I didn't know which of the previous threads to add to, so decided simply to start a new one! Besides, my comments were slightly different... excuses over 
I've recently watched the world and Americas episodes and it came over (to me anyway) that he seemed unprepared for bike problems at times. This is not criticism btw, I think his endeavours are fantastic and I am in awe at his mental and physical strength. It just seemed to me that he hadn't perhaps given as much thought to the bike as to other areas of his preparation. Or perhaps he had and the production team were just trying to beef up the few problems he had for the sake of drama.
Three spokes popped in the first couple of days (not his fault, okay) due to what was implied as a faulty build with the Rohloff hub. Punctures are expected, spokes popping when touring are not unexpected... that he had to change tubes and spokes was made out to be a drama... but then perhaps the documentary made more of them than Mark himself would have. And did he ride that knackered tyre another 500km?? The bottom bracket going was more-or-less to be expected with the kind of mileage he was doing. The headset perhaps equally.
We didn't see what spares and tools he was carrying, or what running repairs/maintenance he did do. I'm certain, for instance, he went through a fair few tyres and chains! Just a basic chain oiling MUST have occurred. I'm quite sure he didn't just get on and ride it every day.
I would love to speak to him (not that I'll get the chance!) just to find out what sort of stuff went on behind the scenes. To see if he did have the bike serviced at any point, if there was a support crew available somewhere in a worst case scenario.
I stress, not criticism. Just, as a cyclist, genuine interest.
I've recently watched the world and Americas episodes and it came over (to me anyway) that he seemed unprepared for bike problems at times. This is not criticism btw, I think his endeavours are fantastic and I am in awe at his mental and physical strength. It just seemed to me that he hadn't perhaps given as much thought to the bike as to other areas of his preparation. Or perhaps he had and the production team were just trying to beef up the few problems he had for the sake of drama.
Three spokes popped in the first couple of days (not his fault, okay) due to what was implied as a faulty build with the Rohloff hub. Punctures are expected, spokes popping when touring are not unexpected... that he had to change tubes and spokes was made out to be a drama... but then perhaps the documentary made more of them than Mark himself would have. And did he ride that knackered tyre another 500km?? The bottom bracket going was more-or-less to be expected with the kind of mileage he was doing. The headset perhaps equally.
We didn't see what spares and tools he was carrying, or what running repairs/maintenance he did do. I'm certain, for instance, he went through a fair few tyres and chains! Just a basic chain oiling MUST have occurred. I'm quite sure he didn't just get on and ride it every day.
I would love to speak to him (not that I'll get the chance!) just to find out what sort of stuff went on behind the scenes. To see if he did have the bike serviced at any point, if there was a support crew available somewhere in a worst case scenario.
I stress, not criticism. Just, as a cyclist, genuine interest.
