Alexei Sayle's Lockdown Bike Ride 7: Holborn to Waterloo

Alexei rides South as he talks falafel, helmets, red lights and Jason Bourne.
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[@mattday5241]

Another fab ride with you, thanks. Great to see how good the cycle network is now. More memories of Rik please.

[@SidHunt]

Don’t change a thing Alexei, simply brilliant. Thank you.

[@paulyflyer8154]

Welcome back Alexei. I've missed your cycling videos. I find them so relaxing and therapeutic and inspires me to go out for a little ride round town myself. More please!!!

[@darryllharden9141]

I certainly enjoy your bikeride podcasts as much as your shows, This should be commissioned as a TV Series.Alexei!. 😁👍.

[@daz2166]

Hey Mr Sayle...I remember seeing you back in the early 80’s riding your bike through Northampton and I shouted out your name and you gave me a wave I was chuffed to bits told all me mates who I’d seen🤗 you must of been doing a gig or something there at the time and here you are nearly 30 years later still using the peddle power so glad you started a KZbin channel I look forward to you uploads very much,always been a fan mate and glad to see you fit and healthy I hope I’m still riding when I’m 68? atb mate Darren

[@ChrisReadUK]

Thank you! Absolute love this “series,” i hope they will continue!

[@serena3812]

Me too. These are strangely hypnotic. Well, 'strangely' is probably the wrong word, but y'know what I mean.

[@amandajane8227]

There's a dutch man who has done a quantitative study of cyclist behaviour and calls cyclists momentanists because we all like to keep moving. What he found was that cyclists will maintain momentum until it is not safe to do so and then they follow the road rules.

[@ynotnilknarf39]

You're not thinking of Mikael Colville Anderson are you, the Danish guy, as that's pretty much what he states.

[@newdayyesterday]

A nice homage to Rik and some relatively good road manners from a man on a bike. All is not lost Alexei.

[@alicejwho]

I like your bike ride videos exactly as they are 😎

[@stevena488]

I've not been to London outside the airport, so it's nice to get a tour from Alexei Sayle of all people via bike. Cheers Alexei!

[@dennisharvey8287]

I could listen to weeks of Alexei's monologues....these have been my highlight of the lockdown...thank you so much Alexei ..loved the show at Home Manchester last year too....see you soon.

[@Nicka2003]

This series is complete therapy 👍

[@adzy166]

“I’m enjoying myself, or at least time’s passing” The spirit of the times in a nutshell. More please! (and I prefer just the bloke on a bike format). Thanks

[@drsloanski]

Yeah that quote hit me the same way.

[@PatheticoMorbid]

Love this format, seeing London in a different way whilst listening to Alexei's brilliant rambles. Hope it keeps going 👍🏻

[@T.H.W.O.T.H]

I find it a comfort to know that the old man isn't out on his own and there's a younger person out with him - someone who know's how to operate a mobile phone, who can carry his Werther's Originals, a small first-aid kit and, obviously, a spare set of underwear just in case. :)

[@FordTransitvan]

Love this. Definitely a food vibe all the way through, even the baked potato. You could do a fantastic Rate My Takeaway style whistlestop tour.

[@declanmulraney1363]

Nearly wet myself when you described that politician.... Great stuff 👍

[@philjones45]

It was a good description. Google Eric Pickles. Sounds like some bully from a Dickens novel.

[@declanmulraney1363]

@@philjones45 ill check him out Phil, never heard ot him but did I laugh out loud.

[@1961kickboxer]

Good your out on the bike alexei.

[@djonfonsteen6331]

.... "I'm enjoying myself.. well, times passing!?" 😉😄😆 Fantastic!!

[@pskourides]

I like seeing London from this perspective and pace, but I do worry for you, a great bearded man wafflin' on a bike, great stuff, many thanks.

[@daraorourke5798]

PS I was a barman in the Poppinjay , Fleet Street when Alexei popped in on his pub tour...1983 ?

[@sbwords]

“Autograph my baked potato”. I’ve spat my coffee out laughing. Change of shirt needed.

[@drsloanski]

“Oh you think you’re too big to autograph my baked potato!?” LOL

[@austindavid7744]

Alexei, a unique comedy talent. He may not wear a helmet, but he always sticks to the left.

[@EricaNernie]

Very good!

[@carllloyd5086]

We need more of this stuff!

[@MC-en7im]

Don't live in London ,but absolutely love your channel Alexi.

