James May (Top Gear) on Cycling

Stollaire

Le léamh anseo/Read here

I liked this description of cyclists:

Cyclists jump red lights and ride across the pavement, but so what? Cyclists are pedestrians really, since they are leg-powered. They've just added a few levers and cogs to improve their own efficiency.

He uses the description "road tax", but we'll forgive him for it I think:

Bicycles should never be regulated, they should never be subject to road tax, they should not require third-party insurance and competence to ride a bicycle should not be tested. It tests itself, because if you can't do it, you have a crash. Bicycles are the first rung on the personal-transport ladder and should be free at the point of use. I'll champion the bicycle until I'm worn through to the canvas.

Lumen

Stollaire wrote: »

He uses the description "road tax", but we'll forgive him for it I think

It wouldn't make any sense if he'd said "motor tax", since bicycles don't have motors.

Icyseanfitz

HTFU may and get some lycra on you

we dont need to be reminded that we look like gob****es

Iwannahurl

I like James May, and I like this bit:

Maybe these cycling crusaders don't take me seriously, since I ride in my clothes rather than in a Lycra gimp suit with TV packaging crash helmet and a stupid flashing light attached to my face. Just because I'm not dressed up as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Bellend doesn't mean I'm not a proper cyclist. I haven't been without one since the age of three. I had to be prised from one of them by a kindly old dear at the top of a Scottish mountain, as my fingers had frozen to the handlebars. Don't come over all superior with me, you saddle-faced gits.

tomasrojo

In his Absolute Radio podcast, Frank Skinner mentioned his theory that James May is on Top Gear against his will, and has to hide his books of poetry when he hears Clarkson approaching.