The one thing I would change about cycling would be educating drivers about why cyclists do the things we do, that way at least some of them won't think we're just being jerks when we take a lane or something of the sort. Most negative interactions between drivers and cyclists seem to come from a lack of understanding of what the actual laws of the road are relating to cycling.
@Thezuule1 Most cyclists ARE drivers. There is a general lack of patience and care when drivers meet cyclists on the road,but on the flip-side, It seems a lot of blokes get on a bike and act like a dick.
In all seriousness, it might help to develop better drivers down the road (no pun intended). I think cycling helps to develop a person's situational awareness of what's going on around them, helps people learn to pick a line correctly and to watch for obstacles, improves judgement for distance required for braking or passing, etc. All of these are useful skills for driving as well.
@richm.3477 true. At the same time this could help making pedestrians more aware of their surroundings, to watch out for bikes before crossing a bike lane. A lot of pedestrians walk around like zombies and then act surprised finding out that bikes exist.
This is a thing in the U.S. at least where I live in the DC area, DC public schools and some suburban jurisdictions include riding and bike safety in PE classes. I teach part time in DC charter schools, even the second graders learn to ride between the cones, stop at the stop sign, signal, look and turn when it's clear. Even if they're still balancing and not pedaling yet. Oh and the kids are SO excited to ride bikes at school! I think it will pay dividends down the road, cycling is such a valuable lifelong skill, unlike the games of dodgeball and scooter tag I remember (although to be fair those were also fun).
Being in the US and a cyclist. I endorse regulating e-bikes. If they go over 15MPH without pedaling they shouldn't be allowed on shared walking/bike paths. Likewise if they go over 15MPH without pedaling then they should be illegal for kids under 18. I'm OK with e-bikes just keep them slow or in the road with the same rules as a bike. Mostly adhere to the same rules as a cyclist but many e-bikers are hurting the roads/paths for everyone. Much of this is parents fault. Ironically in San Fran suburbs! Which I think is a great place to cycle EXCEPT for the adoption this tech!
If I could change one thing about cycling: 1) Pipe dream = eliminate personal automobiles 2) More uninterrupted bike routes with out traffic and stops; Dedicated paths, Rails to trails, waterfront loops, bike highways, etc.
Although not ideal, yesterday a lorry pulled out of a junction on me. I yelled oi but in a non aggressive way, he stopped and said sorry and that he didn’t see me. Not ideal but felt unusually amiable.
I pulled out in front of a lorry last week. Alerted by the squeal of tyres.. I apologised and went on my way. Had alot of good interactions with lorry drivers this week.
I had a similar incident years ago. Really nice fellow, and sincerely apologetic. Only problem was, he pulled alongside me to apologize out the passenger window, leaving me barely few inches to navigate between his mirror and going off the road.
11:42 the nice thing about MAAP is that when they release the consumer version of pro kit, they use the same design but without the sponsor logos plastered all over it
Cycling itself isn’t the reason why they live longer, but because of cycling I’m forced to eat healthier, get more rest and hydrate properly. I believe with cycling you are just more conscious of what you put in your body especially if you want to get better.
It could also be that the cycling and the longer lifespan are both explained by the same underlying variables - good health and interest in physical activity. If you have chronic health issues and/or you don't like being active, you're not going to ride your bike to work and you'll also probably die earlier.
7:52 hard disagree on this one, having done a lot of both cycling and riding in my time - drivers do not treat horseriders more respectfully. In fact, there are quite a lot of nasty people around who specifically feel it's OK to drive incredibly dangerously and put riders' lives in danger because "they're all posh wankers anyway". Which, alongside being a horrible thing to say in any case, especially since many riders on the road are literal children, is simply not true. People from all walks of life ride horses. It could actually be really interesting, now I think on it, if GCN were to do a video collaborating with some horse riders discussing everyone's experiences with drivers on the road - and teaching cyclists how to properly pass horses too, since many are not aware and will go shooting past a horse and rider without calling out to let them know they're there. Could be very educational for all.
In what world do people from 'all walks of life' regularly ride horses? It's true that you can find examples of non-rich people riding, but certainly not in proportion to income distribution in general. People 'from all walks of life' play soccer, or ride bicycles - they don't ride horses. If I see somebody riding it is _absolutely_ fine to assume that they're wealthier than average; equestrians skew rich. Sadly I'm not rich so I don't live in their areas and don't need to worry about the proper etiquette for how to pass a horse on my bicycle... Edit: I'm assuming you're not from e.g. rural Texas, since you're talking about 'posh wankers' but you could make a case for the rural US south being a place where people from all walks of life ride horses, or battleship SUVs, rather than bicycles.
@Babymech @Babymech You're right, I'm not from Texas. But I think my point still stands, so I hope I can inform you a little more on where I'm coming from 🙂 There are very wealthy people who ride (who are pretty much 100% of the top of the sport), a lot of middle class people who do it (the middle tier of the sport), but I also know people who live in council houses who manage to make owning horses work. I know kids from shit homes in poor areas who help out at their local barn in exchange for free rides on the weekends. Often those are kids who will give their passion their all and maybe become a riding instructor one day, giving them opportunities they would never have otherwise in their life. I know there are also inner city riding schools in the UK that help kids escape gang violence and give them life skills. Riding can be a prohibitively expensive sport, but as with cycling it's a sliding scale. Most roadies aren't out here riding around on the latest $10,000 bike, just the same way most riders don't own fancy horses in expensive stables! This is maybe not something that's obvious to non-riders, since I'm sure that's not the part of the sport that gets the most advertising 😁 The vast majority of riders in rural areas in Europe are people who do group lessons or treks once a week (which can be as little as €15 depending on the place, or even free if you work for it). The place I learned to ride was one such place, we were taught mostly by the older kids, who were all from a nearby foster home and helped out to ride for free. You're totally right that riding is a very expensive sport as a whole! My point is this (and apologies if it wasn't clear from my initial comment): we should respect all road users, cyclists and horseriders and walkers etc. alike, and making assumptions about who is richer than who, and who therefore deserves to be treated with respect on the road, is unhelpful. I hope that's slightly clearer!
