CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News

Velomobile in Sun and on TV - expect a backlash!

(10 posts)
  • Started 13 years ago by LaidBack
  • Latest reply from TwoWheels

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  1. LaidBack
    Member

    I had a phonecall from Michael Viney a journalist with the Evening & Star in Cannock (Wolverhampton area).

    He had just seen Ian Fardoe's home built velomobile on the road and stopped to take pictures. I had supplied two large LB logos a year ago so he got hold of my phone number via website. Of course I was wary and passed on news to Ian so he could decide whether he wanted to speak to press.
    Ian commutes every day to his job at the Wildlife Centre on what is in effect a Cattrike with correx bodywork.
    (sfx: press filling under 'whacky')

    Anyway he averages 27mph on a slow day with downhills of 64mph. Got GPS. In summer he races with BHPC against the likes of Mike Burrows and Lee Wakefield.
    At work he cycles a 'normal' MTB bike taking kids round the tracks.

    He's getting filmed by BBC today as story was picked up by Mail and Metro (but not sure if appeared here).

    Check out how the story is changed to become about rising fuel prices... all entertainment.
    Metro version

    Mail version

    Posted 13 years ago #

  2. Dave
    Member

    Unsurprisingly everyone will insist it's invisible and certain death will result in a few minutes.

    But, the photo on the mail article of him riding in traffic could be used in a textbook under "what it's like to ride a recumbent".

    No elbow shaving going on there!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  3. cb
    Member

    "(sfx: press filling under 'whacky')"

    Yeah, you're not wrong.

    I especially like the handy link halfway through the Metro article:

    "Read more: Man uses live grenade as a bookend, inevitable happens"

    Then check out the "Related" stories (all sauna related)!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  4. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Unsurprisingly everyone will insist it's invisible and certain death will result in a few minutes.

    Spot on, Dave. You can tell that most of them aren't even cyclists in the first place. "But you can buy a bike for £80 in Halfords!" they cry.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  5. chdot
    Admin

    "But you can buy a bike for £80 in Halfords!"

    Part of me wishes they would...

    Posted 13 years ago #

  6. LaidBack
    Member

    "Read more: Man uses live grenade as a bookend, inevitable happens"

    Yes - once a story is out there anything can happen.

    Man uses velomobile instead of car, inevitable happens

    The Laid Back logos are hidden in the photos used so I've had nothing back from this. The local journo was ok as I was suspicious why he wanted to know about Ian's daily exploits. I'm worried how the Sun may have handled it. Going to check online.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  7. LaidBack
    Member

    Ian says.. "itv 6.20 according to the man that knows."

    Correction: that must be in England. It might be shown on the follow up ITV bulletin on STV.

    Ian had a few interviews from radio and TV in the area.

    He made mistake of letting someone use it. Later on his gear cable snapped so if he appears to be going slowly... that's the reason.

    More time to see my logo though! Also associates velomobiles with nice slow travel ;-)

    Posted 13 years ago #

  8. Smudge
    Member

    If you find an online version be sure to share ;-) my commute is (for me) too long for biking it but I do look at streamliners/velomobiles etc and make "hmmmm" noises ;-)))

    Posted 13 years ago #

  9. LaidBack
    Member

    A company called Ocean do full fairing body shell for any recent ICE trike. Then you can convert.

    I've asked Ian Fardoe on his FB site for link. Dutch also want to see of course.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  10. TwoWheels
    Member

    Over here, there's a guy who makes shells for the ICE Sprint (which is the eventual destiny for my trike). Here's what it looks like:

    Sweet!

    Posted 13 years ago #

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