BBC NOT helping cycling

llanberispass · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by 16mm

I it's not fair to blame the BBC for this either! Surely it's Condors fault... Damn nice bike too.
Anyhow isn't part of riding a stage of the tour about looking the part?
If you want to ride 120 miles on granny gears do an audax, but if you're going to be doing a stage of the hardest bike race in the world then you should at least own a big ring:-)
Mike

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Mike

You've obviously never ridden an Audax! I would suggest that Audax rdiers will be up there with the best on the Sportive, certainly in their age group.

PS I only ride one or two or a year and got quite a surprise when i saw how fast some of the guys were!

rgisme · May 2007

Yes, I doubt he needs a 50+ large chainring and might benefit from more ratios at the lower end. But he's doing well, 50 miles in three hours after 4 weeks training is good - well on target to do well on the day, I'd say.

dsoutar · May 2007

Now before I continue I must state that I really don't know much about gears other than they are what they chain goes round and that large numbers at the back make it easier but I started road biking about 15 months ago and I got a 52/42/30 and 12/25 and it was perfect for me. I find on the flat I regularly use the 52.

I don't understand why all the criticism. As an earlier poster said, it doesn't mattr if he's a beginner. If he's fit that's fine and remember he did have a fit test at the start (max watts and VO2 if I remember). Also be aware that he may be sitting in a large group which will help him.

Unknown · May 2007

what tv prog is this on?

nun · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dsoutar

Now before I continue I must state that I really don't know much about gears other than they are what they chain goes round and that large numbers at the back make it easier but I started road biking about 15 months ago and I got a 52/42/30 and 12/25 and it was perfect for me. I find on the flat I regularly use the 52.

I don't understand why all the criticism. As an earlier poster said, it doesn't mattr if he's a beginner. If he's fit that's fine and remember he did have a fit test at the start (max watts and VO2 if I remember). Also be aware that he may be sitting in a large group which will help him.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'm not arguing that some cyclists need, and enjoy, large gear ratios and need a 50+ ring at the front, I'm just saying that its a poor default as the gearing is too high for beginners and most relatively experienced cyclists who aren't racing. By the way what rear cog are you using with the 52? If its the smallest one then that's good, but I often see people cross chaining on the big ring and they would be better served using a 48 or 46 and keeping a straighter chainline

emu · May 2007

"amature"? A mature what?

Sheddy · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by alfablue

what tv prog is this on?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> I think it's just a BBC blog. Found this - http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/U8131464

Unknown · May 2007

ah, thanks! I have now found a video diary, maybe they intend to make a prog nearer the event.

nun · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by emu

"amature"? A mature what?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
sorry amateur, typing too quickly so spelling part of brain isn't
connected to fingers

ChrisLS · May 2007

...please can we stop now...

il_principe · May 2007

What a stupid post, look at the guy, he is a PE teacher and clearly fit - the bike and gearing look ideal for the job.

My Bike

ticklers · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jashburnham

What a stupid post, look at the guy, he is a PE teacher and clearly fit - the bike and gearing look ideal for the job.

My Bike
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

[:D]
He does have some unconventional views does nun .[:o)]

nun · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ticklers

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jashburnham

What a stupid post, look at the guy, he is a PE teacher and clearly fit - the bike and gearing look ideal for the job.

My Bike
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

[:D]
He does have some unconventional views does nun .[:o)]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, just call me Graham Obree, I know I'm not riding with the peloton on this one, but I thought it would be interesting to consider an alternative gearing philosphy for non-race situations. I ride my unconventional gears commuting, on Centuries and long distance tours. By the way Jash, nice looking bike. Here's my bike setup for touring.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8342807@N02/502297229/

Wogan · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Also I think we've lost an opportunity to show that an average cyclist on an audax type bike with 28 or 32 mm tyres can easily do 120 miles in a day and you don't have to be wearing lycra on a race machine to do it.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Booooring. Where's the fun in that? It's not supposed to be pipe-and-slipper sensible - it's a challenge.

I'm a novice and I'm doing the British Cyclosportive - my first. I'll be wearing lycra on a race machine, with 53/39 and 12-25. I'll struggle on the hills but I'm working on getting stronger.

I don't want granny gears dammit - I want to ride with the big boys!

nun · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Wogan

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Also I think we've lost an opportunity to show that an average cyclist on an audax type bike with 28 or 32 mm tyres can easily do 120 miles in a day and you don't have to be wearing lycra on a race machine to do it.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Booooring. Where's the fun in that? It's not supposed to be pipe-and-slipper sensible - it's a challenge.

