Re - Cycling

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

A Bike Ride

20230330

Five Bicycle-Shaped Musings from writer, raconteur and life-long cyclist Andrew Martin

On a visit to bucolic Derbyshire, Martin pootles happily along a disused railway on a Sustrans National Cycle Network. Early cyclists resisted dedicated cycle lanes; today cycle lanes are regularly created to foster the new cycling boom.

Written and read by Andrew Martin

Produced by Karen Holden

Andrew Martin and his bike catch a train to Derby to enjoy a long leisurely country cycle.

Cycling Apparel

20230329

Five Bicycle-Shaped Musings from writer, raconteur and life-long cyclist Andrew Martin

In this episode the sport of cycling and the problem of the MAMIL (Middle-Aged Man in Lycra) as scrutinised by staunch utility cyclist Andrew Martin. He is amused to discover that Lycra endows a speed advantage of 0.0001% over a three-piece tweed suit and a pipe.

Written and read by Andrew Martin

Produced by Karen Holden

Andrew Martin examines the intriguingly flamboyant history of cycling attire.

My Life On A Bike

20230327

Five Bicycle-Shaped Musings from writer, raconteur and life-long cyclist Andrew Martin.

Growing up in York, a flat cycling town, despite failing his Cycling Proficiency Test, Martin had about 30 bikes in the 1970s. Crossbars have since become top tubes, oil become lube, cycle clips become trouser bands. He resisted mountain bikes in the 80s as ugly and pompous and anyway never cycled up mountains. He currently owns a Dawes racer, aka road bike, and still cycles daily, finding himself now engaged in - thanks to congestion, environmentalism and Covid - a fashionable pursuit.

Written and read by Andrew Martin

Produced by Karen Holden

Writer Andrew Martin casts an affectionate eye over his long and colourful cycling career.

Reasons To Cycle

20230331

Five Bicycle-Shaped Musings from writer, raconteur and life-long cyclist Andrew Martin

Today Andrew Martin discusses all the reasons there are to get cycling.

Today just 2 per cent of journeys are made by bike in the UK although our European neighbours in Holland and Belgium put us to shame with far higher levels of enthusiasm for the humble velocipede. But cycling used to be the default method of transport for many in the UK and with all the health and environmental benefits that cycling brings, there is now a stronger movement than ever to encourage us all to get back on our bikes.

Written and read by Andrew Martin

Produced by Karen Holden

There's never been a better time to get on our bikes insists cycling devotee Andrew Martin

The Cyclist As Overdog And Underdog

20230328

Five Bicycle-Shaped Musings from writer, raconteur and life-long cyclist Andrew Martin

Today how socialism and cycling conjoined. A traditionally working-class transport mode is counterpointed with the idea of the cyclist as supreme individualist, riding on pavements and ignoring red lights. Cycling clubs today focus on environmentalism and sociability rather than socialism, but their slogan is still Fellowship is Life.

Written and read by Andrew Martin

Produced by Karen Holden

Andrew Martin considers the changing politics of cycling over the ages.

Episodes

Title	First Broadcast	Comments
A Bike Ride	20230330	Five Bicycle-Shaped Musings from writer, raconteur and life-long cyclist Andrew Martin On a visit to bucolic Derbyshire, Martin pootles happily along a disused railway on a Sustrans National Cycle Network. Early cyclists resisted dedicated cycle lanes; today cycle lanes are regularly created to foster the new cycling boom. Written and read by Andrew Martin Produced by Karen Holden Andrew Martin and his bike catch a train to Derby to enjoy a long leisurely country cycle.
Cycling Apparel	20230329	Five Bicycle-Shaped Musings from writer, raconteur and life-long cyclist Andrew Martin In this episode the sport of cycling and the problem of the MAMIL (Middle-Aged Man in Lycra) as scrutinised by staunch utility cyclist Andrew Martin. He is amused to discover that Lycra endows a speed advantage of 0.0001% over a three-piece tweed suit and a pipe. Written and read by Andrew Martin Produced by Karen Holden Andrew Martin examines the intriguingly flamboyant history of cycling attire.
My Life On A Bike	20230327	Five Bicycle-Shaped Musings from writer, raconteur and life-long cyclist Andrew Martin. Growing up in York, a flat cycling town, despite failing his Cycling Proficiency Test, Martin had about 30 bikes in the 1970s. Crossbars have since become top tubes, oil become lube, cycle clips become trouser bands. He resisted mountain bikes in the 80s as ugly and pompous and anyway never cycled up mountains. He currently owns a Dawes racer, aka road bike, and still cycles daily, finding himself now engaged in - thanks to congestion, environmentalism and Covid - a fashionable pursuit. Written and read by Andrew Martin Produced by Karen Holden Writer Andrew Martin casts an affectionate eye over his long and colourful cycling career.
Reasons To Cycle	20230331	Five Bicycle-Shaped Musings from writer, raconteur and life-long cyclist Andrew Martin Today Andrew Martin discusses all the reasons there are to get cycling. Today just 2 per cent of journeys are made by bike in the UK although our European neighbours in Holland and Belgium put us to shame with far higher levels of enthusiasm for the humble velocipede. But cycling used to be the default method of transport for many in the UK and with all the health and environmental benefits that cycling brings, there is now a stronger movement than ever to encourage us all to get back on our bikes. Written and read by Andrew Martin Produced by Karen Holden There's never been a better time to get on our bikes insists cycling devotee Andrew Martin
The Cyclist As Overdog And Underdog	20230328	Five Bicycle-Shaped Musings from writer, raconteur and life-long cyclist Andrew Martin Today how socialism and cycling conjoined. A traditionally working-class transport mode is counterpointed with the idea of the cyclist as supreme individualist, riding on pavements and ignoring red lights. Cycling clubs today focus on environmentalism and sociability rather than socialism, but their slogan is still Fellowship is Life. Written and read by Andrew Martin Produced by Karen Holden Andrew Martin considers the changing politics of cycling over the ages.