[@paulronalddoe4548]

Always a joy to watch.

[@ratchett5rf]

love these - so simple and enjoyable. Thanks for letting us come on your journeys and sharing stories about offended baked potato owners.

[@CrichieB]

Utterly compelling viewing ☮️

[@funksoulbrother3620]

Enjoyed that. Thanks Alexei

[@westleymanc]

I watched this late on after a mad day in work. Fantastic, the pace is sound, helped me unwind

[@gmonkman]

Thanks comrade

[@RealBesty]

Love these just fine as they are, fwiw :)

[@moogmike1]

Just Brilliant, keep doing these videos.

[@jillroyson4589]

I used to work just by Leather Lane at my first job when I left school in 1983. I arsed my whole wages more than once on clothes at the market, with cash I had to get from one of the few cash points around, accessable only by walking through Smithfield's meat market. £42 a month for an all zones travel card it was, Alexei, and I had an ashtray on my desk. Very civilized

[@kevincrouch2732]

Great vlog sir keep up the good work - Kevin 😎

[@trevorrandom]

Really interesting I think I learn something 👌

[@teclo1057]

"many a mediocre evening" LMFAO

[@drsloanski]

My favorite quote of this episode!

[@davideldred.campingwilder6481]

Yes, this is brilliant, Alexei. Really good. I do similar stuff. Just stuck in Vilnius at the mo! But my editing isn't nearly as good. I did, however, do a film a day, from Brittany to here in a few months, using libraries, tourist offices, churches etc, to charge and upload the journey on the internet. All for free. Camping wild along the way, and indulging in a LOT of cheap beer...

[@Ba-pb8ul]

all you can eat falaffel sounds like an enterprise. At a certain point, you're sitting at a table, unable to move, like Mr Creosote, feeling sublimely ethical. Then someone comes up and preaches to you

[@mattelliottmusic]

I agree with everything you said about cycling. It's nice to have a reasonable, reasoned, non hysterical view represented.

[@JamesLee-do7yq]

If you get further south of the river Falafel and shawarma on the Peckham road in Camberwell is cheaper and the best ever!

[@clarkdenby7089]

Cheers Alexi, really enjoyed the relaxed ride around your home.

[@tomfreeman650]

perfect description of Eric Pickles!!

[@paulcarr1563]

Keep them coming.

[@stylophobia]

Enjoy your bike rides Alexei - a CHEAPER Falafel is to be found in the Wood Green Indoor Market Mauritian Cafe - 3 Fried Chickpea Balls for £1 !

[@Daijyobanai]

Alexei, pull a wheelie in the next one please.

[@tommacmillan8831]

The falafel food stall on Lower Marsh was £3, maybe £3.50 and it's absolutely amazing. I say 'was' because it doesn't seem to be open at the moment, but hopefully it'll be back.

[@Levenstone132]

Clock the F.W. Evans lettering on the Franco Manga wall! I remember drooling over their £800 touring bicycles back in the early '80s.

[@judgedread-q4t]

Yes I spotted that. I still have my Raleigh I bought there in '88.

[@mattiethemongoose3rd]

Nice hat.

[@pj_naylor]

Ringing at St John's Waterloo was the disappointing end to a long walk from Mile End one Sunday morning a month for two years. Apparently the bells go much better now they've had some work done on them, but I've not been back since.

[@StupotTaylor]

Because we have nothing like them in Bristol, and because we were vegan for 25 years (not any longer) we spent our lunchtimes during visits to London in one of those veggie all you can eat buffets in Camden. We really loved it because we were in London and not Bristol and not much mattered. We were gutted when it closed. What was that all about?! We didn’t even know there was more than one.

[@Joooools5000]

Went to printing college on Back Hill, off Clerkenwell Road - seen right at the start. This brings back loads of memories, always been my favourite area of London.

[@novascotia3300]

Can't wait for next weeks episode where Eric Pickles rides around on a tiny bicycle wearing a Nazi hat and calls Alexei Sayle a fat bastard.

[@EricaNernie]

Don't do falafel but I consider myself the Marquesa of lentil soup. Does that count? BTW Alexei..you are so brave, riding in actual traffic. Here in the People's Republic of Bribie Island (suburb of Brisbane, Australia), I only venture out on dedicated cycle paths. Very sedate and safe.

[@hamdinger7145]

Awesome ride.

