Triumphrat

Kirkus51

OK, I get that there's got to be coverage of certain street races like the Marathons etc. while they're running a street course. My main question is why motorcycles for that purpose? They are more maneuverable than cars and more compact, yadda, yadda, but I saw the cameraman/passenger hanging off on a weird angle while the rider/driver had to put the bike at a pretty steep angle. And I actually heard one of the bikes take off like a bat outta Hell to get a go ahead shot. Seems like there should be a third wheel on those bikes to stabilize them, like a custom hack or something.

Anyway, I just think the coverage is an accident waiting to happen. Of course I'm inserting my skill levels on those guys driving the bikes. I wonder if they have to go thru a course or something....

D41

Always wondered the same when watching the Tour De France.....they must be VERY competent rider/passenger combos.

Old Scratcher

They're probably the same riders the paparazzi use when they're chasing celebs. & yes, they are very skilful.

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68T120R

Yup, these riders are no doubt very skilled especially riding 2 up and dealing with a TV camera as well. I've seen them in action years back here in Denver when we had the Coors Classic bicycle races and it is amazing seeing them ride through and with the chaos. I have never seen an altercation but I believe there was during the Tour De France one time. If I remember correctly it was with one of the automobile support vehicles for the cyclist's and a motorcycle...I'm sure someone will find and post a video from YouTube...

Bob

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drharveys

Back in college I paired up with one of the other photogs on our campus paper to cover some demonstrations. I was facing forward, he was looking backwards -- it was a small, maneuverable bike (Yamaha 180 twin), and we got some great shots!

Of course, we were going a lot slower than the Tour de France guys!

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Shopshirt

I've done it, and it was neat but difficult to maneuver between the runners and bicyclists during the race

rallycat

I'd think that covering a foot race would be a piece of cake compared to a bike stage race.

It is well worth watching the motos at a bicycle race. They really know how to position their bikes to get decent shots and not interfere with the racers. And they have to do it at speeds from grinding 1st gear climbs to screaming descents.

Gob-ny-geay

For a "foot-race", wouldn't it make better sense all 'round to use push-bikes Vs. Motorcycles? Maybe even a specially built push-Trike for the Cameraman and gear on the back end?

Seems a waste of various resources to use motorcycles for a race that goes < 20MPH?

Bob (one of the "They")

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eigenvector

No, really for a footrace the optimal vehicle is probably a 70's era Deville with bad rings and the carburator adjusted rich. A hole in the muffler is optional. If you're gonna be interspersed with all those people it's best to be equipped with something to really pollute their lungs and keep the times down. Besides, the cameraman can really use all that room!

Kirkus51

I was thinking more in terms of a Google Earth camera car.