Bicycling Through History #2

Starring:Vickie
Director: Robert Weber
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
Join Vickie for a fascinating ride along some of the same roads used by early American colonists.

The first ride is through Charleston, South Carolina. Many buildings remain that were originally erected in the 1700s. The architecture demostrates the influence of settlers from Caribbean islands. The pleasant atmosphere belies the many battles and conflicts that erupted and were fought nearby. It is clearly another example showing the layers of history.

Barbados was visited by George Washington in 1751. Our visit shows the same house where he stayed as well as some of the very same buildings that existed. The bike ride follows the roads which date back to the 1600s. The crystal blue waters probably look the same now as they have for centuries. The feeling of history resides very well in Barbados.

Since the sea was so important to travel and settlement in early days, we take a brief sojourn on a sailing vessel to learn how people would discover new places. We find ourselves even further back in time at St. Augustine with Spanish explorer Ponce De Leon. The old city and Castillo de San Marcos are the subjects or our rides.

The Outer Banks of North Carolina are the next destination and just behind them we find Roanoke Island. This was the site of the Lost Colony of British settlers who preceded the establishment of Jamestown by 20 years. A replica of the ship used and clothing worn in the 1500s are presented.

Savannah is the final stop for this disk. The city once again typifies the layers of history by showing early colonial period through Civil War, through modern era structures all working together with a distinctly southern charm. The ride zig zags through side streets and along the river.

Description

Join Vickie for a fascinating ride along some of the same roads used by early American colonists.

Previews of upcoming features in the series are included. Bicycling Through History is fun. Share it with friends.

Customer Reviews:

History at a Liesurely pace........2003-07-26

This DVD was an excellent experience. The editing and dubbing were extraordinary. The scenery was exquisite in all the historical settings. The attention to detail and special effects
impressed me.

We know she owns a helmet...but is she awake?.......2003-07-16

This was a good idea (bicycling and letting us know what it looks like...) but the person riding the bike sure didn't want to be there, and it shows. Very, very boring. Not worth the money, I put it on 32X speed to even get through it! Sometimes she's on the left side of the trail, sometimes the right, sometimes a helmet, sometimes not...sometimes asleep, sometimes not...
Someone should have watched this DVD before it was put up for sale.

The south coast through the biker's eye.......2003-07-14

A wounderful low tech diversion from the fast pace norm of hollywood HO HA. Sure to enligthen the viewer to the aspects of early American colonial life in the southern costal region. This is certianly worth a look for the avid cyclist.

Cycling Through Misery.......2003-03-16

Someone once said that she could not decide whether this DVD was appropriate for history class or exercise. After reviewing this DVD, I can safely say that it is appropriate for neither. It may be appropriate for sleeping or getting you ready for sleep. If you are expecting a DVD that is shot from the vantage point of a bicyclist as I was, then you will be disappointed. The cycling tour guide was so bland and uninspiring that I wanted to cycle away from the cities that I was touring via DVD. I wanted to enter the dead end that she did (on purpose?). I was hoping she would be shot by the minutemen who gave a brief introduction to this "historical" production. Please do not waste your time or money on this DVD.

bicyling through history #2.......2003-01-28

This video is amazing. The concept appears to be cyling around
and looking at scenery while the nice music is playing. I cannot
decide if this is supposed to be for an exercise class or for a
history class. The parts about Barbados and Florida were quite
intersting even if there was no drama or special effects. This
type of program would be good for children who are studying
American history in school, but it is also very relaxing just to
watch it.

Average customer rating:

Trails of George Washington Slept Here
Get off your bicycle.
Fun and Gun

Bicycling Through History Disk 4
Starring: Revolutionary War Reenactors
Director: Robert Weber
Manufacturer: Bicycling Through History
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001GD9PG
Release Date: 2003-12-30

Description

Bicycling Through History follows popular cycling trails to find evidence from the past and explain important background. The videos are intended to supplement additional research from books, other media or actual visits to historic sites.

Customer Reviews:

Trails of George Washington Slept Here.......2005-08-28

If you expect to see the entire Revolutionary War from the seat of a bicycle, you might be disappointed. But if you cycle trails around Philadelphia without knowing a few facts about the vital routes of travel during the late 1700's, the the DVD could provide some information that will help you enjoy the rides.

The program begins with a character in front of the actual building where the First Continental Congress convened. The building still exists and that in itself is amazing. Although the cycling trail from Philadelphia to Valley Forge did not actually exist back during the Revolution, many landmarks do remain that George Washington might recognize if he were alive today. He did write in his journals specifically about houses in Manayunk. Serious cyclists probably pass those homes and do not realize the significance.

General Lafayette escaped from the Battle of Barren Hill along the river valley where the cycling path now runs. Who would know that ?

The DVD also visits Lexington and Concord, as well at Washington's Crossing near Trenton.

The major battle reenactment is at Brandywine. It is quite a spectacle.

No, it is not as compehensive at the book, 1776, by David McCollough, but it does show what the cycling trails are like in the areas along the Delaware River.

