When former nitro racer Whit Bazemore became an avid cyclist in his spare time, it was a hobby intended to provide rehabilitation for his severely injured legs, not to mention relaxation and fitness away from the grueling grind of the NHRA drag racing tour. Today, his hobby has become his job. At least temporarily.

Bazemore, who flirted with the microphone as a pit reporter on ESPN2’s coverage of Full Throttle Drag Racing, plans to continue his affair with television but this time into cycling.

Bazemore recently completed filming the pilot as the host of the forthcoming series Two Wheels – One Planet, a 30-minute bike show focusing on the cycling lifestyle.

When former nitro racer Whit Bazemore became an avid cyclist in his spare time, it was a hobby intended to provide rehabilitation for his severely injured legs, not to mention relaxation and fitness away from the grueling grind of the NHRA drag racing tour. Today, his hobby has become his job. At least temporarily.

Bazemore, who flirted with the microphone as a pit reporter on ESPN2’s coverage of Full Throttle Drag Racing, plans to continue his affair with television but this time into cycling.

Bazemore recently completed filming the pilot as the host of the forthcoming series Two Wheels – One Planet, a 30-minute bike show focusing on the cycling lifestyle.

“This show is something I’ve had in my mind for four years or so and it stems from the fact that as a cyclist and for the cycling fan there isn’t any cycling on television other than races,” Bazemore explained. “I’m a fan of racing but it’s televised mostly in the summer; there is nothing on in the winter. And there’s nothing on for the recreational cyclist who may not be in to bike racing.”
 
Bazemore believes his show, which has references to his past career as a drag racer, will easily find its niche.
 
“The latest studies show that there are like 40 million Americans that ride somewhat regularly, it’s somewhat of a huge untapped market,” Bazemore explained. “The show will also take viewers to beautiful parts of the world as well, so the appeal goes beyond just cycling.
 
Bazemore made his move into this project last year.
 
“We talked to some people in the television industry and got a game plan together because I had no idea what to do,” said Bazemore. “Like if you want to be a funny car driver -- in my shoes -- you’d go to Frank Hawley’s school and if you had any ability to drive fast in a straight line, you’d get your TAFC license. Then you went from there; getting out and raising money. It was pretty clear, and I understood what I had to do back then. But this was something totally different and new so I had no idea. Turns out the first step is to raise money and shoot a pilot, put your idea onto film and make sure it translates.”
 
Bazemore revealed the pilot episode was shot over the summer in his hometown of Bend, Ore. and calls it “a decent first effort, not perfect, but good TV none-the-less.”

While it looks like cycling might become his job, drag racing is still clearly a passion.

“Drag racing is always a passion, a huge passion,” Bazemore said. “For me and how I do things; I don’t think you can have a career without it being a passion. You have setbacks and get back up, keep fighting and fighting for a goal when others tell you there’s no way you’ll make it. They would have said that about a lot of other people too, Force included. It’s a lot different for some drag racers than it is for others, for others it’s an easier road, but if you have a hard road then it’s got to be a passion or else you’ll never achieve anything.

“I think that’s true with any business, it’s got to be a passion to make you do it so when things don’t go well -- it’s that passion that keeps you going. Drag racing was always a huge passion and now I have to admit this show is a huge passion. I want to get it sold and make it successful and we’re going to do it. It’s just a matter of when and who we sell it to and when it ends up on television. It will end up on television because we are not going to stop until it does.”

Bazemore hasn’t considered a drag racing show, even though he admits there will be drag racers from time to time making cameo appearances.  He plans to have Mike Dunn, and maybe even former Top Fuel champion Jeb Allen, both avid cyclists, as guests.

Two wheels might be his niche and passion presently but the thrill of racing nitro on four still remains a burning fire in his gut.

“The landscape has changed so much – when I went to the Finals two weeks ago there were some definite opportunities that I wasn’t really aware of beforehand, but they require sponsorship,” Bazemore conveyed. “In one case it was way less than I thought, I thought it would be out of reach but it wasn’t. But it is still considerable… and it is hard to make happen because it is so late in the year. It may be not be enough time.  What is so different now is that even some of the teams with a major sponsor still want a pay driver. The number of real pros who get paid on ability and merit are growing smaller and smaller each year. “But my fire still burns… I know I could jump in one or two opportunities and deliver significantly better results than what is being delivered now.”

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