[@rubberplant6375]

That was enjoyable, though I'm exhausted now. I must have a look at the rest of the videos, as I know nowt about London. Actually looks a bit like the road opposite the MAC (Metropolitan Art College) in Belfast, across the street at around the 5:45 mark. Cheers.

[@Factory051]

I like that you're reading about the GLC, but also the fact you're knowledge about co-ops seems so engrained. Coin St and food co-ops... They community has lots to offer when they can either mobilise, or in the case of LDN, be allowed to participate in the capitalist machine / environment.

[@4-dman464]

Not since Bicycle Repair Man has there been such an heroic endeavour. DC Comics should get on to this. Or Viz at the very least. Wherever someone is charging six pound fifty for a cheese sandwich, Bicycle Repair Man is not the only hero to raise the alarm anymore. Vote Bicycle Repair Man/Alexei alliance, they won't let you down.

[@stephenlawrence8991]

All best mate from Liverpool

[@djonfonsteen6331]

Nice one. Agreed, Eric Prickles is an absolute twat of the highest order. Love the buildings, history, etc... esp the passionate vision you obviously still have!! 🤺 Salute 🍺 please keep us entertained.

[@Wolshanze]

The Falafel Gods made him the King !

[@ianafloat9250]

Falafel is the thick end of £6 where I go...but it is very good!

[@chrismccartney8668]

Old King Lud drank far too many pints there...

[@Ramblingdads]

I take it you are still undecided about Erik Pickles.....? 😂😉👌🏻👏🏻👍🏻

[@daraorourke5798]

The King Lud ....don't think it's called after Ned Ludd. Some Legendary Celtic king I thnk

[@milobell5525]

Don't change a thing, it's great as it is.

[@GrubStLodger]

Really enjoying these videos. Those all you can eat fake meat places even reached Shepherd's Bush and was our go-to meeting places in the 2010s.

[@stuartculshaw5342]

The Blackfriars Station stunt was actually Tom Cruise during the filming of Mission Impossible 32 : This time it's London

[@keefsmiff]

Hello John got a new Pushbike?

[@easytoassemble54321]

I remember those mock-duck restaurants around early 2000's. There was one near Soho Square / The Gay Hussar, called "Tai" (pretty sure it was that). As a non-mainstay of London, I just assumed they were always around and not just a fad.

[@Frank_Nemo]

That Stewart Lee let himself go.

[@Ba-pb8ul]

a camera on a non-helmet might be interesting, but khalel probably has paramedic skills...might be useful. Well done getting to the Elephant

[@philjones45]

There's a pub opposite the Old Vic where Lloyd Honeyghan trained for the World Welterweight Chamionship and won. I remember watching him on an open top bus tour in that area when he came back after winning. Quite a rarity in those days for a British boxer to win in America. Think it was 1986.

[@johndaarteest]

Might have been the ring pub at the end of the cut, that used to have a boxing gym above it.

[@philjones45]

@@johndaarteest yes that "rings" a bell. Is that near the Old Vic?

[@johndaarteest]

@@philjones45 No it's on the same side as the Old Vic but right down the other end of the road, it's partly on Blackfriars Road too.

[@philjones45]

@@johndaarteest thanks for that. It was 1989 when I last lived in London. It was 10 years of great experiences. I miss the place.

[@hixyhicks]

I take it you dont like me Pickles ? Nice to see your back on form .

[@Prettysmallshoesltd]

Hi Alexi. You maybe missed a good fact right at the start of your video. At the corner of leather lane is a shop called International Magic, a (famous?) magic trick shop where jerry sadowitz used to work and i read sometimes still does. Maybe you are comedy enemies though and you breezed past it on purpose. Ha ha. (love the rides BTW)

[@4-dman464]

What was it like working with Jonathan Miller, Alexei?

[@makitadog]

The last time I saw london that empty was new years day several years ago. 3 Falafel places in walking distance 👑 Eric "the bastard" lol

[@yopuivideo]

I used to make that trip in the early 80's. The other side of the Blackfriars and along the river was nowhere near as glamourous as it is now.

[@gepmrk]

I advocate 'spoke cam'.

[@everywherelocal]

yeah! 💪

[@timamor915]

Eric Pickles is probably flattered that anyone remembers him at all.

[@RealinDealer]

They usually charge an extra quid for Halloumi. Personally, I can't do the wrap without the Halloumi! And I really miss the all-you-can-eat vegan places. They were really handy! I assumed that the overheads just got too ridiculous for them to keep going, but I could be wrong. Would love em to come back.

