Author Topic: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4  (Read 26171 times)

Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #25 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.
Get a bicycle. You will never regret it, if you live- Mark Twain

rower40

  • Not my boat. Now sold.
Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #26 on: 23 July, 2012, 09:47:47 pm »
Does Graeme Obree come with subtitles?
Be Naughty; save Santa a trip

mcshroom

  • Mushroom
Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #27 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 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 :)
Climbs like a sprinter, sprints like a climber!

Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #28 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.
"He who fights monsters should see to it that he himself does not become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." ~ Freidrich Neitzsche

Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #29 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.

TheLurker

  • Goes well with magnolia.
Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #30 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.
Τα πιο όμορφα ταξίδια γίνονται με τις δικές μας δυνάμεις - Φίλοι του Ποδήλατου

John Henry

Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #31 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.

tiermat

  • According to Jane, I'm a Unisex SpaceAdmin
Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #32 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?
I feel like Captain Kirk, on a brand new planet every day, a little like King Kong on top of the Empire State

JT

  • Howay the lads!
    • CTC Peterborough
Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #33 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.
a great mind thinks alike

Jaded

  • The Codfather
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Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #34 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.
It is simpler than it looks.

mattc

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Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #35 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?)
Has never ridden RAAM
---------
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mcshroom

  • Mushroom
Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #36 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.
Climbs like a sprinter, sprints like a climber!

fuzzy

Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #37 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.

Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #38 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.  ;)
"He who fights monsters should see to it that he himself does not become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." ~ Freidrich Neitzsche

Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #39 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.
The journey is always more important than the destination

AndyK

Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #40 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.

Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #41 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.

fuzzy

Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #42 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.

Si

Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #43 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.

Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #44 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.

Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #45 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
Those wonderful norks are never far from my thoughts, oh yeah!

JT

  • Howay the lads!
    • CTC Peterborough
Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #46 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.
a great mind thinks alike

jogler

  • mojo operandi
Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #47 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:

Redlight

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Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #48 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.
Why should anybody steal a watch when they can steal a bicycle?

simonp

Re: Cycle Show Mondays from 23 July on ITV4
« Reply #49 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: