Sam Browne

Keyboard rattling software engineer who swims, cycles and kinda runs

[Sam Browne @SamBrowne15]

@Translink_NI Is the website down? Trying to check a timetable.

[Sam Browne @SamBrowne15]

@DublinAirport @DanielleONeill5 Semi related, you really could do with improving staff knowledge and clarity on where oversized baggage comes out. Numerous times I’ve asked staff and they’ve no idea, it’s pot luck which door it appears out of or whether it’s on the belt, resulting in fleeting between them all

[Sam Browne @SamBrowne15]

@GRobinsonDUP with the ever growing volume of traffic given the amount of new housing developments in the area it seems like only a matter of time before there’s an accident at the old Dundonald and Comber junction, are there any plans to improve this dangerous junction Gavin?

[Sam Browne @SamBrowne15]

@Translink_NI We bought 2 tickets but didn’t have time to wait for the next one so had to get a taxi, how do we get a refund.

[Sam Browne @SamBrowne15]

@@Translink_NI a no show from the 18.20 4C at Coronation Park?

[Sam Browne @SamBrowne15]

@Translink_NI One to short strand did show

[Sam Browne @SamBrowne15]

@Translink_NI We were there about 6.15 and it didn’t pass us on the walk to it either.

[Sam Browne @SamBrowne15]

@Translink_NI To city centre

[Anthony Walsh | Roadman Podcast @Roadman_Podcast]

He stopped mid-climb to adjust his camera exposure settings
I'm not joking.
4km's into Alpe d'Huez. The most iconic climb in cycling. He unclips, pulls out a tripod, and starts filming "authentic suffering content."
As this was happening a 60-year-old on a steel bike passes him without looking back.
50K followers and probably a lower threshold than 50w
Welcome to cycling's creator economy, where performing for the camera matters more than actual performance.
Last month, I rode with a "cycling influencer."
It was an experience...
100km planned route
20+ stops for content
6 hours total time
2.5 hours actually riding
Every climb needed three angles. Every coffee stop required a flat lay. Every "spontaneous" moment was rehearsed.
He's making more from one sponsored post than most Cat 1 racers make in a season.
Domestic pros driving 8 hours to race for $200 prize. He flies business class to shoot "epic content" in Girona.
I have no problem with bike riders building a following and monetising but you can't skip the bike rider part.
We're creating cyclists who can't actually cycle.
I was on a brand trip to Mallorca last year.
Half the "athletes" couldn't ride in a group. Basic etiquette? Gone. Bike handling? Dangerous.
But their content? Chef's kiss
One lad crashed trying to film while descending.
The old model used to be, get fast, get noticed, get sponsored.
The new model: Get followers, get sponsored and maybe learn to ride (optional)
I know "ambassadors" who own $15K bikes but can't change a flat.
This isn't anti-influencer. It's anti-delusion.
Some creators ride well AND create content. Respect.
But when brands pay for reach over reality, we get:
Safety advice from people who cause crashes
Training tips from people who don't train
Product reviews from people who rode it once, for the camera
And probably the worst part...
Young riders now think this is the path.
Why suffer through intervals when you can practice ring light placement?
Why race when you can "share your journey"?
I met a junior who quit racing to focus on "content creation." Had real talent. Now films coffee stops.
And guess what
We built this.
Every like on a staged suffer-face.
Every share of "authentic" content.
Every purchase from whoever has the best feed.
We chose performing over performance.
And now we're surprised that cycling culture is more concerned with angles than watts?
The 60-year-old who passed him on Alpe d'Huez?
Probably did it in 1985 too. On steel. Without documenting it.
Just rode his bike. What a concept.

[Sam Browne @SamBrowne15]

@Translink_NI it boggles my mind every time I get the 300 from GC these days how long it takes just to get to GV street. From europa it used to be seconds, now you sit on it for 20+ mins, wonder where you are & lo and behold you’re not even at GV. This can’t be the future can it?

[Sam Browne @SamBrowne15]

@Alan_Couzens Depends on how young but Rowing, team work and resilience building like no other.

[Sam Browne @SamBrowne15]

@_leah_smyth_ why is the council proceeding with this when other councils have tried it and reverted back to the standard blue bin? https://t.co/Dq9zXIoLwD

[Sam Browne @SamBrowne15]

@BBGreatMoments Out of interest, with cricket being a similar length and speed how does it compare

[Sam Browne @SamBrowne15]

@Neilkelly13 thoughts?

[Sam Browne @SamBrowne15]

@RobinSwann_MP explain this stupidity… https://t.co/EdUqlbzHS5

https://t.co/IGm7wdleBq

One council going back to single bins and one going the other way to boxes that the other is getting rid of 🤦‍♂️

[Sam Browne @SamBrowne15]

@Translink_NI what happened to the 17.00 300a service from grand central, second week ruining it seems to be a no show?

[Sam Browne @SamBrowne15]

@AmazonUK come on, does this really need an 18+ signature at delivery, by that reckoning so does a bottle opener or cork screw 😕

[Ray Maker @dcrainmakerblog]

Strava’s just announced some massive changes that will ultimately kill off a lot of 3rd party apps, impact other platforms, and reduce the value of Strava. Here’s why this matters, who’s it going to break, and more: https://t.co/drUgsaEFKe

[Sam Browne @SamBrowne15]

@CircleLineBT @nirailways Would have to get a hell of a lot cheaper, £14 a day is crazy.

[VeryBritishProblems @SoVeryBritish]

True