Can We Survive A Stage Of The 1903 Tour De France?

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  • Опубліковано 26 лип 2019
  • Just how hard was the first ever Tour de France? The 1903 edition of the race started with a 467km stage between Paris and Lyon, a real test of endurance. Hank and Mark went to France to find out, in period-correct kit and on vintage bikes!
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 2,4 тис.

  • @gcn
    @gcn  4 роки тому +884

    Would you be mad enough to take on this challenge?! 🤯

    • @nt2883
      @nt2883 4 роки тому +36

      YESSSSS!!!!!!! I'm already thinking of how to get my 1930's fixed gear to france!!!!

    • @tobiasbouma4071
      @tobiasbouma4071 4 роки тому +67

      Two months ago I rode from Amsterdam to Paris in a day (that's 490k), but I could imagine this could be tougher with the older bikes and shitty saddles. Should note that we had 45 kph headwind from the start, but I suppose that would make up for having a modern bike rather than a 1903 vintage bike, right?

    • @neilshannon9930
      @neilshannon9930 4 роки тому +19

      Tobias Bouma That's a great effort either way.

    • @bertchalmers
      @bertchalmers 4 роки тому +23

      Only if we can do it on 1903 food!!!!

    • @twigle3015
      @twigle3015 4 роки тому +2

      LaughingSaint That is not entirely true, there are lots of people interested in history that use the old tools, fi. ww2 enthusiasts, old car racers, there is a whole subsection of classical music devoted to playing on old instruments.

  • @IraklyShanidze00X
    @IraklyShanidze00X 4 роки тому +2177

    I can only imagine what passing drivers thought about two so sharply dressed monsignors riding bicycles apparently stolen from a local museum.

    • @glowiever
      @glowiever 4 роки тому +69

      they might be apprehended, but for the fashion crime instead

    • @rollinrat4850
      @rollinrat4850 4 роки тому +13

      Purdy Mouth Haha, crimes of fashion! Something roadies would enforce!

    • @stopglobalswarming
      @stopglobalswarming 4 роки тому +2

      RollinRat but, they are roadies

    • @sirrivet9557
      @sirrivet9557 4 роки тому +14

      Probably thought they travelled back in time for a second.

    • @KandiKlover
      @KandiKlover 4 роки тому +52

      Probably thought they were king of the Hipsters.

  • @MrGrenadeMcBoom
    @MrGrenadeMcBoom 4 роки тому +3896

    If you made this into an hour to hour and a half documentary retracing the course and telling the story of the first race I would PAY MONEY to watch that.

    • @downtofun
      @downtofun 4 роки тому +16

      Same!

    • @joelmartin4023
      @joelmartin4023 4 роки тому +8

      Agreed...!

    • @joearnold3594
      @joearnold3594 4 роки тому +40

      I would pay to ride it! Not on an ancient bike, but as a rando style event.

    • @HJ877
      @HJ877 4 роки тому +81

      In case you haven't seen it already, you'd probably enjoy watching Phil Keoghan's doco 'Le Ride', where he rides the 1928 Tour de France stage for stage on a 1928 bike. Really good watch!

    • @tobi-mr4zb
      @tobi-mr4zb 4 роки тому

      i second that

  • @jrsuk1170
    @jrsuk1170 4 роки тому +1144

    Every time I start telling myself my bike isn't good enough, or is too heavy, I'm going to remind myself of this video and save myself a fortune.

    • @DaimyoD0
      @DaimyoD0 4 роки тому +55

      I'm wondering what went wrong with the planning that permitted them to ride 100 year old bikes but not have enough time to re-grease their bearings.

    • @Dylan-ug6jp
      @Dylan-ug6jp 3 роки тому +21

      ​@@DaimyoD0 They re-grease them periodically, but this is not shown in the clip (otherwise it would have been too long), I appreciated how they used to simulate the use of grease like they did in that era, grease which dries after a certain number of hours in these awful dry and dirty roads ( they were lucky to have a perfect tarmac, if not I don't think the would have received authorization to use those bikes), and should be reapplied to be of help for the bearings.

    • @giorgiozampieri4352
      @giorgiozampieri4352 3 роки тому +6

      I drive a 1970 eroica and it's mad though, I can't imagine how hard a 100 year old bike can feel

    • @tchoutchou1876
      @tchoutchou1876 3 роки тому +4

      Old racing bikes are not bad, pretty efficient

    • @bekanav
      @bekanav 3 роки тому +7

      @@tchoutchou1876 Correct. Basic tech is very much same as in today's bikes. I've seen old ads, according to them race bikes did weight a bit over 10kg (90 years ago). Biggest development step since the beginning has been air tires, not high amount of gears or switching to aluminium or carbon frames

  • @arcreehysteria9805
    @arcreehysteria9805 3 роки тому +309

    The first year the tour went to the mountain chain Pyrénées (south west of france), It was 300km with more than 10 super hardcore mountains to climb on dirt roads.
    When the winner arrived, he looked in the eyes at the director of the race and said "You are a murderer"

    • @13redlion13
      @13redlion13 2 роки тому +59

      yes, what makes it even funnier is that the director henry Desgrange did not check the mountains but sent Alphonse Steines there to see if the roads are ok an can be ridden on and Steines just went to check the Tourmalet by car at the end of June, got into a snow storm, his driver refused to continue further so he went the rest of the road by foot, arrives at the top at 3AM and the other day sends a message to Desgrange: "Got to the top of Tourmalet. Very good road. Easily passable."