Get off your bicycle........2004-12-16

These are responses from 8th grade students who viewed this film:
More biking silently than giving information; insufficient background information; boring;no enthusiasm in presentation; confusing because she stated she was going one place and landed up in another!!! Do not recommend due to minimal amount of information and because it did not hold students' attention.

Fun and Gun.......2004-10-03

This DVD was fun because it shows where George Washington went during the Revolutionary War. I would like to see more battles.
Maybe the next DVD will have more battles.

Bicycling through History #1: Early Colonial Washington, The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal

Average customer rating:

Unbelievable. Simply unbelievable...
Drink a lot of coffee to stay awake.
Fun, crative and interesting
Motivating and Interesting

Bicycling through History #1: Early Colonial Washington, The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
Starring: Victoria O'Coin
Director: Robert Weber
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00006JP4X
Release Date: 2002-09-01

Description

George Washington never rode a bicycle. He did travel extensively throughout the colonies and led the Continental Army to Victory in the War for Independence. His primary means of transportation was the horse. Boats, ships and other water craft were also important for moving people as well as cargo during that particular period.

Routes of travel were carefully documented by George Washington in his journals. Waterways provided natural routes for travel and many trails follow the banks of rivers. Even before colonial times, the native Americans used similar routes.

Bicycling through History is a collection of rides along the trails used by George Washington and other early colonists. Without some understanding of history, one might ride along these trails and think they have merely been constructed for modern recreation. The truth is more likely that the trails are centuries old, and by knowing what to look for, people can enjoy their cycling with the added benefit of retracing the very same trails as those used by our fore fathers. Evidence of historical events can frequently be found along the trails.

Reference books or the Internet can provide valuable insights far beyond the capability of the DVD. What these video presentations do offer is an audio - visual experience. People can see what the trails look like. For those who enjoy cycling, this can be a way to evaluate whether a particular trail might be worth riding. For those who prefer to exercise in their home or gym on a stationary cycle, the DVDs can provide motivation. For those researching history or geography, these offer yet another source for information.

Customer Reviews:

Unbelievable. Simply unbelievable..........2005-10-17

At first, I thought that I couldn't possibly write a review of this video. I didn't want to be mean. Then I realized that I had to do so, if for no other reason, just to be sure that nobody would be fooled by the glowing "five-star" reviews of the videographer's friends....

In short, I would describe this video (and perhaps the entire series of eight they've done so far!) not with five-stars, but rather deserving the full five martinis -- that is the number of drinks you'll need to get through the experience if you buy this DVD.

Among my "Top 10" bits you surely must not miss:

10. Where Vickie, the helmetless (!!) rider who "stars" in the film, at one point comments that the camera battery is probably running out, so they'll have to stop filming, thus ending a segment....

9. The repeated and excessively rapid zooms of the camera that give scant milliseconds of time to sites of historic interest as Vickie rides on by. Indeed, most places are passed without comment! Indeed, no research or forethought appears to have gone into this video; they just film as they go, riding and commenting seemingly almost at random, oftimes not even knowing where they are or what they're looking at.

8. The segments where we follow Vickie's backside as she rides along bike trails that could as easily be in Maine, North Carolina, Ohio or, for that matter, the Ukraine.

7. The mismatched music track drones away in the background; for instance, at one point, something like the William Tell Overture thunders away, leading the viewer to perhaps expect an impending bicycle accident or explosion along the bike trail.

7 and a Half. When Vickie comments that the video itself is "filmed by my 48-year old boyfriend who thinks we'll be millionaires by doing these cheap videos... so please help us reach our goal..." or somesuch (I have to paraphrase here, as I cannot bear to watch this video another time to get the exact quote).

6. The depressing sneer on Vickie's face as she rides along, every now and then making really astounding comments like (and I'm not kidding here), "That sign says 'No Trespassing'," or while huffing along, she suddenly sticks her tongue out, dismounts from her bike and says, "that was a short hill."

5 and a Half. The wonderful moment where Vickie, in mid-sentence , suddenly interrupts herself and points skyward, saying, "Do you hear that?" -- the camera zooms up to a DC-9 passenger jet as it flies low overhead, both drowning out and distracting her from the rest of whatever she was going to say.

5. When Vickie, while riding along the C

Drink a lot of coffee to stay awake........2003-07-16

Boring, Boring, Boring. This woman did not want to do this DVD. She seems to be half asleep most of the time. Nice to have a DVD on this subject (riding a bike and letting us see) but someone who wants to be on the bike would be nice.

Fun, crative and interesting.......2002-11-13

The DVD was fun to watch. It almost hypnotized me. I thought I
was riding right along on a bicycle. The history was interesting and fun to learn about. I like the part about the Revolutionary War. The music was kind of weird, but I guess that was what it sounded like in the old days.
I look forward to the next one in the series.

Motivating and Interesting.......2002-10-30

This is definitely something different. The DVD was hypnotic.
I kept wanting to get up and start riding a bicycle, but the trails on screen are so much better than the ones where I live. It seems like a combination of an exercise video and a PBS documentary.The music added to the experience with the old sounding instruments.
The preview for the next DVD in the series looks even better. I can't wait to see that one.

