clarion on 12 September, 2012, 01:46:49 pm
I'm not sure how anyone could conclude that normal cycling gets 'a fair bit of coverage'. ???
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: LEE on 12 September, 2012, 03:34:14 pm
How can anyone pretend that Top Gear, in any way shape or form, reflects anything but the fantasy end of motoring?
They only ever include "normal" cars as something to ridicule before they see  if the new Lamborghini can get to Nicaragua before James May riding a diamond-encrusted Elephant..

Having said that, "Fifth Gear" include more realistic, real world cars, in their reviews and, as a result, it's an even shittier show than Top Gear.

Who wants to watch a show about the new 800cc Kia Splodge (or whatever it may be)?

"Buying my first practical commuter" may be a decent start for the Cycle Show rather than "Which is the best £4000 road bike?". (I imagine they need to be careful not to upset anyone in the trade though, unlike Clarkson who gets paid more the more people he offends)

I really enjoyed parts of this week's show though.  Comparing the heart rate of House to the presenter (an ultra fit ultra-marathon runner and cyclist) was revealing.  130 vs 180bpm up Stelvio Pass.  That just shows the gulf in fitness between extremely fit people and extremely fit, Pro, people.

Above all it's a TV show about cycling.  Impossible to make everyone happy but trying it's hardest and not doing too bad.

It's a start

Maybe in 10 years you will be able to choose which cycling TV show you prefer watching.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: TimC on 12 September, 2012, 03:42:49 pm
I'm not sure how anyone could conclude that normal cycling gets 'a fair bit of coverage'. ???

Well, it gets more than I'm interested in... :demon:
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: bobb on 12 September, 2012, 03:44:35 pm
The trouble with "Cycling as transport" is that it's a non-subject really. You just get on your bike and go to wherever you're going. That's it. The end. In fact, that's the beauty of it - its simplicity. It doesn't need a TV programme.

I appreciate that shows like this don't exist purely for my benefit, but I really don't need some knob telling me how to ride a bike from A to B. Whilst wearing a helmet no doubt.

I do on the other hand enjoy watching things like the Stelvio piece...
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: madcow on 12 September, 2012, 04:25:21 pm
The trouble with "Cycling as transport" is that it's a non-subject really. You just get on your bike and go to wherever you're going. That's it. The end. In fact, that's the beauty of it - its simplicity. It doesn't need a TV programme

I think many people who drive cars or use buses/trains getting  to work would be interested in the cycle vs. car vs. bus type challenge, but equally they might be put off if shown some of the helmet cam stuff posted here and elsewhere.
A piece on crap cycle lanes might be amusing and shame one or two councils though. Or showing how difficult it is to get your bike actually on a train on the commuter  lines.
They could do interviews asking why people actually  prefer to cycle to work in London , just to show that they are are normal human beings, not Olympic level athletes.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: LEE on 12 September, 2012, 04:36:56 pm
The trouble with "Cycling as transport" is that it's a non-subject really. You just get on your bike and go to wherever you're going. That's it. The end. In fact, that's the beauty of it - its simplicity. It doesn't need a TV programme

I think many people who drive cars or use buses/trains getting  to work would be interested in the cycle vs. car vs. bus type challenge, but equally they might be put off if shown some of the helmet cam stuff posted here and elsewhere.
A piece on crap cycle lanes might be amusing and shame one or two councils though. Or showing how difficult it is to get your bike actually on a train on the commuter  lines.
They could do interviews asking why people actually  prefer to cycle to work in London , just to show that they are are normal human beings, not Olympic level athletes.

I think it's better not to show crap cycle lanes or how difficult things may be.

First, show some footage of how easy and cost efficient it is to cycle into London a couple of miles, get people commuting.
(How many short journeys, by bike, into the congestion charge zone, would it take to pay for a decent bike?)

Secondly, when many more people have invested in the commuting idea, rally them into demanding improvements.

Basically don't put people off.

I can't abide the "another cyclist has died" thread on YACF..I don't know what it's supposed to do other than make me more worried than I should be.  I find it a bit "Daily Mail".
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: sas on 13 September, 2012, 01:01:35 am
I think many people who drive cars or use buses/trains getting  to work would be interested in the cycle vs. car vs. bus type challenge, but equally they might be put off if shown some of the helmet cam stuff posted here and elsewhere.
A piece on crap cycle lanes might be amusing and shame one or two councils though. Or showing how difficult it is to get your bike actually on a train on the commuter  lines.
They could do interviews asking why people actually  prefer to cycle to work in London , just to show that they are are normal human beings, not Olympic level athletes.

I think it's better not to show crap cycle lanes or how difficult things may be.

First, show some footage of how easy and cost efficient it is to cycle into London a couple of miles, get people commuting.
(How many short journeys, by bike, into the congestion charge zone, would it take to pay for a decent bike?)

Secondly, when many more people have invested in the commuting idea, rally them into demanding improvements.

