Guy Martin is at it again!

2

Comments

  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    CarbonClem wrote:
    It didn't have tri-bars. It had flat bars with mtb bar ends on. The forward extension was a camera mount. I thought it was very good, but they must make some effort to make it harder by appearing to be so easy going about it. Ill fitting shoes, awful clothing choices, rucksack when he has support cars, sunglasses at night and screw top water bottles all seem to be maybe trying too hard to get it wrong?
    Great telly though! He's an animal. :D


    That's the thing with GM that has grated the motorbike community for a number of years - yeah, ball of steel for the road racing but it's a bit too try hard: as above together with the accent (which, bizarrely, none of his family have), working as a truck fitter (but owning a 911, an Aston, a V Due, the Martek, etc etc). Two autobiographies out already ......

    I'm sure he's a driven nice enough guy (no pun intended) but what's he actually really like?
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • shaunclaridge
    shaunclaridge Posts: 87
    If he completes this, and I would say that a big 'if' then its absolutely incredible. I did a lejog in bad conditions this Spring time and can completely appreciate just how many dark, cold and wet hours he is going to be doing.

    He's supported right? If so its clearly possible when you look at what Steve Abrahams was tapping out in bad conditions last year but he was quite expertly using flatlands and sheltered, fast rolling roads. He was able to keep to gritted A roads in the freeze and therefore was able to keep going in bad conditions while remaining largely self supported.

    240 miles a day for three weeks in a British winter, in close proximity to the coast is a monumental task.
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    Matthewfalle wrote:
    Two autobiographies out already ......

    I'm sure he's a driven nice enough guy (no pun intended) but what's he actually really like?

    If only he'd written an autobiography or two....

    (although TBF I've got one and not gotten around to reading it sooooo I don't know what he says in there)
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    Fenix wrote:
    Matthewfalle wrote:
    Two autobiographies out already ......

    I'm sure he's a driven nice enough guy (no pun intended) but what's he actually really like?

    If only he'd written an autobiography or two....

    (although TBF I've got one and not gotten around to reading it sooooo I don't know what he says in there)


    Apologies. That should have read "two autobiographies ghost written for him out already".
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    I think he's reasonably honest in the book. He describes himself as a "C U Next Tuesday" a few times and talk about cheating on his long-term girlfriend. I just think he has a very particular sort of character (not dissimilar to some on here) but does clearly have those massive cajones
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • Bozman
    Bozman Posts: 2,518
    You can't knock the bloke, he's had a cracking road racing career despite the elusive TT win, plus by all accounts he pretty good at MTB endurance.
    He' seems to have made a rod for his own back though, for a man that doesn't like to be the centre of attention he's on the TV a lot.
  • Thick Mike
    Thick Mike Posts: 337
    Is this on TV?
  • ZootHornRollo
    ZootHornRollo Posts: 85
    Bozman wrote:
    You can't knock the bloke, he's had a cracking road racing career despite the elusive TT win, plus by all accounts he pretty good at MTB endurance.
    He' seems to have made a rod for his own back though, for a man that doesn't like to be the centre of attention he's on the TV a lot.

    He doesn't mind doing the TV stuff so long as he gets to choose what hes doing and he made sure his contract reflects that. I guess if someone dangles enough cash in front of someone they'll stretch beyond their comfort zone.
    He still comes across a bit camera shy even after all this time. You'll notice he very rarely talks to camera, if at all. There's always someone either on or off camera that he's nattering away to.
  • daniel_b
    daniel_b Posts: 11,986
    Thick Mike wrote:
    Is this on TV?

    From the initial post:
    Andy B wrote:
    Guy Martin is attempting to break a record that has stood since 1984 by cycling 4800 miles around the coast of Britain in just 20 days, getting up at three o'clock each morning to ride 240 miles a day & aiming to be home in time for Christmas

    Channel4 will be airing the programme at 9pm 29th Dec

    Fingers crossed that he makes it (I've had a hand in this project!)
    Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
    Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
    Scott CR1 SL 12
    Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
    Scott Foil 18
  • Jerry185
    Jerry185 Posts: 143
    For an insight into his character at an earlier stage, check out the documentary 'Closer to the Edge.' IOM TT race where his is a major contender. Not having known about him before, I went from liking him, to hating him, to loving him in 90 minutes. Great doc
  • buckmulligan
    buckmulligan Posts: 1,031
    Andy B wrote:
    It's on road for this one & yeah it's pretty nuts doing it midwinter. Nowt like a proper challenge!

    ...and a time of year that is notorious for road traffic accidents due to drink-driving, inclement weather and poor visibility.
  • mfin
    mfin Posts: 6,729
    Who cares what he's like, he's just a bloke.

    It's no wonder that some well known people can't be arsed talking to people when stacks of boring prats approach them each day, prats that don't know them and have nothing really to say but just can't help themselves from pestering them and talking sh1t.
  • lakesluddite
    lakesluddite Posts: 1,337
    Daniel B wrote:
    Any idea what bike he is doing it on?

    The video posted on Road.cc has a lingering shot on one bike (around 4.09) which looks to be set up for the off. Flat bars but with tri-bars attached. I assume it's this one as it has the computer strapped to the stem.

    http://road.cc/content/news/213609-vide ... iming-ride
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    mfin wrote:
    Who cares what he's like, he's just a bloke.

