I've been on numerous Central London CTC sunday rides and there not a million miles from this. There's less people, (typically 15 - 20) and the trains aren't as accommadating but the ethos is still the same, lovely pub lunch and a lot of people still ride classic british touring bikes. Not enough tweed though!
Shame that these days we're restricted to two bicycles per train journey. Love the film though
The natty shorts - The white legs - The plus fours - Getting off the bike by lifting one leg over the handle bars - Half a shandy, or lemonade! - Eating your own grub in the pub garden - The togetherness - The 'Carry on Film' music. :0)
Reminds me of a trip I took on the Northstar Line out of Minneapolis on a Saturday last spring when Metro Transit was trying to promote using the train+bike combo. I happened to be going on a bike+train ride just for fun that day, so I was surprised to see dozens of cyclists on the train already. They fit them in anywhere they could. Might have ruffled a few feathers (it was just a regularly-scheduled train), but it seemed that the group was having fun.
Take 20 or so bikes on a train? These days you'll be lucky to get more than 4 bikes on a train, often it's only two. And you'll probably need to book. During the rush hour? forget it.
Takes me back a bit. Remember, most bikes probably only had 3 gears then too.And yet now, when they have dozens of gears, people are relluctant to get out on the bike.
Could traffic have anything to do with it? Notice, hardly any vehicles then except bikes. it was wonderful!
@russthebiker ". . .every one is so much slimmer in these old films . . ."
15 years of war era food rationing will do that. It didn't fully end until just a year before this video was made. You are seeing the "half starved generation."
Those were the days of pipe smoking, sensible hair cuts, the death of James Dean, Atomic power , Red China, Rosa Parks taking the bus, Flight 629 being blown up, Elvis Presley...
Hey, that WAS cycling in the 1950s - those were some CTC riders mainly, used to slowish runs. The racing clubs of the day had runs, but they were MUCH further and faster, many riders would be on a fixed wheel of between 66 inches and 72 inches, (ask if you need the formula) and they tended to have a sprint up the hills..... did you notice all those lovely empty roads then.....
I would venture a guess that very few are. I would think most are driven by the mighty Sturmey Archer internal gear hubs. A much more sensible choice for a Sunday in the countryside.
Priceless. No mention of how they dealt with what Father calls 'a pressing problem' meaning a need to pee! With lashings of beer and lemonade, what to do? Wonderful commentary. I even spotted Mr Chomley Warner!
Everytime I see this I want to take my 1948 Raleigh Record Ace out for a spin. When's the text excursion to Rugby? A civilisation and a classic, elegant era of cycling vanished with the wind...
Wish the new rail companies were as enthusiastic about cycles! Only had serious bonk once, on a 200k Audax, and I do everything to avoid it now! Super film, thanks for posting.
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CyclistsFROWUK 1 week ago
I've been on numerous Central London CTC sunday rides and there not a million miles from this. There's less people, (typically 15 - 20) and the trains aren't as accommadating but the ethos is still the same, lovely pub lunch and a lot of people still ride classic british touring bikes. Not enough tweed though!
dkjngl 2 months ago
Ties, proper dress. Not in here. Touring comfertably, that's the way.
Sheldensmulevitz 7 months ago
i wish the roads could be as quiet now like back then (sigh)
germanicdogman 9 months ago
How lovely to see so many people cycling together without trying to beat each other.
The most important thing about this video is "togetherness".
timewillprove 9 months ago
Shame that these days we're restricted to two bicycles per train journey. Love the film though
The natty shorts - The white legs - The plus fours - Getting off the bike by lifting one leg over the handle bars - Half a shandy, or lemonade! - Eating your own grub in the pub garden - The togetherness - The 'Carry on Film' music. :0)
MickyStarr 1 year ago
Reminds me of a trip I took on the Northstar Line out of Minneapolis on a Saturday last spring when Metro Transit was trying to promote using the train+bike combo. I happened to be going on a bike+train ride just for fun that day, so I was surprised to see dozens of cyclists on the train already. They fit them in anywhere they could. Might have ruffled a few feathers (it was just a regularly-scheduled train), but it seemed that the group was having fun.
mulad 1 year ago 2
Take 20 or so bikes on a train? These days you'll be lucky to get more than 4 bikes on a train, often it's only two. And you'll probably need to book. During the rush hour? forget it.
pseudotruth 1 year ago
Not my quote; Style not Speed, Elegance not Exertion....
And EVERYONE stops when someone flats? Nice.
pxedes 1 year ago
this is sssoooooooooooooo bleeeeeeding cool!
and gota have that beer for lunch!
zencat999 1 year ago
A pitty the railways didn't have the insight to see that this kind of help for cyclist would bring many more back to riding on the trains.
