Jake Mace
Kathy Maniura’s clown alter ego The Cycling Man is arriving at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year – middle-aged and newly single, he’s spent the salary of an NHS nurse in Decathlon and he’s ‘on the verge of a breakdown’. We caught up with him for a pixelated pint before he cycles up the A1 to be in time for his first show tomorrow.
You can catch Kathy Maniura: The Cycling Man from July 30th to August 24th (not the 11th or 18th) at Attic at Pleasance Courtyard from 16:35 (60mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Jake: Hi Cycling Man! Tell us about your latest haul from Decathlon.
CM: Thank god someone has finally asked. I’ve got some lovely new shorts (padded front and back to ensure both saddle comfort and intimidating crotch bulges – if Henry VIII had a codpiece why can’t I!!). I’ve got clippy little cleats for my shoes so I can physically fuse myself to my bicycle and clonk around all rooms as loudly as possible. No, I won’t take them off when I come inside!! Yes, I might shatter your kitchen tiles and I will NOT apologise!! I’ve got a new bike bell that says ‘EXCUSE ME IT’S MY RIGHT OF WAY’ very loudly in my own voice. I like to ring that at all available opportunities – when I so much as see a car/pedestrian/dog/lampost. All in all I got a great deal – it only cost two thousand pounds.
Jake: What sort of antics can we expect to see you get up to at Edinburgh Fringe this year?
CM: My wife recently left me (don’t want to talk about it) so I will be looking to date. Am I ready? Of course not, but I’ve learnt that dating before you’re ready means that you can use other women to help you process your emotions. I’ve heard there’ll be some insecure young comediennes there so I feel quite confident about my chances.
I’ll also be enjoying some cycles through the town – mowing down clowns on Cowgate, careering down the Royal Mile, cycling up Arthur’s Seat (how hard could that be when you’re an athlete like me?). If you see a lycra-clad, handsome blur in your peripheral vision, toss it a flat white – that’ll be me.
Jake: What are you hoping the audience might take away from the experience, if anything?
CM: I hope they admire my powerful physique (huge legs, tiny boy). I hope they understand that I’m a big strong boy. I hope they know I don’t care that my wife left me at all!! I hope they agree that the 1968 movie musical Oliver! is the greatest film of all time. I hope they reach out on social media if they’d like to date me (I’m on Strava).
Jake: With Edinburgh Fringe 2025 just around the corner, what are you most excited for?
CM: I’m VERY much looking forward to sharing my groundbreaking, important thoughts for an hour each day. Finally, people paying to listen to me speak, as is right!! I’ve always thought that should be the case for every work meeting, date, coffee order etc. That I’ve been speaking for free thus far in my life is franking OUTRAGEOUS and, may I say, very generous on my part.
Jake: Given the themes of Binge Fringe, if your show was a beverage of any kind (alcoholic, non-alcoholic – be as creative as you like!), what would it be and why?
CM: I’ve always really identified with a lovely warm ale – British, bitter, a slightly acquired taste. I like to mix in a few little isotonic sachets (you’ve got to stay hydrated) , and maybe a scoop of Huel (it’s nutritionally complete!!). I whack that all in the little bladder I keep on my back on the road so I can suckle on it whenever I need. Yes, it goes straight through me but that’s what the padded shorts are for!!
A reminder, you can catch Kathy Maniura: The Cycling Man from July 30th to August 24th (not the 11th or 18th) at Attic at Pleasance Courtyard from 16:35 (60mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Lamesha Ruddock
Jasmine Silk
