Category Archives: France

Stephen Roche, twenty five years later

Posted on by
4

1987 was an annus mirabilis for Stephen Roche, one of a wave of world class Irish athletes that rose to fame that decade. He won the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and the World Championship road race. The only other rider to have accomplished this feat, know as the ‘triple crown’, is Eddy Merckx. Roche has a new book out called ‘Born To Ride’ and talks about his life in cycling, winning the triple crown, as well as his thoughts on today’s peloton, the scourge of doping and his own implication in an EPO doping conspiracy.

His new autobiography, Born to Ride, is out now, published by Yellow Jersey Press.

Get Out Of That Saddle, Stephen by Dermot Morgan.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS

On Two Wheels in France

Posted on by
1

Photo credit: Jack Thurston

As governments around the world seek to improve conditions for cyclists, we take a look at France, a country synonymous with cycle sport but that has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to everyday cycling. From Paris, Kieron Yates reports about cycling in the French capital and the new measures the national government is introducing to improve conditions for people on bicycles. And Gregory Bossuyt tells of leaving Paris behind him and taking to his bicycle in search of a new life in a new town.

For more information on the Big Ride on 28 April, head over to the London Cycling Campaign. And if you fancy joining other friends of The Bike Show for the Oyster Run on 14 April, there are more details over here.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS

Raphaël Krafft: reportage on two wheels

Posted on by
1

Raphaël Krafft is a radio journalist working for the French national broadcaster who for the past ten years has been finding his stories by bicycle. Krafft’s two wheeled reportage has taken him around Latin America, the Middle East, the French West Indies and on several occasions his own country, which he has toured during presidential election years, to find out what France really thinks.

Kieron Yates visited Raphaël Krafft in Paris for this extended profile, which features audio material from his radio broadcasts.

You can follow Raphaël and Alexis on their current trip La Campagne à Vélo.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS

Across Europe by Bike

Posted on by
3

The St Gotthard Pass

Andrew Sykes tells of his six week summer journey from his home in Reading in Berkshire to Puglia, on the southern tip of Italy, along the Eurovelo 5 long-distance cycle route. He reads from Good Vibrations: Crossing Europe on a Bike Called Reggie, the book he’s written about the trip. Andrew will be appearing at Blue Door Bicycles this Wednesday 15 February at 8pm for a book reading and discussion.

Jen and Jack talk about the terror of the Waterloo bridge roundabout and the Mayor’s plans to remake it (again). Finally, a tribute to Henry Warwick, a veteran London bicycle messenger who was killed in a crash with a coach while working earlier this month.

Find out more about the Resonance FM fundraising auction.

Or just donate right now. The first 20 donations in excess of £10 (UK), €15 (Europe) and $20 (rest of the world) will get a Bike Show screen print by Richard Mitchelson.

Photo credit: Andrew P. Sykes

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS

Paris-Brest-Paris: part two

Posted on by
6

Following on from last week’s documentary feature by Kieron Yates is a studio discussion of Paris-Brest-Paris, the world’s most venerable long distance bicycle race. In the studio are PBP veterans Judith Swallow and Dave Minter, and PBP debutant Pete Kelsey. Chris Ragsdale, one of this year’s stars, clocking in an exceptionally impressive sub-45 hour time, joins us down the line from his native Seattle.

For more information about audax in the UK see the Audax UK ride calendar and the audax pages of Yet Another Cycling Forum.

Image credit: Wig Worland, from Pete Kelsey’s short film Towards the Ocean.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS

Paris-Brest-Paris: part one

Posted on by
5

The 1200km Paris-Brest et retour was first raced in 1891 and is the oldest bicycle race still in existence, currently held as a brevet de randonneur every four years. Kieron Yates shares the agony and ecstasy of his second outing in an event that is only for the toughest of the tough.

Next week we’ll be talking about the race with a handful of other riders who will share their experiences and tips for anyone considering taking part.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS

The 2011 Tour de France: a modern classic?

Posted on by
2

Looking back at the this year’s thrilling Tour de France are Lionel Birnie of Cycle Sport magazine and Alex Murray, London cyclist, amateur road racer and blogger at chasingwheels.com.

Image by Neil Stevens, part of a series of illustrations for this year’s Tour, available to buy at Crayon Fire

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS