Can We Survive A Stage Of The 1903 Tour De France?

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ค. 2019
  • Just how hard was the first ever Tour de France? The 1903 edition of the race started with a 467km stage between Paris and Lyon, a real test of endurance. Hank and Mark went to France to find out, in period-correct kit and on vintage bikes!
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  • กีฬา

ความคิดเห็น • 2.4K

  • @gcn
    @gcn  4 ปีที่แล้ว +884

    Would you be mad enough to take on this challenge?! 🤯

    • @nt2883
      @nt2883 4 ปีที่แล้ว +36

      YESSSSS!!!!!!! I'm already thinking of how to get my 1930's fixed gear to france!!!!

    • @tobiasbouma4071
      @tobiasbouma4071 4 ปีที่แล้ว +67

      Two months ago I rode from Amsterdam to Paris in a day (that's 490k), but I could imagine this could be tougher with the older bikes and shitty saddles. Should note that we had 45 kph headwind from the start, but I suppose that would make up for having a modern bike rather than a 1903 vintage bike, right?

    • @neilshannon9930
      @neilshannon9930 4 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      Tobias Bouma That's a great effort either way.

    • @bertchalmers
      @bertchalmers 4 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      Only if we can do it on 1903 food!!!!

    • @twigle3015
      @twigle3015 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      LaughingSaint That is not entirely true, there are lots of people interested in history that use the old tools, fi. ww2 enthusiasts, old car racers, there is a whole subsection of classical music devoted to playing on old instruments.

  • @MrGrenadeMcBoom
    @MrGrenadeMcBoom 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3902

    If you made this into an hour to hour and a half documentary retracing the course and telling the story of the first race I would PAY MONEY to watch that.

    • @downtofun
      @downtofun 4 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      Same!

    • @joelmartin4023
      @joelmartin4023 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Agreed...!

    • @joearnold3594
      @joearnold3594 4 ปีที่แล้ว +40

      I would pay to ride it! Not on an ancient bike, but as a rando style event.

    • @HJ877
      @HJ877 4 ปีที่แล้ว +81

      In case you haven't seen it already, you'd probably enjoy watching Phil Keoghan's doco 'Le Ride', where he rides the 1928 Tour de France stage for stage on a 1928 bike. Really good watch!

    • @tobi-mr4zb
      @tobi-mr4zb 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      i second that

  • @IraklyShanidze00X
    @IraklyShanidze00X 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2181

    I can only imagine what passing drivers thought about two so sharply dressed monsignors riding bicycles apparently stolen from a local museum.

    • @glowiever
      @glowiever 4 ปีที่แล้ว +70

      they might be apprehended, but for the fashion crime instead

    • @rollinrat4850
      @rollinrat4850 4 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Purdy Mouth Haha, crimes of fashion! Something roadies would enforce!

    • @stopglobalswarming
      @stopglobalswarming 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      RollinRat but, they are roadies

    • @sirrivet9557
      @sirrivet9557 4 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      Probably thought they travelled back in time for a second.

    • @KandiKlover
      @KandiKlover 4 ปีที่แล้ว +53

      Probably thought they were king of the Hipsters.

  • @jrsuk1170
    @jrsuk1170 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1145

    Every time I start telling myself my bike isn't good enough, or is too heavy, I'm going to remind myself of this video and save myself a fortune.

    • @DaimyoD0
      @DaimyoD0 4 ปีที่แล้ว +55

      I'm wondering what went wrong with the planning that permitted them to ride 100 year old bikes but not have enough time to re-grease their bearings.

    • @Dylan-ug6jp
      @Dylan-ug6jp 4 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      ​@@DaimyoD0 They re-grease them periodically, but this is not shown in the clip (otherwise it would have been too long), I appreciated how they used to simulate the use of grease like they did in that era, grease which dries after a certain number of hours in these awful dry and dirty roads ( they were lucky to have a perfect tarmac, if not I don't think the would have received authorization to use those bikes), and should be reapplied to be of help for the bearings.

    • @giorgiozampieri4352
      @giorgiozampieri4352 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I drive a 1970 eroica and it's mad though, I can't imagine how hard a 100 year old bike can feel

    • @tchoutchou1876
      @tchoutchou1876 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Old racing bikes are not bad, pretty efficient

    • @bekanav
      @bekanav 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @@tchoutchou1876 Correct. Basic tech is very much same as in today's bikes. I've seen old ads, according to them race bikes did weight a bit over 10kg (90 years ago). Biggest development step since the beginning has been air tires, not high amount of gears or switching to aluminium or carbon frames

  • @arcreehysteria9805
    @arcreehysteria9805 3 ปีที่แล้ว +309

    The first year the tour went to the mountain chain Pyrénées (south west of france), It was 300km with more than 10 super hardcore mountains to climb on dirt roads.
    When the winner arrived, he looked in the eyes at the director of the race and said "You are a murderer"

    • @13redlion13
      @13redlion13 2 ปีที่แล้ว +59

      yes, what makes it even funnier is that the director henry Desgrange did not check the mountains but sent Alphonse Steines there to see if the roads are ok an can be ridden on and Steines just went to check the Tourmalet by car at the end of June, got into a snow storm, his driver refused to continue further so he went the rest of the road by foot, arrives at the top at 3AM and the other day sends a message to Desgrange: "Got to the top of Tourmalet. Very good road. Easily passable."

    • @Thicc_Cheese_Dip
      @Thicc_Cheese_Dip 2 ปีที่แล้ว +41

      @@13redlion13 the added details make it even better: his driver left him behind due to fear of bears, a local herdsboy he tried to pay to help him left him behind, he considered sleeping on a rock until dawn but realized he'd freeze, he slipped on ice and fell into a stream, climbed back up and fell into the snow, and then and nearly got shot by the search party sent out by Desgrange to find him.

    • @AlbionSupreme
      @AlbionSupreme ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@Thicc_Cheese_Dip Proper lad, that one

  • @ChrizzzyEGolf
    @ChrizzzyEGolf 4 ปีที่แล้ว +79

    The founder of the Tour De France, Henri Desgrange, once said that his ideal version of the race would be so brutal that only one rider would make it to Paris. This video does a tremoundous job of demonstrating the difficulty of one 400+ km stage, but remember that in the first Tour de France, they had to do FIVE more stages of similar length. Great video fellas!

  • @grahamwood3934
    @grahamwood3934 4 ปีที่แล้ว +587

    I was waiting for them to raid a cafe and down a brandy and bottle of wine to make the ride experience more authentic

    • @Calum_S
      @Calum_S 4 ปีที่แล้ว +28

      Or hitch a lift on a train or car.

    • @soundninja99
      @soundninja99 4 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      Or have enforcers that threaten competitors and break their bikes

    • @ChuckPuffe
      @ChuckPuffe 4 ปีที่แล้ว +57

      and smoke to "open up the lungs"

    • @garyeves4991
      @garyeves4991 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      They did! Except the brandy!

    • @kingrobert1st
      @kingrobert1st 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yes, and then get their bikes stolen!

  • @colinltube
    @colinltube 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1771

    Cool project guys, BUT you forgot a detail - obviously you couldn't remove the tarmac, but remember at that time they hydrated with wine and "opened their lungs" smoking :-D

    • @chriswitek9455
      @chriswitek9455 4 ปีที่แล้ว +227

      hey if youre drunk it probably doesnt hurt as much

    • @youboy1067
      @youboy1067 4 ปีที่แล้ว +109

      They also ate parcels of salt when dehydrated :p

    • @jacobmarshall7138
      @jacobmarshall7138 4 ปีที่แล้ว +82

      I cant imagine. men were insane back then

    • @raspadsistema9993
      @raspadsistema9993 4 ปีที่แล้ว +95

      @@jacobmarshall7138 Man were Man back then.

    • @carlos.5290
      @carlos.5290 4 ปีที่แล้ว +73

      @@raspadsistema9993 today they supend a stage for "too much rain". Come on! Ciclying is all about men vs nature.

  • @johnfrancisdoe1563
    @johnfrancisdoe1563 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1780

    Good work lads. But we all know the first Tour de France was done by Asterix and Obelix more than 2000 years ago. :-)

    • @tonyfranklin8306
      @tonyfranklin8306 4 ปีที่แล้ว +38

      Getaweetabix was epic on that tour ;o)

    • @2adamast
      @2adamast 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      By Ceasar himself (apart from one small village)?
      By Clovis as France is what he conquers?

    • @chipskylark8869
      @chipskylark8869 4 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      I'm sure some llama toured France before then

    • @universallychallenged8098
      @universallychallenged8098 4 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      'Asterix and Obelix' this guy knows his shit

    • @alfadoesstuff.4256
      @alfadoesstuff.4256 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      I’m too young

  • @iMetuz
    @iMetuz 4 ปีที่แล้ว +172

    "If it's not abundantly clear, I am broken."
    One of the most relatable quotes I have ever heard.

  • @jokernepalm
    @jokernepalm 4 ปีที่แล้ว +375

    This is EXACTLY the type of content we want to see on GCN.

    • @stephensaines7100
      @stephensaines7100 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      On a related channel, yes. GCN is for a certain niche, this is for a much wider one.

    • @rollinrat4850
      @rollinrat4850 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Yes, it was nicely done. Very relatable to the average rider.
      I kinda missed the sponsors plugs and the strava times. NOT!!

  • @marvinkitfox3386
    @marvinkitfox3386 4 ปีที่แล้ว +354

    Its amazing to see how those two AGED by 15 years in the course of just one day's riding.

    • @CartoType
      @CartoType ปีที่แล้ว +4

      And how they started off looking like Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, but by the end the big guy looked like Sacha Baron Cohen.

  • @jonashobrack9107
    @jonashobrack9107 4 ปีที่แล้ว +57

    "Forget what is laying ahead, because right now you are okay" those are some nice words to live by...

