Welcome to the weekly video roundup! There were some interesting videos this week, but I felt like none were feature-worthy. So I’m going back to the vault. This is 1976’s “A Sunday in Hell”. It shows 100 minutes on the Paris-Roubaix race including Eddy Merckx. Enjoy. I’m watching it again as I’m posting this. (also: this race is alluded to below- +3 internet points for the first person to spot it)
Have you ever heard “don’t ride faster than your headlights”? Basically, you should be able to stop when something obstructs your path. Jon from Perth didn’t get the memo:
This downhill MTB run is.. amazing. It really shows how fast your brain needs to process terrain- or how much you need to memorize. (one instance of colorful language past the two minute mark; otherwise the audio is fantastic because you get to hear the breathing)
Here’s new e-MTB tech. I like the idea of a “push mode”. If you’ve got the motor, why not?
In the MTB theme, there’s a couple riders on a course in BC. It’s a good “lean back and watch” type video. (also: DH in NC)
Here’s a good “how to get into MTB” video. Basically: it’s okay to borrow a bike, don’t worry about being slow, etc:
This video is “should you climb in the saddle or out of the saddle?”, but a better title would be “the Brits go to SF”.
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It’s often fun to watch trials. Here’s a World Champ run. There were other videos using 20″ wheels, which looks weird. This class was for 26″ wheels.
I don’t have a chain tool. I think I’ll just buy one.
Are you interested in Zwift? Don’t know what it is, or what the new crop of “smart trainers” look like? I don’t really enjoy Zwift but I do love my smart trainer (in the winter). There’s some demos of VR Zwift in the weekly GCN show.
Local WTF moments
This section is for recent helmet cam videos from the area. I didn’t see any, but there’s a scary pass of a cyclist by a bike racing team bus going around. Team Sky immediately responded with an apology and promise of further investigation, which is good. (warning: loud shouting; this version is bleeped but it’s clear what was being said; here’s the original version; here’s BSNYC making fun of the ‘fred bus’)
Honorable Mentions
This week’s honorable mentions: Eurobike: a disc disc, Eurobike: slick new mountain bikes, Eurobike: new stuff, including two great all-rounder bikes, this is a bike introduction?, new bike bibs for ladies, makes nature breaks easier (there are many variants, this is new), SRAM 12-speed XX1 review, really interesting Adidas technical bike clothing (worthwhile just for the pronunciation of Adidas), how do pro racers cross-train in the off season?, and tons of x-rays and other painful injuries (warning: well, you get it).
Inclusion criteria: If I’ve missed something, post it in the comments! I prefer videos published in the last week or so. Note if there’s a specific point in a long video that is worth highlighting. Also note if there is colorful language. I will delay videos containing pro racing spoilers by 7 days.
P.S. I’ll be out on cycling adventures for the next two weeks. I’ll catch up on videos when I get back!
– Ted Timmons, @tedder42
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About that rather exhilarating downhill mtb video, how do the trails there compare erosion-wise to the ones folks want to build in Forest Park?
I enjoyed that Paris Roubaix documentary a few years ago. I thought it was funny that the filmmaker made a point of Eddy Merckx’s fanatical pre race seat height adjustments. Then when the race was delayed by laid off linotype workers protesting against a newspaper sponsor of the race, Merckx rides back to the team car and nervously changes it.
Merckx always carried a hex wrench in his jersey pocket to adjust his saddle height. After injuring his back in a track accident in ’69 he said he never rode without pain for the rest of his career.
If you think hopping around on 20in wheels looks weird, you’ve been watching too much Brumotti.
Some audio starts automatically on this page, and I can’t seem to find or stop it. That’s a first for BP.
Is it an advert? If you can find it, let me know and we’ll try to block it.
I’ve experienced this for months, though sporadically.
Adi Dassler’s track shoes were worn by Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin after Owens forgot his shoes at home. A tidbit of info I picked up from watching the movie ‘Race’.