If they're going to do this, shouldn't they also spend a day with some truck drivers, finding out what it's actually like driving through a busy area and how cyclists are their own disaster area?
Re: Cycling to work study, I mostly cycled to work from 1986 until I retired in 2023. I arrived happy and energetic when I rode my bike, I was stressed when I drove my car because of all the extra time it took to find a parking space. The university library where I worked had indoor bike parking for cyclists, but parking a car on campus required a parking pass which was really just a hunting license for limited parking spaces. My colleagues who commuted by bike had a variety of healthy and unhealthy lifestyles, but the one thing we all had in common was being outdoor people working indoor jobs.
If I could change one thing about cycling, I would want equipment that was always ready to go when I wanted to ride. I say this as I wait for the bike shop to be open so I can get another repair on my wheelset.
Something I would change: The bicycle industry advertising as mainstream form of transportation and less a sport. SoccerMomms using cargobike to get the kids to soccer practice etc... Caption Challenge: 'Next year my devil suit will be ready'
As an aside, I have to say that I genuinely enjoy the dry humor on the show and how you take the piss out of each other. Exhibit A: Dan's upcoming charity ride. Edit: I posted this as I was watching the show. Apparently little 8 year old Otto isn't immune either! I think he deserves a GCN water bottle to match his Santa Works Tarmac SL-A and an honorary induction for a Super Nice bike on the Tech Show.
The one thing I would change about cycling is the invention of a lightweight protective chest and shoulders kit. The crashes this year have been too much for me, and instead or looking forward to every race cheering on my favorite, I find myself just hoping and praying that everyone comes through safely.
I wouldn't change anything, but, I have an environment -friendly suggestion. Cycling would be even better if we keep it aloof of too many tracking gadgets. The whole charm of cycling lies in using your body for a workout, amidst Raw Nature. Keep cycles cycles, don't make them cars. I hope u understand
You mentioned the effect of 2020 on cycling...well you just reminded me that it was the 2020 effect that caused me to change from mainly gravel to mainly road cycling. Because the roads were so nice without cars, and the world and his dog were all using the off-road tracks so they were rammed! And I still prefer road tbh.
I find it hard to believe Simon hasn't experienced multiple close passes in his time cycling on the road? Saying he's never had an issue with attitude to cyclists surely includes bad/dangerous passes by motorists?
@@iann23 Really? Lying to the viewers. I doubt that but only he knows. We have to take him on his word but seeing as he must have ridden 25+ years or whatever on road then never having experienced problems with motorists is frankly not realistic unfortunately.
Everyone's definition of a close pass is different though. I've never been bothered by a pass but people I've been riding with have so 🤷♀️ It is all about perception isn't it.
#captioncompetition "This gravel might really catch on" "From the Col du Tormalet, welcome to the GCN Show! (When will this go out? 90 years??)" "In tough conditions in the high mountains, riders need to be Pau-faced."
I prefer smaller wheels, bring back 26" (cruiser) wheels for general purpose/hybrid bikes for ordinary cyclists. Makes for a smaller, lighter bike, fits more easily into car boot etc. 26" wheels are stronger, and leave more room for panniers/baskets etc. Also they easily take tyres up to 2" or more thickness, ideal for our potholed roads.
Why Cycle Travel is My Go-To for Quiet Routes When I plan cycling routes in the UK, I always use Cycle Travel. It’s free, easy to use, and prioritizes quiet roads and bike paths, letting me avoid traffic and enjoy stress-free rides. I love how it gives detailed route info like elevation and surfaces, while even pointing out local cafés or bike stops. It’s accurate, reliable, and perfect for both short spins and longer adventures. GCN should definitely review this hidden gem-it’s the ultimate tool for cyclists who want safer, more scenic routes.
USA has 3 different classes of e-bikes Class 1: Pedal assist only with a 20mph assisted limit Class 2: Pedal and throttle assist with a 20mph assisted limit Class 3: Pedal assist with a 28mph assisted limit (Though apparently NYC imposes a 25mph limit on class 3 e-bikes instead of the usual 28mph) These might vary by state but it seems that these are the standards that New York uses. It'd be interesting to know which classes of e-Bikes the New York legislators want to see these extra requirements applied to. "Class 3" e-Bikes are actually a thing in the UK with the same 28mph limit. We call them Speed Pedelecs and they require a moped licence, number plate, and insurance and can't be ridden on cycle lanes, which is probably why you've never seen a (legal) Speed Pedelec in the wild.
In Miami the E-bikes are just full on electric motorcycles. You don't even need to pedal. These should be required to have a plate and insurance, as they are NOT bicycles. I followed a "cyclist" for 5 miles one day, and he never pedalled. Not once.
Good to see the fundraiser have a strong start, you have your work cut out Dan. However I will say that with your new found fitness gains from your lifestyle changes will put you in good stead and I am sure you will smash the ride, and all for a worthy cause.
