The Cycle Show on ITV: what did you think?

Give it time

Have a look at the STW forum reactions!
Didn't see it but if its a naff as it seems then some one (who) needs to feed back to the producers. A bad program is worse than none at all.
Time wil tell but they don'thave too long.

It was pretty awful to be honest. As for being "Top Gear without the tossers", the tossers in this case were the audience. Interviewing guests in front of a load of people who won't stop chattering is never going to work on television, even if they are all wearing cycling caps with the peak flipped up to make it look all "cyclingish".

I'll probably watch next week just to see if they've learned anything from this week. I suspect they won't have though.

I think they tried to fit too much in - half an hour isn't really enough time for what they were trying to do (imo).

They'd be better to focus a little more, I think. They also made the cardinal sin of letting someone mention h*lm*ts, which sent twitter into a fury, when they weren't being furious about their EXACT point of view being unrepresented in the first programme.

I didn't know it was on, which just about sums up the promotion it's had.

Poor location in a cafe full of "Gringos", Obree is bonkers as is Gary Fisher, but as other people have said, give it time, at least it's here.

Tuned in more in hope than expectation. Still, very disappointed.

I don't think they even have a sense of who this show is for... Is it for people who are already committed cyclists – and know who Gary Fisher and Graeme Obree are? Or is it aimed at the (presumably) large numbers who may have been excited and inspired by Brit success at the Tour and want to know more?

I think the latter group would get nothing from it but confusion. Fisher and Obree are great originals and innovators but it felt like they were communicating on their own planet.

Apart from getting a vague impression that Box Hill really is a hill – and not much of that because half of that segment was wasted on shots of faces and bits of bike – I don't think anyone would have learned anything from the show.

And the café setting was a big mistake. Just because it's cheap doesn't make it a good idea.

All the background noise of crockery being 'chinked' and constant chatter in the cafe did my head in. If they don't change the format for the interviews I don't think I'll be bothering for too much longer.

That said - I did find the section about how to put my helmet on my head rather than being worn on the back of my neck quite informative... I'd never thought of that before.

I'm not sure I like Sharon Fuller's tone. Smells a bit like 'Get behind this or else, if you don't like it then we won't make any more'. Doesn't sound like someone willing to listen to viewer feedback.

"Like Top Gear without the tossers."

Excellent. Someone mentioned lack of promotion. They should have just had a few ads with that as the summary.

I have to say poor. As mentioned above in 30 minutes if you try to cover all sorts of stories you'll do none of them any good.

And I appreciate that Nigel Mansell was once a "star", spoke more TV friendly language than Mr Obree, and has his fingers in a cycle team but far too much on him when there were 2 genuine "stars" of cycling there.

Either make a program for cyclists or make an OK TV magazine that just happens to involve cycling.

As for threatening to make no more - well to be honest if you can't improve on that then TBH I'd rather you didn't. A program of that quality is only going to reinforce the negative impression of cyclists that it seems a lot of the general public have.

I wonder how long after BW took the Maillot Jeune that this series got commissioned?

That show had a producer? Really?

I read that the other way. Rather than just sit moan about it, which is what I said would happen in the thread on the forum, give feedback that can move the programme.

It's easy to complain. If that is all the tv station hear then the programme is pulled and its back to square one.

As I said in the aforementioned thread, I am just pleased to see a cycling programme. Cyclists arent all the same despite what everyone seems to think. What interests one won't interest another. How often have cycling magazines had articles slated by some but loved by others? Loads. In a mag you turn the page and start the next article. Tv is different.

Hopefully with a bit patience and yes, listening to constructive criticism, then the show will develop and there will be something for everyone in there during the series.

It was right up there with that english anthem effort on sunday

That Gary Fisher is a bit mental isn't he?

It was nowhere near long enough, and went on far too long.

Each subject should be given more time and looked at seriously and intelligently. Why always assume your viewers are intellectually challenged newcomers to cycling?

Interviewing guests more or less "live"on the sofa is always going to make for painful viewing. The "star in a car" interview spot on Top Gear is the weakest, and often the most excruciating part of the whole show.

I thought the silly roller-race with the village fete display wheel behind it, had some potential.

It was ok.

Having Fisher and Obree was a mistake. Two eccentrics together never goes well.

Agree about the location but seeing as it seemed to filmed on Sunday afternoon at the end of the TDF it would be noisey.

