The Cycle Show

[rfryer]

What do people think of the latest series of "The Cycle Show" (Tuesdays at 8 on ITV4)?

I'm finding it much more watchable than last year, but I was disturbed by this week's edition that featured two cyclists that had got back on their bikes after serious cycling accidents. In parallel with a TdF that is shedding injured GC contenders at an alarming rate, I can't help but feel that the media "story" at the moment is that cycling is for sports enthusiasts that are prepared to accept the (significant) risks. Should The Cycle Show not be addressing this rather than perpetuating it?

[mjr]

It seems to be produced by itv sport. The only non-sporting feature last night was the expedition tourer, wasn't it? That was far too short, I felt. Even the least sporting of the sports features (L'Eroica - which commemorates heroic sporting races, as I understand it) had shots of interesting bikes mostly ruined by fast cuts and funny angles. Then you add James Cracknell and arrrrrrrgh I'll say no more lest we get sent to the subforum.

So you could almost summarise it as "Top Gear for Cyclesport" couldn't you? There was an absolute peach of a line where the presenter said with incredulity "you've NEVER raced on a bike before?" which sort of sums up the problem. It's cycling for the 5% - I guess it's easier to attract advertisers like Evans and Giant/Liv (last night's entire show seemed to be product-placemented in a Giant/Liv shop) who target the racing 5%, rather than the likes of Raleigh, Oxford and Weldtite who target the mass market.

I've suggested a few things to the show on twitter, like talking about LCC/CTC/CN's space4cycling campaign, or going to Cambridge and seeing how what is there is light years ahead of most of the country but still so poor that they plan to rebuild a lot of it, or even going on one of Mr Hembrow's study tours... but nothing on-screen so far.

I suspect presenter Matt Barbet's recent Dunwich Dynamo ride may be covered. I wonder what angle they'll take.

[PaulB]

I haven't seen this week's yet (should be on the hard drive somewhere) but I was not impressed by the first episode last week. All we got was people sitting around talking about cycling but very little actual action. Not sure who the presenter is as I haven't seen him before but he was on screen far longer that any bicycle. I'll catch up today but unless they stop the emphasis on competitive cycling, I won't make a point of recording it.

As an aside, I did notice that the trailer for the programme mentioned "folders" and showed brief clip of a Moulton - which does not fold!

[[XAP]Bob]

Yeah - it was unfortunate timing...

I was a bit surprised they didn't take the opportunity to look at the VTX at least a little bit.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
It would be more intertesting if the tech content matched the long drawn out stories of individuals gap year.
The Cracknell story has been talked about too often, most of the people appearing are just not interesting enough to keep me watching.
Where is the technical content rather than multi angle shots of some unknown riding in a carnaval.

Its all free exposure for the nobodys , it would look the same if you made a show of golf.

[geocycle]

Wouldn't it be great to have a cycle programme where folks weren't slogging their guts out to go as fast as possible, wearing garish outfits, doing some endurance challenge, or getting cut-up by traffic... maybe something about a pleasant, stress free, healthy day out.... but that wouldn't make good TV

[robc02]

Wouldn't it be great to have a cycle programme where folks weren't slogging their guts out to go as fast as possible, wearing garish outfits, doing some endurance challenge, or getting cut-up by traffic... maybe something about a pleasant, stress free, healthy day out.... but that wouldn't make good TV

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00t69gd She is even riding Harold Briercliffe's touring bike (Dawes Galaxy if I remember correctly).

[geocycle]

Wouldn't it be great to have a cycle programme where folks weren't slogging their guts out to go as fast as possible, wearing garish outfits, doing some endurance challenge, or getting cut-up by traffic... maybe something about a pleasant, stress free, healthy day out.... but that wouldn't make good TV

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00t69gd She is even riding Harold Briercliffe's touring bike (Dawes Galaxy if I remember correctly).

Yes that's true, and there was that series with the Australian brothers following Hannibal. Anything that makes cycling looks normal and fun, not hard and dangerous!

[Sooper8]

Wouldn't it be great to have a cycle programme where folks weren't slogging their guts out to go as fast as possible, wearing garish outfits, doing some endurance challenge, or getting cut-up by traffic... maybe something about a pleasant, stress free, healthy day out.... but that wouldn't make good TV

I don't know...I'd watch it, you would too and a few others. Imagine something a bit like this forum but with moving images.
That would work wouldn't it?

[Mark1978]

At least they are doing the hill climb bit at least close to ordinary cycling.

[drossall]

I've been enjoying it. The bit where Matt Stephens (no mean rider) on an MTB was beaten over a serious MTB course by an MTB specialist whose name escapes me, on a road bike, was fun. And we get questions on here about whether you need suspension on bridleways

And yes, the "greatest hills" bit is evocative.

[Mark1978]

The production has improved immensely this year. I wonder if their budget is rather more? I didn't like the crashes segment; ride a bike and look what happens to you?

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
I thought that last year was better than the year before.
Hill climb needs two riders.........
Race sprint at finish................fun....
More Tech on bikes / anything to ride bike etc, but not stories of cancer sufferers etc, we already have that drummed into the news every day and its just repeats of info, I like Cracknell but we know the story..................

This year is pants................
Dont do the sexest thing with all female cast etc, BUT have females on every week, thats better,



Like they say dont just employ females just because they are females in GOV, employ them because they are fit for job, and how many % females want to ride a bike and do an MP's job .......Not alot.............

[drossall]

Don't remember the crashes segment? Or do you mean James Cracknell and the other speaker? Yes, probably not that helpful, especially as James Cracknell's accident was such an unusual one. On the other hand, they didn't really major on it.

Anyone know where it's filmed? I know it was LMNH last year (but I've never been to the place). Looks more like a bike shop this series.

[Mark1978]

I think they are doing a different place each episode?

The cancer sufferers thing is typical of modern media; in that there is always an emphasis on human interest stories.