The Cycle Show ITV4

thecrofter

RoyPSB wrote:

I don't think it was just Obree's accent, but a combination of things, including his mannerisms.

Some people immediately switch into Daily Mail mode when anyone without BBC English opens their mouth. It says more about their prejudice than the person doing the talking, IMO. The Olympics are just about to start shall we start a campaign to get the BBC to subtitle Usain Bolt or would that be deemed racist?

Back to the main point. I don't think GO came across terribly well, I think he was having trouble hearing some of the questions over the background noise. Several others on here have reported that his lecture tours and book-signings are well worth attending. I watched the first ten minutes then got bored/started cringing with Mansell talking p***, and all the rest of it. Would be nice if it improved and became a regular, but I doubt it.

derbygrimpeur

thecrofter wrote:

Some people immediately switch into Daily Mail mode when anyone without BBC English opens their mouth. It says more about their prejudice than the person doing the talking, IMO. The Olympics are just about to start shall we start a campaign to get the BBC to subtitle Usain Bolt or would that be deemed racist?

Not sure if you watched the Bolt documentary that was on BBC last week, but he WAS subtitled :P

DavidBelcher

Pross wrote:

I'm looking forward to the 'Star on a Reasonably Priced Bike' feature each week. Get some lardy cycling hater on there like that Rayner bloke.

Him as well, eh? Do all salad-dodging foodies hate cyclists? I well remember the James Martin episode of a year or two back, including the less than favourable Twitter "feedback" from Wiggins & McEwen!

David

Pross

CookeeeMonster wrote:

just watched it on itv player thingy. Nothing special and everything was too short but it's a new programme and it'll get better - good on them for at least trying.

And the cafe they filmed it in was 'look mum no hands!' on old street - a cafe dedicated to cycling. What the f*ck is there not to like? A CAFE DEDICATED TO CYCLING. Get over yourselves, people can wear what they want - you've been doing it for years!!moanyrant over

I know where it was filmed but the poncy look reflects badly on us all. Not convinced they are wearing what they like, I think they have been forced into it by the local hipster courier wannabees

BTW, I've been wearing what the wife buys me for years so not quite as bad as if I'd worn what I liked

cookeeemonster

Pross wrote:

CookeeeMonster wrote:

just watched it on itv player thingy. Nothing special and everything was too short but it's a new programme and it'll get better - good on them for at least trying.

And the cafe they filmed it in was 'look mum no hands!' on old street - a cafe dedicated to cycling. What the f*ck is there not to like? A CAFE DEDICATED TO CYCLING. Get over yourselves, people can wear what they want - you've been doing it for years!!moanyrant over

I know where it was filmed but the poncy look reflects badly on us all. Not convinced they are wearing what they like, I think they have been forced into it by the local hipster courier wannabees

BTW, I've been wearing what the wife buys me for years so not quite as bad as if I'd worn what I liked

Well this is Nathan Barley territory we're talking about

Thing is, it was filmed on the final day of the tour and people were wearing team kit as well as their normal clothes just as football types would wear football shirts at the pub to watch a cup final...that's my take on it anyhow. As for the hats...I sorta like 'em...but I know what you mean about the poncy hipster look

bigmat

Will watch it tonight, doomed to failure though after they dropped me from the Box Hill segment. Was in LMNH last week - cool place. No casquette for me, was in race kit on way home from a hill climb.

MartinB2444

I'm wanting to see more of that sprint with the penny farthing though

de_sisti

thecrofter wrote:

RoyPSB wrote:

I don't think it was just Obree's accent, but a combination of things, including his mannerisms.

Some people immediately switch into Daily Mail mode when anyone without BBC English opens their mouth. It says more about their prejudice than the person doing the talking, IMO. The Olympics are just about to start shall we start a campaign to get the BBC to subtitle Usain Bolt or would that be deemed racist?

I understand Usain Bolt perfectly, without the need for subtitles.Same accent as my late parents.

Listening to Sean Yeats though, ewhhh! :shock:

Frank the tank

It was the first outing and I'm sure they'll learn as they go along. A magazine type programme is going to be a bit "choppy" I suppose. That is they way it will have to be as a show dedicated to just one sphere of cycling would have zero appeal to the general public, and indeed a lot of cyclists.

Cib, the wierd looking bloke was none less than Gary Fisher, a man who with his compatriots IMHO saved cycling as a mass participation sport (in this country) with the creation of the mountain bike. A bike that had mass appeal to youngsters and newbies alike.

TheEnglishman

It was about what I expected. Sadly though I don't think any of the production staff have any background or real enthusiasm for cycling, unlike say the Top Gear lot. Oh and they don't have Top Gear's budget either :oops:

It's a nice attempt but they should have done what Top Gear does and concentrate on the fast and the bling, with a few titbits thrown in. Lets face it, commuting for most people is a means to an end, but the silly commuting racing thing could have done well as a weekly piece as could a brief overview of the racing scene in road and mountain bike variants. I mean, while Nige tried to plug his charity they didn't inspire me to go looking for it (what was it called again?) Obrey's speed attempt did look interesting, but there was no effort made to describe any of it except the steering (or lack of it) I wanted to know how the pedals/power transmission worked as there seemed no way to pedal in the traditional way.