What I would change about cycling is to have more emphasis on recreational riding not just going as fast as you can. Some people's ideal bike may not be the most aerodynamic or lightweight. For example, a bike that asks for a baguette and bunch of flowers in a basket at the front, a picnic basket on the back, that I could ride slowly through the French countryside. C'est la vie!
I would ensure all cars use new technology to prevent cars from hitting bikes. Every bike should be build with a pinging device that every car is designed to detect and avoid.
For the aero shin guards without socks: that's because of an Ironman rule. Those can be worn under a wetsuit so they don't need to be put on during the swim-bike transition.
This comment is about better health through cycling. I am 69 years old and ride my bikes almost every day, for more than 3 decades now. I never go to the doctor but recently forced to get a screening approval for dental work surgery. They found I have high blood pressure, really high, and the EKG showed an anomaly that might mean a serious cardiovascular problem. This news was shocking to me and my mates. I thought I was more healthy than most men my age. The doctor actually told me to stay off the bike for a while. Screw that. I have too much invested in the sport and it's my reason for living. If it kills me then so be it. At least I die doing something I love.
@@UcanTospa I registered BP at the physicians said it was 212 over 190, which I admit is high. I've been taking Amlodipine for a couple of days now and the monitor I just got says it's 147 over 67 this morning. I guess the drug is working. I go for a stress test in a couple of weeks too. I'm still riding the indoor trainer an hour and a half each day but at an easier pace zone 2 now. I feel fine. I hate the thought of having to be on a drug the rest of my life.
My caption competition suggestion is: “ This day in TDF history, the first known photo of spectators fighting for the first water bottle tossed into a ditch”.
I want a recumbent bycicle with a closed off hood to protect from rain or frigid winds. Like when i cycle to work i start cold, then i start sweating midway and then i get cold again. Also when it rains and i use a poncho its like an oven under that. So yeah thats what id change
More seriously about this weeks caption image; I love it. And I still want to see the Grande tours have at least one stage which is similar to those original ones, with the original rules. That'll slow them down and make it safer! (Self supported, no spare bikes)
Achievable: Major cycling brands offering more size-inclusive options for taller and curvier women! Pipe dream: Stopping cyclists who insist on waiting too far ahead at traffic lights-so far they can’t see the lights-only to hold up traffic because they don’t see the lights change and can’t clip back in quick enough!
200k miles on the streets of San Diego and I've had maybe 10 "close passes". I get that almost every time i drive on the freeway in one day. Its about perception. I don't worry about the cars I do keep aware though.
Could those pedestrians who shout "she's not pedalling on the back" when me & my wife pass them on our tandem stop thinking that they are funny and original.
One thing I would change in cycling is the current cycling culture: - I'm in Southern California and blessed with year-round riding with an abundance of new cyclist entering the sport at all levels. Over the last decade the cycling infrastructure has increased with the addition of bike lanes and "marked" shared lanes on established roads. The suggested change I would like to submit would be to my cycling brotherhood is this simple statement - "Just because we can - doesn't mean we should". What I mean by this is non-cycling car drivers see the proliferation of cyclist encroaching into established roadways and taking up entire lanes when they could easily ride single-file an make an effort to truly share the road. Specially when there is significant roadway traffic. Having some circumspection of our surrounding is critical and imho would go a long way to make peace on the road. This opinion is from my 40 years of riding with the majority of that time carving my way through and with roadway traffic with little or no bike-lanes. I think this would go a long way to bridge the tension between cars and cyclist. Love the show!
I liked Connor’s custom Orbea color choices! Given that you also liked the Jayco and Canyon/SRAM jerseys, I think you did too… just not as much as you like giving Connor grief!😎❤️
Merry Christmas to the GCN team and all the loyal viewers. I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday. A big thank you to the GCN team for entertaining me through the year.
#captioncompetition "what do you mean some are saying there's no place for gravel in Le Tour? we don't even have a bloody road?" Ohhh don't know they're Born!" lol. Drew.
Regarding the photo of André Leducq on July 12, 1932, during the 5th stage of the Tour de France, Pau-Luchon: The photo was not taken at the Col du Tourmalet, but at the Col d'Aubisque (1709 m). A 13 km ascent with a 10% average gradient. Leducq wasn't the best of climbers and suffered in this first Pyrenean stage, but he still managed to come 6th, keeping his first place overall ahead of Stöpel and Aerts. He will keep his yellow jersey until the finish in Paris on July 31. If the legend notes the names of the spectators, it's because they were celebrities. Antonin Magne (with the beret) was the winner of the 1931 Tour de France. In 1932, he preferred to compete in the French Road Cycling Championships (July 22) rather than the Tour de France. So he had time to come and support his good friend André. Jean Bidot (with the cap) was also a professional cyclist, but with a slightly more modest record. He managed the French team in 1950-1951.
Another great from Strava AI. I rode to pick up dinner from a local takeaway and Strava analysed it as “Your recent 'Chippy tea' ride was a lower intensity recovery effort, but you've shown steady improvements in speed and power over the past month.” Thank goodness Strava didn’t see the mountain of fish & chips that I subsequently ate…
2 things for me... Make bikes for people like me and Connor something that is easy to get, not something that really ends up as a special product that costs the earth. (and in the process, also bikes for smaller people, although we do already make smaller bikes for kids, so I guess that is partly covered) And... Governments/councils/which organisation is responsible for your area, stop making bike paths/lanes that suddenly disappear mid ride. Nothing worse than riding on a bike lane and coming to a set of traffic lights, and there is no where for the you, only space for 2 cars, that then have to remerge into one lane again, once through the intersection. Bike paths that suddenly stop at a point that is not an obvious end point or where you can join other paths, are another type of the same problem
I enjoy your reporting on team jerseys. How about starting some sort of a petition to have teams adopt distinctive helmets. Most of us who watch cycling on television find it difficult to identify cyclists because they are mostly obscured by those in front of them. But if they had distinctive helmets, it would certainly make our enjoyment more
Regarding that study on the long-term benefits of cycling - absolutely the outcomes are going to be heavily influenced by selection bias. It's very hard to draw robust conclusions from observational studies of that type of design.