    • @Thicc_Cheese_Dip
      @Thicc_Cheese_Dip 2 роки тому +41

      @@13redlion13 the added details make it even better: his driver left him behind due to fear of bears, a local herdsboy he tried to pay to help him left him behind, he considered sleeping on a rock until dawn but realized he'd freeze, he slipped on ice and fell into a stream, climbed back up and fell into the snow, and then and nearly got shot by the search party sent out by Desgrange to find him.

    • @AlbionSupreme
      @AlbionSupreme Рік тому +3

      @@Thicc_Cheese_Dip Proper lad, that one

  • @ChrizzzyEGolf
    @ChrizzzyEGolf 4 роки тому +77

    The founder of the Tour De France, Henri Desgrange, once said that his ideal version of the race would be so brutal that only one rider would make it to Paris. This video does a tremoundous job of demonstrating the difficulty of one 400+ km stage, but remember that in the first Tour de France, they had to do FIVE more stages of similar length. Great video fellas!

  • @jokernepalm
    @jokernepalm 4 роки тому +374

    This is EXACTLY the type of content we want to see on GCN.

    • @stephensaines7100
      @stephensaines7100 4 роки тому +3

      On a related channel, yes. GCN is for a certain niche, this is for a much wider one.

    • @rollinrat4850
      @rollinrat4850 4 роки тому +6

      Yes, it was nicely done. Very relatable to the average rider.
      I kinda missed the sponsors plugs and the strava times. NOT!!

  • @johnfrancisdoe1563
    @johnfrancisdoe1563 4 роки тому +1778

    Good work lads. But we all know the first Tour de France was done by Asterix and Obelix more than 2000 years ago. :-)

    • @tonyfranklin8306
      @tonyfranklin8306 4 роки тому +38

      Getaweetabix was epic on that tour ;o)

    • @2adamast
      @2adamast 4 роки тому +3

      By Ceasar himself (apart from one small village)?
      By Clovis as France is what he conquers?

    • @chipskylark8869
      @chipskylark8869 4 роки тому +12

      I'm sure some llama toured France before then

    • @universallychallenged8098
      @universallychallenged8098 4 роки тому +22

      'Asterix and Obelix' this guy knows his shit

    • @alfadoesstuff.4256
      @alfadoesstuff.4256 3 роки тому

      I’m too young

  • @colinltube
    @colinltube 4 роки тому +1769

    Cool project guys, BUT you forgot a detail - obviously you couldn't remove the tarmac, but remember at that time they hydrated with wine and "opened their lungs" smoking :-D

    • @chriswitek9455
      @chriswitek9455 4 роки тому +227

      hey if youre drunk it probably doesnt hurt as much

    • @youboy1067
      @youboy1067 4 роки тому +109

      They also ate parcels of salt when dehydrated :p

    • @jacobmarshall7138
      @jacobmarshall7138 4 роки тому +82

      I cant imagine. men were insane back then

    • @raspadsistema9993
      @raspadsistema9993 4 роки тому +95

      @@jacobmarshall7138 Man were Man back then.

    • @carlos.5290
      @carlos.5290 4 роки тому +73

      @@raspadsistema9993 today they supend a stage for "too much rain". Come on! Ciclying is all about men vs nature.

  • @iMetuz
    @iMetuz 4 роки тому +170

    "If it's not abundantly clear, I am broken."
    One of the most relatable quotes I have ever heard.

  • @grahamwood3934
    @grahamwood3934 4 роки тому +586

    I was waiting for them to raid a cafe and down a brandy and bottle of wine to make the ride experience more authentic

    • @Calum_S
      @Calum_S 4 роки тому +28

      Or hitch a lift on a train or car.

    • @soundninja99
      @soundninja99 4 роки тому +19

      Or have enforcers that threaten competitors and break their bikes

    • @ChuckPuffe
      @ChuckPuffe 4 роки тому +57

      and smoke to "open up the lungs"

    • @garyeves4991
      @garyeves4991 4 роки тому +2

      They did! Except the brandy!

    • @kingrobert1st
      @kingrobert1st 4 роки тому +1

      Yes, and then get their bikes stolen!

  • @marvinkitfox3386
    @marvinkitfox3386 4 роки тому +353

    Its amazing to see how those two AGED by 15 years in the course of just one day's riding.

    • @CartoType
      @CartoType Рік тому +4

      And how they started off looking like Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, but by the end the big guy looked like Sacha Baron Cohen.

  • @jonashobrack9107
    @jonashobrack9107 4 роки тому +57

    "Forget what is laying ahead, because right now you are okay" those are some nice words to live by...

    • @smallhatshatethetruth7933
      @smallhatshatethetruth7933 3 роки тому +3

      not really, that's the like being lulled into a false sense of security and then being doomed. Much like we are today

    • @attila_the_hunk9685
      @attila_the_hunk9685 3 роки тому

      @@smallhatshatethetruth7933 😂👏
      The idealist vs the realist.

  • @bluej511
    @bluej511 4 роки тому +1362

    This may be the best video you guys have ever put out, great to see all the collabs with Mark, you guys should make him a regular i bet he's quite insightful. Great video, as someone who lives on the French Riviera and rides around this is a fantastic video. Should do a video of each decade with corresponding bikes, maybe the most epic stage from each decade.
    Like if you'd like to see it, let's get it going.

    • @gcn
      @gcn  4 роки тому +46

      Thanks bluej511, we enjoy making this kind of video and we love how much people enjoy it

    • @bluej511
      @bluej511 4 роки тому +2

      @@gcn great, you guys seem to film in Nice quite a lot I just never seem to run into you guys haha.

    • @marcuspartridge11
      @marcuspartridge11 4 роки тому +5

      That's an excellent idea!

    • @dougcalder6661
      @dougcalder6661 4 роки тому +6

      YES great idea each decade of bikes and stories

    • @buckroger6456
      @buckroger6456 4 роки тому +4

      That is a awesome idea. I would like to see more on some of these legendary tour moments.

  • @ollietee5316
    @ollietee5316 4 роки тому +453

    Mark: "Are you any good at big-miles riding?"
    James: "No"

    • @garyeves4991
      @garyeves4991 4 роки тому +4

      Hank was amazing, they both were!

  • @hardeho
    @hardeho 4 роки тому +134

    This may be one of the best videos GCN has done.

    • @gcn
      @gcn  4 роки тому +11

      Thanks for all the support Joe, we're pretty proud of this one

  • @dragoncivicnola
    @dragoncivicnola 4 роки тому +410

    I really...REALLY wanted to see them try and use that carbide lamp.

    • @rollinrat4850
      @rollinrat4850 4 роки тому +13

      Taylor Scheinuk I wanted to see them change a tire or fix a flat on those old sew ups!

    • @2adamast
      @2adamast 4 роки тому +17

      Back when I was young we were still using carbide lamps, makes your snot turn black and when there is no water you can pee to make it work.

    • @smitajky
      @smitajky 4 роки тому +5

      I have a similarly looking hurricane light with a wick. Nowhere near as bright as carbide. And it had and green and red side panels a la nautical port and starboard. But it was robust and on springs. I have ridden with it on pitch black country roads but that was before the traffic went insane. You know the days when people actually looked out the windscreen rather than piloting the car by mobile phone.

    • @dushk0
      @dushk0 4 роки тому +5

      Thank you! I'm a sucker for making old tech work, so it was 11/10 a disappointment! Even if they just showed it for a short while and then did the rest with the LED side-by-side but just why not? Even the museum would have agreed, I'm sure.

    • @KandiKlover
      @KandiKlover 4 роки тому +4

      I would've loved to see that too, I would also love to have one for my bike. You can still get newly made ones BTW. I have a mining helmet lamp and a little box of carbide I got from Lehman's in 2017. It has a little adapter to handhold it as well. I like the warm glow it gives.

  • @schuletrip
    @schuletrip 4 роки тому +855

    Imagine how bad the roads were back then, how much more difficult it would be.

    • @Hardcaslte
      @Hardcaslte 4 роки тому +149

      I can't believe there aren't more comments like this. They did it slower, with modern gear (aside from the bikes), with support, on fresh roads. If you really stop to think about how insane it would've been in 1903 it blows my mind.

    • @keinpietz7697
      @keinpietz7697 4 роки тому +15

      @voynich can you imagine millennials doing that today? No fucking way. PS 1001th comment... I'm emotional.

    • @robertcoates2752
      @robertcoates2752 4 роки тому +107

      @@keinpietz7697 James is literally a millennial...

    • @keinpietz7697
      @keinpietz7697 4 роки тому

      @@robertcoates2752 you must be too, because your reading comprehension is clearly lacking.

    • @robertcoates2752
      @robertcoates2752 4 роки тому +64

      @@keinpietz7697 You said. Can you imagine millennials doing that today? In response to a video in which a millennial does it. But if that doesn't work for you how about this? bikepacking.com/news/alexandera-houchin-2019-tour-divide/ 29 year old women winning the women's class of the Tour Divide on a single speed.

  • @MBosworth87
    @MBosworth87 4 роки тому +442

    GCN - you should sign Mark Beaumont up as a permanent presenter. Great guy!

    • @FlatSpinMan
      @FlatSpinMan 4 роки тому +39

      He is so great to have for these ridiculous challenges. When he says a ride is hard, I believe him.
      Loved that line:"As is probably abundantly clear, I am broken."

    • @moi7748
      @moi7748 4 роки тому +17

      I listened to his audiable book, "Around the world in 80 days" which is narrated by the man himself. Brilliant achievement, great guy - I highly recommend it to anyone, cyclist or not

    • @IanPhillipsWildlife
      @IanPhillipsWildlife 4 роки тому +6

      Agree for sure, Mark Beaumont always makes for a good watch.

    • @stopspammingmesrsly
      @stopspammingmesrsly 4 роки тому +8

      They dovetail so well like they've presented together for years. Maybe that's what a 25 hour bike ride with a guy does.

    • @RD1R
      @RD1R 4 роки тому +2

      @@stopspammingmesrsly every world leader should have to ride 24hrs straight together with a few climbs thrown in

  • @Luigi88765
    @Luigi88765 4 роки тому +243

    Lol, I thought they were eating fruit and I was like "wow, they really committed to the period" until I saw they were munching on some pringles and coke xD

    • @gcn
      @gcn  4 роки тому +102

      If we'd really have committed it would have involved some interesting food choices and alcohol 😂

    • @maxmahn459
      @maxmahn459 3 роки тому +5

      @@gcn Why not?

    • @orppranator5230
      @orppranator5230 3 роки тому +3

      Actually, Coca Cola was invented in the late 1800's.

    • @DakotaBecker-wg1gp
      @DakotaBecker-wg1gp 3 роки тому

      Same here lmao I thought those were orange peels til the very end you notice he’s eating Pringle’s lmao

    • @ariat3381
      @ariat3381 3 роки тому

      @@maxmahn459 alcohol is like the worst thing to consume when doing exercise. Fucks up your heart rate

  • @patunknow7253
    @patunknow7253 4 роки тому +190

    As a French and passioned about cycling, it's a lovely way to improve my ENGLISH LISTENING.
    Thank you, it's really amazing, keep going this way!!!!!

  • @frazergoodwin4945
    @frazergoodwin4945 4 роки тому +282

    Bonkers. Absolutely totally bonkers. What where you guys thinking!?! Total respect for completing such a massively hard challenge though and - as usual now - fantastically shot and edited. Brilliant.

  • @citizenwolf8720
    @citizenwolf8720 4 роки тому +84

    That Mark guy is a great presenter. Very likable on-screen presence. You should make him a presenter.

    • @lokie1964
      @lokie1964 4 роки тому +2

      Citizen Wolf totally agree. Love to see more of Mark Beaumont. He is a legend.

    • @stephensaines7100
      @stephensaines7100 4 роки тому +1

      Both of them! I thought they were a very well balanced team, in all respects. Excellent ride! I got an endorphin high just watching it.

  • @blu0065
    @blu0065 4 роки тому +11

    Every time I look at GCN, I see Hank suffering. I thought all about poor Hank and the suffering he does for his job. But now after watching GCN for a year, you start to realize he's actually really enjoying it.
    Go Hank. Keep up the passion.

    • @gcn
      @gcn  4 роки тому +2

      Haha! Hank does love to suffer!

  • @cyclingnerddelux698
    @cyclingnerddelux698 3 роки тому +16

    "If it is not abundantly clear, I am broken." Brutal....

  • @andrewmcalister3462
    @andrewmcalister3462 4 роки тому +132

    This is one of the most visually beautiful videos GCN has produced.

  • @timrichardson2
    @timrichardson2 4 роки тому +136

    Just awesome, Mark rocks that 20's style! GCN you need to put Mark in charge of ECN ( Epic Cycling Network). Mark needs to be a regular, he is a natural presenter.

    • @gcn
      @gcn  4 роки тому +15

      Now there's a thought....

    • @dannyhanny1191
      @dannyhanny1191 4 роки тому +6

      Agree. As of this video, I hope Mark is considered GCN staff if he wants to be on it. Damn.

    • @polsifter
      @polsifter 4 роки тому +7

      Endurance Cycling Network

    • @guymorris6420
      @guymorris6420 4 роки тому

      Epic Cycling Network ?

  • @mig6pie
    @mig6pie 4 роки тому +61

    That was absolutely nuts, and I can't even imagine how hard it would have been riding on gravel, as opposed to paved roads, just the vibration makes the ride excruciating, well done fellows, I tip my hat to you both

  • @kruofud
    @kruofud 4 роки тому +32

    this should have been made in a full length documentary about the entire ride with preparations, planning, etc... this has so much potential! Great editing, BRAVO!

  • @FlatSpinMan
    @FlatSpinMan 4 роки тому +138

    So many things to say about this wonderful video. Firstly, moustaches. Wouldn't have been half as good without them.
    Secondly, well done to you two. That must have been horrendously hard. A huge distance on ludicrous bikes. Massive respect for even attempting it, let alone persisting with it.
    Third, it was beautifully shot and scored.
    Finally, do you have any more footage to show us? A feat this impressive deserves more coverage. I would have loved to see more of the suffering and bantz.

    • @gcn
      @gcn  4 роки тому +19

      Thanks JMS we loved making this, and there might be more to come 😉

    • @stephensaines7100
      @stephensaines7100 4 роки тому +3

      @@gcn There has to be more to come. This appeals to a much wider audience too.

  • @nt2883
    @nt2883 4 роки тому +127

    This is possibly the greatest thing I have ever seen! Let's take the Tour old school again. Single speed bikes and looooong stages.

    • @Sethimus82
      @Sethimus82 4 роки тому +5

      trans continental just started

    • @eepyrom
      @eepyrom 4 роки тому +8

      And self-supported. Riders have to carry spares and know how to fix their bikes up.
      That might get bike manufacturers to focus their efforts on developing reliable, durable bikes rather than disposable ones that only need to make it through one season.

    • @guymorris6420
      @guymorris6420 4 роки тому +1

      No two way radios, team cars, team doctors, soigneurs, mechanics and all the rest.

    • @nt2883
      @nt2883 4 роки тому

      @@eepyrom absolutely. Maybe it would bring back the true craftsman built bicycle. Made to last 100 years. There won't be many of todays carbon aero watchimacallits left in 100 years time

    • @andyc9223
      @andyc9223 4 роки тому

      100%, been wishing it for years

  • @tag180rotax
    @tag180rotax 4 роки тому +339

    I didnt know freddie mercury was in GCN!?

    • @s.bruyere8496
      @s.bruyere8496 3 роки тому +9

      I want to ride my bicycle. Uh. Everything makes sense now.

  • @mjcau
    @mjcau 3 роки тому +14

    Not to mention the outrageously gorgeous cinematography, this is a beautiful microcosm of all the joys and sufferings of cycling. More epic rides with Mr Mark Beaumont please GCN!

  • @evanreeves5966
    @evanreeves5966 4 роки тому +24

    Hank actually looks like a proper pro in this video when they hit the climbs. A hardened man.
    Then just seconds later after the camera cuts he looks absolutely broken.

  • @goodvibebiker4776
    @goodvibebiker4776 4 роки тому +46

    No matter how Mark suffers, he still seems calm and collected. Signs of a Ultra cyclist

  • @Darkmaiki
    @Darkmaiki 4 роки тому +185

    They did it in 17h 45 minutes in 1903.... 8 hours difference!!!

    • @ZachTheExcitedViper
      @ZachTheExcitedViper 4 роки тому +23

      Yea but doesnt that cause you to raise a bit of an eyebrow as to the authenticity?

    • @Darkmaiki
      @Darkmaiki 4 роки тому +108

      @@ZachTheExcitedViper Not because I'm pretty sure that a brand-new pro bicycle from 1903 is much better than the 100 years old bicycle from a museum.
      I say pro bicycle because the bicycle used by the best riders from 1903, was probably the best bicycles you could get from that time, and not a "typical" 1903 one.

    • @Welgeldiguniekalias
      @Welgeldiguniekalias 4 роки тому +108

      @@Darkmaiki Also they would have taken amphetamine pills, which were perfectly legal at the time.

    • @Darkmaiki
      @Darkmaiki 4 роки тому +12

      @@Welgeldiguniekalias did they? It's a real question. I knew that they did it during the latter decades but I don't know if they did since the first day.

    • @AlphaSkewber
      @AlphaSkewber 4 роки тому +80

      They also tried to kill their rivals and take trains when commisaires were not looking

  • @thehandleiwantedwasntavailable
    @thehandleiwantedwasntavailable 4 роки тому +13

    Well done guys!! That was an incredibly tough ride. Mark with his infinite endurance wisdom was a pleasure to watch. I think Hank wouldn’t have survived without him!

  • @bhumiriady
    @bhumiriady 4 роки тому +79

    This is super cool and awesome!
    For me, this is beyond epic. Chapeau to Mark and James for attempting this.

  • @patavinity1262
    @patavinity1262 4 роки тому +186

    Having a shower, a change of clothes and a cold beer once they'd arrived in Lyon must have been *so good*

    • @gcn
      @gcn  4 роки тому +83

      SO good.

    • @andreasvenasengebraten1835
      @andreasvenasengebraten1835 4 роки тому +23

      @@Andras_Schiff yeah, but the start was delayed because of cart trails on the road. I believe most of the distance was probably gravel or cobblestone in 1903. Any way, insane event, both in 1903 and 2019

    • @KandiKlover
      @KandiKlover 4 роки тому +6

      After 25 hours? Nah that can wait until after I sleep. First thing I would do is get naked and plop over right there.

    • @macktaylor4389
      @macktaylor4389 4 роки тому +5

      @@KandiKlover Find me a fountain and I'd be dunking my naked arse in there in a hurry.

    • @prime8nate
      @prime8nate 4 роки тому +1

      I'm sure they smoked a few cigarettes to keep in the spirit of the original race.

  • @Hukarez1
    @Hukarez1 4 роки тому +1

    Hey guys. I just finished my first EROICA GERMANIA race on a 1930 bike. Only 30 km, but with no gears und a saddle hard like a stone. On country roads and farm lanes. It was a really great experience! So I can imagine what a challenge a 400 km trip with that old Equipment is! Absolute respect to both of you!

  • @leonstuij9540
    @leonstuij9540 4 роки тому +49

    One done, only 5 stages left to go!

    • @gcn
      @gcn  4 роки тому +8

      We'll have to go back and do the rest Leon

    • @leonstuij9540
      @leonstuij9540 4 роки тому +3

      @@gcn We believe in you :)

    • @fikryanbiyaas8392
      @fikryanbiyaas8392 3 роки тому

      @@gcn Oh come on man,, your ancient will be very proud..

  • @manji001
    @manji001 4 роки тому +56

    I seriously love Mark Beaumont's brand of cycling. He's inspired me to do more and put in more miles on the bike (him and Jenny Graham). KUDOS to Hank as well! I am simply enamoured by the sheer audacity of you both!! AMAZING EFFORT! CHAPEU Messieurs!!!

    • @brianmessemer2973
      @brianmessemer2973 4 роки тому +7

      VeloPinephrine it’s so true. Watching Mark makes me want to ride more. Now THAT’S a good characteristic for a GCN presenter!

  • @Calum_S
    @Calum_S 4 роки тому +189

    When Mark Beaumont says it's tough you know it'd finish off most people.

    • @mig25foxbat
      @mig25foxbat 4 роки тому +2

      I’d have been finished by about an hour outside Paris!

    • @gromm93
      @gromm93 4 роки тому +4

      If by "finish off" you mean "literally kill", I'd say.
      This would kill most serious amateur cyclists. 95% of *civilians* would be dead before nightfall.

    • @marcbuchel4873
      @marcbuchel4873 4 роки тому

      I got goose bumps when he said that!

  • @bjornvonmyrkr5755
    @bjornvonmyrkr5755 4 роки тому +20

    wowowowowowowow absolutly beautyfull movie !
    Seriously , we need a documentary about the trip ...or the making of .
    It's insane !

  • @hansy3
    @hansy3 4 роки тому +29

    Blows my mind. Well presented, great, informative and entertaining network.

    • @hansy3
      @hansy3 4 роки тому

      But .... when did the POOP!?!

  • @tkaakko2416
    @tkaakko2416 4 роки тому +29

    Hank's face in some of those shots... If I've ever seen someone in agony, that's the face right there.

  • @WeraSeppe
    @WeraSeppe 4 роки тому +7

    GCN starting to look like Top Gear / The Grand Tour, but on bikes. That's a big compliment.

  • @bazza2974
    @bazza2974 4 роки тому +6

    This was amazingly shot and edited. The slowmos, wide drone shots, night filming, it was superb!

  • @MitchHedrick
    @MitchHedrick 3 роки тому +1

    I came back to watch this after a year...it holds up as one of the best films and most epic rides GCN has ever done.

  • @Nicool333
    @Nicool333 4 роки тому +98

    Don't forget that this road was gravel (rough gravel) in 1903.

    • @vienteflora
      @vienteflora 4 роки тому +2

      jeeeesus

    • @lieblingsleguan1591
      @lieblingsleguan1591 4 роки тому +16

      But the guys back then didn't ride on 100 year old bikes but quite new ones. :-D

    • @XtreeM_FaiL
      @XtreeM_FaiL 4 роки тому

      Lieblingsleguan lol

    • @XtreeM_FaiL
      @XtreeM_FaiL 4 роки тому

      Nicool333 Back in those days cyclist smoke quite a lot too. They believe it help breath better.

    • @matthewlewis2072
      @matthewlewis2072 4 роки тому +3

      Hipster heaven, single speeds on gravel

  • @thomas.moerman
    @thomas.moerman 4 роки тому +27

    "If it's not abundantly clear, I'm broken." Brilliant or bonkers? A bit of both? Respect.

  • @FjodorMouseCat
    @FjodorMouseCat 3 роки тому

    Favourite comment on gcn “if it’s not abundantly clear... I’m broken”. And that’s from the man himself🤯 good job lads!😃

  • @bradycreativeart
    @bradycreativeart 4 роки тому +10

    This is fantastic! What a great video and adventure! Thank you for making and sharing this!

  • @briansmith2125
    @briansmith2125 4 роки тому +12

    You gents are beasts among men just for having attempted this! If you two never spoke words to each other again for the remainder of your lives, you'll always be blood brothers.

  • @vicenteguzmanp
    @vicenteguzmanp 4 роки тому +18

    Probably the most exciting an beautiful GCN video I've ever seen. Thank you for bringing us such good content. The way you tell the story, the roads that you're riding, the astonishing photography on this video, and the intention of making everything as accurate as possible to how it was back then... Honestly I could watch it over and over. This kind of videos makes us go back to the roots of our beloved sport and really allows us to connect with those Gladiators as Mark accurately calls them. It makes us go back more than 100 years into the past were the only thing that really mattered was the man and his bicycle. No powermeters, no support cars, no marginal gains, just the rider, his bike and the road. Cycling in the purest form possible. Chapeau to Mark and James and to all the GCN crew.

  • @colinperras4673
    @colinperras4673 11 місяців тому +2

    Why isn't this a feature length? This was amazing.

  • @robertborchert932
    @robertborchert932 4 роки тому +2

    How about a little perspective, from an old cyclist? I'm 54. In my teen years, I rode a traditional Dutch style bike (my father is from Holland 🇳🇱). 5 speed Raleigh.
    In my 20s I bought my first real road bike, a Centurion with downtube shifters. Put over 120,000 km on that bike. Mavic hubs and wheels.
    Years later I bought a custom bike, a Tallerico, hand made Columbus steel with Capagnolo Record 9 set, also with Mavic wheels. What a difference! Put 22000km per year on this machine.
    Cycling is in the blood, man! Each year I take the day to cycle out, here in California, to meet the Tour of California peloton mid-course. Each event I put more miles in my ride than the days stage, rain or shine.
    Yeah, rather than simply watch the peloton ride past, I like to experience the weather, and the grind, just as they do.

  • @MyBizCoach
    @MyBizCoach 4 роки тому +83

    This was superb to watch. What would have made it even better would have been if it were a 60 or 90 minute video which covered more of the history around the 1903 tour de france, some of the riders, the stories and legends.
    Well done!

  • @Ivan1234772
    @Ivan1234772 4 роки тому +19

    You guys produce the BEST cycling show on the planet! This must have been absolutely brutal! Massive respect!

  • @TheGolfdaily
    @TheGolfdaily 4 роки тому +25

    *I WOULD GIVE 10 THUMBS UP IF I COULD!!*
    Well done guys, I was always wondering how it would be like to do this epic ride. Now I know!

  • @cyclingnerddelux698
    @cyclingnerddelux698 4 роки тому +1

    "The big concern now are brakes....." That was glorious!! Sick, sick effort! That really puts those early Tours into perspective!!!

  • @grandad1982
    @grandad1982 4 роки тому +22

    Big respect for you guys, even bigger respect for the guys how did it on the dirt of the early 20th century.

  • @jensenhealey907efi
    @jensenhealey907efi 4 роки тому +15

    This is THE BEST video GCN has ever done by far! Huge congrats and thanks to Hank and Mark

  • @premdasyesudasan5778
    @premdasyesudasan5778 Рік тому +2

    I still honestly do not know why I come back to this video time and again.

  • @leohorishny9561
    @leohorishny9561 3 роки тому +3

    Thanks for doing this. It added to my memories from reading the book, "Gironimo", where that author rode the entire Giro d'Italia route on a 1914 era bicycle. If you enjoyed watching this, you'll like reading that book for an even longer ride experience of what you saw here. Amazing.

  • @neilshannon9930
    @neilshannon9930 4 роки тому +62

    The roads and the bikes back then would have been pretty ordinary.
    The blokes riding them must have been extraordinary.

    • @liammarin4450
      @liammarin4450 4 роки тому

      Well don’t forget that they were pretty much all on drugs constantly and yes it was much harder but nothing to be proud of.

    • @herbertsdottir9223
      @herbertsdottir9223 4 роки тому +12

      @@liammarin4450 "nothing to be proud of" - what's wrong with you?

    • @gregkane8635
      @gregkane8635 4 роки тому +8

      Liam on drugs? In 1903? Wise up

    • @jochenkraus7016
      @jochenkraus7016 4 роки тому +6

      I read on the page below (in German) that the first documented cases of doping happened at around 1870, well before the first Tour De France. Putting athletes on drugs to increase performance is much older.
      Maybe that numbed the suffering a bit, but they were actually racing on these bikes in 1903, these two guys in 2019 aren't. All of them deserve respect for that.
      www.cycling4fans.de/index.php?id=346

    • @MotRi1986
      @MotRi1986 4 роки тому +7

      @@gregkane8635 in the invite for the Tour in the early 20th the organizers stated that they would provide food and drink but the riders had to get their own drugs.
      Doping have always been a part of TdF but even with modern drugs like EPO those rides on that equipment would be extremely impressive.

  • @jeffreywilliams3646
    @jeffreywilliams3646 4 роки тому +102

    Well done. Great persistence. Your notes don't mention which museum provided the bike.

    • @davidf2281
      @davidf2281 4 роки тому +16

      Yeah, it would be nice to know more about the bikes and their provenance

    • @mattswain552
      @mattswain552 4 роки тому +6

      @@davidf2281 I thought this, too. They barely talked about them at all which was disappointing. Despite how enjoyable a watch this was, it felt like it was cut to ribbons with how little info they put in as the introduction.

    • @krisberntzen
      @krisberntzen 4 роки тому +20

      They're Matt Stephen's first two race bikes.

    • @jeffreywilliams3646
      @jeffreywilliams3646 4 роки тому +3

      @@krisberntzen LOL. Are you certain? I thought his first two bikes were carved out of stone. I do miss Matt - he's almost old enough to be my peer.

  • @alexmtbful
    @alexmtbful 4 роки тому +1

    Awesome!!!
    The beautiful landscape, this sunset, your crazy effort, your bikes and clothes, reminding how it probably was back then (I mean in the night without light, without gps system, sweaty ?cotton? clothes and so on)- just incredible!!!
    Thank you!

  • @Tympan
    @Tympan 4 роки тому +3

    Just brilliant! One of your absolute best videos. Thanks to all who helped out and especially to the riders.

  • @sohi2rydes
    @sohi2rydes 4 роки тому +10

    Very nicely made. Bikes, clothing, route, all was awesome. Plus it is so great to learn about the origins of bike racing.

  • @FernandoLeme1979
    @FernandoLeme1979 4 роки тому +15

    Dude, I got emotional watching this. One of the best gcn videos ever, along with Si and Josh in Morocco.

  • @robertsummers3652
    @robertsummers3652 3 роки тому +2

    This is BEAUTIFUL!!! I love you guys for doing this. Thanks a million!!!!

  • @robertoperez1069
    @robertoperez1069 2 роки тому +1

    Incredible Ride!!!! Congratulations!!! Is a magic stage!!

  • @maxkokensparger2811
    @maxkokensparger2811 4 роки тому +55

    Is it just me or is gcn’s content gotten so damn good! Cheers dudes your content is beautiful

    • @stephensaines7100
      @stephensaines7100 4 роки тому +2

      I'm an avid distance cyclist, but to be honest, much of GCN doesn't appeal to me. This did. It really did, And it will to a general audience, sans lycra. If GCN wishes to get more exposure mainstream, this is how to do it. This was stunningly beautiful, and as close to doing distance for pleasure (and utter compulsion) as you can get. I got a tan just watching this...and a charliehorse.

  • @andrewlindley4865
    @andrewlindley4865 4 роки тому +4

    As a downhill MTB rider, mad props roadies. That's another level of hardcore.

  • @zacwarren1797
    @zacwarren1797 4 роки тому +1

    WOW... Great effort to both Hank and Mark. What a great video. It gave me a big appreciation for those riders in the early Tours. WELL DONE!

  • @kbc163
    @kbc163 Рік тому

    Three years later and still my favorite GCN presentation. The bikes were ludicrous but the effort was real. Shows just how far our sport has come. Good show! 👍

  • @CounterCultureCantCount
    @CounterCultureCantCount 4 роки тому +33

    Im French, TOTALLY not interested in cycling, but you guys are so fun to watch.

    • @gcn
      @gcn  4 роки тому +2

      Thanks Elec, hopefully you'll love some more of our videos too

  • @Fennefar
    @Fennefar 4 роки тому +22

    I am really proud of my 100 kilometers ride (expensive frame and Zipp 303) and then I see this. Amazing!!!

  • @EricKummerer
    @EricKummerer 4 роки тому +3

    Thank you for this. I happened upon it by chance after a long, and hard weekend, and feeling myself laugh with joy felt so warm and wonderful. Your piece was wonderfully shot, a beautiful love song to these incredible machines that you woke from ages rest for one last hurrah doing what they loved before their eternal sleep.
    Thank you for the victory lap, tonight.

  • @profmactheknife
    @profmactheknife 3 роки тому

    Fabulous ! Thank you for bringing our history alive. I remember riding a 100m on a fixed wheel 64" at 5h12m back when I was a child, your film bought back great memories.