So, poorly researched IMO, poorly shot and linked with a pitiful budget I can't see there being a second series.


P.S. - Maybe I should blame it all on the Wiggle advert?

alihisgreat

TheEnglishman wrote:

It was about what I expected. Sadly though I don't think any of the production staff have any background or real enthusiasm for cycling, unlike say the Top Gear lot. Oh and they don't have Top Gear's budget either :oops:

It's a nice attempt but they should have done what Top Gear does and concentrate on the fast and the bling, with a few titbits thrown in. Lets face it, commuting for most people is a means to an end, but the silly commuting racing thing could have done well as a weekly piece as could a brief overview of the racing scene in road and mountain bike variants. I mean, while Nige tried to plug his charity they didn't inspire me to go looking for it (what was it called again?) Obrey's speed attempt did look interesting, but there was no effort made to describe any of it except the steering (or lack of it) I wanted to know how the pedals/power transmission worked as there seemed no way to pedal in the traditional way.

So, poorly researched IMO, poorly shot and linked with a pitiful budget I can't see there being a second series.


P.S. - Maybe I should blame it all on the Wiggle advert?

They're sponsored by Chain reaction aren't they?

maybe we can blame wiggle for not sponsoring them?

roypsb

thecrofter wrote:

RoyPSB wrote:

I don't think it was just Obree's accent, but a combination of things, including his mannerisms.

Some people immediately switch into Daily Mail mode when anyone without BBC English opens their mouth. It says more about their prejudice than the person doing the talking, IMO. The Olympics are just about to start shall we start a campaign to get the BBC to subtitle Usain Bolt or would that be deemed racist?

I hope you don't consider my comment either prejudice or racist. I simply struggled to understand what he was saying most of the time. A combination of a strong accent, speaking too fast and unclearly. Nothing against the fellow, just stating that I really struggled to understand what he was saying.

andy46

I was disappointed with the show but will stick with it and hope it improves.

Lantern-Vert

When a guest on a TV show couch is leaning in to try and hear the interviewer, you know you're in the wrong location! The couch was right in front of the big screen in the cafe, really, really bad choice of location. Mansell was as dull as ever and having Gary Fisher on the show was a waste. Imagine the stories floating around his head, surely the first guest on a Cycle Show "Legends" section!

I can live with the 'Rollapoluzza' challenge as the show's version of Top Gears 'Star in a car', needs to be better thought out though. Found myself skipping through large chunks of it on the ITV Player, and didn't feel I missed anything important.

Bad start for the show, but will stay viewing to hope it gets better. LMNH does attract a bit of an odd 'Nathan Barley' crowd, combined with genuine cycling-addicts.

And there is plenty going on in all the tribes that make up the cycling UK public to warrant the show's existence. Some weeks might be mountain bike or commuter or roadie heavy, but that doesn't mean that others won't find something of interest to watch.

They squandered the opening episode gold of the Wiggins win on the Tour, but hopefully they'll learn or get some cycle loving people on board the production team.

forward_loop

cant recall the ins and outs - but the production team have been trying for 4 years to get this project off the ground. No-one in the cycling world of flash bikes and bling would get involved unless they had stipulations imposed - bling placement etc. Chain reaction stepped in - and fund it to the tune of 90% of its total costs. (iirc)

Obree - always seems to be a step ahead on the design front. maclaren, aston martin,bmw etc all making/inputting to rather boring expensive bikes (in my opinion) - and Obree again comes out from left field with something that really is a step shift. I love it from an engineering view and also the fact he has the balls to pilot it himself !

beelzebomb

Frankly, it was just crap. If it wasn't for Wiggins fantastic achievements it might have won an award for the first tv show to feature virtually no content whatsoever. I'll give it it's due though, but not holding out much hope after a pretty vacuous first episode.

jonny_trousers

I'm afraid I found it pretty cringeworthy throughout. Rather than trying to appeal to those new to cycling ITV4 might have been better taking advantage of their TDF audience and created a cycling sport show. Oh,and Jens Voigt should be on it every week.

Now that there's a gap in the Market I'm going to write to the show's producers and suggest a hot-girls-in-Lycra feature. Who would not tune in for that (apart from DDD, obviously)?

airbag

Forward loop wrote:

cant recall the ins and outs - but the production team have been trying for 4 years to get this project off the ground. No-one in the cycling world of flash bikes and bling would get involved unless they had stipulations imposed - bling placement etc. Chain reaction stepped in - and fund it to the tune of 90% of its total costs. (iirc)

In that case, CRC deserve a fair amount of credit - one good thing to say about the show was at least it didn't become a series of loving shots of the left chainstay of a new SpecialPriced Attack NanoRapier 4(C) using new AllYourMoney(C) tech - something it so easily could have been.

PeteinSQ

I think they would have been better off focusing on cycle sport (in all its forms) rather than worrying about commuters. Commuting is just boring - lots of people do it but there's not much to say really is there?