What i would change? Obliviously more and better bike infrastructure but also I would lower the speed limit down to 25 mph (40 kph) on most streets and 35 mph (56 kph) on major streets. Maybe start to design streets to discourage speeding?
The WD-40 crack, lmao. That was one of the first GCN videos I watched back in the day when I was a noob. Is that still around!? You really should remove it. Also the Vittoria shoe roasts of Dan, lmao GOLD, or should I say, bronze.
One thing I’d like to see is through improved advanced manufacturing processes and techniques, the higher tech bikes become more affordable and accessible to more riders.
Another wonderful year watching GCN. Thank-you so much. And to think last year at this time, we were all mourning the loss of GCN plus. I thought it was all over but no. You’ve had more success in terms of subscribers. Well done guys…for turning that around x
My pipe dream change would be that the wind was always at my back pushing me forward. My real one change would be that gearing was age appropriate allowing us old folks to pedal along with Grace and dignity while the kids huff and puff to keep up!😊
Guys I dont know the story with why that charity but as someone that is and took till I hit my 30s to be diagnosed, thank you. Very much one of those things for a lot of us it goes totally un-noticed on the outside. Im far from the only one that's suffered mentally in my youth and came very close to exiting stage left. Considering how many people go undiagnosed that's unfortuannly a statistic that if anything is low balled. Its hard to put into words how much of an impact it makes to know why your different in your head, that its ok and how to start to manage it.
I feel that behaviour of drivers would be the biggest thing for me. Being close passed is such a threat that my wife no longer cycles with me (never felt safe enough to ride on the roads on her own). UK.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Let us know what you think! 💭 What's the one thing you would change about cycling if you could? 🚴♂🤔
The cost. Enough said.
Aside from more people riding bikes so that could be more empathy on the road... Nothing else!
Merry xmas GCN staff!🎄
I want a device that creates a bubble around me and my bike that protects me from bad weather and bad drivers.
My top wish,
Having enough protected infrastructure to never have to worry about motorists.
No wind, ever! I hate the wind
We want a video series of Dan’s training process and preparing for that long ride!
The one thing I would change about cycling would be educating drivers about why cyclists do the things we do, that way at least some of them won't think we're just being jerks when we take a lane or something of the sort. Most negative interactions between drivers and cyclists seem to come from a lack of understanding of what the actual laws of the road are relating to cycling.
Laws, and actual safety.
Some drivers don't know why other drivers do what they do. Some don't know what they're doing themselves.
A continuous and protected bike lanes network all over similar to motor vehicle lanes.
"actual laws of the road" - from a group of people who, in a different conversation, will claim the highway code doesn't apply to them. Awesome.
@Thezuule1 Most cyclists ARE drivers. There is a general lack of patience and care when drivers meet cyclists on the road,but on the flip-side, It seems a lot of blokes get on a bike and act like a dick.
My caption competition suggestion is: “ You mark my words, one day, cycling on gravel will be all the rage”.
I wish cycling would be a thing in PE in schools and races, especially youth races, would get the same support from authorities as football.
In all seriousness, it might help to develop better drivers down the road (no pun intended). I think cycling helps to develop a person's situational awareness of what's going on around them, helps people learn to pick a line correctly and to watch for obstacles, improves judgement for distance required for braking or passing, etc. All of these are useful skills for driving as well.
@richm.3477 true. At the same time this could help making pedestrians more aware of their surroundings, to watch out for bikes before crossing a bike lane. A lot of pedestrians walk around like zombies and then act surprised finding out that bikes exist.
Unfortunately the cost is just so high. But yeah that would be amazing.
@ The cost of an insane amount of police to somewhat control drunk football fans is also very high and nobody talks about it. That‘s what I meant.
This is a thing in the U.S. at least where I live in the DC area, DC public schools and some suburban jurisdictions include riding and bike safety in PE classes. I teach part time in DC charter schools, even the second graders learn to ride between the cones, stop at the stop sign, signal, look and turn when it's clear. Even if they're still balancing and not pedaling yet. Oh and the kids are SO excited to ride bikes at school! I think it will pay dividends down the road, cycling is such a valuable lifelong skill, unlike the games of dodgeball and scooter tag I remember (although to be fair those were also fun).
Being in the US and a cyclist. I endorse regulating e-bikes. If they go over 15MPH without pedaling they shouldn't be allowed on shared walking/bike paths. Likewise if they go over 15MPH without pedaling then they should be illegal for kids under 18.
I'm OK with e-bikes just keep them slow or in the road with the same rules as a bike. Mostly adhere to the same rules as a cyclist but many e-bikers are hurting the roads/paths for everyone. Much of this is parents fault. Ironically in San Fran suburbs! Which I think is a great place to cycle EXCEPT for the adoption this tech!
If an electric car is a car, why is an electric bike not a motorcycle?
