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

Posted on February 2, 2007 by Jack Thurston

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

Posted on January 23, 2007 by Jack Thurston

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 Â£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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15 January 2007: Women bike messengers and a ride through a very long tunnel

Posted on January 16, 2007 by Jack Thurston

Women bike messengers might cut a better figure on the roads than their grungy, bearded and tattooed male counterparts, but are the girls better at their jobs than the boys? The answer is yes, if a handful of London’s women bike messengers are to be believed. For details on the upcoming Roller Races, look here.

We also have Hugo Gladstone riding with the Stourbridge Bicycle Users Group on a ‘suburban secrets’ adventure that takes in the 2.3 km Netherton canal tunnel. Wooohh!! Echoooohh!!

And if you want to help the Bike Show and all Resonance fm’s unique broadcasting stay on the air…. don’t delay!

You can donate to our emergency fund quickly and painlessly here. Remember, all the programme-makers and engineers on Resonance are unpaid. We need to raise Â£60,000 now to pay for basic things like renting our studio (a damp and airless cave) and powering our antenna (a rusty coathanger tied to the top of a hospital). It’s not rocket science but without donations from listeners, it will all come to an end very soon.

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8 January 2007 – Doorstep Adventures with Patrick Field (part two)

Posted on January 9, 2007 by Jack Thurston

In the second half of a ride with London cyclist Patrick Field, we cruise on the Woolwich Ferry, ride along the Thames Path through Greenwich before crossing in a tunnel under the Thames to the Isle of Dogs and from there onwards to old pumping station in Wapping converted into a arts space and cafe.

Along the way we discuss the revolutionary era of the bicycle, humanity and the march of progress and the challenges of global and local environmental imperatives. Heavy stuff, which might explain why Patrick suffers the Bike Show’s first ever live on air puncture.

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18 December 2006: Doorstep adventures with Patrick Field (Part one)

Posted on December 18, 2006 by Jack Thurston

Riding with Patrick Field, legendary London cyclist, thinker and writer, on a leisurely route east from Hackney along the top of a giant Victorian sewerage outflow pipe towards the River Thames. We take in ancient trading routes, cross the River Lea and pass through land that will be home to the London Olympics in 2012. We discuss the ethos of cycling as travel and Patrick’s hopes for returning to an age of pre-industrial idleness… (part two follows next week).

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11 December 2006 – The Christmas edition

Posted on December 14, 2006 by Jack Thurston

Back in the Resonance FM studio with Danish bike messenger elf Therese Bjorn to talk Christmas on bicycles. What to buy, what to do… and we take a look at the new London Scorcher bicycle from Velorution and Therese gives a thumbs up to Pac Designs messenger bags.

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4 December 2006: Sur le pavé in Brussels

Posted on December 4, 2006 by Jack Thurston

In the Belgian capital of Brussels, road-testing Cyclocity, a new concept in bicycle hire – sturdy bikes you can pick up and leave in different places around the city that cost just one euro an hour. Jack Thurston and William Greswell are soon distracted by EU monumentalist architecture, horse meat steaks and a winter wonderland in the Grand Place.