    Well yes and no. He's just a bloke. But he's no "ordinary" bloke is he? So understanding what makes him tick is interesting to some people - because, beyond that, he's just flesh and bone like the rest of us and that makes him incredibly dull.

    I do absolutely agree about being pestered by people - and part of what makes him tick is hating that (if you're to believe his biog) which is why I raised his character in the first place.
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • natrix
    natrix Posts: 1,111
    Matthewfalle wrote:
    Two autobiographies out already ......

    At least three (My autobiography, When you're dead, Worms to catch)........

    He's in Scotland at the moment apparently 8)
    ~~~~~~Sustrans - Join the Movement~~~~~~
  • orraloon
    orraloon Posts: 13,236
    Reported as seen in Wick this morning, from Aberdeenshire yesterday morning. Turn west soon then south then will be all downhill from there eh?
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    Where did he start ? Where is the finish ?
  • orraloon
    orraloon Posts: 13,236
    Fenix wrote:
    Where did he start ? Where is the finish ?
    Grimsby. Grimsby.

    (So good they named it twice. Or something)
  • buckmulligan
    buckmulligan Posts: 1,031
    orraloon wrote:
    Turn west soon then south then will be all downhill from there eh?

    Everyone recommends that you do Land's End-to-John o' Groats rather than John o' Groats-to-Land's End, because more often than not the winds in the UK are blowing from South-to-North; it seems that now is no exception, so poor old Guy is going to be battling into a headwind for the next week or so! I guess you have to face it at some point with a circular route, but at least he can hope that it holds out for a tailwind finish!
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    Makes sense to go anticlockwise... the worst of the weather is likely to be in Scotland, so if you can tackle that leg while the forecast is somewhat credible is better than if you have to get there without a clue of what weather you will find.
    South west can be bad too, but it's unlikely that you will find heavy snow... then the south coast and east should be the easiest part of the journey, good to have it at the end
    left the forum March 2023
  • buckmulligan
    buckmulligan Posts: 1,031
    Very true, it probably makes it psychologically a bit easier too; a short, little 800-mile trip up to JoG, nice ride around the Highlands for a bit, one long slog down the country and around Wales to Land's End and then finish up with another short, little 800-mile trip along the English Riviera and up through the flatlands of East Anglia.

    Sounds like a piece of cake when you break it down like that.

    Makes me want to do LEJoG again, but definitely not until the summer!
  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,807
    BuckMulligan wrote:
    orraloon wrote:
    Turn west soon then south then will be all downhill from there eh?

    Everyone recommends that you do Land's End-to-John o' Groats rather than John o' Groats-to-Land's End, because more often than not the winds in the UK are blowing from South-to-North; it seems that now is no exception, so poor old Guy is going to be battling into a headwind for the next week or so! I guess you have to face it at some point with a circular route, but at least he can hope that it holds out for a tailwind finish!

    Scotland gets a prevailing South Westerly.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,345
    thegreatdivide wrote:
    Scotland gets a prevailing South Westerly.
    There is a lot of misconception as a map of Britain is often revolved.
    Who knew Carlisle is east of Edinburgh?
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • guy.spartacus
    guy.spartacus Posts: 321
    He's called it - Achilles strain in the first 4 days apparently
    Road - '10 Giant Defy 3.5
    MTB - '05 Scott Yecora
    BMX - '04 Haro Nyquist R24 (don't judge me)
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    guy.spartacus wrote:
    He's called it - Achilles strain in the first 4 days apparently

    Loser... :wink:
    left the forum March 2023
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Well he'll have achieved his objective of being home in time for Christmas then! But I suspect they'll have to be rejigging their TV schedule...
  • bianchimoon
    bianchimoon Posts: 3,942
    keef66 wrote:
    Well he'll have achieved his objective of being home in time for Christmas then! But I suspect they'll have to be rejigging their TV schedule...
    if only he'd gone on tour de celeb :wink:
    All lies and jest..still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest....
  • OnTheRopes
    OnTheRopes Posts: 460
    bianchimoon wrote:
    keef66 wrote:
    Well he'll have achieved his objective of being home in time for Christmas then! But I suspect they'll have to be rejigging their TV schedule...
    if only he'd gone on tour de celeb :wink:
    Haha very good :)
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    I yet to recover from discovering that John Noakes didn't really walk the Pennine Way........
    Faster than a tent.......
  • thomasmorris
    thomasmorris Posts: 373
    PBlakeney wrote:
    thegreatdivide wrote:
    Scotland gets a prevailing South Westerly.
    There is a lot of misconception as a map of Britain is often revolved.
    Who knew Carlisle is east of Edinburgh?
    It's not miss-conception. The UK has prevailing south westerly's, that's just a fact. http://www.rensmart.com/Weather/WindArchive

    The reason to LEJOG is you will most likely get a nice tailwind at the start and a cross tailwind the rest of the way (however, in the winter northerlies are more common). However, you'd want to check this as the it's not always the case. There will exceptions where local topography create anomalies.

    If I was cycling around the UK I would definitely go clockwise. You be most likely to get tailwind on the exposed coastal road in the southwest and north, and be more sheltered heading back in to the wind along the east and south coast.

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