One thing I would change, is that bike frame sizes made sense again. Force the industry to have some standards.
Connor's bike colour choice is so cool. It's alive and happy. Nothing worse that a dead looking bike, black.
I agree! And the contrasting colours make the letters appear like they are floating. Love it!
Nothing wrong with gloss black
I agree. Fully black bikes with zero decals or colors are boring af
I like it too! If I had the option, I would make it colourful too!
If I could change one thing about cycling:
1) Pipe dream = eliminate personal automobiles
2) More uninterrupted bike routes with out traffic and stops; Dedicated paths, Rails to trails, waterfront loops, bike highways, etc.
Although not ideal, yesterday a lorry pulled out of a junction on me. I yelled oi but in a non aggressive way, he stopped and said sorry and that he didn’t see me. Not ideal but felt unusually amiable.
I pulled out in front of a lorry last week. Alerted by the squeal of tyres.. I apologised and went on my way. Had alot of good interactions with lorry drivers this week.
I had a similar incident years ago. Really nice fellow, and sincerely apologetic. Only problem was, he pulled alongside me to apologize out the passenger window, leaving me barely few inches to navigate between his mirror and going off the road.
11:42 the nice thing about MAAP is that when they release the consumer version of pro kit, they use the same design but without the sponsor logos plastered all over it
The negative attitude to cyclists from car driver.
you're aware this goes both ways? Do you read these comment sections? It's a self-perpetuating refusal to co-operate.
At 89 to get back my balance so i can ride further thanks Dan for the fitness tips TO YOU ALL AT GCN A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR.
A video about how to find good/quiet roads if you are new to an area would be great 👍
Thanks for all the entertaining content this year!
Have you ever used Komoot? It's a great app for finding rides all around the world!
Cycling itself isn’t the reason why they live longer, but because of cycling I’m forced to eat healthier, get more rest and hydrate properly. I believe with cycling you are just more conscious of what you put in your body especially if you want to get better.
It could also be that the cycling and the longer lifespan are both explained by the same underlying variables - good health and interest in physical activity. If you have chronic health issues and/or you don't like being active, you're not going to ride your bike to work and you'll also probably die earlier.
7:52 hard disagree on this one, having done a lot of both cycling and riding in my time - drivers do not treat horseriders more respectfully.
In fact, there are quite a lot of nasty people around who specifically feel it's OK to drive incredibly dangerously and put riders' lives in danger because "they're all posh wankers anyway". Which, alongside being a horrible thing to say in any case, especially since many riders on the road are literal children, is simply not true. People from all walks of life ride horses.
It could actually be really interesting, now I think on it, if GCN were to do a video collaborating with some horse riders discussing everyone's experiences with drivers on the road - and teaching cyclists how to properly pass horses too, since many are not aware and will go shooting past a horse and rider without calling out to let them know they're there.
Could be very educational for all.
In what world do people from 'all walks of life' regularly ride horses? It's true that you can find examples of non-rich people riding, but certainly not in proportion to income distribution in general. People 'from all walks of life' play soccer, or ride bicycles - they don't ride horses. If I see somebody riding it is _absolutely_ fine to assume that they're wealthier than average; equestrians skew rich. Sadly I'm not rich so I don't live in their areas and don't need to worry about the proper etiquette for how to pass a horse on my bicycle...
Edit: I'm assuming you're not from e.g. rural Texas, since you're talking about 'posh wankers' but you could make a case for the rural US south being a place where people from all walks of life ride horses, or battleship SUVs, rather than bicycles.
@Babymech @Babymech You're right, I'm not from Texas. But I think my point still stands, so I hope I can inform you a little more on where I'm coming from 🙂 There are very wealthy people who ride (who are pretty much 100% of the top of the sport), a lot of middle class people who do it (the middle tier of the sport), but I also know people who live in council houses who manage to make owning horses work. I know kids from shit homes in poor areas who help out at their local barn in exchange for free rides on the weekends. Often those are kids who will give their passion their all and maybe become a riding instructor one day, giving them opportunities they would never have otherwise in their life. I know there are also inner city riding schools in the UK that help kids escape gang violence and give them life skills.
Riding can be a prohibitively expensive sport, but as with cycling it's a sliding scale. Most roadies aren't out here riding around on the latest $10,000 bike, just the same way most riders don't own fancy horses in expensive stables! This is maybe not something that's obvious to non-riders, since I'm sure that's not the part of the sport that gets the most advertising 😁
The vast majority of riders in rural areas in Europe are people who do group lessons or treks once a week (which can be as little as €15 depending on the place, or even free if you work for it). The place I learned to ride was one such place, we were taught mostly by the older kids, who were all from a nearby foster home and helped out to ride for free.
You're totally right that riding is a very expensive sport as a whole! My point is this (and apologies if it wasn't clear from my initial comment): we should respect all road users, cyclists and horseriders and walkers etc. alike, and making assumptions about who is richer than who, and who therefore deserves to be treated with respect on the road, is unhelpful.
I hope that's slightly clearer!
If they're going to do this, shouldn't they also spend a day with some truck drivers, finding out what it's actually like driving through a busy area and how cyclists are their own disaster area?
@chrisdavidson911 that would be an excellent idea!
Caption Competition: Fan yells at Andre for not understanding the spirit of gravel.
Re: Cycling to work study, I mostly cycled to work from 1986 until I retired in 2023. I arrived happy and energetic when I rode my bike, I was stressed when I drove my car because of all the extra time it took to find a parking space. The university library where I worked had indoor bike parking for cyclists, but parking a car on campus required a parking pass which was really just a hunting license for limited parking spaces.