You could do features on things like Paris-Roubaix, Mountain Bike World Cup races, Cyclocross world champs etc etc. Perhaps interviewing legends from these different aspects of cycle sport etc. The acoustics in LMNH are not great, even if it is supposed to be the home of cycling in the UK(?).

jgsi

PeteinSQ wrote:

I think they would have been better off focusing on cycle sport (in all its forms) rather than worrying about commuters. Commuting is just boring - lots of people do it but there's not much to say really is there?

You could do features on things like Paris-Roubaix, Mountain Bike World Cup races, Cyclocross world champs etc etc. Perhaps interviewing legends from these different aspects of cycle sport etc. The acoustics in LMNH are not great, even if it is supposed to be the home of cycling in the UK(?).

You mean it was heavyweight commuting..? :shock:
I'm staying away from the place... I mean I aint no petrolhead but TG at least got an audience by ripping up tarmac in Dodge Vipers.... not by driving to work in a Mondeo down the A40.

DavidBelcher

TheEnglishman wrote:

It's a nice attempt but they should have done what Top Gear does

Pay some middle-aged fat bloke with no dress sense and a dodgy barnet to make sweeping generalisations about foreigners?

David

bilirubin

I am sorry to say I agree with all the negative posts above, I was very disapointed with the content, had it not been for Wiggo winning the TDF the show would have struggled for 30 mins.

Mansell saying "awesome" so many times irritated the life out of me but I had to chuckle when Obree was asked for his safety tip whilst riding in City's "look wobbly then cars will stay away from you"

Needs to improve and quickly or series 2 will be a pipe dream

TheEnglishman

DavidBelcher wrote:

TheEnglishman wrote:

It's a nice attempt but they should have done what Top Gear does

Pay some middle-aged fat bloke with no dress sense and a dodgy barnet to make sweeping generalisations about foreigners?

David

I thought Nigel Mansell did very well on that front, actually.

DavidBelcher

TheEnglishman wrote:

DavidBelcher wrote:

TheEnglishman wrote:

It's a nice attempt but they should have done what Top Gear does

Pay some middle-aged fat bloke with no dress sense and a dodgy barnet to make sweeping generalisations about foreigners?

David

I thought Nigel Mansell did very well on that front, actually.

noiseboyfeetman

giant man wrote:

ALIHISGREAT wrote:

If Rob Hayles is in it then you can expect it to be very monotonous and boring.

=1 - totally agree, he is one to yawn over, deffo ....

Watched this last night, on fast forward as it was that bad. And Rob Hayles, what a boring presenter he is, he seriously needs to go to presenter school if he's carrying on on the show, but I don't think the budget will stretch that far to be honest. Poor show that as all the comments on here say seriously needs to improve to stay on the telly.

BelgianBeerGeek

Disclaimer - I didn't watch it.*

The comments above comparing it to Top Gear are interesting. TG presenters are journalists. It's no surprise or coincidence that the one regular who can drive rapidly doesn't speak.

This show appears to have chosen cyclists to present it. To expect them to grip your imagination may be a step too far. It's probably like a football show presented by Wayne Rooney. Time will tell if this is a fatal flaw in the show.

*University Challenge was on the other side.

kieranb

Pross wrote:

CookeeeMonster wrote:

just watched it on itv player thingy. Nothing special and everything was too short but it's a new programme and it'll get better - good on them for at least trying.

And the cafe they filmed it in was 'look mum no hands!' on old street - a cafe dedicated to cycling. What the f*ck is there not to like? A CAFE DEDICATED TO CYCLING. Get over yourselves, people can wear what they want - you've been doing it for years!!moanyrant over

I know where it was filmed but the poncy look reflects badly on us all. Not convinced they are wearing what they like, I think they have been forced into it by the local hipster courier wannabees

BTW, I've been wearing what the wife buys me for years so not quite as bad as if I'd worn what I liked

Well, I've started to wear those casquettes (just learned the word here) hat things as the padding in my helmet has gone completely and I get sunburn on my head through the helment vents otherwise. Also keeps the rain off cycling glasses as well, so rather handy things, but I don't wear'em casually off the bike, unless it is to wind up my kids with a bad impression of a hipster.

cooldad

kieranb wrote:

Well, I've started to wear those casquettes (just learned the word here) hat things as the padding in my helmet has gone completely and I get sunburn on my head through the helment vents otherwise. Also keeps the rain off cycling glasses as well, so rather handy things, but I don't wear'em casually off the bike, unless it is to wind up my kids with a bad impression of a hipster.

I had to Google that.
From Wiki - A traditional way to keep the head cool when cycling in hot conditions was to put a cabbage leaf under the casquette.

Nuff said.

rolf_f

kieranb wrote:

Well, I've started to wear those casquettes (just learned the word here)

Get with it man! In that London they've been using 'casquette' instead of 'cap' for at least six months!

jonny_trousers

Rolf F wrote:

kieranb wrote:

Well, I've started to wear those casquettes (just learned the word here)

Get with it man! In that London they've been using 'casquette' instead of 'cap' for at least six months!

It's so pretentious. I nearly choked when taking a swig from my bidon when I first read the word 'casquette'.