The Bike Show Podcast

Jack talks with founding father of the mountain bike Gary Fisher about his life in cycling, the subject of his new book “Being Gary Fisher”, published by Blue Train Publishing. After talking with Gary, Jack chats with Guy Andrews and … Continue reading → The post No Cops, No Cars, No Concrete: Gary Fisher’s Life on Two Wheels first appeared on The Bike Show.

Bike technology is changing at a dizzying pace. There’s a bike for everything, from road racing and time trialling to gravel grinding and bikepacking to heavyweight touring and every shade of mountain biking. And that’s not to mention electric assist … Continue reading → The post Are Modern Bikes Rubbish? first appeared on The Bike Show.

As we emerge from coronavirus lockdown, is there a better summer holiday, a better way to get a change of scene, than heading out on your bike to explore the country where you live? This episode of the podcast is … Continue reading → The post Planning Your Next Bike Adventure first appeared on The Bike Show.

A ride report from the time before coronavirus. Jack heads into the wild uplands of the North York Moors on an audax event organised by Dean Clementson and hosted by Mike Metcalfe. “Don’t Keep to the Road” promises gravel tracks, … Continue reading → The post Rough Stuff in the North York Moors first appeared on The Bike Show.

Find out what happens when The Bike Show collides with its hipper and funnier younger sister the Wheelsuckers podcast, presented by Alex Davis from Look Mum No Hands! and Jenni Gwiazdowski from London Bike Kitchen. And hear frame-builder and cycle … Continue reading → The post When Podcasts Collide first appeared on The Bike Show.

The return of The Bike Show sees Jack chewing the fat with Max Leonard, author of Higher Calling: Road Cycling’s Obsession with the Mountains. They talk a lot about climbing, about the evolution of cycling towards exploring and traveling to new places, about cycling in France, and about Max’s Kickstarter project to republish a long-lost cycling guide to the off-road paths and gravel tracks of the Alps. Continue reading → The post Higher, Faster, Rougher, Wilder with Max Leonard first appeared on The Bike Show.

Peter Walker is a political reporter at the Guardian newspaper. He set up the Guardian's bike blog and his new book puts the case for a healthier, safer and more people-friendly nation. In short, a Bike Nation. In conversation with Jack Thurston, Peter talks about his past life as bike messenger, how his views on cycling have evolved and why he believes now is a critical tipping point in Britain's long and chequered history of cycling. Continue reading → The post Can Cycling Save the World? with The Guardian’s Peter Walker first appeared on The Bike Show.

This year marks 200 years since Karl Drais invented a two wheeled 'running machine'. Since then all sorts of people have ridden all sorts of bicycles for all sorts of reasons. Looking back at two centuries of cycling and cyclists is Dr Michael Hutchinson, former professional bike racer and author of several books about cycling. His latest is "Re:Cyclists - 200 years on two wheels" is an engaging and affectionate look back at the cyclists of the past two hundred years and has just been published by Bloomsbury. Continue reading → The post 200 Years of Cycling first appeared on The Bike Show.

The Indian Pacific Wheel Race is a gruelling 5,500 km coast-to-coast bicycle race across Australia. The race features the two leading long distance bike racers in the world as well as dozens of other cyclists determined to push themselves to the very limits of physical and mental endurance. Jack is joined by Australian cycling journalist Craig Fry and long distance cycling expert Chris White to discuss what it takes to win the race, or even to get to the finishing line in Sydney, plus the long history of overlanding in Australia and the possibilities of making the journey in a more leisurely cycle touring style. Continue reading → The post The Indian Pacific Wheel Race: Overlanders of the 21st Century first appeared on The Bike Show.

Mike Parker is the author of the best-selling Map Addict, an affectionate history of Ordnance Survey maps and the people who can’t get enough of their beautiful maps. He’s an accomplished guidebook writer, a former stand up comedian and has presented TV and radio programmes about Wales, his adopted homeland. In 2015 he stood for Parliament for Plaid Cymru, the party of Wales and has written a book, the Greasy Poll, about the experience. We go for a spin from Castle Meadows in Abergavenny, as it hosted the National Eisteddfod, a huge annual festival of Welsh language, culture, music and song. Continue reading → The post Under Monmouthshire Skies: Riding with Mike Parker first appeared on The Bike Show.