We used to have a railway van to ourselves at one time, now you are lucky to get one bike on a train.
538921 1 year ago
Takes me back a bit. Remember, most bikes probably only had 3 gears then too.And yet now, when they have dozens of gears, people are relluctant to get out on the bike.
Could traffic have anything to do with it? Notice, hardly any vehicles then except bikes. it was wonderful!
538921 1 year ago
@uebergeek lol I don't remember any details been released, I wonder if there will be anything for 2010?
How many times does he big up the rubber covered hook like it's the best thing ever!!!
bobbywotsit 1 year ago
saw part 1 and could not miss part 2 - great video
w011500 1 year ago
well done!
OgoTomO 1 year ago
Bakelite,snake belts,cycle clips,R Whites lemonade,national health glasses,jam sandwiches........those were the days!
BRI535D 2 years ago
I still find roads like this now
you just have to look carefully on your doorstep and an old map
its funny how every one is so much slimmer in these old films must be pre 4wheel drive fattie mobile days
russthebiker 2 years ago
Comment removed
ricadus 2 years ago
@russthebiker ". . .every one is so much slimmer in these old films . . ."
15 years of war era food rationing will do that. It didn't fully end until just a year before this video was made. You are seeing the "half starved generation."
IsaacBickerstaffEsq 1 year ago
What a great video ! No Helmets , radical old 50s bikes.. Love it !
lovestuff78 2 years ago
Those were the days of pipe smoking, sensible hair cuts, the death of James Dean, Atomic power , Red China, Rosa Parks taking the bus, Flight 629 being blown up, Elvis Presley...
canalwalker 2 years ago 2
Comment removed
canalwalker 2 years ago
I can hardly wait for the details on the ride that's coming up in May '56!.... oh, wait.....
uebergeek 2 years ago
is wonderful !!
¡maravilloso!
¿Dónde estás Pepiño Blanco?
Renfe (Spain)
WE CAN!!!!
ferelmafe 2 years ago
I'm a bit scared of "THE BOK".
Pauho1984 3 years ago
Hey, that WAS cycling in the 1950s - those were some CTC riders mainly, used to slowish runs. The racing clubs of the day had runs, but they were MUCH further and faster, many riders would be on a fixed wheel of between 66 inches and 72 inches, (ask if you need the formula) and they tended to have a sprint up the hills..... did you notice all those lovely empty roads then.....
HollyGordon 3 years ago
How many of those bikes are fixed gear?
fixedgearforlife 3 years ago
I would venture a guess that very few are. I would think most are driven by the mighty Sturmey Archer internal gear hubs. A much more sensible choice for a Sunday in the countryside.
theolddirty 3 years ago
5:21, leg over bar dismount plus a fixed gear
prettyshady 3 years ago
Wonderful video, thanks for posting. Too bad this cycling ethic is lacking in the US. Hopefully that will change.
ElDuke717 3 years ago 4
In the days before 4x4s...
harmanmogul 4 years ago
Priceless. No mention of how they dealt with what Father calls 'a pressing problem' meaning a need to pee! With lashings of beer and lemonade, what to do? Wonderful commentary. I even spotted Mr Chomley Warner!
SteffanLlwyd 4 years ago
*sigh* I wish I was there. Makes me want to ditch my car and move to England. :)
melinda923 4 years ago
It doesn't exist anymore.England is a quagmire full of knuckledraggers - I am English , sadly.
lewisner 3 years ago
Cycling and drinking. Glorious. It makes me want to buy a set of plus fours and a nice wool jersey.
rcousine 4 years ago 5
Everytime I see this I want to take my 1948 Raleigh Record Ace out for a spin. When's the text excursion to Rugby? A civilisation and a classic, elegant era of cycling vanished with the wind...
kohl57 4 years ago
Both videos were absolutely brilliant. I loved them.
sixy69 4 years ago
wow was life once like this
hulltv 4 years ago
Wish the new rail companies were as enthusiastic about cycles! Only had serious bonk once, on a 200k Audax, and I do everything to avoid it now! Super film, thanks for posting.
Syd1940 4 years ago
Lots of food, fruit, and beer. Not much different from today. Sign me up!
trailadvocate 4 years ago
We do this for pleasure, not for penance...
1Kennight 4 years ago
Grrrreat! Love it!
davidfntau 4 years ago
A touch of the bonk! Love it. As far as I'm concerned, The Bonk never touches. It smashes.
RochesterCycling 4 years ago