[@williamsdaf]

"I'm going to have to risk death on this and just plough out really" beats the Duke of Edinburgh's 'Just get on with it' hands down.

[@tomgirldouble3249]

Eric Pickles 👍🏻😄😄😄

[@NorthernCitrusParrot]

Keep going Alexei!

[@faketwenty]

I'll watch this when you start wearing a cycle helmet

[@wibblywobblyidiotvision]

I got stopped by armed police whilst crossing Blackfriars bridge on my old CB250 and was forced to juggle. True fact. Jump as many red lights as you like, but try not to become roadkill.

[@wibblywobblyidiotvision]

And if you do become roadkill, dibs on your hat.

[@alphaomega6062]

If you want these videos to be more like TV then static shots make sense I suppose but I find that just having point of view shots is more involving and immersive, given that you have a camera pointing up to get your face from time to time. The only thing I think you might consider is an additional rear facing camera for other views.

[@stewartwhitfield6365]

I had giggles at the thought of a complete red light part two. See how many red light's you go through. Edit. Ripped clothes, blood everywhere carnage. Then I cried about the Rik reference. ❤

[@adamarmfield1069]

if you haven't been maoz on old compton st is nice, it's a dutch chain

[@leni_lava]

The man - wants you to, stay alive 💓

[@pommunist]

We have mandatory bicycle helmet laws in Australia, just what you want when it's 30+ degrees C, "The Man" doesn't give a toss for our safety, it's to fine/tax us for breaking their petty rules. Love your work Alexei, don't change anything.

[@leni_lava]

@@pommunist Yeah - I didn't really mean the man - I meant me - but I don't tell people what to do 💓

[@Ibis117]

You're a cyclist, in London - of course you go through red lights. It's the only way to not get rear-ended by another cyclist. Began my working life in the Pru at the end of Leather Lane, don't recall much in the way of foodstalls in the eighties. Fruit and veg, clothing, as you say, but no food. It just wasn't "done" in the olden days. ;-)

[@LoneKharnivore]

Look to your Mayhew to see just how old an idea street food stalls are in London.

[@CURVEDGLASS123]

Format is fine. I'm assuming your younger co-hort is earning a crust.

[@KymHammond]

Just keep moving, London is seen best from bicycle speed. And If you have a seperate cameraman then use him, unless it’s just static shots of you stopped at the occasional red lights. I can seen you building this into some kinda Fellini-esque montage.

[@comicsgatekeeper9746]

I believe almost everywhere in the country has cheaper falafel

[@-M0LE]

Last lockdown vid then

[@nicko500s]

Are we ready clocks? but do you remember?

[@CoLD.SToRAGE]

Serious question... I notice you sound a bit breathy? It reminded me of my time with EIA ( Exercise Induced Asthma ). I put up with it for ages, and then was finally prescribed the lowest dose steroid inhaler, and my Goodness! The difference was amazing. Within days, so much easier breathing. 👍🏻☺️ P.S. Loving the new camera setup.

[@Talalaban]

It's more performing endless monologues whilst traversing London on a bike disease...

[@CoLD.SToRAGE]

Hahaha!

[@4-dman464]

Highlights of Alexei's controversial deleted Liverpool Bike Ride: Where it all started: Alexei Spekes out of Western Avenue - past the McCartney’s (Hello, Mike!), left on Speke Boulevard - right on Speke Hall Road, overtaking the #81 (Hello, Mister Harrison! the bus driver with forearms like Popeye dropping speed with a gear lever long enough to switch the points on railway lines) - Alexei swings right but not metaphorically on Hillfoot Avenue - and 90 degrees pans across your latitude like Cinerama: chalk goalposts redbrick walls corner shops iron lampposts phone boxes privets and jiggers for jangles - left on Speke Road, up Acrefield Road and down Woolton Road - down Childwall Park Avenue and Childwall Priory Road along Queens Drive past the Epsteins (they own shops y’know), down long and winding Breeze Hill - past terraces Post Offices newsagents caffs and bombsites and all you can eat - left on Balliol right on Oriel - Sack it - - and if you didn't like it don't speak to me Speke to Bootle.

[@smach24me]

Was this Liverpool bike ride deleted off KZbin? Sounds great.

[@4-dman464]

@@smach24me I made it up, Stephen, but I've suggested it to Alexei to cycle back through his unrecognisable roots.