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Some interesting comments on some of those articles/blogs. I particularly like the one on the guardian article where the guy reckons that the safest way to cycle is to pull into the side of the road and stop whenever you hear a vehicle approaching from behind!
A little provocative substitution...
"the safest way to [b]walk[/b] is to pull into the side of the [b]trail[/b] and stop whenever you hear a [b]mountain bike[/b] approaching from behind"
anyone got a spideman outfit I could borrow? I fancy a trip to nottingham
I have to say that I find the backlash quite positive - not necessarily in the venom directed against JM that's often OTT but rather that the number of people out there who have enough of an interest in cycling to comment seems to be rapidly growing to a point where I think we'll soon get to a point where columnists actually won't feel free to make comments like this.
[i]I think we'll soon get to a point where columnists actually won't feel free to make comments like this. [/i]
Assuming this happens because it clearly is unacceptable to make comments like that because it's cycl'ist rather than just restricting their freedom of speech.
Yes, that was what I was suggesting...
The grovelling c0ck has issued an apology:
[i]• 4.45pm Update:
Regarding the The Tesla Roadster Article...
May I take this opportunity to apologize [sic] for any offence I have caused through the article in last weekend's Mail on Sunday. It was never my intention to offend the many cyclists who share our roads across the country. What was intended to be a humorous piece was clearly misjudged. Further more I do not condone any form of reckless driving.
Once again, I am sincerely sorry for any upset caused in relation to this article.
James Martin[/i]
Too late chum, damage done
share our roads
*our* roads eh chum? Just whose are they?
I've always thought James Martin was a right royal C U Next Tuesday...and this pretty much 'firms it.
Just whose are they?
everyones ? Hence "our"
[edit] oooops, I didn't read the post. In that case "his" :o)
This is all thanks to Web 2.0; facebook, twitter, comments on websites, forums... POWER TO THE PEOPLE!
An amussing article / blog here. I like the 'Rollerball' idea.
[url= http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/blike-cycling-blog/2009/09/james-martins-mobile-microwave.html ]mirror.co.uk[/url]
[i]This is all thanks to Web 2.0; facebook, twitter, comments on websites, forums... POWER TO THE PEOPLE! [/i]
What power do the people have? The power to make a disproportionnate and deranged fuss every time an idiot writes something dim on the internet? Wow. Feel the power. 😉
Further more I do not condone any form of reckless driving.
So why did you write so proudly about doing it then JM?
Good that he has apolgised, but not enough for me, he needs to show that he understands why his idea of a joke was so dangerous, and offended so many.
The power to make a disproportionnate and deranged fuss
You want deranged, check out the lfgss thread. They're a bit like a bunch of 12 year olds who have just learned how to swear, but it made me laugh.
i do like the fact that it has PR consultant all over it.
But it is an apology nonethless, so those of you who got right proper angry (as they may say in Yorkshire), can go back home to your wives* tonight for some nice, homemade food using a James Martin recipe and consider a job well done.
Even if it was all done from yuor work computer instead of actually doing what you're paid for.
😉
*Other life partners are available.
The comments on The Register give a pretty good idea of who's deranged, and it's not the cyclists. Apparently, using your vehicle as a murder weapon is acceptable retribution for a minor cycling misdemeanour.
If he didn't twig that it was "misjudged" while he was writing it, its a teeny bit late now.
Top Tip James: If you don't 'get' why your actions get us all hot & bothered; type "cyclist" into google news, and skim read the headlines on an average day.
That lfgs thread is brilliant. I love the randomness of it:
[i]I hpe Palestinian youths throw stones at him.
I hope he runs the tap and the water lands on a spoon, directing spray everywhere.[/i]
😀
I read the original feature, 'cos I was interested in seeing how the Tesla shaped up, as it's had it's fair share of problems. I thought he was a coq, what with all his 'lycra-clad' crap, just using the same tired old journalistic cliche. The sad bit is that most on here are also using the Daily Hate Mail cliche for it's supposed anti-cyclist stance, when the Live mag on Sunday regularly features quality high-end bikes and kit in a very positive manner, something which was pointed out by someone on this forum a while back who is involved with the production of features, because they never turn down an opportunity to have bikes in there. The anti-cyclist thing isn't uniquely Mail, just lazy urban journalism. James is a ****t, though he does have some nice cars featured, and he owns an original Fiat 500, which is neat.