Bicycling Through History Disk 3 Colonial Period

Average customer rating:

IS THIS GOOD OR WHAT!!!

Bicycling Through History Disk 3 Colonial Period
Starring: Follow trails of George Washington
Director: Robert Weber
Manufacturer: Bicycling Through History
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000AZVDG
Release Date: 2003-07-28

Description

Disk 3 of the series begins with a ride through Jamestown, Virginia. After visiting the site, which was settled in 1607, the program switches to follow the life of George Washington. Fredericksburg and Winchester were important locations in colonial America. The bicycle rides then trace the path of George Washington at the beginning of the French and Indian War. From Williamsburg to Pittsburgh to Montreal, the cycling trails reveal glimpses into historic events.

Customer Reviews:

IS THIS GOOD OR WHAT!!!.......2003-11-05

This is some of Bob's best work yet!! How dose this low tech kinda guy keep puttin' out such good stuff!! Great footage of historic Yorktown and colonial Jamestown. I liked it so much that I just had to go there and see it for myself this year for our vacation. Biked the whole Colonial Parkway all thanks to the great DVD put together by this man!! THANK YOU BOB!!!

Bicycling Through History 18th Century Pirates

Average customer rating:

Zero stars. A home video with a monotonic narrator
Reality Show about Pirates

Bicycling Through History 18th Century Pirates
Starring: Braze, Yellowbeard, Blackbeard Cascabel
Director: Robert Weber
Manufacturer: Bicycling Through History
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000AQ6HSS
Release Date: 2004-11-25

Product Description

Bicycling Through History 18th Century Pirates Pirates provide a wonderful way to learn about history. Although actual facts are often clouded in myth and legend, there is no doubt that pirates were very influential forces in shaping early America. Pirates did not remain at sea forever. When they came ashore, they frequently had plunder from other ships. They could sell it or trade it, but the notion of hiding treasure is what makes for great storytelling. Searching for buried treasure can also be an interesting way to learn about geography. Pirates were able to travel far and wide at a time when most people rarely had the opportunity to go more than 50 miles. Music was important aboard ships for synchronizing the work, and the crew would bring with them songs of their native lands. Sharing incredible danger, foul weather and often miserable conditions aboard old sailing ships created a bond among pirates known as the "brotherhood of the sea." The DVD searches for the truth about pirates. Even in the eighteenth century, stories about pirates were exaggerated or embellished. Careful research and visits to specific locations remaining today offer the best way to understand those desperate individuals who sailed off the coasts of America. Learn about Captain Merrick, Gasparilla and the most famous pirate, Blackbeard, while discovering bicycle trails that wind their way through the very same areas visited by these and other notorious buccaneers. You might be surprised where this video will take you. New England-Caribbean-Gulf Coast-California-West Indies-Dry Tortugas

Customer Reviews:

Zero stars. A home video with a monotonic narrator.......2006-11-07

This is by far the worst DVD I have ever watched. Worse than the remake of Rollerball if such a thing could be possible. To be honest, I only watched the first 19 minutes. I kept thinking, oh this will get better. They'll actually stop and talk about some of the scenes in the DVD. But no, we get endless shots of Vicky riding her bike. Which could have been ok, if there was any information about the bike trail she was on. But no, it's like they took a series of vacations, and in order to justify writing it off as a tax deduction, made this video.

But are there any Pirates? Well, there are a series of very lame head shots of re-enactment pirates saying pirate'y things, like "Who drank the grog!" "Captain, I coundn't resist!" and then it breaks into song, "what do you do with a drunken sailor..." I suppose if I'd cracked out a bottle of rum and drank myself into oblivion, but no. I thought, this can't stay this bad.. they have to actually go somewhere....

At which point we cutaway to scenes of Vicky and some kids riding a bike path in CA near Monterey. No information about where to go or stay, or why this is a cool bike path... No pirates either. Then back to Washington DC and Pirate renactors and that was it. I'd had enough.

Thank god I got my copy from the library. I can only hope it was a donate copy and that my tax money wasn't spent on this dreck.

Reality Show about Pirates.......2005-08-28

If you are looking for fantasy and special effects, you might be disappointed with this. However, if you are curious about real pirates, authentic music and actual locations where treasure might be buried, then this DVD certainly delivers.

The program begins with scenes that real pirates would defintely recognize: Battles at Sea. Some of the realities of pirates are presented, such as drunkenness and use of weapons that did always function correctly. The distinction between Pirates and Privateers is carefully explained. The program then continues with various locations visited by such famous pirates as Gasparilla and Blackbeard. The final location included on the DVD is Fort Jefferson on the Dry Tortugas. Before the fort was built, this location was the ideal spot for pirates. It was the classic: Deserted Island.

Pirates DO still exist in the world. This DVD only provides a glimpse at pirates of the 18th century. It does so in a very appealing way.

Colonial 3 Package - Bicycling Through History

Average customer rating:

Colonial 3 Package - Bicycling Through History
Director: Robert Weber
Manufacturer: Bicycling Through History
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000U3CCS
Release Date: 2003-10-07

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