Jack goes for a ride with Dr Ian Walker, an environmental psychologist from the University of Bath and long-distance bike racer. Ian found global fame about fifteen years ago with an experiment he did to measure how close he was … Continue reading → The post From Usk to Wye with Dr Ian Walker first appeared on The Bike Show.

Chris Boardman has done it all. Born into a cycling family he became a domestic time trial demon and won an Olympic Gold Medal in 1992. He set world records for the Hour on the track and raced on the continent as a professional, wearing the yellow jersey in the Tour de France. His R&D team helped British Cycling to world domination on the track and he founded Boardman Bikes, now the best selling brand of bikes in Britain. He has thrown himself into campaigning for everyday cycling with passion and is one of the most effective advocates for cycling, whether in the media or lobbying politicians. He has just written a new biography and is in conversation with the author Rob Penn, in front of a live audience in Monmouth, organised by Rossiter Books. Continue reading → The post Chris Boardman: A Life in Cycling first appeared on The Bike Show.

A report on No Bike Week, in which a handful of courageous cyclists agree to abstain from two wheels for seven days. Find out what happened. And to read how the No Bike Week meme is evolving into something more … Continue reading → The post No Bike Week: What happened? first appeared on The Bike Show.

It’s the end of the road for The Bike Show. Find out why in this special podcast only final edition featuring many Bike Show favourites including Buffalo Bill, editor of Moving Target, cycle sport correspondent William Greswell, London bike messenger … Continue reading → The post The end of the road first appeared on The Bike Show.

The Bike Show returns after a winter break to the news that the Grand Depart of the 2007 Tour De France will be in London!! Featuring the formal presentation by ASO’s Jean-Marie Leblanc and a press conference by London Mayor … Continue reading → The post 13 February 2006: Tour De France in London in 2007! first appeared on The Bike Show.

Kids on bikes – a good idea or trouble around the corner? Alex Crawford finds out more by talking with Guy Bardoe of the School Travel Plan campaign in the London Borough of Southwark and asking some local children and … Continue reading → The post 19 December 2005 – Kids on bikes? first appeared on The Bike Show.

This week we look at the subject of police and paramedics on bikes. Kieron Yates interviews Sergeant Robert Bliss of the City of London police’s cycle team. And a big shout to Bike Show listeners in Halifax, Nova Scotia! MP3 … Continue reading → The post 5 December 2005 Show – Police on bikes!! first appeared on The Bike Show.

Featuring the mighty Sheldon Brown on the marvels of classic English 3-speed bicycles. Sheldon Brown is the technical guru at Harris Cyclery and owns one of the world’s greatest collections of weird and wonderful bikes, including a bizarre fixed gear … Continue reading → The post 21 November 2005 Show: Sheldon Brown first appeared on The Bike Show.

Joining Buffalo Bill and the hardcore of London’s bike messengers for chaotic indoor racing action at Rollapalooza IV (and live music from the Deadley Treadleys). In the studio Scott and Steve explain their Ghostcycle project to mark and map traffic … Continue reading → The post 31 October 2005: Roller-racing, Ghostcycle and Critical Mass London first appeared on The Bike Show.

Kieron Yates joins Southwark Cyclists for the inaugural John Peel Memorial Ride in homage to the great British broadcaster and champion of the underdog. Jack rides with Brendt Barbur, founding director of the Bicycle Film Festival on the day after … Continue reading → The post 24 October 2005 Show: John Peel memorial ride and the Bicycle Film Festival first appeared on The Bike Show.

On this week’s show Kieron Yates investigates the City of London Police’s recent crackdown on ‘deviant cyclists’ and asks John Knight of the London Bicycle Messengers’ Association for his reaction. We also preview the Pushbike Architecture Treasure Hunt by speaking … Continue reading → The post 17 October 2005 Show: ‘Deviant’ cyclists and the Pushbike Architecture Treasure Hunt first appeared on The Bike Show.

