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BBC4 the other night

Anyone watch some of the cycling programmes on there? I Sky+ a couple.

Rob Penn's programme based on his book 'It's all about the bike' was great imho. I wish someone would let tell my 'cycling story' one day. (it's not quite as exciting but has some amazing highs and lows to be fair)

Still got the Tommy Simpson one to watch too!

Back to Rob and his story though, the ride with Cinelli chaps was excellent and how I wish I had had Charlie Kelly and Joe Breeze as guides when I rode Marin County back in '95.

Might just have to buy his book now!!

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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12 comments

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jova54 | 13 years ago
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Managed to miss the Tommmy Simpson programme but recorded Belleville Rendezvous for watching later.

Any idea if Death on the Mountain is available on DVD or on-line as it's not showing on BBC iPlayer.

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demoff | 13 years ago
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Rob Penn's programme was a good hours entertainment. Although after spending all that money could not believe that he put the front wheel in with the quick release on the right hand side (driveside) bit of a faux pas there.

The Simpson Docu was very good and as already mentioned we tend to forget just how good he was. When it was a massive step leaving England to try and become a Pro on the Continent he made it appear effortless.

However the highlight for me was the following night when they showed Belleville Rendezvous a fantastic piece of cycling themed animation.

Who needs Sky TV when the Beeb can pull stuff like this out of the bag.

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stereojet | 13 years ago
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I thought his bike was pig ugly too. What's with putting aero Cinelli bars on a steel frame? Still, horses for courses I guess

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TheHatter | 13 years ago
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I enjoyed 'its all about the bike' (though I did wonder how Rapha got away with so much product placement on the beeb). I did enjoy the Simpson film too though it wasn't as engaging as I expected. For anyone that hasn't read it I'd recomend Fotheringham's book to give a real insight.

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NO Endeavour | 13 years ago
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KirinChris replied to NO Endeavour | 13 years ago
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My thoughts exactly NO - what was the purpose of the bike to start with.

Comfort, speed, durability - not beauty I hope ?

Without that it was just a collection of parts most of us could have ordered on the internet in 5 minutes - though only after taking 5 weeks to think about it. Unfortunately that insight was lacking as well.

The Thoroughly Modern programme about the bicycle on the other hand was excellent. Great to see a collection of Edwardian bicycles being handed over to a cycle club for a race around the track.

Nice site BTW NO Endeavour - not seen that before.

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cat1commuter | 13 years ago
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Another thing that struck me in "Death on the Mountain" was that I'd always considered Tom Simpson to be ancient history, but with his contemporaries Vin Denson and Barry Hoban appearing in interviews, you realise that if it wasn't for his completely avoidable death he'd still be with us.

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simonmb | 13 years ago
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For me 'Death on the Mountain' will go down as one of the classic cycling documentaries. Alastair Laurence delivered a respectful analysis of Tom Simpson as a great rider and indeed public personality, yet pulled no punches in telling the facts that led to Simpson's ultimate demise. Wonderful journalism. Rob Penn's 'It's All About The Bike' could easily have been extended in to a series. Engaging guy, clearly passionate, yet I felt slightly cheated that we only received morsels of what must have been a fantastic journey. I guess I'll have to buy the book - as good as he was on TV I know he's a much better writer than he is a TV presenter. But then there's 'Britain By Bike'. Sigh. Hugely disappointing. It appears I misjudged Clare Balding's suitably for the role. Sadly she lacks the integrity required to ride in the shadow of Harold Brierfield, and I can't get the thought out of my mind that as soon as the cameras have stopped rolling she hops off the bike and into a Range Rover. Anyway, in the end, three cheers for BBC4 for broadcasting the programmes. Or should that be 4 cheers?

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timlennon | 13 years ago
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Totally agree that the Tom Simpson documentary was fascinating - providing that background on cycling at the time, and the fact they spoke to so many from the circuit then.

Also agree that I enjoy road.cc - just make sure I win a prize, some time! Heh heh.

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Super Domestique | 13 years ago
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Dave - I know this is OT (but I started the thread so it's ok lol) but the timing of these shows and my move to road biking plus finding this site has been great.

Keep up the good work as I really enjoy Road.CC
I thought it was better as a public statement rather than email as you guys deserve some praise.

Thanks.

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dave atkinson | 13 years ago
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watched the tom simpson documentary, which i thought was well put together and very balanced. i think we remember how he died a lot more than what a popular and talented rider he was.

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cat1commuter replied to dave atkinson | 13 years ago
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dave_atkinson wrote:

watched the tom simpson documentary, which i thought was well put together and very balanced. i think we remember how he died a lot more than what a popular and talented rider he was.

I agree. I hadn't realised how good he was. It seemed to me that what he was missing was a good Directeur Sportif who he trusted and would listen too.

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