You don't need a support car to go up an Alp

Nick H. Totally agree with the sentiment but we can't all do it in a 'Thelma and Louise' style of riding off at dawn to catch the ferry and then cycle the 600 miles down to the Alps and back again. I only wish I had the time and a wife and kids tolerant enough to allow me the indulgence. However, I have found myself casually checking out the easyjet flights to Nice and Geneva. All I need is a bike box strong enough to withstand the hammering our friendly baggage handlers will give it.

Or maybe I'll get myself to Manchester airport and just wander on to a flight....

Before anyone else hammers Dan Francis, just consider if you had a camera in your face for several days, whether you would say the odd daft thing. When we've long forgotten his name and the crap adverts, he'll no doubt have some great memories.

Does anyone remember the old idents on the ITV TdF coverage: 'Hello, I'm (an embarrassed and ever so self conscious pro) and you're watching the Tour de France on ITV). Circa 2003-4? They were ace.

There used to be a City centre cycling series shown on prime time Channel 4 that generated huge interest in cycling. As well as Tour de France coverage on C4. It just fizzled out; along with ANC Halfords (who entered the Tour) but Halfords have been there sponsoring cycling for as long as I remember. And no I have never bought a bike from them!

Sorry, I was only born the 80s and to be honest I don't really remember much TdF coverage before the Armstrong years... didn't the TdF use to be on Channel 4?

Well said drheaton; except that Halfords have been supporting professional cycling for decades! Remember ANC Halfords in the '80's?

I agree, the adverts are cheesy every year and that's in no way down to Dan.

Perhaps the problem here is that we, the people on this forum who know about and enjoy cycling, are not actually the target audience for these adverts? Who here, if they were looking for a new bike, would go to Halfords? Established cyclists are not really Halfords target market, new cyclists and people looking to buy their kids a mountain bike for christmas are who Halfords sell to on the most part (although I guess the Boardman bikes have gone some way to changing this) so these adverts are probably pitched about right for the people Halfords are going after.

If you're new to cycling (having watched Wiggins win the tour on ITV4) then you may think 'Ooh! I could get me one of them fancy Halfords carbon bikes I've been seeing on the tele and ride up mountains just like that normal man Dan Francis!' and Halfords' marketing department will have done their job to perfection.

Also, should we really be complaining about Halfords when for the past few years they're the only ones who've really been supporting ITVs cycling coverage? It's only this year and last that I've started to notice other 'cycling brands' advertising like Wiggle. Halfords have put money into supporting/advertising the ITVs coverage and that surely is only a good thing?

I know Dan - he is a really top bloke.

He applied cos someone showed him the halfiords "offer" and his surname fitted. He made the initial interview, and thought he wouldn't make round 2... and was amazed when he did because there were much better cyclists at the interview. Maybe the producers didn't want somebody that clearly think they would poo-poo a support car whe provided FoC.

He never thought he would be capable of doing "it" but enjoyed it immensely. As I suspect we all would.

No you don't need a support crew to do it, of course. But if you get given one, I suspect nobody will turn it down. You don't need carbon bikes with zipp wheels etc etc etc to go for as bike ride either - but I bet lots of people on here do.

Yes the adverts were cheesy - but it seems to go hand in glove with the show every year. Don't necessarily confuse Dan Francis with what you see in 10 second chunks each side of Liggett repeating everything his offsider comments on.

didds

Lucky Dan I say, and good effort for someone that isn;t a 1000 miles a week cyclist.

It could have been worse the car could have been in front so Dan francis could choke on the exhaust fumes

Great post, and you do indeed make me want to have a go, but what is it with people having a go at Dan Francis? I can well understand any antipathy towards Halfords Marketing Dept etc, but all Francis did was get presented with a cool opportunity and took it!

(Alright, so having the honour of riding the same roads sounded a bit odd, but how many of would know exactly what to say in front of a camera? I'd probably have no words at all, or fumble the entire thing)

Next year lets do a mash up, Boardman talking about smashing it up and down second place on the podium...

Smashing up and down by that river though.

Sorry, but however bad the 'Tour de Francis' was it's a refreshing change from hearing Boardman wonder why there's a second place on the podium...

I like the cut of Nick.H's jib.

Good post.

'Methinks Nick h you should perhaps have recorded the coverage and fast forwarded through the ad breaks. Never mind, I'm sure Halfords will give you the chance to perfect this technique next year

I rode to Paris once with a bag over my shoulder; good fun! I phoned my mum and dad to say hello, they were freaking out...they thought I was joking or at least would not make the ferry! A great ride! But panniers are a good idea!

Quote:

So just fucking do it

Such an honour