    • @smallhatshatethetruth7933
      @smallhatshatethetruth7933 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      not really, that's the like being lulled into a false sense of security and then being doomed. Much like we are today

    • @attila_the_hunk9685
      @attila_the_hunk9685 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@smallhatshatethetruth7933 😂👏
      The idealist vs the realist.

  • @bluej511
    @bluej511 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1362

    This may be the best video you guys have ever put out, great to see all the collabs with Mark, you guys should make him a regular i bet he's quite insightful. Great video, as someone who lives on the French Riviera and rides around this is a fantastic video. Should do a video of each decade with corresponding bikes, maybe the most epic stage from each decade.
    Like if you'd like to see it, let's get it going.

    • @gcn
      @gcn  4 ปีที่แล้ว +46

      Thanks bluej511, we enjoy making this kind of video and we love how much people enjoy it

    • @bluej511
      @bluej511 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@gcn great, you guys seem to film in Nice quite a lot I just never seem to run into you guys haha.

    • @marcuspartridge11
      @marcuspartridge11 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      That's an excellent idea!

    • @dougcalder6661
      @dougcalder6661 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      YES great idea each decade of bikes and stories

    • @buckroger6456
      @buckroger6456 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      That is a awesome idea. I would like to see more on some of these legendary tour moments.

  • @schuletrip
    @schuletrip 4 ปีที่แล้ว +855

    Imagine how bad the roads were back then, how much more difficult it would be.

    • @Hardcaslte
      @Hardcaslte 4 ปีที่แล้ว +149

      I can't believe there aren't more comments like this. They did it slower, with modern gear (aside from the bikes), with support, on fresh roads. If you really stop to think about how insane it would've been in 1903 it blows my mind.

    • @keinpietz7697
      @keinpietz7697 4 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      @voynich can you imagine millennials doing that today? No fucking way. PS 1001th comment... I'm emotional.

    • @robertcoates2752
      @robertcoates2752 4 ปีที่แล้ว +107

      @@keinpietz7697 James is literally a millennial...

    • @keinpietz7697
      @keinpietz7697 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@robertcoates2752 you must be too, because your reading comprehension is clearly lacking.

    • @robertcoates2752
      @robertcoates2752 4 ปีที่แล้ว +64

      @@keinpietz7697 You said. Can you imagine millennials doing that today? In response to a video in which a millennial does it. But if that doesn't work for you how about this? bikepacking.com/news/alexandera-houchin-2019-tour-divide/ 29 year old women winning the women's class of the Tour Divide on a single speed.

  • @hardeho
    @hardeho 4 ปีที่แล้ว +136

    This may be one of the best videos GCN has done.

    • @gcn
      @gcn  4 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Thanks for all the support Joe, we're pretty proud of this one

  • @Luigi88765
    @Luigi88765 4 ปีที่แล้ว +243

    Lol, I thought they were eating fruit and I was like "wow, they really committed to the period" until I saw they were munching on some pringles and coke xD

    • @gcn
      @gcn  4 ปีที่แล้ว +102

      If we'd really have committed it would have involved some interesting food choices and alcohol 😂

    • @maxmahn459
      @maxmahn459 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@gcn Why not?

    • @orppranator5230
      @orppranator5230 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Actually, Coca Cola was invented in the late 1800's.

    • @DakotaBecker-wg1gp
      @DakotaBecker-wg1gp 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Same here lmao I thought those were orange peels til the very end you notice he’s eating Pringle’s lmao

    • @ariat3381
      @ariat3381 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@maxmahn459 alcohol is like the worst thing to consume when doing exercise. Fucks up your heart rate

  • @ollietee5316
    @ollietee5316 4 ปีที่แล้ว +453

    Mark: "Are you any good at big-miles riding?"
    James: "No"

    • @garyeves4991
      @garyeves4991 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Hank was amazing, they both were!

  • @frazergoodwin4945
    @frazergoodwin4945 4 ปีที่แล้ว +282

    Bonkers. Absolutely totally bonkers. What where you guys thinking!?! Total respect for completing such a massively hard challenge though and - as usual now - fantastically shot and edited. Brilliant.

  • @dragoncivicnola
    @dragoncivicnola 4 ปีที่แล้ว +410

    I really...REALLY wanted to see them try and use that carbide lamp.

    • @rollinrat4850
      @rollinrat4850 4 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Taylor Scheinuk I wanted to see them change a tire or fix a flat on those old sew ups!

    • @2adamast
      @2adamast 4 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      Back when I was young we were still using carbide lamps, makes your snot turn black and when there is no water you can pee to make it work.

    • @smitajky
      @smitajky 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I have a similarly looking hurricane light with a wick. Nowhere near as bright as carbide. And it had and green and red side panels a la nautical port and starboard. But it was robust and on springs. I have ridden with it on pitch black country roads but that was before the traffic went insane. You know the days when people actually looked out the windscreen rather than piloting the car by mobile phone.

    • @dushk0
      @dushk0 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Thank you! I'm a sucker for making old tech work, so it was 11/10 a disappointment! Even if they just showed it for a short while and then did the rest with the LED side-by-side but just why not? Even the museum would have agreed, I'm sure.

