- News
- Reviews
- Bikes
- Accessories
- Accessories - misc
- Computer mounts
- Bags
- Bar ends
- Bike bags & cases
- Bottle cages
- Bottles
- Cameras
- Car racks
- Child seats
- Computers
- Glasses
- GPS units
- Helmets
- Lights - front
- Lights - rear
- Lights - sets
- Locks
- Mirrors
- Mudguards
- Racks
- Pumps & CO2 inflators
- Puncture kits
- Reflectives
- Smart watches
- Stands and racks
- Trailers
- Clothing
- Components
- Bar tape & grips
- Bottom brackets
- Brake & gear cables
- Brake & STI levers
- Brake pads & spares
- Brakes
- Cassettes & freewheels
- Chains
- Chainsets & chainrings
- Derailleurs - front
- Derailleurs - rear
- Forks
- Gear levers & shifters
- Groupsets
- Handlebars & extensions
- Headsets
- Hubs
- Inner tubes
- Pedals
- Quick releases & skewers
- Saddles
- Seatposts
- Stems
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Health, fitness and nutrition
- Tools and workshop
- Miscellaneous
- Cross country mountain bikes
- Tubeless valves
- Buyers Guides
- Features
- Forum
- Recommends
- Podcast
forum
Gary Imlach
ITV's La Vuelta show is being produced where I work. Last week I dropped by the suite to offer coffee to the team behind the programme (I own a coffee shop). I met Phil Liggett, Roger Hammond and Gary Imlach. All were very nice. Roger was off the next day to prep for the Tour of Britain and we had a little chat about the new carbon frames (contentious). Phil was as amiable as one would imagine, his distinctive voice heard from outside the suite door. I mentioned to Gary after chatting about coffee (he knows his coffee) that I enjoyed the book he wrote about his football-playing father and would he sign it. Gary said, 'of course, I'm just grateful you bought a copy!'
Well today I was at Tesco stocking up on supplies (a glamorous job). When I got back he'd been in the shop and left me a signed hard back version of his book. He appeared again a few minutes later because he owed 50p. I told him not to be so daft and that his presenting over the years was worth more than 50p. He ignored my sycophancy and went on to explain that he'd bought a job lot of hard back copies because when the paper back version came out they were going to be sent away to be pulped. A bit like Alan Partridge's autobiography, Bouncing Back.
I admire Gary Imlach a great deal for his dead-pan presenting, his scavenging for angles, his catholic taste in shirts, and his obvious love of a pithy phrase. Today I admire him even more for making the effort to dig out a book and sign it before bringing into my cafe for me to keep.
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
Latest Forum Topics
Latest Comments
- wtjs 7 min 15 sec ago
The issue becomes about picking on rule breaking cyclists while deliberately ignoring rule breaking drivers...
- Condor Andy 24 min 2 sec ago
Did you take Pogi? My most expensive rider was Milan. I took Anna in the women's game.
- Oldfatgit 5 hours 37 min ago
[Snip]...
- chrisonabike 6 hours 56 min ago
Well, Edinburgh certainly has hills, there's quite a bit of pavé and Arthur's seat is regularly motor-traffic-free anyway, so that would work. ...
- AJ101 7 hours 32 min ago
It was never the same after David Duffield left. With no more "Turn your granny to the wall" it felt too professional. And in the era of big...
- chrisonabike 9 hours 14 min ago
I think there could be a whole other thread there... per your post on the funnies of the US vs. Switzerland. (Or possibly a report to government...
- Rendel Harris 9 hours 34 min ago
Even funnier/more annoying (I lean towards funnier as I'm not really bothered about KOMs, mainly because I hardly ever get near them) is the fact...
- LookAhead 10 hours 6 min ago
Now where's the fun in being logical?...
- Sredlums 22 hours 35 min ago
I don't know how I can make it any more clear, so I will just repeat myself: "'I was not saying counterbalance isn't a thing"....
- chrisonabike 1 day 5 hours ago
Ah, but they're used by crims! Feckless yoof probably dealing / stealing when they're not wheelying down the roads or pavements (is it them that...
Add new comment
11 comments
He's been a staple of my sporting interests for many years, cycling may not be synonymous with American Football but they are 2 favourites & he's been there ageing far slower than I am for decades. He's also a good antidote to the ever more Murray Walkeresque Phil Liggett.
Darn the old fart!
Regarding the steel v carbon convo: frustratingly an older man wandered into the room and started talking to us about the unfolding race on the telly and I lost the moment to get the inside scoop. I think it was less about the team and more about the fans of Madison Genesis (me included) who loved the idea of a competitive team on steel getting a bit miffed at the carbon introduction.
Deadpan presenting is brilliant, definitely a top bloke!
I've always been a fan of his since his NFL presenting days.
He was great with the fans at the TdF too. (unlike a certain chap named Ned at the Tour Series)
Anyway, that is another story. Nice one Gary and thanks OP for sharing.
Cool stuff, can you expand on the carbon frame discussion? I love the Genesis 953 steel frames, but I can't decide if subsequent mnufacture of a carbon frame, issued to the team, is an admission that steel wasn't doing it for them. The regular email update from the team talks about lighter weight being an advantage, but the steel bikes were already at 6.8kg, so I don't see where there is any scope to lose weight?
If I see Mr Imlach again I'll let him know you bought his book. I'm sure he'll be chuffed with the four pence he makes from the sale!
Thanks for sharing that with us Darren, I enjoyed reading that. I'm also a big fan of his shirts and his understated but whitey presenting style. I often wondered what he gets up to when there are no grand tours on.
btw, just bought the book on Amazon.
Never met Gary, but I have read the book referred to and it's an excellent read...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Father-Other-Working-Football-Heroes-ebook/dp/B0...
His description in yesterday's Vuelta highlights of Froome's performance on Lagos de Covadonga like "an anorexic Rasputin" as he repeatedly dropped off and then clawed his was back was genius.
I also enjoy his subtly pithy summarising, good to hear he's a good bloke, too.