Wow. Feel the power.
JM is getting the combinied wrath of all cyclists who have ever been slighted by an in competent and/or aggressive driver directed towards him.
It's like we've all caught up with him at the next set of lights, and all banged on his roof at the same time.
The web has allowed all those cyclists to simultaneously give him the mother of all virtual bangs on his roof.
...but sadly though, that's probably all it is, he clearly still doesn't realise why his roof his been banged so loudly by so many
Anyone going to the book signing then?
I would say the most appropriate response would be some sort of critical mass style ride outside his house, if he has problems overtaking 4 cyclists lets see how he gets on with a few hundred clogging up his precious country lanes.
He should get on a bike himself, he could do with losing that double chin that he has 😈
I've just read his web site.. and the apology was hardly an apology in my opinion.. I mean really... He pretty much said he was sorry for writing the article, not for his actions.
I guess that means the incident was true and isueing a denial saying ti was a joke and never happened would look prety bad in court if the CTC ever finds the roadies in question.
He pretty much said he was sorry for writing the article, not for his actions.
Here's my paraphrase of his apology:
May I take this opportunity to grovel and save face after after the offence I have caused through the article in last weekend’s Mail on Sunday. I never realised this article would be read by so many of the spider men city boys whom us petrol heads barely tolerate using our roads across the country. It was intended to be a humorous piece aimed at fellow petrol heads, and I clearly misjudged the lack of sense of humour among spidermen city boys. Further more I do not condone any form of reckless driving, but what I did to those spiderman city boys was not reckless, it was just a laugh, and I don't see the problem with it.Once again, I am sincerely sorry for the fact that I have made myself look like a prat in relation to this article.
James Martin
BBC report apology:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8258247.stm
It wasn't an apology but an act of tv career protection by his PR company. I don't think this feeble overdue apology should let him off the hook.
http://newsarse.com/2009/09/16/tvs-james-martin-sorry-for-leaving-cycling-witnesses/
TV chef James Martin has apologised to car enthusiasts for leaving viable witnesses after forcing a group of cyclists into a hedge as he test drove a sports car.
Martin is said to have caused “sheer terror” amongst the cyclists as he herded them into the hedge whilst speeding in his latest ****mobile.
However, he has today apologised for the incident, claiming he was sorry for “allowing any of them to identify me.”
PCC replies.....
Dear Mr *****
Thank you for contacting the PCC with your concerns about the Daily Mail article by James Martin. The PCC has received a considerable number of complaints about this matter.
We will ask the Commission to determine whether there has been a prima facie breach of the Code raised by the article. We will let you know its decision as soon as we can, and hopefully in the next two or three weeks.
In the meantime, I note that the passage that has provoked the most concern has been removed from the online text.
Yours sincerely
Simon Yip
simon.yip@pcc.org.uk
Press Complaints Commission
Halton House
20/23 Holborn
London EC1N 2JD
Thank you for contacting the PCC with your concerns about the Daily Mail article by James Martin. The PCC has received a considerable number of complaints about this matter.
We will ask the Commission to determine whether there has been a prima facie breach of the Code raised by the article. We will let you know its decision as soon as we can, and hopefully in the next two or three weeks.
In the meantime, I note that the passage that has provoked the most concern has been removed from the online text and that Mr Martin has apologised for any upset caused on his website here:
http://www.jamesmartinchef.co.uk/pcc.asp?xpath=&xpathid=&lang=eng
Yours sincerely
I was going to post that! Seems like a stock answer.
Nigel Martin 'Mini-Chopper' is possibly the root of his problem
fat TV cook, Martin aged 14 3/4, actually advertises his 'Mini-chopper' as part of his cookware range.
Firstly, wasn't a mini chopper called a Chipper? (and quite crap)
and secondly, perhaps if Mr & Mrs Martin had bought him a full sized Chopper, then maybe he wouldn't have such Small Man Syndrome and my not have become a TV cook.
😮