Chasing wheels

Inspired by Owen Philipson's podcast reviews I thought I'd post up some of my recommended listens.

At the moment there's only three cycling podcasts that I listen to with any regularity: The Bike Show from Resonance FM, Real Peloton and Velocast.

I spend my working day listening to some of the best speech broadcasters currently available in the UK, so my listening time outside work is valuable to me. These podcasts are recommended entirely on their merits as "a worthwhile listen".

First up, The Bike Show from Resonance FM. I've appeared on the show a couple of times and can testify that Jack Thurston knows his ways around a studio and the fine art of constructing an interview.

But the real joy of the Bike Show is its catholicism. It's from the Bike Show that I learned about Major Taylor and countless other parts of the church of cycling that are otherwise neglected by the mainstream. It's a beautiful reminder of the simple pleasure of just riding your bike for no other reason than because it's fun.

It was one of the first bike podcasts I discovered and has stayed in my subscription list while several others have come and gone. It retains a freshness of subject and delivery that makes it stand out from the crowd.

Jack is also one of the most watchful eyes on cycling issues as they affect London cyclists like myself.

Velocast is a more recent discovery. Initially I'd shied away from it on grounds of duration. When you spend eight to ten hours a day listening to speech radio, another hour out of the day is a big commitment for me. I've now addressed my commitment issues and I'm thoroughly enjoying a well made podcast that has its own distinct character.

It covers racing, bike geekery, components and riding in general with a wit and humour that is derived from its presenting duo, John and Scott. There's good analysis of issues and a no nonsense approach to discussing thorny subjects.

I've only been listening for a few editions but it's definitely a grower and broad enough to hold the attention of a wider audience.

Finally, Real Peloton which is Matt Rendell and Ned Boulting putting together a very fine half hour or so of banter, discourse and intelligent comment on professional cycling.

You'd expect that from two experienced broadcasters, but what they've done well is avoided letting their gobs run unfettered in the final product. You get a bit of philosophy, you get a bit of opinion and you get decent interviews with people with something useful to say.

You never feel short-changed on something useful with Real Peloton. The shame is that podcasts are difficult to monetise as this would be a proper breadwinner if it were to be sold in the same way that it would be as a built programme to a traditional broadcaster.

And the one's that I don't listen to?

Anything that is too long, too boring, too uninformative. It's a bloody long list and there's some names on there that really should have a look at themselves. I'm not going to link to them because they don't merit it.

Here's a couple that I think deserve special criticism.

Cyclingnews: Yes podcasts are meant to be a bit off-the-cuff but this is the equivalent of wearing a short-sleeved shirt under a suit. No big interviews, no big insight? Fail.

Guardian: You know all those reasons people give for disliking "cyclists"? They've managed to put almost all of them into podcast form. How do they manage to take all the fun out of riding a bike?

Magnum is the most incredible agency in the history of photography. Its history is without compare. Imagine Bartali, Coppi, Bobet, Koblet and Kubler, starting their own team and then you've got an idea of the impact of its creation by Cartier-Bresson, Capa, Rodger and Seymour.

I'm not sure where I clicked on to stumble upon this beautiful photo essay containing pictures by Capa, Cartier-Bresson and others. It is a stunning piece, notable as well for the Joergen Leth commentary.

What Magnum reflect well is the role of the spectators in the event and how the story of the race can be traced through narratives which aren't purely about the competition.

I'm always interested to see Auvergne feature in essays about Le Tour as it's frequently overlooked in favour of the Alps or Pyrenees. The couple of images by Raymond Depardon capture so well the toughness of the terrain and it's distinct beauty.

Having spent some time there in the past and climbed the Puy-de-Dome, I'd recomend anyone who can take a ride through the area, the home turf of Raphael Geminiani.

Leth's commentary invokes the unpredicatability of events and the constant state of expectation that the race demands of the fans.

Sit back and enjoy.

A Classic Rivalry, originally uploaded by cosmocatalano.

You can read the full explanation of how it came to be on Cyclocosm which is a must-add for your reading list/feeds

Great video of the race, see if you can spot me. Blink and you'll miss me. In fact it's probably not worth the effort trying not to blink.

Enjoy instead how much fun cyclocross is. Despite suffering like a beaten dog in every race, attacking the furthest depths of the finishing order and generally not being very good, every race has been fun.

My back flared up again this week and I had to take my usual mid-race pause until the pain subsided and my lungs started working again. It cost me a good few places and I must stop putting off seeing a specialist about it.

But I really enjoyed what was one of the toughest courses of the year. It had everything: fast twisty woodland, strength-sapping uphills, nerve-jangling descents and DEEP MUD.

Not quite as insane and testing as Hog Hill was but definitely more tricksy than the brake-abusing Penshurst filthfest.

There were a couple of heavy crashes on the descent which were apparently quite nasty and resulted in the air ambulance being called out. Hope it's a speedy recovery for the injured parties.

The organisers were great in dealing with it all and making sure they got the assistance they needed.

It's been a great season and once again, it's a testament to the efforts of the countless organisers that it happens and so many people take part. Thank you all deeply.

The final race of the series which has been incredibly well organised in trying conditions, both meteorological and logistical.

The former has come on the form of snow, torrential rain and freezing gales. The latter in the form of crashes and riders who don't always do as they are instructed.

OK, that's me filibustering to avoid having to write about getting dropped. Shouldn't have happened, simple as that. I left myself out in the strong headwind for too long and paid the price.

Nor should me ambling off the front at a gentle pace for the first lap. All I did was roll off the start and down the righthander. Looked around and nobody had come with me.

Got to the final 90 degree corner before the bunch reappeared just as I hit the block headwind. Weird experience racing with no one for company. Note to self: avoid individual time trials.

Back to getting dropped. It was one of those slow but predictable affairs, like watching a child's 99 slide off the cone on a hot day. I slid through the group, clung on a bit then the engine room went for a tea break and I was off the back and hurting (pride more than legs).

I got back on when I was eventually lapped and had no problem staying in. I even offered to drag Lance Woodman up to the front towards the end for want of some excitement before sitting out the sprint.

Why do I do it given my ridiculously mediocre record? Because it's fun and it keeps me motivated to ride. Martin Porter sums it up when he says

"I may never get a point but it is nonetheless rewarding"

In fact his post is a really good read about why the winter series is good to do and should be supported.

I'd like to offer a massive thank you to Doug, Lucy and the rest of the Collins gang who put themselves through the misery of having to deal with riders who just want to race. Organising something like the Winter Series is a massive commitment which few in cycling have the energy to do well. Those few should always be appreciated and celebrated.