Fantastic at least that theres an attempt to get a show about cycling on TV, long overdue.
However, i thought a live setting in such a noisy location was distracting, and the guests took up too much time chattering about not a great deal at all, or complimenting each other.

Id agree that it appeared that a target audience had not really been defined, would existing experienced cyclists be interested in beginnner commuting tips, especially being told the best tip is "looking wobbly"...and if the target audience was indeed beginners, then would they have appreciated (or known) the guest choices.

Scrub the live cafe setting, get individual guests in for a specific reason and go for quality not quantity in a 30 minute show with an ad break...

At least its a start though and congratulations to all those involved for at least having a go...a "winning" cycling programme within the next 5 years ...such dreams arent possible, are they?

It does read that way, doesn't it? But in the hope she is genuinely interested in feedback, let's make positive suggestions for improvement:

1: Do something about the background noise. It was obviously distracting the guests. Lots of programmes have a live audience but they don't generally let them drown out the people we want to hear from,

2: Introduce guests properly, so uninitiated listeners get some idea of who they are.

3: Decide whether it's an 'in' show for the in-crowd or whether it's aiming to enlighten and inspire people who are new to cycling.

4: reduce the number of items so we actually learn something from them

Lots of people have referenced Top Gear in relation to this show. I hate TG's macho petrolhead ethos but they do actually know how to put together a TV show. Of course they have a much bigger budget but a lot of what they do is very simple to replicate.

He's brilliant, and could fill a programme on his own (as, I suspect Obree could). There's a really good chat on Carlton Reid's "Quickrelease TV" site with Fisher, where he talks about the beginnings of the mountain bike in the states, among other things - it's wonderful, and worth looking out.

It's great to see a cycling magazine show on TV.

Despite the production issues that is!

All in all I thought the program was a bit lame: good concept but poor execution.

Although a little disappointed, I'm sure that I'm not as disappointed as CRC who have chosen to plough their profits into a lame duck......

I have to say I was disappointed and that the producers have missed a great chance to level the playing field by trying too many new things all at once and having Obree and Fisher as guests on the first show probably did more damage than good.

If you are preaching to a knowing audience then they were ideal as they will know who they are and what they have achieved, they will also be ready for Obree's inability to express himself and Fisher's apparently OTT mannerisms, but they are not.

The target audience is the 95% of the population who don't ride bikes but have suddenly been made aware of a new hero they can exploit until the football season starts again.

Having said that the Top Gear analogy could be closer than you think. The first couple of shows of the current format were pretty lame until they got the mix right and maybe having cycling related 'tossers' might help the format

Ooh no - they were the best bit, I could watch/listen to them talking for hours. Maybe make a great podcast?

As for 'Top Gear without the tossers' - really? I spotted plenty (IMHO, obviously). Certainly doesn't make me want to go to LMNH anytime soon.

Poor Wayne Hemmingway must've felt a right nob doing that 'ride safely' bit, esp. on a girls bike. Basic intention sound - poor delivery.

4/10 - could be done much better. Less is often more, needs some focus.

Should be like a hard print Mag, each edition prioritize mainstream interests followed by niche items, a bit like Road. cycling UK, simples !

BTW, in case anyone's interested, Gary Fisher on San Fransisco's "Bikescape" podcast;

http://bikescape.blogspot.co.uk/2009/01/interview-with-gary-fisher.html

Carlton Reid / Gary Fisher chat;
http://quickrelease.tv/?p=824

Graeme Obree on Veloclub Don Logan (bit of bad language here, sensitive types);
http://veloclubdonlogan.co.uk/2011/02/16/vcdl-episode-9-%E2%80%93-obree/

I don't know whether it was the intended production style but it seemed to be thrown together. As for articles, the show tried to be something for everybody so it had no clear direction.

I hope the show improves, but I'm not going to keep a reminder for now; especially if they continue to use that cafe for interviews.

If you are going to have characters like Obree and Fisher on, it would be nice to do a quick biography of each (showing some 'best of' clips).

You can't expect everyone will know who they are, that is elitist, and if you are trying to get cycling, or at least the show, mainstream, you may have to educate your viewers.

I thought the 1st show was disappointing but they were never going to get it right straight from the off. They need to cut the background noise down it was quiet obvious that Graham Obree Gary Fisher & Nigel Mansell were struggling to here the questions they were being asked. I think they also tried to cram to much into the 30 minutes. Having said that I hope it sticks around & I'm sure it will get better.

i thought it was just a vehicle for product placement which i found off-putting. Regarding the content it's impossible to please everyone which was what they were trying to do which ended up pleasing no-one by the sound of it.

