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Top Gear

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  1. chdot
    Admin

    There are some interesting views on merits of the various presenters - usually supportive of their other projects - in a previous thread.

    The big question (highlighted by TG winning 'programme of the decade') is whether its curious view of 'car culture' is part of the problem or merely a reflection of the way people in the UK regard various forms of transport.

    Some people own cars because that's the normal/convenient way to get about. Then there are people who watch Top Gear.

    Some people own bicycles because that's the normal/convenient way to get about. Then there are people who come on forums like this!

    DEBATE!

    Posted 15 years ago #

  2. SRD
    Moderator

    I grew up in car driving household, where we all nonetheless walked or cycled to school and work, or took a bus. But, having moved here from NA, we have just never bought a car, and like Edinburgh for not needing one (perhaps another reason cyclists seem to often be foreigners - we don't have parents who give us their old cars!!). Btw, in a previous thread, I think my comments along these lines sounded rather anti-scottish, which was not the intent. We love Edinburgh and Scotland, and much prefer it to living in England - EXCEPT that we found southern england a lot more cycle-friendly.

    Posted 15 years ago #

  3. chdot
    Admin

    "EXCEPT that we found southern england a lot more cycle-friendly."

    I think you must have been lucky. There are undoubtedly parts of England were cycle use has always been high - York, Cambridge etc. and other places where in recent years there has been local authority willingness (and MONEY) - e.g. Cycle Demo Towns (initial ones and additional ones.)

    London has done a lot in recent years.

    Edinburgh is Edinburgh. It's better than most parts of Scotland - and most parts of the UK really. But it could be SO much better.

    (Already off the Top Gear Topic!)

    Posted 15 years ago #

  4. wee folding bike
    Member

    I'm not sure it's that clear cut. I have three cars but only one is on the road, 1998 Volvo 940. The others are a spare 1993 Volvo 940 and a project 1971 VW. The one which does work I use when I have to go far or take my kids. If I'm going into town (Glasgow, I stay in Airdrie) then I tend to take the train. If I'm taking kids to my parent's house on a Sunday I take the car because with the restricted Sunday service and having to walk between stations. It would take a couple of hours as against 20 mins in the car.

    I ride a bike most days and I haven't used one for getting to work since 2006. Even before that I usually cycled to work when allowed by the memsahib. If I'm going anywhere up to 20 miles radius on my own then I'll cycle. If I'm going to a meeting in Edinburgh I'll take a Brompton on the train. When we go away in the summer I pack a Brompton so I can get about and see new places.

    If I can cycle I cycle.

    However I still watch Top Gear.

    Posted 15 years ago #

  5. wee folding bike
    Member

    I was reading some CTC stats on cycling but there were no Scottish towns listed.

    Safety in Numbers... England.

    Posted 15 years ago #

  6. Min
    Member

    My Dad has a car and is one of those people who will drive to the shop at the end of the street. I am the complete opposite and have never owned a car but I can drive and we hire one occasionally to go to places we can't normally. My husband loves Top Gear though and I usually end up watching it with him. I think it is quite good fun. Three grown men acting like children is strangely compelling. I don't know about "programme of the decade" mind!

    I don't really think it is cause or effect of the car culture in the UK though. I think the newpapers are far more guilty. The EEN in a case in point with its constant "road problems affect motorists" stories. Clearly bus users and cyclists do not even exist as far as they are concerned unless it is in a negative way.

    Posted 15 years ago #

  7. gembo
    Member

    That Total Wipeout that the wee one from Top Gear hosts must be really dangerous, surprised no neck breaks there.

    I said on a previous post [that was lost in the big Helmet lock out/switch to its own string] that I think (tho I might be wrong) that JC thinks he is being ironic, or liberal baiting or funny. But he is just a big man shouting at you from the telly, and I prefer to shout at the telly.

    What I found surprising was guys like Steveo who I thought took a very sensible stance on helmets (not that anyone has been unsensible on this topic on this forum) but Steveo also liked Clarkson. So It just shows you that we are all different. Looks like Top Gear is programme of the decade because motor heads love it and so do many cyclists, bus users, horsewomen, pogostickers etc. The driver in our house does not like it. Are there any other drivers who do not like it?

    Posted 15 years ago #

  8. gembo
    Member

    SRD - I did not pick up any anti-Scottish vibe from your earlier post you were just saying you found places in southern england more cycle friendly. Whilst Scotia might be the Land of the Brave and The Home of the Free it is far from perfect.

    Posted 15 years ago #

  9. SRD
    Moderator

    Thanks Gembo. Was already feeling warm and fuzzy after torchlight parade and 'traditional' (past five years) Khushi curry after. Your comments most appreciated. One of the things we like about Scotland is people being friendly!

    Posted 15 years ago #

  10. wee folding bike
    Member

    gembo,

    I suppose the original reason for Top Gear is lost on me since I wouldn't buy a car based on what they say. When the current big old Volvo wagon goes to the happy hunting ground it will be replaced by another big old Volvo wagon.

    Clarkson was injured crashing a Volvo 760GLE into a wall but he won the challenge. His car was the only one which still worked after the wall.

    Of course they wouldn't have won the best show thing if the Phil Silvers show was still in production.

    Posted 15 years ago #

  11. gembo
    Member

    wee folding bilko?

    Posted 15 years ago #

  12. wee folding bike
    Member

    gembo,

    No, nobody should touch Bilko. Steve Martin should have known better. At least Top Cat had Doberman as Benny the Ball.

    Henshaw just died last year and Zimmerman is still alive.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  13. wee folding bike
    Member

    James May and the Lego house on this evening, BBC2 1925 hrs.

    The memsahib has been waiting for this one.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  14. wee folding bike
    Member

    And Three Men go to Ireland is on tonight too. It's a bit like Top Gear on water.

    Gryff Rhys Jones boat trips earlier in the year were very interesting. I was amazed about the way English waters are so restricted. I've never thought about that here, if I can get down to the water I assume you can stick a boat in it. I particularly enjoyed the Scottish show and the one which ended up in London. It's great how a river can quietly wend its way through a huge city.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  15. gembo
    Member

    Foldy, before you were a scientist you didn't run a pub on Great Western Road in Glasgow (late 1980s) called Bilkos? Publican dressed as Bilko? Just down from the first ever bike shop I spotted called Cycle Logic?

    My fave episode of Bilko is the one where Gambling Fever sweeps Fort Baxter. As you will know, all 73(?) episodes available on DVD but quality exceptionally poor as they were partially (or wholly?) recorded off the telly then put on DVD (but legal as they are so old?)

    My favourite cycling related movie is the 1979(?) film Breaking Away - a googleplex better than Top Gear.

    P.S. I see the Helmet Debate is still going strong.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  16. wee folding bike
    Member

    No, I was never even in Bilko's but I did stay in Hillhead in the mid 80s and early 90s.

    I didn't know they were all available, I've got a box of greatest hits with commentary by Allan Melvin.

    Breaking Away is why my dad talks about ini food.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  17. gembo
    Member

    I found my eleven year old daughter watching a re-run of top gear on a freeview channel last night.

    Is that it - Top Gear is a programme for children but which is legitimate for adults to watch - similar to reading Harry Potter books when grown up?

    Posted 14 years ago #

  18. chdot
    Admin

    http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=203#post-1490

    Posted 14 years ago #

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