I can't ride a bike. How fast can Mike Boyd teach me?

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How...have you lived in London for so long... and never learned to ride a bike? Okay, so I did know when I was, like, this tall. Apparently. I have no memory of it. I am told that my folks got me to the point where it's like, "Yes, child can ride bike. Tick." Yeah. You can't forget how to ride a bike, can you(?) So yeah, we moved somewhere where I didn't need to ride a bike. And then I never got a bike. And then it's 30 years later. I don't know how to ride a bike. Well... I've just forgotten. Well, this— we're not too far away from where I learned to ride a bike. Okay. ...26 years ago. (laughs) Yeah. We're also not too far away from where you learned to ride a bike up stairs... and where you learned to do track stands... and where you learned to do basically everything. Well, I admire you for doing this, because... you know, padding out and coming out in public, and stuff. Oh, it's flat-out embarrassing. This is something I should have known. This is a basic skill that I should have. You shouldn't be embarrassed, because it's admirable, what you're doing. Everyone should learn to ride a bike. Yeah. It's easy... and it will improve your life. Just say it's easy(!) I think you're gonna get this in a matter of hours. Smash cut to, like, ten minutes later, in a hospital(!) I think you are gonna fall. That's why I've got the gear. But you're gonna be going so slow that hopefully it won't be serious. And if it is serious, then... we've got it on camera, so. This is a Deviate Highlander, with 150 mm travel in the back, 160 mm in front. I fitted nice mud tires for you, just in case you're shredding... in the mud and you need that extra grip. Right, okay. Yeah. Totally gonna try and do a skidding stop here(!) We've got you a dropper post, which means you can adjust your seat height on the fly. And the only thing I would say about this bike that is different from anything you've ridden is the brakes are, like, super sharp. Okay. Try to use one finger, if you can. Right. And, when you freak out, just try to be wary of... going for the bar like that. Of going like that, yeah. What I would actually suggest is, if you just wheel it back and forward... Yeah, alright. ...and pull the front brake. I've seen a friend of mine go, just doing an emergency stop, and just... Yeah. Yeah. So... Do not particularly want to go to the hospital with three broken teeth. ...Yeah, not kidding! Yeah. Oh, okay. See, you're gonna want to grab a handful of brake when you freak out. Yes I am(!) But just try to be mindful. Alright. Yeah. Do you know what the difference is between the two brakes on the bike? One is front wheel, one is back wheel. Do you know which one's which? Which one's wh— No. I know if you pull the front wheel, you're more— If you pull the front one, you're way more likely to go forward over the... Yeah. So... Which one's which? So, your right— In the UK, we're in the UK... This is different in Europe than America, so just... Right. In the UK, the right-hand brake is your front wheel, and the left-hand is the back. So I should try and pull left if I can? Ideally, you would gently pull both brakes in an even manner, right? But I understand that you're gonna be freaking out, and you're gonna just grab a handful. So maybe today, if you just kept your hand, this hand, like, closed-grip like that, and then this hand like that... One finger on the brake. Then no matter what happens, you're not gonna go over the front. Alright! 'Kay, so right hand closed. Yeah. One finger. Left hand, one finger. Okay? So yeah. Alright. I would put your seat all the way down. Yes! Thank you. So... And if you just sit on the bike, and don't do anything... and just see. I just gotta... okay. Alright, so... So even if you freak out, your feet can touch the ground. I can put my feet down. Alright. What I would do first is just do what a toddler does. Okay. Cry and scream(!) On one of those balance bikes. Just waddle along without the pedals. Just to get a feel for how the bike rolls. Oh, bloody hell. Alright, yeah, okay. Yeah! Okay! So if you could maybe pick up enough speed to sort of begin rolling. Alright. Okay. (titters) Okay, okay! Yeah. Yeah. Alright. Wait, you haven't done the catchphrase! Oh yeah, okay. We can do it. Do you want me to do it now? Yeah, go for it. Alright, this is Tom's day one, hour zero. ♪ (lighthearted indie pop) Alright, speed up, speed up, speed up, speed up, speed up. (titters and cackles) (choking groans) There we go. ♪ (music stops) Alright, no, that— (laughs) I felt like I had a moment there where it worked! So the initial hump you want to overcome is the speed. The slower you go, the more unstable you'll be. I mean, you understand that we're working with basically a gyroscope? Yeah, so the faster I go... Yeah, and that's the initial— But the faster you go, the more scary it is. Yeah! So try to get a feel for that gyroscopic effect by trying to waddle along until the speed's high enough, so you start feeling that stability. Okay. Speed, speed, bit more speed. Yeah, yeah. That's right, that's right. Bit more speed, bit more speed. That's it! You feel it hovering. I felt like I was permanently balancing left there! That's it, cool. Yes, that's it. (grunts desperately) That was cool! That's it, you're getting it! It's actually easier once I'm not waddling along! Yeah, can I give you a push? ...Sure! If I hold your shoulders... Yeah. and you lift your feet just an inch off the ground... Oh, that's terrifying. Yeah. Yeah okay, there's no balance there at all. Okay, so we're just gonna waddle along, and I'm gonna try and hold you up. Yep. Take your feet off the ground. Ooh, nope! I've got you though. I've got you. I've got you. There we go. So then, get a feel for that gyroscopic effect. Okay, okay. Cool. Oh no! Yeah, there we go. Oh-oh-ayy! There we go, yeah! So you see how you steered there... Yeah. and you kinda got a feel for steering the opposite way? And then I went completely the wrong way. Yeah, okay. I mean, I kinda wanna jump ahead and try pedaling at this point. So what to do is... Yeah? Put the pedal up to here... Okay. and do a little half-crank. Like, as in just crank to there, and then take your feet off. And just see where the bike goes. So just, like, half-pedal? Yeah so, let me grab my bike. Okay. If you just do a little half-crank... you can feel how the pedal affects the bike. Okay. Yeah. I was about to say, "You make that look easy," but that is the most basic skill. Like, any human makes that look easy. But if you can do the half-crank, and then just coast... then you'll get comfortable with doing a full-crank. (blabbers) Yeah. Yeah. So try and do that, but try to stay up. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you(!) (laughs) Give that a push. There we go. Ooh, okay. (yelps) Yes, yes! Yes. There was a second there! So all you have to do is link together that first and second crank. That's the same as juggling. Yeah, yeah. Juggling, you throw the first ball, and you learn throw, catch, throw, catch, throw, catch. And it's that bit— And you do two, and two's fine. and then you put the third one in, and it all falls apart, until something switches in your brain, and you figure it, okay. Nice. (yelps) Ahem, that didn't happen. (snickers) Yes. I'm getting there. He's got balls. This guy's got balls. I'm very aware of that, thanks to the saddle(!) (cackles) Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! Ohh! I looked up... and you know what that was? I didn't looking at what my feet were doing, and I just— something in my brain went, "Look up." Perfect. "...Oh, okay!" See, you're doing that bit naturally, yeah. 'Cause the tendency is to look down, but if you look up, your balance is better. Good, good, good. ...Not that good. (laughs) But the commitment was good. I appreciate the kind words(!) I'm not sure— Can I try something? I'm going to increase your gear ratio... so that one pedal stroke will propel you further. Okay. Yeah, go for it. I think you're getting stuck. So I'll just ask you to step off the bike for a second. I'm gonna go down— I'm gonna go up two gears. Okay. So yeah, your ratio will be higher now. Alright. 'Kay. So, when I put my foot down, I'm gonna go further. But it's gonna be harder for me to put my foot down. Exactly. You'll feel that immediately. Okay. Yes I will! Yeah. That's it, that's it! Oh! Whoa-kay! That was... For like, half a second, I had that. By the way, this... this is is continuing until one of three things happens. One, I learn to ride a bike. Two, I'm in hospital. Or three, the rainstorm that has been threatening for the last few hours suddenly arrives. Right, when you're ready, I'm just here to stabilise you. Okay. ♪ (lighthearted indie pop) That's it. That's it. That's it. That's it. (laughs) (grunts) Keep going, keep going. Keep pedaling, keep pedaling. Keep pedaling. Yes, that's it. ♪ (music ends) (tittles) (laughs) That didn't work! Hang on a sec. I think you were actually— 'Cause the grass allows you more freedom to mess around, maybe we should go to a lighter gear and just work on that. Let's do that. While you're doing that... I'm gonna take this sweater off. Yeah. Okay. Right. Nope. (both laugh) There we go, there we go. We're up, we're up, we're up. Right, let's get some speed up. There we go, there we go. Steer into it, into it. I did what I was doing. And then you said, "Steer into it," and my brain went... "Oh, he must mean the other way!" Okay, we're going uphill here. This is gonna be hard. Yes, that's it! That's it! That's totally it! (laughs hysterically) Keep pedaling, keep pedaling. Oh no. (chuckles) Here we go. Right, yeah. Keep pedaling. Keep pedaling, keep pedaling, keep pedaling, keep pedaling. That's it, that's it. Oh! (cackles) That's it! Keep pedaling, keep pedaling, just keep pedaling. Keep pedaling, just keep pedaling. I'm trying! I can't— You've got time. You've got time to think. You've got time to think. Now put your feet on the pedals. And keep pedaling. There we go. There we go. Okay. Agh, no. Turn into it, turn into it. Turn into it, turn into it. We wanna go that way. (groans loudly) (chuckles) So there's moments where I'm not even really touching you. So let's start on the tarmac in a bigger gear. Yeah. And then we'll go faster, and you'll feel that stability. The bike will ride itself. You don't need to... No it bloody won't(!) Oh, watch. Like, it rides itself. You make a solid point. Yeah, yeah. But only at-speed. By the way, I have... I have a goal now. 'Cause I know your videos tend to aim for a goal. There to pagoda. I think that's an admirable goal. There we go. Oh yes. Just get familiar with that speed. There we go. There we go. (shrieks) (laughs triumphantly) He's riding a bike! Stop the clock! Stop the clock! I'm riding a bike! Yes! That was awesome! Did you notice? I mean, it was wobbly as hell! It was wobbly as hell, but I felt your hands go away. And the thing I had to crack was... turning into the... into it. Yeah. Okay, okay! So, do you want to try without me at all? Or do you still want me to— 'Cause I notice you're a lot more successful when your feet are on the pedals before you start. Yeah. It seems like the biggest hurdle you're having is actually keeping your shoes on the pedals. Yeah. Okay. But I think you're thinking too much about your feet. They will just find themselves. They haven't been so far, but... Alright, okay, yep. (laughs joyfully) (both laugh) Yes! Okay, we're good. That was awesome. Thank you. Thank you there, because what happened was... I was like, "I'm fine, I'm fine. I have lost the pedals! "I don't know where they are." You know what I forgot? The brake! So when you lose the pedals, you've got more time than you think. You can take your time, you can breathe, and you can find them again. Alright. We're getting up to speed now, where you have to cover the brake. Yes. The bike was— The bike was choosing the direction there. But like, I lost my balance, and we were going that way. No falls, though! ...Don't say that! (laughs) But it's good. You got your braking. You've got your steering. You've got your pedaling. Like, we're good. (titters) I don't know why I keep going to the right, but I do! So I think it could be worth putting the seat up a bit. You think? Because what's happening is your feet are coming up, right? And they're really compressing to get out of the way. So if you look at me, it's like... you have to kinda bring them up. Whereas if the seat was here, it's a much more natural position. Alright. So I've put up maybe four inches. Alright. I mean, I don't love it. It looks better. It does, but I'm just worried about my ability to reach the floor? Right, there we go. Oh, that's so much better. Yep, yep. Yes, yes. Yes! I mean, I'm not really in control on my direction yet. That is amazing! Yes! You had, like, 20 minutes! Have it! Please tell me he remembers which one's the brake. (snickers) Oh god. He's totally got it. Wahey! (cackles) Yes! That was your goal? We're not there yet... because I was trying to get 'round the pagoda and back. But... that felt better. Yes, he's starting on his— look at him starting on his own, no problem. Yes, this is amazing! (grumbles) We're going this way now! Didn't intend to, but we are! Alright, here we go, here we go. I'm gonna try and line— No, no, no, no, no. (laughs) Good save on the camera. Alright. You started on your own there, without even complaining about it. Yeah, I actually didn't think about that. Here we go. No-o-o-okay! Yeah, no. Alright! Alright, here we go. Come on. No, keep your feet on the pedals, keep your feet on the pedals. Keep your feet on the pedals. Look forward, look forward. This is incredible. Balance. I'm gonna try a left turn. Oh my god, he's actually going 'round it! Left turn, left turn, left turn, come on. Yes! Yes...! That's it. Left, come on. Go left, go left, go left, there we— (stammers and groans) No! Nearly! There was a divot in the grass that sent me slightly off, and it was all downhill from there! So I think we can go up another two gears? I feel like we can— I feel like we can do that. Yeah, 'cause there's a maximum speed that this gear can go. So we'll bump up another two, so you'll need another harder push to get going. Alright... What I can't explain is... why my arms are the most tired part of me. Legs, doing absolutely fine. But I think I'm just holding myself like... solid. I think you're just a bit stiff. So I need to loosen up a bit. But you've got it. I mean, you've got it. Once I get back, I'm getting 'round that gazebo and I'm coming back. Cool. I'm not even following you anymore. Is that okay? Yeah, that's fine. Alright. Here we go. Oh my god, starts like a pro. Oh, that feels better! Yes, he's in the middle gear now. Finger on the brake, just in case. We're on a nice, wide left turn. There we go. Look where you want to go, look— Oh, I remember that! Yes. Yes, Tom. Look at the speed. He's absolutely nailed it. Yes! Stop the clock! (giggles) That's how we do it! Yes! Well done! How'd you feel? I'm— That was incredible! I'm... I'm out of breath. I'm... very... yeah, okay. Oh, that felt good. That felt really good. I mean, looking at you, you wouldn't think that you just learned. You just look like another guy in London. That was... 30-odd minutes. Thank you, Mike. That... I'm looking at a subscription to, like, the London cycle hire scheme now. Yeah. 'Cause... I'm not gonna try cycling on roads anytime soon, but... I need to go learn in parks now, right? I'm over the embarrassment bit. Yeah. In front of however many thousands of people watching, but... I mean, if you can put on those elbow pads... you're immune to embarrassment. (cackles) That's fair... but ouch! Well done, I'm gobsmacked. If only my videos were that quick(!) ♪ (upbeat music) That was a turn! I was just able to slow down! I don't know how I did it. I just stopped pedaling! ♪ (music stops) Oh (bleep)! D'oh, there we go! We got (indistinct)! Are you alright, man? I'm fine! But I'm really glad I had the elbow pads! [Caption+ by JS* https://caption.plus] That's it! Mike, that's a wrap. We're done!

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Channel: Tom Scott plus

Views: 2,520,303

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Keywords: tom scott, tomscott

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Length: 19min 32sec (1172 seconds)

Published: Sat Nov 27 2021