Series 19 Episode 3

[lymaze]

Chat here.

[Wyvern]

That's my favourite episode of the series so far. The GT86 is fab, and I loved the demonstration of understeer and oversteer, so nobody can say Top Gear isn't educational - after all, a lot of people have come on board since they demonstrated it with the play mat and the toy cars News actually had car stuff, and Amy MacDonald will go down as one of my favourite SIARPC interviews - Jeremy talking cars with a pretty lady and not once deviating from the car talk, and Amy not being there just to flog CDs. And an Epic Race. I have to admit, I am quite fond of the old Mustang. I've often said I want one for my mid-life crisis car, but alas I'm not going to afford one by May 2nd (when I turn 40)...

Not quite hitting the 'WOW' button to deserve a 10, but as Amy MacDonald might put it, This Is The Life ;D

[taliahrose]

Great episode, the bit about under/over steer was interesting and Amy McDonald was brilliant.

How many people guessed what was in the bag James was lugging around with him? I was willing him to beat Hammond. Poor James. Still, at least they both beat Jezza for a change!

[Vivienne]

I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was that part of me willing Jezza to win as always. James was clever to carry that bike. Amy McDonald was enjoyable and determined. Richard winning a ticket and not even wanting it! Best this series. They all looked good too. Jezza's audio book, what a surprise. Liked his mention of Shelby.

[crumbs]

Very good. I really like reviews of cars that don't cost a fortune and I have a soft spot for Toyota coupes......! Richard referred briefly to my car last week. I liked the explanation of under and oversteering too.

The race was good fun although I was waiting for the boys to slow down and Jeremy to catch up - inevitable, otherwise where's the excitement? As soon as Richard said he would run and James said he wouldn't, Mr Crumbs said 'James has got a bike in that suitcase I reckon'.

I never want Jeremy to win. I never want Richard to win either! Me? Impartial? Of course not! I thought James looked better - lovely hair, eyes a little more sparkly and I liked the shirt. I wondered if he was pretending to be asleep on the train - but I think not. Very sweet.

I'm not a fan of the Mustang - but I liked the use of it in a challenge: again, whilst many still can't afford £35,000 - at least it wasn't six figure car. I'd buy that Toyota though - secondhand, in a few years time!

[jmsquared]

Good ep. Better than last week I thought. I'd never heard of Amy, but then the guests are often unknown to me. The race was great. Loved James producing the bike, but how did he not mow Richard down?? And was he really asleep? I like to think so, but who knows. He did look very sweet . Anyway, I gave it an 8.

[dit]

I also thought in terms of looking at the Toyota as a possible second-hand car in a few years.

I did enjoy the episode very much, especially the race - delighted that Jeremy lost for once, and loved James' bike trick - but there were elements where I felt I'd seen or heard it before. And sorry any fans, Amy McDonald did nothing for me. Oddly, I found it difficult to believe she was as much of a petrolhead as was claimed. My stupid prejudices in some way, I suppose. More likely I'm just jealous of her car collection.

So for those reasons I gave it an 8. Good, solid episode but didn't set me alight.

[Flying Lady]

That Toyota is absolutely a beaut. They've finally produced an adequate replacement for the Celica. One of my schoolmates' mother had a Celica (1990) and we used to borrow it and go on hotfoot cruises all throughout the surrounding countryside. That was a delightful little car.

Amy McDonald strikes me as a girl I'd love to go out for a pint with. She just seems like a huge lot of fun.

I had my suspicions about James's suitcase and knowing that he had a foldie. That was a hell of a bag for what would otherwise be an overnighter. I love seeing him ride - it's very evident that he's comfortable on a bike and really enjoys it. It would appear that at some point recently he's either bought a new folder or had the old one resprayed. The one he was riding on this episode was kind of a coppery-brown, and the one in those photos we've all seen was dark green.

Attachments:

[jacqui]

It was okay. I think i may need to watch it again as first impression left me a bit flat and wanting more v-v-voom !

[amie8]

I don't think he took his own precious Brompton on the shoot. It would've been one loaned to him, maybe a lighter-weight one!

[ladylurker]

I loved this episode, gave it a 9. Proper car review, informative and entertaining, great guest, god news, and an exciting race. The race even had background info on Shelby, very nice.

Amy McDonald is talented and seemed very sweet, and actually wanted to talk about cars. (I think Jezza did a good job interviewing her, and he actually focused on the interview instead of ogling her. Nice change. ;D)

About James on a bike not catching Richard on foot, some good points was made about this on FinalGear: Richard is very fit, and was able to take shortcuts on foot, while James is less than fit, had to spend time assembling his bike, had to use the roads, and tiny wheels makes for comparatively slow speeds. He still seemed to have a good time, though!

[Flying Lady]

Feb 11, 2013 21:32:12 GMT ladylurker said:

About James on a bike not catching Richard on foot, some good points was made about this on FinalGear: Richard is very fit, and was able to take shortcuts on foot, while James is less than fit, had to spend time assembling his bike, had to use the roads, and tiny wheels makes for comparatively slow speeds. He still seemed to have a good time, though!

I agree with all your points except for the part about the small wheels scuppering his top speed. I have a folding bike (Giant Expressway) which has the same diameter wheels as the bike James May used, and a 7-speed cassette, and it can be ridden at about the same speeds as a conventional bicycle. I've ridden it to work and got there in roughly the same amount of time it takes me to ride my Cannondale Quick, which is a 700c-wheel hybrid. The principal difference in performance between 20" wheel folders and more conventional bikes is the handling. The foldies can be a little squirrelly if you are in the habit of standing to climb, and if you have to navigate brick or cobblestone streets, they'll all but shake you to pieces. Depending on the bike and your riding habits, cornering can be a little twitchy, too. But landspeed on a bit of straight, flat ground, you can carry on an easy 12-15 mph, no problem.

[ladylurker]

I'll take your word for it, it's not like I know anything about bikes. ;D Just read it and thought it seemed very plausible.

[amie8]

Never knew cycling (the non-lycra variety) could be so technical.

Anyone else here old enough to remember the Moulton?

[Flying Lady]

Yeah, there's quite a cult following for those among people who like weird, tiny, portable bicycles. They're still a going concern, I believe.

Among the many things I can bore people about, bicycles and cycling can be counted. I have a shocking number of bicycles for various purposes, and ride far, far more frequently than I drive.

[ladylurker]

There is something that has slowly dawned on me. James' suitcase containing the bike looked rather heavy, considering how he carried it. Did anyone else notice it actually had wheels? So why didn't he use them?

This is why:
www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/columnists/jamesmay/8784867/Vintage-May-Pack-it-in-but-dont-drag-it-along.html

Seems he really sticks to his convictions. Got to admire that. ;D

[melly]

I loved James his face when Richard was trying to speak French in the train

[slfriend79]

Great episode, loved that James and Richard finally beat Jeremy in one of these races.

[FizzyLogician]

James was gorgeous as usual, but the race was, well, deja vu, and Amy McDonald was only mildly interesting. I gave it an 8 for James (and his bike).