My colleagues who commuted by bike had a variety of healthy and unhealthy lifestyles, but the one thing we all had in common was being outdoor people working indoor jobs.
If I could change one thing about cycling, I would want equipment that was always ready to go when I wanted to ride. I say this as I wait for the bike shop to be open so I can get another repair on my wheelset.
Something I would change: The bicycle industry advertising as mainstream form of transportation and less a sport. SoccerMomms using cargobike to get the kids to soccer practice etc...
Caption Challenge: 'Next year my devil suit will be ready'
Conner's Orbea is freaking AWESOME!!!!
I like it too!
My one wish for cycling? Ex-Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
Caption Competition: "Just as well we don't have Conner Dunn running next to us. He'd give up after 4 km"...
I like Connor's bike colors. Not boring like most.
As an aside, I have to say that I genuinely enjoy the dry humor on the show and how you take the piss out of each other. Exhibit A: Dan's upcoming charity ride.
Edit: I posted this as I was watching the show. Apparently little 8 year old Otto isn't immune either! I think he deserves a GCN water bottle to match his Santa Works Tarmac SL-A and an honorary induction for a Super Nice bike on the Tech Show.
I wish for bikes that don’t get dirty, don’t get damages, don’t get flats, no corrosion… tired of repairs and fixes, new parts etc
Merry Christmas to all the presenters and staff over at GCN. Was a great year and looking forward to 2025.
The one thing I would change about cycling is the invention of a lightweight protective chest and shoulders kit. The crashes this year have been too much for me, and instead or looking forward to every race cheering on my favorite, I find myself just hoping and praying that everyone comes through safely.
Merry Christmas lads and ladies!
Caption: "Keep going, Andre! You're inventing gravel racing!" 😀
I wouldn't change anything, but, I have an environment -friendly suggestion. Cycling would be even better if we keep it aloof of too many tracking gadgets. The whole charm of cycling lies in using your body for a workout, amidst Raw Nature. Keep cycles cycles, don't make them cars. I hope u understand
The only electronic gadget you need is lights if you ride in the dark
You mentioned the effect of 2020 on cycling...well you just reminded me that it was the 2020 effect that caused me to change from mainly gravel to mainly road cycling. Because the roads were so nice without cars, and the world and his dog were all using the off-road tracks so they were rammed! And I still prefer road tbh.
I find it hard to believe Simon hasn't experienced multiple close passes in his time cycling on the road? Saying he's never had an issue with attitude to cyclists surely includes bad/dangerous passes by motorists?
his job is to encourage people into cycling, not scare them off
@@iann23 What so you think he might not mention any issues because it might scare people from riding? Personally I'd take harsh truth every time.
@stevedouglas3975 for somebody that rides as much as Simon does, it's the only way to interpret what he's saying.
@@iann23 Really? Lying to the viewers. I doubt that but only he knows. We have to take him on his word but seeing as he must have ridden 25+ years or whatever on road then never having experienced problems with motorists is frankly not realistic unfortunately.
Everyone's definition of a close pass is different though. I've never been bothered by a pass but people I've been riding with have so 🤷♀️ It is all about perception isn't it.
#captioncompetition
"This gravel might really catch on"
"From the Col du Tormalet, welcome to the GCN Show! (When will this go out? 90 years??)"
"In tough conditions in the high mountains, riders need to be Pau-faced."
Caption comp. "Can't see this gravel riding catching on"
How about other kinds of bikes? Every time I pass roadies I always say to myself "Do you want to go fast or not?" 😂
#captioncompetition I can’t wait until they pave these roads so that people who still ride on tracks can be all snobby about the spirit of gravel
Cycling would be better if I was back in my prime again.
Connor's paint job was great.
#captioncompetition " Oi mate! Can you slow down a touch, I need to fit a new slide in my camera!"
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL SAFE RIDING.
I prefer smaller wheels, bring back 26" (cruiser) wheels for general purpose/hybrid bikes for ordinary cyclists. Makes for a smaller, lighter bike, fits more easily into car boot etc. 26" wheels are stronger, and leave more room for panniers/baskets etc. Also they easily take tyres up to 2" or more thickness, ideal for our potholed roads.
Why Cycle Travel is My Go-To for Quiet Routes
When I plan cycling routes in the UK, I always use Cycle Travel. It’s free, easy to use, and prioritizes quiet roads and bike paths, letting me avoid traffic and enjoy stress-free rides.
I love how it gives detailed route info like elevation and surfaces, while even pointing out local cafés or bike stops. It’s accurate, reliable, and perfect for both short spins and longer adventures.
GCN should definitely review this hidden gem-it’s the ultimate tool for cyclists who want safer, more scenic routes.
My wish is to standardize "the bottom brackets"
well said!
Oh come on. Can’t you at least wish for something more realistic, like World Peace. 😂
USA has 3 different classes of e-bikes
Class 1: Pedal assist only with a 20mph assisted limit
Class 2: Pedal and throttle assist with a 20mph assisted limit
Class 3: Pedal assist with a 28mph assisted limit (Though apparently NYC imposes a 25mph limit on class 3 e-bikes instead of the usual 28mph)
These might vary by state but it seems that these are the standards that New York uses. It'd be interesting to know which classes of e-Bikes the New York legislators want to see these extra requirements applied to.
"Class 3" e-Bikes are actually a thing in the UK with the same 28mph limit. We call them Speed Pedelecs and they require a moped licence, number plate, and insurance and can't be ridden on cycle lanes, which is probably why you've never seen a (legal) Speed Pedelec in the wild.