I predict such a program would have very few viewers:
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: LEE on 13 September, 2012, 09:16:31 am
I think many people who drive cars or use buses/trains getting  to work would be interested in the cycle vs. car vs. bus type challenge, but equally they might be put off if shown some of the helmet cam stuff posted here and elsewhere.
A piece on crap cycle lanes might be amusing and shame one or two councils though. Or showing how difficult it is to get your bike actually on a train on the commuter  lines.
They could do interviews asking why people actually  prefer to cycle to work in London , just to show that they are are normal human beings, not Olympic level athletes.

I think it's better not to show crap cycle lanes or how difficult things may be.

First, show some footage of how easy and cost efficient it is to cycle into London a couple of miles, get people commuting.
(How many short journeys, by bike, into the congestion charge zone, would it take to pay for a decent bike?)

Secondly, when many more people have invested in the commuting idea, rally them into demanding improvements.

I predict such a program would have very few viewers:
  • Your typical YACFer or regular cyclist will quickly get bored of it.
  • Why would a non-cyclist feel the urge to watch it in the first place?

I totally agree.

I wasn't suggesting a format for a TV program, I was offering an alternative to the suggestion about televising poor cycle-lanes and poor public transport facilities, the depressing and off-putting side of cycling.

My previous posts are positive about the current show and it's format (in that it's hard to please everyone so they aren't doing a bad job at all).

PS.  Had Rob Hayles just come from an "all-nighter"?  He looked and sounded pissed.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: AndyK on 13 September, 2012, 09:40:11 am
The trouble with "Cycling as transport" is that it's a non-subject really. You just get on your bike and go to wherever you're going. That's it. The end. In fact, that's the beauty of it - its simplicity. It doesn't need a TV programme.

I appreciate that shows like this don't exist purely for my benefit, but I really don't need some knob telling me how to ride a bike from A to B. Whilst wearing a helmet no doubt.

I do on the other hand enjoy watching things like the Stelvio piece...


There's plenty of room for discussion on normal bikes instead of the latest carbon-wonder road bikes or mountain bikes. There's room to show bicycles as a business option with cargo bikes, trailers, electric assist etc. and to do focus spots on businesses that do so. There's room for pieces about choices of ordinary upright bicycles, vintage style bicycles, how to ensure your bike isn't stolen, and yes, how to ride safely in town etc.

At the moment all those things are just brief asides to all the boring sport talk.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: bobb on 13 September, 2012, 10:47:04 am
At the moment all those things are just brief asides to all the boring sport talk.

For you maybe, but not for everyone.

You say:

The over-emphasis on cycle sport is a massive turn off for the majority of cyclists, because they simply don't associate themselves with racing, road bikes, or lycra.

How do you know it is for "the majority" of cyclists? I wonder how many of the many thousands (if not millions) of people who watched the tour or the Olympic road race this summer actaully race? A very small percentage indeed I would guess. So "the majority" are interested in cycling as a sport.....
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: AndyK on 13 September, 2012, 10:48:42 am
Because I include everyone who rides a bicycle in the term 'cyclists', not just roadies.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: Nuncio on 13 September, 2012, 09:55:06 pm
We're just coming through some exceptional times for UK pro road and track cycling.  The show started just after BW's TdF win.  Then there was the Olympics and Paralympics.  The programme couldn't and shouldn't have ignored them or treated them as asides.  I'm sure the sport/utility balance will shift a little.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 8th July on ITV4
Post by: bobb on 08 July, 2013, 02:54:07 pm
It's back tonight! Apparantly there's an Essex lanes feature with Alex Dowsett. Should be interesting (at least for the YACF Essex massive)  :)
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: red marley on 09 July, 2013, 01:57:06 pm
Does anyone know where the cafe stop on the Essex lanes feature was? The one with the cycling memorabilia.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: bobb on 09 July, 2013, 02:27:23 pm
Does anyone know where the cafe stop on the Essex lanes feature was? The one with the cycling memorabilia.

It's the Knead Food Cafe at The Blue Egg (http://www.theblueegg.co.uk/) near Great Bardfield.

Dowsett and Cavendish practically live in there!

It is a very good cafe BTW...
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: TimC on 09 July, 2013, 02:36:45 pm
It is indeed - I visited for the first time on Tomsk's Flitchbikes Audax. Damn fine cake! And bacon sarnies...
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: red marley on 09 July, 2013, 02:56:41 pm
Thanks. I must cycle within a km of it maybe ten times a year and didn't know of its existence. Will definitely make a visit next time I'm riding in that direction.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: drossall on 09 July, 2013, 08:56:20 pm
It is indeed - I visited for the first time on Tomsk's Flitchbikes Audax. Damn fine cake! And bacon sarnies...
But the Flitchbikes event didn't go to Great Bardfield ???
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: TimC on 10 July, 2013, 05:37:04 am
The 50k BP did. As did Tomsk & lad. And me and my lad.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: drossall on 10 July, 2013, 07:46:25 am
Doh! I never saw the route for that. Was it good? Nice area.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: TimC on 10 July, 2013, 10:14:17 am
It was lovely! It's a beautiful area, and just outside our local range so mostly new roads to us.
Title: Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
Post by: drossall on 10 July, 2013, 08:26:04 pm
As my route in the Flitchbikes deprived me of a visit, I'm going to have to find an opportunity for a ride out to that cafe...