Reacker

Honestly I can't say I want them testing any myths where they are going to be the ones doing the riding. I saw one episode where they were testing whether or not you could use suction cups to scale a building or air duct or whatever. Adam was the one who was to be climbing the building using his home made rig. In the end the main reason they said the myth was busted was because Adam just wasn't personally strong enough to scale the building, not because of equipment problems (or at least none that couldn't be easily fixed with a little refinement on the design). I think the same thing would prolly happen with a bike episode, probably disproving that bikes can be used for commuting to work or something similar.

KnhoJ

I'd like to see them take on the generally accepted bike brake legal standard; being able to skid both tires on dry, clean pavement.

Robert Foster

First I am not saying it is a reasonable excuse but I can tell you how it happened in some states. In the old days kids were taught to ride their bike much like they were taught to walk on the sidewalk. Even in school kids were taught to ride against traffic so they could see cars coming at them but they were also told to ride on the sidewalk whenever possible. It wasn’t until bicycles became just another vehicle in California that they switched their view. It is very hard to make a turn from the left turn lane if you are riding against traffic.

EvanWCbus

They did the one based on drafting, based off of the great scene in Breaking Away. They totally botched it. They used a huge, bulky mountain bike. It was embarrassing just to watch.

But, yes, you can totally draft off of big trucks. The guys in the road cycling forum talk about doing it all the time.

Shimagnolo

How about testing the "Moth Effect"? i.e. the phenomenon that a flashing light will cause drivers to unconsciously steer *toward* the light?

Chris L

I've wondered about that one myself for a while, and also whether the effect is any greater if the driver is drunk at the time (something that regularly happens in this part of the world).

ebrady

My thoughts on some myths...

#1 - Rider ability vs grams($$$)
#2 - How much energy does drafting conserve / expend.
#3 - How likely is a tire to explode on a loaded touring bike on a mountain descent due to atmosphere and heating of the rim.
#4 - Prepackaged foods (Power Bars, etc) vs Real food (Bannas, Bagels, etc) which work better.
#5 - Urban commute, car vs bike, which is faster.

Big M

In all seriousness, #3 and #5 sound doable for the show, and would probably be fun to watch.

caloso

Top Gear did the urban commute in London: Hampster on a bike, James in a car, Jeremy in a speedboat on the Thames, and The Stig in the Tube.

The bike won, if I recall correctly.

Retro Grouch 

People who drive cars eat too.

Retro Grouch 

Retro Grouch 

That's been done lots of places. The bike usually wins. Whenever I've read about one of these contests, however, it has been promoted by some bicycling group. I suspect the routes have been cherry picked to maximize the advantages of bicycling.

Catgrrl70

"...see if they can break long enough to pop a tube."

Yes, this is possible. I did it once when messing around on some sandy pavement. Took a couple long braking sliders and "pop!" (it was loud) there went tire and tube. The bike shop was incredulous. BUT - suffice it to say the tire was also old and needed replacing.

genec

Yeah but as ridiculous as it was... it worked to prove drafting was real... his heart rate was much lower in the drafting run.

RubenX 

Hey! The religion forum is that way ====> !

genec

5 has been done... by the crew of Top Gear... Car vrs Bike vrs Boat vrs Stig in public transit...

Bike was first, Boat second, Stig third and then the Car.

I also saw some other group do a bike vrs smart car through NYC... bike won that one too.

Search Youtube.

I-Like-To-Bike

How long ago were those "old days"? How old were the school kids who were "taught" to ride on the sidewalk? Are you speaking from experience or hearsay about schools teaching such bicycling techniques and how recent were those lessons being given? I'm 61 and never met anybody who was ever taught in school to ride a bike in the wrong direction.

Sirrus Rider

That just proves that Tori Bellachi is brain damaged.

Kabloink

They need to test the myth that people actually pull up while pedaling making clipless more efficient over platforms.

joe_5700

Did they ever test the stretch of highway in between Bloomington and Indianapolis to see if it was possible for a good road biker to reach those speeds to cause a semi to be pulled over for speeding keeping up with a bike?

Chris L

It's been done in quite a few cities, and the result would probably depend on where and when you ran the test. Over the last couple of weeks, the cars have been faster on my commute due to school holidays and dramatically reduced congestion. Next week, I'll be faster once again.

filtersweep

High speed wobble.

bizzz111

myth to test: headphones.......the widowmaker.

caloso

Clearly, London is a very congested city. They also did an episode where a car lost to a runner. I think they drove the London Marathon course.

Found it on wikipedia: Episode 7 of Season 6 (2005)

I-Like-To-Bike

Myth to test: Cyclists "fare best" when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles.

Note: the test must require that "fare best" be defined and measured in some meaningful manner.