In Miami the E-bikes are just full on electric motorcycles. You don't even need to pedal. These should be required to have a plate and insurance, as they are NOT bicycles. I followed a "cyclist" for 5 miles one day, and he never pedalled. Not once.
The price off these bikes 😂
Good to see the fundraiser have a strong start, you have your work cut out Dan. However I will say that with your new found fitness gains from your lifestyle changes will put you in good stead and I am sure you will smash the ride, and all for a worthy cause.
What I would change about cycling is to have more emphasis on recreational riding not just going as fast as you can. Some people's ideal bike may not be the most aerodynamic or lightweight. For example, a bike that asks for a baguette and bunch of flowers in a basket at the front, a picnic basket on the back, that I could ride slowly through the French countryside. C'est la vie!
Merry Christmas to you all at GCN. The year wouldn't be the same without you.
Caption: Henri, I think I just invented cyclocross.
Caption: 1932 TDF, the OG Gravel race!
I would ensure all cars use new technology to prevent cars from hitting bikes. Every bike should be build with a pinging device that every car is designed to detect and avoid.
For the aero shin guards without socks: that's because of an Ironman rule. Those can be worn under a wetsuit so they don't need to be put on during the swim-bike transition.
This comment is about better health through cycling. I am 69 years old and ride my bikes almost every day, for more than 3 decades now. I never go to the doctor but recently forced to get a screening approval for dental work surgery. They found I have high blood pressure, really high, and the EKG showed an anomaly that might mean a serious cardiovascular problem. This news was shocking to me and my mates. I thought I was more healthy than most men my age. The doctor actually told me to stay off the bike for a while. Screw that. I have too much invested in the sport and it's my reason for living. If it kills me then so be it. At least I die doing something I love.
May be having a small break won't kill you. Blood presure can be controlled with simple medicine in weeks. Please reconsider your doctor's advice.
@@UcanTospa I registered BP at the physicians said it was 212 over 190, which I admit is high. I've been taking Amlodipine for a couple of days now and the monitor I just got says it's 147 over 67 this morning. I guess the drug is working. I go for a stress test in a couple of weeks too. I'm still riding the indoor trainer an hour and a half each day but at an easier pace zone 2 now. I feel fine. I hate the thought of having to be on a drug the rest of my life.
I love Conners color choices!
#Caption: Rare footage of Dan Lloyd’s bronze in the National Champs Time Trial.
My caption competition suggestion is: “ This day in TDF history, the first known photo of spectators fighting for the first water bottle tossed into a ditch”.
started riding again as an adult in 1989 when cell phones and dashboard screens weren't a thing. now being in a car isn't even safe Lol.....
Caption contest:
When your GPS says ‘paved road,’ but it meant ‘character-building adventure.’
The one thing I would change about cycling would be to bring back GCN+ !!!
Safety on the bike, drivers stay wider of the rider share the road already ❤😊
I want a recumbent bycicle with a closed off hood to protect from rain or frigid winds. Like when i cycle to work i start cold, then i start sweating midway and then i get cold again. Also when it rains and i use a poncho its like an oven under that. So yeah thats what id change
There are mainly 2 options. 1 is a Velomobile, the other is a Streamliner. Both are blistering fast and comfortable.
@GlobalRecumbentNetwork but they are as expensive as a hatchback, if not more. We can do better and cheaper
More seriously about this weeks caption image; I love it. And I still want to see the Grande tours have at least one stage which is similar to those original ones, with the original rules. That'll slow them down and make it safer! (Self supported, no spare bikes)
Achievable: Major cycling brands offering more size-inclusive options for taller and curvier women!
Pipe dream: Stopping cyclists who insist on waiting too far ahead at traffic lights-so far they can’t see the lights-only to hold up traffic because they don’t see the lights change and can’t clip back in quick enough!
200k miles on the streets of San Diego and I've had maybe 10 "close passes". I get that almost every time i drive on the freeway in one day. Its about perception. I don't worry about the cars I do keep aware though.
Could those pedestrians who shout "she's not pedalling on the back" when me & my wife pass them on our tandem stop thinking that they are funny and original.
I personally love Connor’s choice in frame paint.
One thing I would change in cycling is the current cycling culture:
- I'm in Southern California and blessed with year-round riding with an abundance of new cyclist entering the sport at all levels. Over the last decade the cycling infrastructure has increased with the addition of bike lanes and "marked" shared lanes on established roads.
The suggested change I would like to submit would be to my cycling brotherhood is this simple statement - "Just because we can - doesn't mean we should".
What I mean by this is non-cycling car drivers see the proliferation of cyclist encroaching into established roadways and taking up entire lanes when they could easily ride single-file an make an effort to truly share the road. Specially when there is significant roadway traffic. Having some circumspection of our surrounding is critical and imho would go a long way to make peace on the road.
This opinion is from my 40 years of riding with the majority of that time carving my way through and with roadway traffic with little or no bike-lanes. I think this would go a long way to bridge the tension between cars and cyclist.
Love the show!
I liked Connor’s custom Orbea color choices! Given that you also liked the Jayco and Canyon/SRAM jerseys, I think you did too… just not as much as you like giving Connor grief!😎❤️
Totally agree, there was little difference in the colours between his bike and their new kit.
Merry Christmas to the GCN team and all the loyal viewers.
I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday.
A big thank you to the GCN team for entertaining me through the year.
