Pitch a cycling reality tv show

[toaster]

OK, you're in front of some network executives and you've got 30 seconds to pitch a reality show that is cycling related. It could be about pro's, amateurs, ordinary folk, young, old, and either road or dirt.

Let's have some fun. Something everybody would watch and maybe even have Phil Liggett as a host or judge, but not necessarily.

[Lifelover]

Would only work (in USA anyway) if it was centered around the "X Games" generation and inclusion with the 'X Games Championship".

X Games would agree to reserve one spot in a main biking event (half pipe maybe) for an amateur that qualifies by winning the X Games reality show. Kind of like Contender. Maybe the challenges could be in other biking events (MTB, BMX, Road, TT, etc.) to help draw in us older guys. Of course as riders are eliminated their names would be "X'd" out.

Maybe Serotta could design and provide a BMX bike for them to use.

Would be hosted by Lance and Tony Hawk. Of course if Lance is the host they would be using Trek's instead of Serottas. Bird House and Nike could fight for the clothes.

Feel free to run with it just send me the standard royalty check. At very least I would expect a couple of Serotta's out of it. A nice road bike, MTB and a custom Ben designed Cruiser would be nice.

[arsegas]

I'm a reality show junkie, so I'll make an attempt...

Retired cycling stars (Greg Lemond, maybe Lance and Jan next year, etc) compete against average ordinary folks in a 4-stage race named Giro d'Eisner. In each stage, the stars have a handicap. The winner is the competitor with the lowest overall time.

Prologue: Pro cyclists play domestique and bring as many water bottles as possible in 12 hr period up Mt Ventoux. Person who is able to carry the most bottles gets to go home and not be subjected to the rest of the show.
Stage 1: Pro cyclists ride crappy used Sears Huffy bikes, average folks ride Serotta Huffys
Stage 2 (Team Time Trial-Relay): Pro cyclists ride in a relay race with a model, singer from an 80's one-hit-wonder, and ex-reality show winner. Average folks ride in a relay with just one teammate -- a washed-up actor/actress.
Stage 3 (Individual Time Trial): Competitors must pump up 10 flat tires to 110 psi. Pro cyclists use crappy mini pump. Average folks use full-length frame pump.
Stage 4: Ride is up Alpe d'Huez. Pro cyclists ride tandem with 300-pound partner, while average folks ride solo.

As an extra bonus, the winner of each stage can choose to punk one other cyclist for the following stage.
- Force other cyclist to throw out their shammy cream and wear underwear beneath bike shorts
- Substitute vodka for water in the punk'd biker's water bottle
- Throw on training wheels, a horn and handlebar streamers onto punk'd cyclist's bike
In addition the winner gets the immunity helmet and is exempt from getting punk'd for the next stage.

[Too Tall]

Racerboy Wannabe college punks, couriers, masters racers and total hacks (and one fat guy) are recruited to train and live the life with a domestic racing team. They must endure the wrath of the team and brutal training life.

If they can survive and finish some ridiculous TV exec. inspired challenge than the best will win a Trek 2500 and a lifetime supply of powerbars.

[TimB]

Contestants race across the USA - maybe start out with 30? Each day/stage (70-100 miles?), the last-place person is eliminated. So, on the final stage, there are two people racing - into Walt Disney World or something...Winner gets a load of cash, a new bike, maybe a trip to see the TdF.

[Dr. Doofus]

jerk and doofus start a bike shop

[zap]

Promo video would feature....

Smiley riding down a country lane when all of a sudden, 6 young ladies wearing bikini's appear. You know what happens next.

Sandy sprinting and then congratulating himself on a successful pass. Camera pans back and down and we see that Sandy has passed a young child on a trike.

Too Tall striking his (helmeted) head on a low overpass just as he passes Lance in a final sprint.

Everyone blowing by Zap (well, not Sandy) and the resulting vortex sending him into the weeds.

All the above participants riding Jerk carbon frames made in Vietnam.

[pbbob]

12 cyclotourista freds get a complete makeover in their personal cycling appearance, cycling skills and bike technology. through a process of elimination a winner is chosen and gets to be Ina T's. personal podium boy for a year.
the runner up gets gets to be it for 2 years.

[toaster]

The Biggest Loser does RAAM!

200, 300, and 400 lb. people ride hybrid bikes with big seats on a cross country adventure where 50 percent weight loss is very likely and death a real possibility. T.V's most popular couple, Rob and Amber start their race 10 days behind the "losers" on real racing bicycles and try to catch and then beat them for $1 million. $500,000 is awarded to the person who loses the most weight and gets a $1 million bonus if they cross the finish line before Rob or Amber.

Bob Roll pre-rides the toughest sections and commentates.