Machka 

I really enjoy Rick Steves shows. Not specifically cycling-related, but very informative.

https://www.ricksteves.com/

The show coming on at 5pm is about Travel Skills such as: Travel deals; planning a trip; language barriers; accommodations; safety.


Do you have any travel shows you like ... that inspire you ... that tempt you to plan a tour for the area they're talking about?

Machka 

I watched, and he made some interesting points. Now, he focusses on Europe, so some of his tips might not apply for other parts of the world.

One I liked was ... don't pack for the worst-case scenario, pack for the best, and buy stuff along the way if you need it.

Another was the suggestion (for non-cycling tourists) to load up their backpacks, suitcases, etc. ... whatever people are thinking of bringing with them, and particularly what they figure they might carry with them ... and take them to their nearest city to spend at least an hour walking around sight-seeing with them. And then go home and lighten the load. Sort of like our suggestion of doing test tours before the big tour.

This is his tips page, including packing light, travelling inexpensively, etc.
https://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/tips_menu.htm

And he even has a page on cycling in Europe:
https://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/0799biking.htm

nancy sv

I don't watch TV, so can't comment on any shows at all - but I think the best tip I ever got was, "Don't be afraid to throw something away!" If you take it with you and find you don't use it - chuck it! You can always buy another one when you get home.

late

Zimmerman's Bizarre Foods... don't knock the show until you've seen a couple episodes. It's the only broadcast TV I watch.

Machka 

Along those lines ...

Some of the randonneuring crowd buy very inexpensive ($2-3) sweatshirts from thrift shops to wear at the beginning of their rides while it is still quite chilly out ... and then when it warms up, they toss them rather than carrying bulky warm clothing for the entire ride.

mervynyan

Michael Palin's travel series on BBC, i think you can find the box set in stores.

jamison

Anthony Bourdain is without a doubt my favorite. Food is the number one reason I love to travel. Second to him is Michael Palin, while he can be a bit dry at times I am amazed at his ability to retain a classic feel to his trips. For example seeing Nepalese men trying to get in the British army, or to going around the world by land and sea only.

ScruffyChimp

It isn't directly related to the cycling, but I was partially inspired to move to the UK by the program "Backpackers". It was made by 3 Australian guys who travelled Europe for a year with video cameras. The Australian sense of humour is pretty similar to the New Zealand one.

(Don't look for their website - it's infected with malware).

firequall

Departures. Great guys to watch and some amazing cinematography going on.

Word Travels interests me from the writing standpoint (I'm currently studying in the journalism field).

Joshua1234

I enjoy Anthony Bourdain. He is a bit of a jerk and hates vegetarians but he is also much less hokey compared to the others. I despise Andrew Zimmern. I also like Michael Palin.

jamison

How did I forget Ian Wright? Second only to Bourdain, maybe better.

oldride

Lonely Planet with both Ian Wright and Justine Shapiro.

Joshua1234

I think that every travel show I have seen is lacking something. I understand why they think they need a focus like food or "on a budget" and I guess that's all you can fit in a 1 hour show. I wish there was a show that played out more like a travel memoir that didn't involve some cheesy person. I would love to see a "Survivor Man" type of travel show. It would also be nice if there was just one show that had someone I could relate to.