    • @KandiKlover
      @KandiKlover 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I would've loved to see that too, I would also love to have one for my bike. You can still get newly made ones BTW. I have a mining helmet lamp and a little box of carbide I got from Lehman's in 2017. It has a little adapter to handhold it as well. I like the warm glow it gives.

  • @cyclingnerddelux698
    @cyclingnerddelux698 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    "If it is not abundantly clear, I am broken." Brutal....

  • @MBosworth87
    @MBosworth87 4 ปีที่แล้ว +442

    GCN - you should sign Mark Beaumont up as a permanent presenter. Great guy!

    • @FlatSpinMan
      @FlatSpinMan 4 ปีที่แล้ว +39

      He is so great to have for these ridiculous challenges. When he says a ride is hard, I believe him.
      Loved that line:"As is probably abundantly clear, I am broken."

    • @moi7748
      @moi7748 4 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      I listened to his audiable book, "Around the world in 80 days" which is narrated by the man himself. Brilliant achievement, great guy - I highly recommend it to anyone, cyclist or not

    • @IanPhillipsWildlife
      @IanPhillipsWildlife 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Agree for sure, Mark Beaumont always makes for a good watch.

    • @stopspammingmesrsly
      @stopspammingmesrsly 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      They dovetail so well like they've presented together for years. Maybe that's what a 25 hour bike ride with a guy does.

    • @RD1R
      @RD1R 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@stopspammingmesrsly every world leader should have to ride 24hrs straight together with a few climbs thrown in

  • @andrewmcalister3462
    @andrewmcalister3462 4 ปีที่แล้ว +132

    This is one of the most visually beautiful videos GCN has produced.

  • @blu0065
    @blu0065 4 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Every time I look at GCN, I see Hank suffering. I thought all about poor Hank and the suffering he does for his job. But now after watching GCN for a year, you start to realize he's actually really enjoying it.
    Go Hank. Keep up the passion.

    • @gcn
      @gcn  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Haha! Hank does love to suffer!

  • @patunknow7253
    @patunknow7253 4 ปีที่แล้ว +190

    As a French and passioned about cycling, it's a lovely way to improve my ENGLISH LISTENING.
    Thank you, it's really amazing, keep going this way!!!!!

    • @alejandroramirez6347
      @alejandroramirez6347 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Bous so me tríos mantenant!

    • @andrewince8824
      @andrewince8824 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I can tell you, your written English is fantastic.

  • @citizenwolf8720
    @citizenwolf8720 4 ปีที่แล้ว +84

    That Mark guy is a great presenter. Very likable on-screen presence. You should make him a presenter.

    • @lokie1964
      @lokie1964 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Citizen Wolf totally agree. Love to see more of Mark Beaumont. He is a legend.

    • @stephensaines7100
      @stephensaines7100 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Both of them! I thought they were a very well balanced team, in all respects. Excellent ride! I got an endorphin high just watching it.

  • @FlatSpinMan
    @FlatSpinMan 4 ปีที่แล้ว +138

    So many things to say about this wonderful video. Firstly, moustaches. Wouldn't have been half as good without them.
    Secondly, well done to you two. That must have been horrendously hard. A huge distance on ludicrous bikes. Massive respect for even attempting it, let alone persisting with it.
    Third, it was beautifully shot and scored.
    Finally, do you have any more footage to show us? A feat this impressive deserves more coverage. I would have loved to see more of the suffering and bantz.

    • @gcn
      @gcn  4 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      Thanks JMS we loved making this, and there might be more to come 😉

    • @stephensaines7100
      @stephensaines7100 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@gcn There has to be more to come. This appeals to a much wider audience too.

  • @kruofud
    @kruofud 4 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    this should have been made in a full length documentary about the entire ride with preparations, planning, etc... this has so much potential! Great editing, BRAVO!

  • @mig6pie
    @mig6pie 4 ปีที่แล้ว +62

    That was absolutely nuts, and I can't even imagine how hard it would have been riding on gravel, as opposed to paved roads, just the vibration makes the ride excruciating, well done fellows, I tip my hat to you both

  • @timrichardson2
    @timrichardson2 4 ปีที่แล้ว +136

    Just awesome, Mark rocks that 20's style! GCN you need to put Mark in charge of ECN ( Epic Cycling Network). Mark needs to be a regular, he is a natural presenter.

    • @gcn
      @gcn  4 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      Now there's a thought....

    • @dannyhanny1191
      @dannyhanny1191 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Agree. As of this video, I hope Mark is considered GCN staff if he wants to be on it. Damn.

    • @polsifter
      @polsifter 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Endurance Cycling Network

    • @guymorris6420
      @guymorris6420 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Epic Cycling Network ?

  • @nt2883
    @nt2883 4 ปีที่แล้ว +127

    This is possibly the greatest thing I have ever seen! Let's take the Tour old school again. Single speed bikes and looooong stages.

    • @Sethimus82
      @Sethimus82 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      trans continental just started

    • @eepyrom
      @eepyrom 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      And self-supported. Riders have to carry spares and know how to fix their bikes up.
      That might get bike manufacturers to focus their efforts on developing reliable, durable bikes rather than disposable ones that only need to make it through one season.

    • @guymorris6420
      @guymorris6420 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      No two way radios, team cars, team doctors, soigneurs, mechanics and all the rest.

    • @nt2883
      @nt2883 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@eepyrom absolutely. Maybe it would bring back the true craftsman built bicycle. Made to last 100 years. There won't be many of todays carbon aero watchimacallits left in 100 years time

    • @andyc9223
      @andyc9223 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      100%, been wishing it for years

  • @tag180rotax
    @tag180rotax 4 ปีที่แล้ว +339

    I didnt know freddie mercury was in GCN!?

    • @s.bruyere8496
      @s.bruyere8496 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      I want to ride my bicycle. Uh. Everything makes sense now.

  • @mjcau
    @mjcau 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Not to mention the outrageously gorgeous cinematography, this is a beautiful microcosm of all the joys and sufferings of cycling. More epic rides with Mr Mark Beaumont please GCN!

  • @goodvibebiker4776
    @goodvibebiker4776 4 ปีที่แล้ว +46

    No matter how Mark suffers, he still seems calm and collected. Signs of a Ultra cyclist

  • @evanreeves5966
    @evanreeves5966 4 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    Hank actually looks like a proper pro in this video when they hit the climbs. A hardened man.
    Then just seconds later after the camera cuts he looks absolutely broken.

  • @Darkmaiki
    @Darkmaiki 4 ปีที่แล้ว +186

    They did it in 17h 45 minutes in 1903.... 8 hours difference!!!

    • @ZachTheExcitedViper
      @ZachTheExcitedViper 4 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      Yea but doesnt that cause you to raise a bit of an eyebrow as to the authenticity?

    • @Darkmaiki
      @Darkmaiki 4 ปีที่แล้ว +108

      @@ZachTheExcitedViper Not because I'm pretty sure that a brand-new pro bicycle from 1903 is much better than the 100 years old bicycle from a museum.
      I say pro bicycle because the bicycle used by the best riders from 1903, was probably the best bicycles you could get from that time, and not a "typical" 1903 one.

    • @Welgeldiguniekalias
      @Welgeldiguniekalias 4 ปีที่แล้ว +108

      @@Darkmaiki Also they would have taken amphetamine pills, which were perfectly legal at the time.

    • @Darkmaiki
      @Darkmaiki 4 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      @@Welgeldiguniekalias did they? It's a real question. I knew that they did it during the latter decades but I don't know if they did since the first day.

    • @AlphaSkewber
      @AlphaSkewber 4 ปีที่แล้ว +80

      They also tried to kill their rivals and take trains when commisaires were not looking

  • @thehandleiwantedwasntavailable
    @thehandleiwantedwasntavailable 4 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Well done guys!! That was an incredibly tough ride. Mark with his infinite endurance wisdom was a pleasure to watch. I think Hank wouldn’t have survived without him!

  • @manji001
    @manji001 4 ปีที่แล้ว +56

    I seriously love Mark Beaumont's brand of cycling. He's inspired me to do more and put in more miles on the bike (him and Jenny Graham). KUDOS to Hank as well! I am simply enamoured by the sheer audacity of you both!! AMAZING EFFORT! CHAPEU Messieurs!!!

    • @brianmessemer2973
      @brianmessemer2973 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      VeloPinephrine it’s so true. Watching Mark makes me want to ride more. Now THAT’S a good characteristic for a GCN presenter!

  • @patavinity1262
    @patavinity1262 4 ปีที่แล้ว +186

    Having a shower, a change of clothes and a cold beer once they'd arrived in Lyon must have been *so good*

    • @gcn
      @gcn  4 ปีที่แล้ว +83

      SO good.

    • @andreasvenasengebraten1835
      @andreasvenasengebraten1835 4 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      @@Andras_Schiff yeah, but the start was delayed because of cart trails on the road. I believe most of the distance was probably gravel or cobblestone in 1903. Any way, insane event, both in 1903 and 2019

    • @KandiKlover
      @KandiKlover 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      After 25 hours? Nah that can wait until after I sleep. First thing I would do is get naked and plop over right there.

    • @macktaylor4389
      @macktaylor4389 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@KandiKlover Find me a fountain and I'd be dunking my naked arse in there in a hurry.

    • @prime8nate
      @prime8nate 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I'm sure they smoked a few cigarettes to keep in the spirit of the original race.

  • @Hukarez1
    @Hukarez1 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hey guys. I just finished my first EROICA GERMANIA race on a 1930 bike. Only 30 km, but with no gears und a saddle hard like a stone. On country roads and farm lanes. It was a really great experience! So I can imagine what a challenge a 400 km trip with that old Equipment is! Absolute respect to both of you!

  • @bjornvonmyrkr5755
    @bjornvonmyrkr5755 4 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    wowowowowowowow absolutly beautyfull movie !
    Seriously , we need a documentary about the trip ...or the making of .
    It's insane !

  • @bhumiriady
    @bhumiriady 4 ปีที่แล้ว +79

    This is super cool and awesome!
    For me, this is beyond epic. Chapeau to Mark and James for attempting this.

  • @tkaakko2416
    @tkaakko2416 4 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    Hank's face in some of those shots... If I've ever seen someone in agony, that's the face right there.

  • @hansy3
    @hansy3 4 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    Blows my mind. Well presented, great, informative and entertaining network.

    • @hansy3
      @hansy3 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      But .... when did the POOP!?!

  • @leonstuij9540
    @leonstuij9540 4 ปีที่แล้ว +49

    One done, only 5 stages left to go!

    • @gcn
      @gcn  4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      We'll have to go back and do the rest Leon

    • @leonstuij9540
      @leonstuij9540 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@gcn We believe in you :)

    • @fikryanbiyaas8392
      @fikryanbiyaas8392 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@gcn Oh come on man,, your ancient will be very proud..

  • @apzeoifjpazeough
    @apzeoifjpazeough 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    GCN starting to look like Top Gear / The Grand Tour, but on bikes. That's a big compliment.

  • @thomas.moerman
    @thomas.moerman 4 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    "If it's not abundantly clear, I'm broken." Brilliant or bonkers? A bit of both? Respect.

  • @bradycreativeart
    @bradycreativeart 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    This is fantastic! What a great video and adventure! Thank you for making and sharing this!

  • @bazza2974
    @bazza2974 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    This was amazingly shot and edited. The slowmos, wide drone shots, night filming, it was superb!

  • @Calum_S
    @Calum_S 4 ปีที่แล้ว +189

    When Mark Beaumont says it's tough you know it'd finish off most people.

    • @mig25foxbat
      @mig25foxbat 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I’d have been finished by about an hour outside Paris!

    • @gromm93
      @gromm93 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      If by "finish off" you mean "literally kill", I'd say.
      This would kill most serious amateur cyclists. 95% of *civilians* would be dead before nightfall.

    • @marcbuchel4873
      @marcbuchel4873 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      I got goose bumps when he said that!

  • @Nicool333
    @Nicool333 4 ปีที่แล้ว +98

    Don't forget that this road was gravel (rough gravel) in 1903.

    • @vienteflora
      @vienteflora 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      jeeeesus

    • @lieblingsleguan1591
      @lieblingsleguan1591 4 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      But the guys back then didn't ride on 100 year old bikes but quite new ones. :-D

    • @XtreeM_FaiL
      @XtreeM_FaiL 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Lieblingsleguan lol

    • @XtreeM_FaiL
      @XtreeM_FaiL 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Nicool333 Back in those days cyclist smoke quite a lot too. They believe it help breath better.

    • @matthewlewis2072
      @matthewlewis2072 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Hipster heaven, single speeds on gravel

  • @zacwarren1797
    @zacwarren1797 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    WOW... Great effort to both Hank and Mark. What a great video. It gave me a big appreciation for those riders in the early Tours. WELL DONE!

  • @Tympan
    @Tympan 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Just brilliant! One of your absolute best videos. Thanks to all who helped out and especially to the riders.

  • @vicenteguzmanp
    @vicenteguzmanp 4 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    Probably the most exciting an beautiful GCN video I've ever seen. Thank you for bringing us such good content. The way you tell the story, the roads that you're riding, the astonishing photography on this video, and the intention of making everything as accurate as possible to how it was back then... Honestly I could watch it over and over. This kind of videos makes us go back to the roots of our beloved sport and really allows us to connect with those Gladiators as Mark accurately calls them. It makes us go back more than 100 years into the past were the only thing that really mattered was the man and his bicycle. No powermeters, no support cars, no marginal gains, just the rider, his bike and the road. Cycling in the purest form possible. Chapeau to Mark and James and to all the GCN crew.

  • @briansmith2125
    @briansmith2125 4 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    You gents are beasts among men just for having attempted this! If you two never spoke words to each other again for the remainder of your lives, you'll always be blood brothers.

  • @EricKummerer
    @EricKummerer 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thank you for this. I happened upon it by chance after a long, and hard weekend, and feeling myself laugh with joy felt so warm and wonderful. Your piece was wonderfully shot, a beautiful love song to these incredible machines that you woke from ages rest for one last hurrah doing what they loved before their eternal sleep.
    Thank you for the victory lap, tonight.

  • @robertsummers3652
    @robertsummers3652 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is BEAUTIFUL!!! I love you guys for doing this. Thanks a million!!!!

  • @MyBizCoach
    @MyBizCoach 4 ปีที่แล้ว +83

    This was superb to watch. What would have made it even better would have been if it were a 60 or 90 minute video which covered more of the history around the 1903 tour de france, some of the riders, the stories and legends.
    Well done!

  • @grandad1982
    @grandad1982 4 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    Big respect for you guys, even bigger respect for the guys how did it on the dirt of the early 20th century.