Radio premier of ‘Onset’, a sound art work by Olias Nil in which he rings around 500 bicycle bells, one by one, over three days on the streets of Amsterdam. MP3 The post (Archive) 11 April 2005 Show: Onset first appeared on The Bike Show.

Spotlight on a classic 1965 film about the Tour De France “Pour Un Maillot Jaune” (dir. Claude Lelouch). Guest in the studio is William Greswell. MP3 The post 21 March 2005 Show: Pour Un Maillot Jaune first appeared on The Bike Show.

Special feature on the G8 Bike Ride (mass protest ride from London to the G8 Summit in Scotland) with organisers Tim and Tabitha. Featuring music from David Cronenberg’s Wife and Lower Depths. MP3 The post 25 April 2005: G8 Protest Bike Ride first appeared on The Bike Show.

Riding with Rose Ades, head of Transport for London’s cycling centre of excellence and chief cycling adviser to London Mayor Ken Livingstone. Cycle training with Ben Bowskill. Bicycle bell test and ensemble. MP3 The post (Archive) 31 January 2005: Rose Ades first appeared on The Bike Show.

Guest in the studio is 2004 Greater London Assembly candidate Navindh Baburam, pioneer of London’s cycle rickshaws, committed rider of recumbent bicycles and debonair man about town. MP3 The post 28 March 2005: Navindh Baburam first appeared on The Bike Show.

Christmas Day ride across the south downs of East Sussex, including a climb up Ditchling Beacon with writer and film-maker Nicky Hamlyn. Followed by hot bath. MP3 The post (Archive) 3 January 2005 Show: Christmas Day on the South Downs first appeared on The Bike Show.

Featuring the Rinky-Dink Bicycle Powered Sound System, comedy from George Lopez and bicycle advice from Tall Jurgen of the London Bicycle Repair Shop in Waterloo. MP3 The post 20 December 2004 first appeared on The Bike Show.

Guest in the studio is Simon Brammer, Director of the London Cycle Campaign. James Foster memorial ride. Waterloo Bridge roundabout. MP3 The post 6 December 2004: London cycling first appeared on The Bike Show.

Dunwich Dynamo night ride special. Four hundred plus people ride 120 miles to the Suffolk Coast, through the night, under the full moon. MP3 The post (Archive) 13 December 2004: The Dunwich Dynamo first appeared on The Bike Show.

As we enter the final week of Le Tour De France 2005, I am joined in the studio by Bike Show regular William Greswell. Interviews with Guy Andrews, editor of Road Cycling UK and Rouleur magazine. Also talking with Kent … Continue reading → The post 18 July 2005: Le Tour De France first appeared on The Bike Show.

This week’s show features an interview with David Herlihy, author of ‘Bicycle‘ the recently published definitive history of the bicycle (Yale University Press). Kieron Yates reports on the London-Edinburgh-London audax/endurance ride. The post 8 August 2005 Show: History of the bicycle; London-Edinburgh-London audax ride first appeared on The Bike Show.

Today’s show features the first part of a two-part interview/ride with ‘Buffalo’ Bill Chidley, Chair of the London Bicycle Messengers Association. The LBMA works for London’s 400-500 bicycle messengers (also known as couriers) and has run a prominent campaign to … Continue reading → The post 16 May Show: Riding with Buffalo Bill first appeared on The Bike Show.

This week’s show features Rosie Walford, psychologist and founder of The Big Stretch explaining how cycling helps improve your powers of creative thinking by moving your brain into an alpha state. We take a ride around Islington and the City … Continue reading → The post 4 April 2005: Rosie Walford first appeared on The Bike Show.

Discussing German electro-pop pioneers Kraftwerk and their love of the bicycle. With Kraftwerk aficionados Maisie Hitchcock and Chris Bloor. MP3 format Read Jack Thurston’s feature on Kraftwerk and cycling first published in Rouleur magazine. The post 10 January 2005: Kraftwerk and Cycling first appeared on The Bike Show.