Was the helmet Wayne Hemingway was wearing a Met Camaleonte Executive? You know, the one Which? don't like - http://road.cc/content/news/62272-which-stirs-helmet-debate-product-test

I wrote the presenter off as an idiot when he asked Nigel Mansell if he wanted to take his reasonably successful - but third tier - cycling team to the Tour one day. I think Nigel did too.

I agree with mrdescarga about trying to cram too much in to the half hour slot. They've got 8 shows so why not spread 8 disciplines out over those weeks. As cyclists each of us probably only do one or two types of riding so the other six shows would give us an insight into other aspects of our sport while non cyclists could watch all eight learning about each discipline and hopefully find one they fancy trying.
For example, Obree could have been a guest for the show about track cycling, look at the bikes, some clips of his battles with Boardman before moving onto todays Olympic champions, you could then do the same for commuting, mountain biking etc.

The best thing we can do though is keep watching to up the viewing figures, then if they don't quite get it right this series hopefully they'll get another.

The first series of Only Fools and Horses was pretty toilet and look how that turned out

My lasting conclusion was that Nigel Mansell dyes his hair and Graham Obree is wound very, very tight.

I'm pleased that ITV4 has commissioned the series and I thought it was a decent first effort.

The positives:

+ great to have a cycling magazine show on TV

+ impeccable timing with Wiggo winning TdF the day it was recorded and the show captured the mood well

The areas for improvement:

- striking a better balance between educating the uninitiated and satisfying knowledgable enthusiasts. Some archive footage of Fisher and Obree to establish their credentials would have helped.

- the Wayne Hemingway VT was cringeworthy. The key practical issues for anyone new to cycling are adjusting the bike so it's comfortable and knowing how to secure if leaving it.

- too much sofa chat in the cafe - the programme would have felt pacier if the Obree, Mansell and Fisher interviews had been pre-recorded in different locations

That clip of the Cav sprint, the uninhibited crowd participation, they were there, that was a gem worth everything, forget the dross.

10/10 for getting the show to air. A lot less for focus, the show seemed to have a bit of a scattergun approach, lots of short disconnected segments, and it was not very clear who is the target audience. A bit of focus and tidying up, and it has a lot of petential as a magazine/feature show.
But please get out of that cafe - it's fine to have odd characters, but when they won't stop babbbling in the background, it's a massive distraction. I guess it may be cheaper than a studio hire, but when quality suffers, a bit of budget massage is needed to improve the chances of getting established. Otherwise I fear it may go the way of many shows, which would be a great shame, as the production team clearly do have a lot of drive to promote cycling.

It sailed around the plughole of SadTV and then, with a resounding Plop! disappeared down it.
Still, early days; and if the producers have the slightest clue, they'll rapidly learn from the opening debacle and try to be less of all things to all people per show.
Also, the whiff of sweaty lycra was a bit off-putting. Do these feckers never wash?

It's a shame there's so much negative spin here.

Yes, the programme could benefit from some improvement but we should be looking to encourage rather than deride.

The fact that there is such a programme at all, even if it is hidden in the depths of ITV4, shows cycling is here.

Programmes in the mould of Top Gear, Gadget Show etc. work. Let's try and bring this one up to standard, rather than kick it into the trash can!

I see John the monkey is still up his own ass just like he was on cycle chat.

Grow up Jon - wearing a helmet saves lives and stops you becoming a vegetable - stick to the clicque of cycle chat pal - your out your depth here.

getting the slot should be applauded, but i imagine that when sky tv (inevitable i think) get around to doing a show i imagine it will be done a lot more professionally - so, should the itv show still exist it should hopefully be dragged up by competition.

charisma of presenters wasn't there for me, and the content was very poor with few exceptions.

coffee shops and cycling is a cliche - no denying a strong link for many - but the set was all a bit "good old days" in its styling. i will watch the remaining shows, but as my wife (not a cyclist) put it - "that wasn't very good, was it"....

You can't please everyone and judging by some of the comments here impossible to please anyone!!

Chill out, let it bed in...much better that it starts with rough edges, than like a polished corporate show. I like the fact that they tried to tie in veteran viewers with newbys. Remember early days of spring watch...now a very professional show.

Good stuff, looking forward to more.