  • @tonymeades4555
    @tonymeades4555 4 роки тому +8

    One of the best and jaw dropping videos I've seen. The music, editing, content and length was spot on. Congrats to you both and respect to riders of the past. Simply superb

  • @josh33172
    @josh33172 4 роки тому +48

    You do know that 100yrs ago, for the TDF, their bikes were new....including all the bearings!
    They started the race with the intention to complete it!

    • @LarsRR
      @LarsRR 4 роки тому +15

      Josh K probably quite difficult to get your hands on a set of mint bearings from 1903 today.

    • @pr0faker
      @pr0faker 4 роки тому +3

      @@LarsRR not really, the ones then used were probably just loose ball bearings, which haven't changed much, maybe a bit better quality steel nowadays but thats about it.

    • @LarsRR
      @LarsRR 4 роки тому +2

      pr0faker so they rip apart a 110 y/o Museum bike to please Josh K...

    • @pr0faker
      @pr0faker 4 роки тому +5

      @@LarsRR if it was a one of kind museumpiece they probably didnt get to ride it for 400km... its not like this is a very special kind of bike. Just s very old one. And changing the bearings would not have mattered much

    • @gcn
      @gcn  4 роки тому +13

      @@pr0faker Actually we'll be putting the file from the ride on Komoot so you can see just how hard James and Mark rode on the bikes

  • @djafarcgn
    @djafarcgn Рік тому

    I come back here once or twice a year to watch GCN's absolute Masterpiece - displaying what these Men back then were willing to take is beyond impressive, as well as your will to reenact it in that way. Thanks guys!

  • @douglaspate9314
    @douglaspate9314 4 роки тому +1

    Thank you GCN! Spectacular video. I wanted to see more; more details, more history, more about the other races of the 1903 TdF.

  • @jasonmcgrody9472
    @jasonmcgrody9472 4 роки тому +3

    Every video you've done with Mark Beaumont has been outstanding.

  • @kamucho
    @kamucho 4 роки тому +4

    Chapeau Mark & Hank. Chapeau! For Mark to say that's tough is crazy! Loved the cinematography and music! Glad you made it safely to Lyon!

  • @cyclingnerddelux698
    @cyclingnerddelux698 2 роки тому

    This video, I watched a year ago, started me on a grand and beautiful cycling journey. Thanks guys.

  • @AlwaysBelieve777
    @AlwaysBelieve777 3 роки тому

    Immense respect and kudos to you both. Wonderful video in every way; the cinematography was amazing. Thank you for making the sacrifice to share this bit of history with us!!!

  • @rizkiyoist
    @rizkiyoist 4 роки тому +5

    The production quality in this video is just through the roof, awesome, keep it up!

  • @Arthur-ns4yh
    @Arthur-ns4yh 4 роки тому +4

    Cars are respecting you so much ... I'm starting to think about getting friends on a motorbike with a camera on every bike rides now 😅

    • @nisbend
      @nisbend 4 роки тому

      French drivers, in my experience, tend to be more respectful than Brits (and there are fewer of them per km). Beautiful film by the way.

  • @graniteforestdojo1372
    @graniteforestdojo1372 4 роки тому +3

    WHOA! I've ridden RAAM, and now I am not worthy! BRILLIANTLY DONE! And gorgeously filmed.

  • @socopower
    @socopower 11 місяців тому

    OMG that face from Hank, in the middle of the night, about to doze off, priceless! Tremendous effort guys, well done and thanks for sharing!

  • @mathiasdieste
    @mathiasdieste 4 роки тому +28

    Oh welcome to Lyon GCN! Would have loved to see you at place bellecour! Hope you enjoyed my hometown!

    • @simongilliat2205
      @simongilliat2205 4 роки тому +2

      Yep, I lived in the Croix Rousse for five years. Lovely to see Bellecour at the end. Wonder which road they took into Lyon? Probably through Fontaines, past Ile Barbe, and down the Saone.

  • @norriaty
    @norriaty 4 роки тому +4

    "If it's not abundantly clear; I'm broken." 😂
    To think that they used to do this without all the benefits of modern training methods and nutrition is just incredible - I feel impoverished because I don't have a power-metre 🙈
    This puts things back in to context for sure, men really were men back then.
    Thanks for another great video GCN 👍

    • @alexgeisel2581
      @alexgeisel2581 4 роки тому

      Working class men looking for a way out instead of professionals looking for a thrill.

  • @JanBinnendijk
    @JanBinnendijk 4 роки тому

    Riding this monster stage on old-fashioned bikes from that era.. RESPECT!..

  • @ejohnsondebaufre
    @ejohnsondebaufre 4 роки тому +1

    This was amazing! Chapeau to both of you for recreating this absolutely staggering historic ride!!

  • @Dennis4523
    @Dennis4523 4 роки тому +2

    I’ve always wanted this video , a video about 1903 Tour de France riding bikes

    • @brannmacfinnchad9056
      @brannmacfinnchad9056 4 роки тому

      Yup. Awaiting the #GCNTech video on the bikes (and presumably how they differ from the ones currently being ridden in the Tour).

  • @EddieDBama
    @EddieDBama 4 роки тому +6

    HOLY MOLY!!! That was tragic just watching you two suffer like that. Good on you boys. Tip of the chapeau for your efforts.
    Great video.

  • @gilbertmoses6099
    @gilbertmoses6099 2 роки тому +1

    In Tanzania there are still those kinds of bike and are racing on dirt..it's amazing to see what these guys can accomplish