The July bomb attacks on the London underground and bus network has resulted in a massive increase in the numbers of people cycling to work instead of taking public transport. In this week’s Bike Show, Lucy Nandris from Cycle Training … Continue reading → The post 1 August 2005: Cycling after the London bomb attacks first appeared on The Bike Show.

In conversation with Julian Bray, a journalist and rider with the Rapha Condor team. Julian came to competitive cycling after falling in love with the continental tradition of the cyclosportive: mass-participation road races of historic or cultural significance, such as … Continue reading → The post 2 July 2007: The Lowdown on Cyclosportives first appeared on The Bike Show.

Alastair Humphreys has cycled round the world ‘the hard way’: four years, sixty countries and forty-six thousand miles. In the first of a two part special he tells the story of his epic adventure from Yorkshire to South Africa and … Continue reading → The post 11 August 2008: Around the world the hard way (part one) first appeared on The Bike Show.

On this week’s show we ask whether the bicycle and cycling are inherently left-wing or right-wing. Featuring Ruth Beale and Karen Breneman, two artists who recently rode together from London to the Institute for the Art and Practice of Dissent … Continue reading → The post 4 August 2008: Cycling, politics and ideology first appeared on The Bike Show.

Looking back at this year’s Tour De France, with Guy Andrews, editor of Rouleur magazine and author and broadcaster Graeme Fife. As well as discussing the racing, we go into what it means for a small towns when it plays … Continue reading → The post 28 July 2008: Looking back at Le Tour 2008 first appeared on The Bike Show.

This year’s Dunwich Dynamo was perfect: a dry, moonlit night, a tail wind and a hot sunny morning on the beach. Around 500 people enjoyed the sixteenth edition of the classic British night ride that covers some 120 miles (190 … Continue reading → The post 21 July 2008: Sublime Nights: Dunwich Dynamo 16 and S24O with Grant Peterson first appeared on The Bike Show.

Celebrating Bastille Day and the first week of Le Tour De France plus a discussion of civilised streets with Louise Duggan, streets advisor at the UK’s Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE). Just six days until this year’s … Continue reading → The post 14 July 2008: Vive Le Tour // Civilised Streets first appeared on The Bike Show.

A ride along the splendid London end of the Grand Union Canal with Rob Ainsley, London cyclist and author of 50 Quirky Bike Rides, a new book about weird and wonderful places to go on bicycles in England and Wales. … Continue reading → The post 7 July 2008: 50 Quirky Bike Rides first appeared on The Bike Show.

A tour of London lidos by bicycle with Jason Cobb, a lido enthusiast, cyclist, photographer and author of Onion Bag Blog, a blog devoted to life in the Stockwell-Oval-Brixton triangle. Taking in Brockwell Lido, the ghost of Kennington Lido, the … Continue reading → The post 30 June 2008: London Lidos by Bicycle first appeared on The Bike Show.

Featuring an interview with Stephen Bayley, design editor of The Observer, about his guided cycle ride around the houses and homes of celebrated London artists and architects which kicks of a fantastic programme of bicycle tours as part of the … Continue reading → The post 23 June 2008: London architecture by bike and a Rapha exclusive first appeared on The Bike Show.

Kieron Yates and Matt Tempest report from Paris on the Vélib bike hire system that has brough 20,000 bicycles to the streets and transformed the French capital overnight into a cycling metropolis. Can it work in London? MP3 | Other … Continue reading → The post 25 February 2008: Will Vélib work in London? first appeared on The Bike Show.

Jack Thurston is away and in his place Amy Cooper presents a show devoted to the swashbuckling Trixie Chix, London’s female fixed wheel freestylers. Will Amy and her sit-up-and-beg town bike cut the mustard with the trackstanding, bike polo playing, … Continue reading → The post 18 February 2008: Hanging with the Trixie Chix first appeared on The Bike Show.

In a special Valentine’s Day edition, sultry Southwark Cyclist Miss Alex Crawford explains why cycling is so good for flirting while love goddess Venus Kamura tells of the fifth annual Reclaim Love ‘happening’ on Saturday 16 February at the Eros … Continue reading → The post 11 February 2007: Love first appeared on The Bike Show.