I thought it was poor and didn't really know if it was for cyclists or would be cyclists (or wouldn't be cyclists).

I would look to what cycling magazines do:

News & comment - demonstrate knowledge of subject
Feedback from readers - connect with the audience
Technical Tips (mechanical or riding) - offer something for enthusiasts
Weekly Feature - something that might tempt people to tune in
Regular Feature - build some continuity and loyalty

It will improve but needs to soon.

Where on earth did that come from? Look back at what I said, please, I'm commenting on the way they're debated, not whether folk should use 'em or not.

I think I broadly agree with most people here. It's great to have a cycling TV show but the end product is not fantastic and it will need time.

I'm not sure that the producers really know their audience, and to be fair it is a tricky one to pin down. It'll settle in, I'm sure, and continued 'well dones' to ITV who have creditably stuck at it with cycling in a way that is now starting to pay off.

More Rob Hayles please.

This is traditional England, lets slam it destroy it and then have nothing. Moan moan moan but never accept anything and moan for what ( want and take it out of context and out of reality. I liked the show. I like Graeme Obree and Gary Fisher, Nigel Mansell not really my cup of tea but I liked the venue its the first show and will grow and adapt.

What I would hate to see is it becoming a one cycle genre to suit the bulling road lobby or any other cycling lobby. Its about cycling not road, mtb, tricks/trails, commuting etc. Its about the whole thing.

Well done to ITV to start to develop what will be an iconic TV like Top Gear has developed its own iconic format and is successful whether you like it or not it is unique. The Cycle Show needs to find its own platform, if they are allowed to but it will die with this continual moaning and sniping.

Cycling is in all the news papers and on every ones lips but ITV have done us no favours with this trash.It seems to be produced by someone with no idea about cycling.A missed chance to bring Britain into the 21st century.I hope all of you have e-mailed Sky thanking them for their great effort winning the tour and support of grass root cycling in Britain.Lets hope Sky make some programmes about cycling because they seem to share our passion of it.

I'm in agreement with those who found the background noise distracting. It also seemed a bit rushed.

What I'm hoping for, once the show has got going, is some results on national and international competitions that haven't been broadcast, Premier series, more womens comps, etc.

I think an hour would do it more justice.

The setting was wrong, it reminded me of The Tube in the 80s where the presenters didn't appear to have a clue what was happening next. Seemed to cram too much into a half hour show cutting the guest speakers off in mid sentence. I would have liked to hear more about what Nigel and Graeme had to say and a studio setting with more time would have been much better. A good idea but not executed very well at all. If it was half as good as Top Gear in production/presentation then it would be getting there. Make it an hour long and plan it better. Hopefully next weeks will be an improvement.

Strangely unenjoyable. Was a roller-race the best they could come up with? This ranks just above the omelette making on that cooking show. And there's a reason Nigel Mansell has not been on tele since he stopped racing. Obree looking and acting like some sort of idiot savant. Temporarily interested white middle-class LMNH audience celebrate stage result in that half-hearted British way...
In the age of Rouleur, Privateer, Rapha and road.cc I was expecting a bit more humour and style. Were you approached? Maybe you should offer!

i recorded the show and was very soon fast forwarding. as mentioned above the back ground noise was not helpful even Obree appeared to be having trouble hearing what he was being asked. the bit on safe cycling was a waste of time they would be much better either taking bits from the cycle training manual and demo them or get out with a camera and film both good and bad cycling and compare that with expert comments. that said i will give it a few more episode before switching off completely.

I wasn't that impressed but I'm hoping that it continues. I agree that there is loads of room for improvement.
But ITV has a huge task on their hands if they can continue to attract the BIG cycling figures. I was very impressed with Gary Fisher being there. He's an important figure in the MTB world. Someone wrote that Fisher is "bonkers". If you read articles or watch interviews about these outward thinkers, inventors and innovators, you'll find most of them are pretty strange, even "bonkers". Howard Huges, Steve Jobs, Hugh Hefner to name a few.
Overall, I doubt the show will last more than six months given ITV's love of Murder She Wrote and all those horrible reality programs.
Lets hope the big knobs at ITV are following this.

Great site, keep it up.

I agree with everything said above Considering the haste with which the show was put together, presumably in an effort to retain the viewing figures generated by the excellent TDF coverage on ITV4, it was unlikely ever to appeal to the cognoscenti.

I'll watch it again to see if it improves, and if it does I will be pleasantly surprised!

