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The Cycle Show on ITV: what did you think?

Debut episode featured Gary Fisher and Graeme Obree

ITV's Cycle Show debuted last night - proof, if it was needed, of a cycling renaissance in the UK.

The magazine-style chat show on ITV4 was met with enthusiasm by reviewers and viewers, although some expressed hope that the show might find more of a focus once it bedded in.

Last night's episode attempted to be something for everyone, with guests including Formula One racing driver-turned cyclist Nigel Mansell, mountain bike pioneer Gary Fisher and Graeme Obree, "The Flying Scotsman" who is hoping to break the human-powered land-speed record. 

Fisher and Obree rounded off the show with a Rollapaluza roller race.

Mountain biker James Bailey tweeted: #TheCycleShow wasn't great BUT its the first show, not aimed at me and next week they are covering last years #megavalanche give it time!

Another user, Gary Dawes wrote: #thecycleshow is a good effort but needs some tweaks - hope it will settle in. would have liked to have seen more Obree though.

The London cafe-bikeshop Look Mum No Hands was the venue for the first show.

Lewin Chalkley, one of the owners told the Independent: "I keep telling people it's like Top Gear without the tossers.

"We're so excited about it."

Sharon Fuller, operations director of Century TV, commissioned to make the show, made clear that the viewer response would shape the show in time to come.

She told Bike Biz: “Viewers need to get behind this show or it will be ten years before any broadcaster takes a chance on a show like this.

“This first series of eight half hour shows is like a pilot series. If viewers get behind this series there will be more chance of being able to make a second series, and perhaps a series with one hour per show.”

Did you miss the show? Watch again here.

Let us know what you thought of The Cycle Show in the comments below.

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64 comments

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Mel Glass | 11 years ago
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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!!!!!!!!

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Windyhead | 11 years ago
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I really enjoyed it. Good work guys. Liked the maintenance tips especially and the Rollapoluza is a great way to end the programme!
T

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robert_obrien | 11 years ago
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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!

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pmr | 11 years ago
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missing the cycle show, is it coming back?  20

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