#Caption Competition - Guy on bike: “Hey mate, need a lift.” Guy running: “No thanks, I’m in a hurry.”
For me the hardest part of cycling is the pedalling
Caption: Dan: if only people hadn’t donated to charity I wouldn’t have to do this gravel race on this newfangled gravel bike
Caption: Rider: Two lattes and a package of crisps, waiter and be quick about it, I have a race to run here.
#captioncompetition "what do you mean some are saying there's no place for gravel in Le Tour? we don't even have a bloody road?" Ohhh don't know they're Born!" lol. Drew.
9:46 meanwhile the used bike market is pretty good right now
100%
Cyclists in the UK using Km's instead of miles 😂
Caption competition.
This gravel racing is never going to catch on.
Yay for San Francisco. We have a great bicycle coalition to support riders and road safety. It’s such a great place to ride.
Thanks for sharing it with us!
Regarding the photo of André Leducq on July 12, 1932, during the 5th stage of the Tour de France, Pau-Luchon:
The photo was not taken at the Col du Tourmalet, but at the Col d'Aubisque (1709 m). A 13 km ascent with a 10% average gradient. Leducq wasn't the best of climbers and suffered in this first Pyrenean stage, but he still managed to come 6th, keeping his first place overall ahead of Stöpel and Aerts. He will keep his yellow jersey until the finish in Paris on July 31.
If the legend notes the names of the spectators, it's because they were celebrities.
Antonin Magne (with the beret) was the winner of the 1931 Tour de France. In 1932, he preferred to compete in the French Road Cycling Championships (July 22) rather than the Tour de France. So he had time to come and support his good friend André.
Jean Bidot (with the cap) was also a professional cyclist, but with a slightly more modest record. He managed the French team in 1950-1951.
The one thing I would change is that every off-the-shelf bike having an 80 mm bottom bracket drop as standard
Merry Christmas to everyone at GCN !! Awesome video's this year!
and happy new year! thank you
People not waving back 🙃
👋
Another great from Strava AI. I rode to pick up dinner from a local takeaway and Strava analysed it as “Your recent 'Chippy tea' ride was a lower intensity recovery effort, but you've shown steady improvements in speed and power over the past month.” Thank goodness Strava didn’t see the mountain of fish & chips that I subsequently ate…
Caption of the week: "back in my day, we had to ride uphill both ways, in the muc, with only two gears."
2 things for me... Make bikes for people like me and Connor something that is easy to get, not something that really ends up as a special product that costs the earth. (and in the process, also bikes for smaller people, although we do already make smaller bikes for kids, so I guess that is partly covered)
And... Governments/councils/which organisation is responsible for your area, stop making bike paths/lanes that suddenly disappear mid ride. Nothing worse than riding on a bike lane and coming to a set of traffic lights, and there is no where for the you, only space for 2 cars, that then have to remerge into one lane again, once through the intersection. Bike paths that suddenly stop at a point that is not an obvious end point or where you can join other paths, are another type of the same problem
#caption "it's 100 years before the mankini is invented so tweed cap and plus fours will have to do"
I'm on Connor's side, that bike looks sick!
I enjoy your reporting on team jerseys. How about starting some sort of a petition to have teams adopt distinctive helmets. Most of us who watch cycling on television find it difficult to identify cyclists because they are mostly obscured by those in front of them. But if they had distinctive helmets, it would certainly make our enjoyment more
caption contest: Andre Leducq tackles the Col du Tourmalet-proof that all you need is a bike, a beret, and a strong disregard for comfort.
Regarding that study on the long-term benefits of cycling - absolutely the outcomes are going to be heavily influenced by selection bias. It's very hard to draw robust conclusions from observational studies of that type of design.
What i would change? Obliviously more and better bike infrastructure but also I would lower the speed limit down to 25 mph (40 kph) on most streets and 35 mph (56 kph) on major streets. Maybe start to design streets to discourage speeding?
The WD-40 crack, lmao. That was one of the first GCN videos I watched back in the day when I was a noob. Is that still around!? You really should remove it. Also the Vittoria shoe roasts of Dan, lmao GOLD, or should I say, bronze.
#captioncompetition "Do wider tyres make you slower on road bikes?"
One thing I’d like to see is through improved advanced manufacturing processes and techniques, the higher tech bikes become more affordable and accessible to more riders.
Another wonderful year watching GCN.
Thank-you so much.
And to think last year at this time, we were all mourning the loss of GCN plus. I thought it was all over but no. You’ve had more success in terms of subscribers.
Well done guys…for turning that around x
My pipe dream change would be that the wind was always at my back pushing me forward.
My real one change would be that gearing was age appropriate allowing us old folks to pedal along with Grace and dignity while the kids huff and puff to keep up!😊
Guys I dont know the story with why that charity but as someone that is and took till I hit my 30s to be diagnosed, thank you. Very much one of those things for a lot of us it goes totally un-noticed on the outside. Im far from the only one that's suffered mentally in my youth and came very close to exiting stage left. Considering how many people go undiagnosed that's unfortuannly a statistic that if anything is low balled. Its hard to put into words how much of an impact it makes to know why your different in your head, that its ok and how to start to manage it.
I feel that behaviour of drivers would be the biggest thing for me. Being close passed is such a threat that my wife no longer cycles with me (never felt safe enough to ride on the roads on her own). UK.
Caption competition: “Keep it up! If you don’t win this one I hear there’s a new race coming up called Unbound that may have better roads”.
I’m with Ollie and Alex. Make cycling more accessible.