Edit - 23 August 2012:

Having watched it a few more times since, I'm still not enthusiastic. The one-hour format should give greater scope, but that in-depth review of folding bikes last week wasn't exactly incisive wasn't it? I really wish they would lose the cafe background - having people immediately behind the presenter and guests chatting, eating dinner, wiggling their toes, smoking a fag outside the window - it's more than distracting, it's disgusting!! Even an OB interview had to be conducted in a busy street cafe with similar microcosmic urban background.

First show was a bit cringeworthy. Obree was a mad as a box of frogs and Mansell, his usual monotone-self. Not terribly inspiring. Needs to find its feet before it is written off.

The second show was much better. Eddy Merckx and Gary Kemp were great (no need to sell the Kemp/Spandau back catalogue though).

Things the show needs to do going forward:

1. Keep a healthy mix of topics.
2. Aim high. Enlighten and entertain. Don't aim at the lowest common denominator like Top Gear (i.e ignorant petrol heads)
3. Make sure all sections of the show follow the same order each week. The viewers will find it easier to follow.
4. Explain the finer details of the past-time and sport.
5. Cycling is romantic, exciting, ubiquitous, and part of the zeitgeist. Keep those elements and the show will go far.
6. Avoid the urge to put Z-list celebs in the audience. Cheesy.

I just got around to watching episode 2 - what an improvement that was. It's now settled a bit and not trying to do too much, in fact the pace was just about right.
If it carries on in this vein I'll continue to watch it. Well done to all involved for taking notice of audience reaction and constructive criticism.

I just watched episode n (I have been away so it could have been 3 or 4) and it might as well just be shown in London. Every single article was about London, that's an hour of broadcasting on national TV about cycling in London.

I doubt I will be making an effort to watch it again.

I echo chedlee.

Just watched the first one hour episode and there was not one thing about cycling outside london!!! So whats the point of the programme? And to comment on the Top Gear comments, if they could make it 50% as good as TG then it would be great. At least TG looks at cars.... thats what its about FFS. Who wants to see turbo offs and see someone pootling about london canal paths??? Lets get some kit, bike reviews on there and lets get some good presenters!!!!! Rob Hayles.. Awsome rider not a presenter..... It could be so good:-(

Lets give it a chance. The programme attempts to give a flavour of the freeedom of bike riding, even admitting to the 'fun' of outrunning motorists. Admitedly the sight of people trying to look intelligent while spilling sauce down their statement T shirts is rather distracting but its all we've got between watching the Tour of Freedonia on late night TV and loosening our limbs on a sunny Sunday. Mind you, i do find that Anna Glowinski scarey.

Naff. Dreadful. Awful. An opportunity missed. Sorry, but I've tried 2 episodes ans shall not watch any more. Why interview people in a noisy cafe with a background of people acting and continually chatting? Why have Nigel Mansell on wIth Graeme Obree? The latter could be the subject of a whole programme. The former is mildly interesting in cycling terms, but together the combination seemed ridiculous to me. Lastly, who is the presenter? Was nobody else available? As I've already, I think this is a real opportunity missed, particularly after the media-grabbing Olympic events and success!

You have to work hard to make cycling this dull - even Steve Peat and downhilling came off the fizz....

- one of last nights features was about sending your 4 year old on a course to learn how to balance on a 2-wheel bike. Have you ever heard of anything so ridiculous - and dull?

There's way too much sofa chat. Where's the cycling and the madness that makes it fun?

Last nights episode saw the presenter take his bike for a service - it was immaculate! And the discussion with the verrry borrring mechanic went something like...

'Your chain is stretched - you need a new chain'.

Oh do I?

'Your cassette is worn - you need a new cassette'.

Oh.OK.

'Your tyres are worn and need replacing'.

OK - so that's a new chain. a new cassette, and new tyres?

'Yes, that's right'.

'So there you have it folks - Mike has done his magic and we'll be on the road in no time'

FECK!!!!!!!!

I really enjoyed it. Good work guys. Liked the maintenance tips especially and the Rollapoluza is a great way to end the programme!
T

It got a bit better week by week and improved whenever they left LMNH. The bit where the superbikes were tested was actually what I expected every show to be like. Amazing lack of humour though and in a year of the World Championship, Tour de F, Olympics and Tour of Britain who'd have thought you could create an unengaging programme about cycling!

missing the cycle show, is it coming back?