I'm a novice and I'm doing the British Cyclosportive - my first. I'll be wearing lycra on a race machine, with 53/39 and 12-25. I'll struggle on the hills but I'm working on getting stronger.

I don't want granny gears dammit - I want to ride with the big boys!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Good for you. I'm impressed[;)] Go for it, but the Sportive is open to a range of cyclists and you can make it as challenging as you like, I think the min speed before the SAG wagon passes you is 12mph.

I don't see any real hills on the route looks like the highest elevation is 184m so I expect your 39 combined with 12-25 will be just fine. Also the relatively flat course looks like a good fixed or singlespeed route.

hevipedal · May 2007

Surely the fault here is with Condor not the BBC. They are the experts and should have advised the BBC accodingly.

 Hevipedal 
Phrase of the week - I've got a bike. You can ride it if you like.
It's got a basket, a bell that rings and
Things to make it look good.
I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it.
 
51yrs old and Proud of it - Made it to 87kg 2 more to go for the target.
Pedal to Paris Sept 2007

nun · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by hevipedal

Surely the fault here is with Condor not the BBC. They are the experts and should have advised the BBC accodingly.

 Hevipedal 
Phrase of the week - I've got a bike. You can ride it if you like.
It's got a basket, a bell that rings and
Things to make it look good.
I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it.
 
51yrs old and Proud of it - Made it to 87kg 2 more to go for the target.
Pedal to Paris Sept 2007

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Actually I think the BBC should want to show us several aspects of cycling, not just the one we are expecting, so I blame them for lack of journalistic curiosity. I'd love to see some bits about people doing the Cyclosportive fixed or on steel bikes with triples up front.

I don't blame Condor at all, they want to sell bikes and used a conventional group set, I think its not as appropriate as it could be for even a fit beginner to do 120 miles on, but I'm very much in the minority, so I would not expect Condor to support me either.

By the way nice photos of Helmsley on your website, I come from Teesside and have often cycled over the top through Chop Gate and down into Helmsley.

PeteinSQ · May 2007

I used to spend a lot of time getting drunk in Helmsley when I was still at school.

But back to the topic in hand - how do you know what gearing he is using? Condor could have built it up in any number of ways. Lets say he has a 39-25 as his easiest gear, that should be fine to get up any climb in the UK. I just got back from the alps where I used 39-27 and climbed loads of cols.

As for saying that they should have followed someone doing it on a fixed, surely that would have been even worse than someone on a 39-25? How is a normal person going to cope with a bike with only one gear and only one brake if it is their first bike?

nun · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PeteinSQ

I used to spend a lot of time getting drunk in Helmsley when I was still at school.

But back to the topic in hand - how do you know what gearing he is using? Condor could have built it up in any number of ways. Lets say he has a 39-25 as his easiest gear, that should be fine to get up any climb in the UK. I just got back from the alps where I used 39-27 and climbed loads of cols.

As for saying that they should have followed someone doing it on a fixed, surely that would have been even worse than someone on a 39-25? How is a normal person going to cope with a bike with only one gear and only one brake if it is their first bike?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks for bringing back some memories of Helmsley! Conerning his gearing, looking at the specs I can find for Condor bikes (the website is down) and at the BBC video I'm betting that he has 53/39 and probably 12x25, although I'm not as sure about the cassette. As a PE teacher he seems to have good basic fitness and can probably use plenty of the gear range. My main point is that 53x12 is too high for most cyclists who want to get into road cycling, not that 39x25 isn't low enough. On the Beginners forum there are a lot of threads with people who bought road bikes with 53/39 and 12x25 and are not enjoying riding the bike because its tough. They would be better served with a compact crank.

As he's riding in a Sportive I think it would have been nice to see some of the other riding styles, some beginners, some more experienced people maybe doing it fixed or single speed, some old, some young just to show the variety of cycling and maybe attract people to do sportives who are intimidated by fast racing machines and lycra.

If I was doing the ride I'd do it singlespeed, not fixed, in something like 67" on my Quickbeam, so I could meander along at 16mph and get out of the saddle for any hills.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8342807@N02/508005203/

cougie · May 2007

Its a stage of the Tour - he should do it on the bike most suited. OK so 53*12 is a tough gear but I know lots of club cyclists that have it even though their speed or strength doesnt warrant it.

He's got 19 other ratios to mess around with.

nun · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cougie

Its a stage of the Tour - he should do it on the bike most suited. OK so 53*12 is a tough gear but I know lots of club cyclists that have it even though their speed or strength doesnt warrant it.