  • @MitchHedrick
    @MitchHedrick 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I came back to watch this after a year...it holds up as one of the best films and most epic rides GCN has ever done.

  • @djafarcgn
    @djafarcgn ปีที่แล้ว

    I come back here once or twice a year to watch GCN's absolute Masterpiece - displaying what these Men back then were willing to take is beyond impressive, as well as your will to reenact it in that way. Thanks guys!

  • @Ivan1234772
    @Ivan1234772 4 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    You guys produce the BEST cycling show on the planet! This must have been absolutely brutal! Massive respect!

  • @jensenhealey907efi
    @jensenhealey907efi 4 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    This is THE BEST video GCN has ever done by far! Huge congrats and thanks to Hank and Mark

  • @alexmtbful
    @alexmtbful 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awesome!!!
    The beautiful landscape, this sunset, your crazy effort, your bikes and clothes, reminding how it probably was back then (I mean in the night without light, without gps system, sweaty ?cotton? clothes and so on)- just incredible!!!
    Thank you!

  • @ejohnsondebaufre
    @ejohnsondebaufre 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This was amazing! Chapeau to both of you for recreating this absolutely staggering historic ride!!

  • @sohi2rydes
    @sohi2rydes 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Very nicely made. Bikes, clothing, route, all was awesome. Plus it is so great to learn about the origins of bike racing.

  • @FernandoLeme1979
    @FernandoLeme1979 4 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Dude, I got emotional watching this. One of the best gcn videos ever, along with Si and Josh in Morocco.

  • @MrPetermc199
    @MrPetermc199 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Beautifully capturing the sense of nostalgia and aventure, beautiful filming as well...

  • @AlwaysBelieve777
    @AlwaysBelieve777 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Immense respect and kudos to you both. Wonderful video in every way; the cinematography was amazing. Thank you for making the sacrifice to share this bit of history with us!!!

  • @jeffreywilliams3646
    @jeffreywilliams3646 4 ปีที่แล้ว +102

    Well done. Great persistence. Your notes don't mention which museum provided the bike.

    • @davidf2281
      @davidf2281 4 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      Yeah, it would be nice to know more about the bikes and their provenance

    • @mattswain552
      @mattswain552 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@davidf2281 I thought this, too. They barely talked about them at all which was disappointing. Despite how enjoyable a watch this was, it felt like it was cut to ribbons with how little info they put in as the introduction.

    • @krisberntzen
      @krisberntzen 4 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      They're Matt Stephen's first two race bikes.

    • @jeffreywilliams3646
      @jeffreywilliams3646 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@krisberntzen LOL. Are you certain? I thought his first two bikes were carved out of stone. I do miss Matt - he's almost old enough to be my peer.

  • @maxkokensparger2811
    @maxkokensparger2811 4 ปีที่แล้ว +55

    Is it just me or is gcn’s content gotten so damn good! Cheers dudes your content is beautiful

    • @stephensaines7100
      @stephensaines7100 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I'm an avid distance cyclist, but to be honest, much of GCN doesn't appeal to me. This did. It really did, And it will to a general audience, sans lycra. If GCN wishes to get more exposure mainstream, this is how to do it. This was stunningly beautiful, and as close to doing distance for pleasure (and utter compulsion) as you can get. I got a tan just watching this...and a charliehorse.

  • @profmactheknife
    @profmactheknife 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Fabulous ! Thank you for bringing our history alive. I remember riding a 100m on a fixed wheel 64" at 5h12m back when I was a child, your film bought back great memories.

  • @kbc163
    @kbc163 ปีที่แล้ว

    Three years later and still my favorite GCN presentation. The bikes were ludicrous but the effort was real. Shows just how far our sport has come. Good show! 👍

  • @andrewlindley4865
    @andrewlindley4865 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    As a downhill MTB rider, mad props roadies. That's another level of hardcore.

  • @tonymeades4555
    @tonymeades4555 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    One of the best and jaw dropping videos I've seen. The music, editing, content and length was spot on. Congrats to you both and respect to riders of the past. Simply superb

  • @benoittabutin1666
    @benoittabutin1666 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    This the pinnacle of your videos. Everything is in it, from the epic adventure to the crazy resilience of these hippies back then. What a voyage your offered us, thanks! More of these would be nice, decades by decades, or other stages..anyway, plenty of suggestions from all of us in the comments. thanks again!

  • @climbslc2281
    @climbslc2281 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Favorite episode ever! HUGE effort and a huge tribute to the origins of the tour. It really puts it in perspective. Oh, the good old days!

  • @Fennefar
    @Fennefar 4 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    I am really proud of my 100 kilometers ride (expensive frame and Zipp 303) and then I see this. Amazing!!!

  • @neilshannon9930
    @neilshannon9930 4 ปีที่แล้ว +62

    The roads and the bikes back then would have been pretty ordinary.
    The blokes riding them must have been extraordinary.

    • @liammarin4450
      @liammarin4450 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Well don’t forget that they were pretty much all on drugs constantly and yes it was much harder but nothing to be proud of.

