GCN Vs The Red Hook Crit | Fixed Gear Criterium Racing

The Red Hook Crit is arguably the most unique event in cycling at the moment. One gear, no brakes, and super high speeds, we sent James there to see how he'd get on!

In association with LOOK Cycle.

Credit to:
For Thumnail image: Tornanti_cc
For James' Photo - Hugh McManus
For Red Hook Footage - Red Hook Crit and Tito Capovilla

The Red Hook Crit began in Brooklyn 10 years ago, and since then has grown across four countries to become one of the most exciting spectacles in sport.

We sent James out to the final Red Hook Crit of the season in Milan to see if he could negotiate the carnage and make it to the epic night time final! James has raced criteriums throughout his career at a really high level, but this was a completely different challenge for him!

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Music: Epidemic Sound
Abstract Indie Nr 02
British Indie 8
Frozen Tears
Get With It
If Only I Was a Poet - Staffan Carlén
If Only I Was a Poet (Instrumental Version) - Staffan Carlén
Indie A Go Go 3
Indie A Go Go 5
Look Away - Boomo
Lucid Dreaming (Instrumental Version)
Mi Fiesta
Misericorde
Neon
Not Funny (Instrumental Version)
Not Funny
Prologue - Brendon Moeller
Superior - Silver Maple (1)
The Memory Of Strangers - Yonder Dale
The Night
Tomahawk - Tigerblood Jewel
You Can't Stop Me Baby (Buddee Remix) - Mondays

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The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic climbs of Alpe D’Huez and Mont Ventoux to the cobbles of Flanders, everywhere there is road or pavé, world-class racing and pro riders, we will be there bringing you action, analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year. We show you how to be a better cyclist with our bike maintenance videos, tips for improving your cycling, cycling top tens, and not forgetting the weekly GCN Show. Join us on YouTube’s biggest and best cycling channel to get closer to the action and improve your riding!

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Leave us a comment below!

[Redhookcrit]

The best possible way to experience the RHC is to race in it! We are happy to see GCN and James in the field and impressed by his performance.

[NicholasJens]

I absolutely love the way this channel has evolved.

You guys are killing it. Inspiring me to ride every day🤘🏼

[mackenzieelsner]

The new presenters are really growing on me. Great job guys.

[alantippett]

If only the Red Hook Crit would return.... watching this again after 2 years makes me realise what a great format it was.

[id.unknown]

Good job Hank and good job GCN. We better see you and Ollie next year on the tarmac... no backing out Ollie

[cphilipbrown]

First off that was a great video. I love these videos where presenters do something that scares them. Ollie's Everesting video, this one, the GTN Ironman WC from last year.

Second, can we please have more content around crit racing generally? Not just Red Hook. Its really fun fast and a little dangerous. There is a pretty big crit scene in the US midwest so I'm sure a loot of viewers would love to see it.

[tomb]

Bloody hell. That's some compelling viewing. You had me properly invested. When Hank said, 'do I have to do it?', I'm screaming no, don't do it you crazy person! And I was welling up when he crashed! Utmost respect. Massive congrats. And GCN, this new format, bringing in more folk to focus on more big feature stuff in addition to the usual, is epic. Well done all!

[alejandro.shot]

10:27 That yellow bike with blood is so Kill Bill's. At least it's not other people's blood.. I hope.

[jonpoon]

Matt, Si and Dan are great presenters. But it’s also awesome to see some guys that are still in their prime enough to get on the inside of these events

[tmbmtl]

Another fine editing job, kudos GCN. Great to see James so stoked after the race.

[peter_smyth]

14:34 Ditches the microphone during the interview to grab his beer :D

[szabiakanich]

Fixed gear racing is just crazy town. Respect to anyone who is crazy enough to enter such a race. Great video!

[nem.dc]

The best youtube cycling channel just got much better! Can we have more fixed gear/track content, please? Actually, can we get a brand new channel - #GCNfixed
Cheers!

[Schabo]

You cannot get this adrenalin kick with strava....you have to ride a real race !! Well done James !!!

[tbone]

That was awesome! To see James, a presenter, out there racing was so cool. We were on the edge of our seats. Keep it up GCN! More fixed gear content!

[michaelr]

Nuff respect, James, you're a beast. Ollie, great commentating. Beers well earned.

[PrinceChanning]

You could feel the atmosphere and the intensity through watching the video. Please, please, please do more crit videos. ESPECIALLY red hook!

[noelarches]

GCN is getting awesome and more awesome. Please keep making content like this, totally enjoyed all of it. Good job hank ✌

[rickiovine]

GNC: Great video! James: outstanding effort! GLOBAL CYCLING NETWORK: Thank you for being you. The opioids for us cycling addicts.

As a former rider of a (converted 1988 Raleigh Technium frame; 39x17) fixed gear this brought back my fondest cycling memories. I loved riding that bike! It was cycling at its purest. No frills. One gear. One brake. No coasting. Aluminum frame. Faded, and beat up from races in the 80’s, when it was a normal 20 gear top of the line road bike, with friction shifters and clips.

I loved watching James perform so well in such a challenging race. I began cycling when I lived in New York and knew of the Red Hook. I never considered attempting such a terrifying race! Those guys were too good, and hit speeds on turns that I had yet to master.

James is obviously a terrific cyclist. I think that he truly felt that with a bit more help closing gaps, and a bit more time on that beautiful fixed, he could have been in the lead group. He was racing with guys who competed on the velodrome and were comfortable on the fixed. Give James the same experience and he could win this event.

GNC, you are the best! Keep these videos coming. Cyclists like myself, who’s glory days are long gone, need this channel. Most addicts reach for the syringe; I reach for my selector, and get high floating in the stream.

(Ok. That is a bit over the top.)

[wombatkore]

I have waited years for GCN to cover fixed gear racing. This year, that wait ended. Amazing work GCN! Sidenote - no Ollie and Alec Briggs reunion?