11 June 2007: ‘Slow Bicycling’ in Italy; on two wheels in Provence

Cezanne’s Sainte VictoireThe Bike Show this week has a distinctly Mediterranean and gastronomic feel. Kieron Yates reports from northern Italy, the world capital of the Slow Food movement, on a ‘slow bicycle’ ride along the length of the River Po (for more on ABICI bikes, look here) Meanwhile, Jack Thurston is joined by William Greswell in the sunny south of France, relaxing in Aix-en-Provence while considering an imminent attempt at the fearful Mont Ventoux. Plus new statistics on the dangers to cyclists from bendy buses and a heads up for Rolling to the Stones, a night rider to Stonehenge on the night of the Summer Solstice, 20-21 June.

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4 June 2007: To Paris for La Fête du Vélo // Unicycling in South Dakota

Snow unicycleThe Bike Show visits Paris’s 11th Fête du Vélo. Among the subjects discussed are Paris’s growing love affair with the Brompton folding bicycle, how Cannondale are marketing the latest urban bikes in France, a new puncture proof Dutch tyre and Les Dérailleurs, France’s gay and lesbian friendly cycle touring club. We also discuss unicycling with Mike Ray from South Dakota, who owns not one but five of the contraptions. He explains how unicyclists have escaped the circus for the rough-riding world of singletrack. Plus congratulations to the CTC and others whose campaign against anti-cyclist revisions to the UK highway code has forced the government to back down.

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28 May 2007: Graeme Fife’s life in cycling

This week features a ride in the hills of north Kent hills with writer, broadcaster and cyclist Graeme Fife. Graeme is the author of several of the best English language books about cycling and Le Tour de France. His new book has just been published. It’s a very personal memoir entitled The Beautiful Machine: A life in cycling from Tour de France to Cinder Hill.

21 May 2007: Poetry on a country ride with Martin Newell

Spoke N WordThe Bike Show returns to Essex and Martin Newell, writer, poet, musician and horticultural assassin, for another helping of Spoke N Word. This year’s programme features a new route from Wivenhoe to Bentley Green, reported to be the largest village green in England. We cross fields, pass through woodland and finish on a series of quiet country lanes. Rain threatens but Martin is equipped with a waterproof poetry kit.

In the studio is Andy Cox, with the latest developments on the UK premier of the Symphony for Singing Bicycles, set for Saturday 7 July. Got a dynamo? Want to take part? We need up to 24 riders, so please get in touch via bikeshow(at)gmail(dot)com.

Spoke N Word runs until 1 July, every Saturday and Sunday, with cycle rides on Sun 27 May, Sat 2 June, Sun 3 June, Sun 17 June, Sun 1 July. Tickets from £7 bookable at the Colchester Arts Centre on 01206 500 900.

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5 February 2007: Cyclosportives, bicycle podcasting and Budapest

In this week’s show we hear from Patrick Field about how to survive the grueling Paris-Brest-Paris: by riding a recumbent. Also a look at the blossoming world of bicycle radio and podcasting and a look ahead to the best in cyclosportives in 2007.

Links:

Bikescape podcast from San Francisco.

Rapha’s ‘Culture Clash’ Roller Race at Shoreditch Town Hall – 10 February 2007

Dartmoor Classic Cyclosportive
– 13 May 2007

Tour de France Mega-Sportive – 1 July 2007

L’Eroica Cyclosportive – 7 October 2007 (pictured above)

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29 January 2007: Going the Distance and the Physics of the Bicycle

First run in 1891 as a race designed to demonstrate the practicality of the bicycle, Paris Brest Paris has since become a four yearly event that attracts long distance cyclists from around the world. This year is a Paris Brest Paris year and Kieron Yates – this week standing in for Jack Thurston – talks to Richard Phipps of Audax UK, the British long distance cycling association, about preparing for the ride and what to expect should he make it to Paris.

Also on today’s show Kieron tries to discover just how it is that we stay upright on our bikes as we pootle off down the road. Physicist, Dr Helen Czerski, provides the answers, describes the ‘Einstein flip‘, and confirms the efficiency of the bicycle. Helen is a member of the NOISE network of scientists.

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22 January 2007: Looking forward to a great year for cycling

Could 2007 be the best year yet for cycling in London? In the studio with Guy Andrews, editor of Rouleur magazine and Barry Mason of Southwark Cyclists. We discuss the coming of Le Tour de France to London, the 15th Dunwich Dynamo and other group rides organized by Southwark Cyclists and ask whether London cycling will continue to boom. We also preview the Rapha Roller Race on 10 February with Therese Bjorn.

The first ten Bike Show listeners to donate to Resonance fm’s survival fund will receive a free copy of the current edition of Rouleur magazine – newstand price £9 ($18). You can donate via Paypal or Credit Card and make sure to leave a note saying that you’d like a copy of Rouleur and give your postal address.

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