    • @herbertsdottir9223
      @herbertsdottir9223 4 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      @@liammarin4450 "nothing to be proud of" - what's wrong with you?

    • @gregkane8635
      @gregkane8635 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Liam on drugs? In 1903? Wise up

    • @jochenkraus7016
      @jochenkraus7016 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I read on the page below (in German) that the first documented cases of doping happened at around 1870, well before the first Tour De France. Putting athletes on drugs to increase performance is much older.
      Maybe that numbed the suffering a bit, but they were actually racing on these bikes in 1903, these two guys in 2019 aren't. All of them deserve respect for that.
      www.cycling4fans.de/index.php?id=346

    • @MotRi1986
      @MotRi1986 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @@gregkane8635 in the invite for the Tour in the early 20th the organizers stated that they would provide food and drink but the riders had to get their own drugs.
      Doping have always been a part of TdF but even with modern drugs like EPO those rides on that equipment would be extremely impressive.

  • @douglaspate9314
    @douglaspate9314 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you GCN! Spectacular video. I wanted to see more; more details, more history, more about the other races of the 1903 TdF.

  • @JOSH2625
    @JOSH2625 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for making this, thank you for further educating me in cycling history with this great demonstration and a special thanks to mark he is an inspiration.

  • @mathiasdieste
    @mathiasdieste 4 ปีที่แล้ว +28

    Oh welcome to Lyon GCN! Would have loved to see you at place bellecour! Hope you enjoyed my hometown!

    • @simongilliat2205
      @simongilliat2205 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yep, I lived in the Croix Rousse for five years. Lovely to see Bellecour at the end. Wonder which road they took into Lyon? Probably through Fontaines, past Ile Barbe, and down the Saone.

  • @jasonmcgrody9472
    @jasonmcgrody9472 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Every video you've done with Mark Beaumont has been outstanding.

  • @cyclingnerddelux698
    @cyclingnerddelux698 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    This video, I watched a year ago, started me on a grand and beautiful cycling journey. Thanks guys.

  • @monsterdragondeluxe
    @monsterdragondeluxe ปีที่แล้ว

    Mad Respect. Hats off to you guys. Amazing! Thank you for this video, you made this day a bit more lovely

  • @raphaelcarrand6032
    @raphaelcarrand6032 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Truly epic video. Those men where so tough... True champion. Well done GCN, a very inspiring video.

  • @RogerEcks
    @RogerEcks 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    GCN you've once again raised the bar, beyond words. Keep it coming!

  • @TsholofeloBadubi
    @TsholofeloBadubi 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is an absolute thing of beauty! One of your best productions CGN

  • @leohorishny9561
    @leohorishny9561 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thanks for doing this. It added to my memories from reading the book, "Gironimo", where that author rode the entire Giro d'Italia route on a 1914 era bicycle. If you enjoyed watching this, you'll like reading that book for an even longer ride experience of what you saw here. Amazing.

  • @EddieDBama
    @EddieDBama 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    HOLY MOLY!!! That was tragic just watching you two suffer like that. Good on you boys. Tip of the chapeau for your efforts.
    Great video.

  • @kamucho
    @kamucho 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Chapeau Mark & Hank. Chapeau! For Mark to say that's tough is crazy! Loved the cinematography and music! Glad you made it safely to Lyon!

  • @TheGolfdaily
    @TheGolfdaily 4 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    *I WOULD GIVE 10 THUMBS UP IF I COULD!!*
    Well done guys, I was always wondering how it would be like to do this epic ride. Now I know!

  • @gearmonkey
    @gearmonkey 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    the long stare @13:57 is just spectacular. I can feel the exhaustion from over here. Great ride, great video! chapeau!

  • @superclimberful
    @superclimberful 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    this is one of your best GCN videos! The footage, history, challenge/objective, so cool to see :) cheers!

  • @williamrobert5427
    @williamrobert5427 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    My hat's off to you two fellows and the crew. What an epic ride! GCN raises the bar!

  • @eleycki
    @eleycki 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Superb vid this! Great effort from the lads. The production quality is just brilliant I think. Amazing session on a bike from both. Genius.

  • @PhilAndersonOutside
    @PhilAndersonOutside ปีที่แล้ว

    Absolutely beautiful. Chapeau to the two of you. Huge respect. And amazing respect to the original Tour riders, doing this route, with much of it on roads that were dirt, cobbles, and what pavement there was, was a lot like chip/seal.

  • @petinka721
    @petinka721 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Epic in the all ways a bike ride can be and Marc and Hank made an legendary effort! What more to say? First Giro de Italia next for Hank and Marc? Thanks once again GCN for doing memorable videos!

  • @toberify
    @toberify 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Beautiful tribute to riders of old, beautifully filmed. This video made me finally subscribe to GCN.
    Thanks!

  • @prateekkumarvishwakarma3449
    @prateekkumarvishwakarma3449 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I almost cried watching this. Thanks for such inspiring videos. And yes, a big thanks for all the free content.