Michael Portillo swapped railway tracks for a track bike in last night’s episode of the BBC TV series Great British Railway Journeys – and had a bit of a moment as he lost balance and came crashing back to earth, though luckily for him, a coach helped break his fall.
The programme saw the former cabinet minister travel from Letchworth Garden City in Hertfordshire to Herne Hill, and the velodrome that is the last surviving venue of the 1948 Olympic Games.
After learning about the history of the velodrome from Peter Cattermole, who helped lead the campaign to save the venue, the 64-year-old emerged from the pavilion in Friends of Herne Hill Velodrome jersey and shorts.
Still sporting a pair of red suede slip-on loafers – we’d like to think this isn’t the start of a track cycling trend – he was helped to mount the fixed-wheel bike by cycling coach Joseph Alberti of VC Londres and happily went for a quick spin.
Everything was going swimmingly until, at the end of the ride, Portillo – still on the bike – attempted to shake Alberti’s hand, overbalanced, and would have had a nastier fall than he ended up having had the coach not intervened.
Watch it here on BBC iPlayer (UK only) – the segment on Herne Hill Velodrome starts at around 22 minutes 15 seconds.
H/T to Andy Thornley for the spot.
10 thoughts on “Michael Portillo takes a tumble at Herne Hill Velodrome (+ link to video)”
Ooh new railway journey
Ooh new railway journey series ? Excellent. I like this stuff and bonus points for crashing for our amusement.
British cyclist takes a dive
British cyclist takes a dive for Britain. Not for Brussels!
(one for the more mature reader)
tee hee – good to see Mr
tee hee – good to see Mr Catermole protecting Portillo
actually Portillo doesn’t seem like such a bad cove now since he had his electoral come-uppance
he’d be preferable to most of the current cabinet anyway
OldRidgeback wrote:
That’s Joseph with Portillo (when he falls). Really nice guy and one of the tireless volunteers who donate so much of their time to looking after the Herne Hill track, coaching, etc.
portec wrote:
Aha, I don’t know Joseph but it’s been some time since I was last at Herne Hill. I know some of the other people there. I haven’t ridden the track for a while, something i need to change for 2018. But it’s become really popular and it isn’t as easy to get a ride there as it used to be.
OldRidgeback wrote:
It may become less popular if people think that there is a real danger of bumping into a former minister in inappropriate footwear going very slowly.
Next week, Lord Lawson in flipflops and Jonathan Aitken in sandals.
OldRidgeback wrote:
There are around 6 or 7 public sessions (with no rider limit) every week at HHV, probably easier than ever to get a ride, especially if you get your training accreditation.
This has just shot up to No.2
This has just shot up to No.2 in my all time favourite Portillo clips.
No 1? https://youtu.be/BVvWE6V9ulE
If anyone’s wondering, his
If anyone’s wondering, his footwear is part of Rapha’s new lounge cycling range. MP’s sporting the RCC Red Velvet. £500.
Beecho wrote:
When it comes to Rapha clothing, it’s hard to know what’s a joke and what’s not…