He's got 19 other ratios to mess around with.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Its a sportive that mostly follows the tour route, and like any bike ride its good to use a suitable machine. I wouldn't recommend a track bike or a Dutch city bike, but there's lots of appropriate bikes in between those extremes. The most competative cyclists will be on high end road racing bikes, averaging 25 mph plus with gearing to match, but my contention is that the rest of the pack could gear down and ride more relaxed gemoetries and probably put in better times as they'll be more comfortable and survive the 120 miles better.

gavintc · May 2007

But your headline is like something out of the Daily Mail; Sensational and inaccurate. Let us consider what the BBC is undertaking here, some journalism based around the most famous cycle race. I contend that this is helping cycling and it will make good journalism, supportive of cycling. The fact that Condor have equipped this fit man with a race bike with gears suited to a fit cyclist is the point under consideration. I think the fundamental element here is to allow the journalist to comment that his bike is a race bike, similar to the TdF bikes. It is not an audax, but a stage of a race that this man is doing. From the little I have read about the cyclist undertaking the challenge, he is fit and athletic. So, in my opinion, this is 4 pages of bo**ocks about a non-story and I congratulate the BBC in their planned journalism of the event using this new-cyclist.

nun · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by gavintc

But your headline is like something out of the Daily Mail; Sensational and inaccurate. Let us consider what the BBC is undertaking here, some journalism based around the most famous cycle race. I contend that this is helping cycling and it will make good journalism, supportive of cycling. The fact that Condor have equipped this fit man with a race bike with gears suited to a fit cyclist is the point under consideration. I think the fundamental element here is to allow the journalist to comment that his bike is a race bike, similar to the TdF bikes. It is not an audax, but a stage of a race that this man is doing. From the little I have read about the cyclist undertaking the challenge, he is fit and athletic. So, in my opinion, this is 4 pages of bo**ocks about a non-story and I congratulate the BBC in their planned journalism of the event using this new-cyclist.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks for adding to the bo***cks. Sure the thread title is a bit over the top, but my point is that showing a fit PE teacher on a Condor with gearing that is inappropriate for the majority of average cyclists doing a sportive is not encouriging participation of the everyday cyclist.

I don't expect the PE guy to average 20mph over the 120 miles so I still contend that most of the gears on the 53 ring are useless to him. If he goes faster than that then I the gearing is not too bad.

My point is that I'd like to see more commuters etc training for sportives and riding in them so they can start to enjoy long distance cycling and for them I think and Audax type of bike is more appropriate and the BBC piece is a bit one dimensional. I'd like to see lots of them doing the ride. After all its a mass participation bike ride open to all, NOT a race and NOT a stage of the TdF. I get the feeling that were not being as inclusive and welcoming as we might be, or am I wrong.......?

Absinthe Minded · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> Hevipedal
Phrase of the week -
I've got a bike. You can ride it if you like.
It's got a basket, a bell that rings and
Things to make it look good.
I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Well....

I've got a mouse,
But he hasn't got a house,
I don't know why I call him Gerald.
He's getting rather old but he's a good mouse.

<hr noshade size="1">Ja sam napisao ovo ovde samo zbog toga da izgledam pametan...

See My route to work!

PeteinSQ · May 2007

"After all its a mass participation bike ride open to all, NOT a race and NOT a stage of the TdF"

It isn't a race, but I believe that many people think of sportives as the cycling equivalent of running a marathon (or shorter distance) i.e, they are challenge rides. If they did a programme about the marathon you could expect to see someone training on their own.

In fact this chap has been training with his local cycling club so in my experience he is illustrating the typical sportive rider.

roshi chris · May 2007

My first proper road bike had a 39/53. I remember thinking how strong and fit 'proper' cyclists must be to push such gears. And it still enabled me to go very fast for short periods - all in all I think my '53 inspired me to be a stronger fitter cyclist.

So there![:D]

"Not everyone understands house music. Its a spiritual thing; a body thing; a soul thing." Eddie Amador

nun · May 2007

I think Martin is hitting a rough patch after the initial excitement.
He's running into the issues a novice can have when comparing themselves to experience cyclists, he needs to put enjoyment above competition for the moment so he can improve without getting discouraged, or find some 4th or 3rd Cat riders or maybe a fast touring group doing a whole day out.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A22977840

http://www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/ctc/

Unknown · June 2007

nun where did you get your chainset from????

andywhit · June 2007

jeeeez, you people can be a pedantic lot. am I the only one on here who doesn`t know what sizegears are on my bikes?

I hurt, therefore I think I am

snorri · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by andywhit

am I the only one on here who doesn`t know what sizegears are on my bikes?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
You are not alone.[:)]

BBC NOT helping cycling

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