Glasgow, Edinburgh looking at temporary cycle lanes – but not just yet; TT champ breaks women's Zwift everesting record (without planning to); Indian cops puncturing tyres of lockdown rule breakers; Milan reallocates space to cyclists + more on live blog

As part of Kingston Wheelers Cycling Club's effort to raise money for Kingston Hospital by tackling a virtual elevation challenge, the CTT 100 mile time trial record holder Alice Lethbridge became the fastest female to complete a virtual everesting on Zwift around the 'Alpe du Zwift' course... and reveals that she hadn't even planned to before starting out for the day on her trainer. 

Lethbridge - who also toppled Beryl Burton's legendary 12 hour TT record in 2017 by riding 286.65 miles - explained: "I’ve only been on Zwift just under a month and knew nothing about virtual Everests until my clubmate Harry started nudging me with the idea last week. I’d read the Everest rules on Thursday in case I felt ok to carry on past 5,000 metres, but I didn't make the call until my sixth ascent of the Alpe.

"I could see I was on pace to break the women’s  virtual Everest record and when my coach gave me the go ahead, that was enough. My third wind came and I went into 12 TT hour mode topping 8,848 metres in just under 9 hours and 24 minutes. I’m so pleased with how much we’ve raised for Kingston hospital and with how many members got involved. The event was great fun - at times it was like being on a club ride, one of the things I’ve missed the most during lockdown.”

Collectively the team climbed 206,996 metres between 61 members and raised £13,000 over a week of fundraising, with Gregg Ball and Harry Bunnell also completing virtual everesting rides totalling more than 8,864 metres climbed - you can donate here. 

Making lemonade 🍋👊 pic.twitter.com/Kg8k6ztz8t

— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) April 21, 2020

that would be my wife 💖

— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) April 21, 2020

Froome's other half is responsible for taking the steady stream of photos we've seen from him in the last few weeks so he says. If you're down with the kids, he's also worth a follow on Tik Tok. 

 

 

 

 

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Everyday is a good day to workout! @odlo

A post shared by Sven Nys (@svennys) on Apr 21, 2020 at 1:31am PDT

The two-time cyclocross world champ shows us his unusual locked down workout routine in (presumably his own) gym... can anyone identify this contraption he's pedalling?

Mind boggling. Mahesh Jena, 20, cycled 1700 kms from Sangli Maharashtra to his home in Odisha. #lockdown2 We must name and individualise as many of these incredible journeys as we can. Not call them simply “migrant workers”. https://t.co/6ApomUMyIR

— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) April 18, 2020

The Hindustan Times reports that 20-year-old Mahesh Jena made the mammoth 1,700km trip from Sangli to the village of Bhanra in Jajpur on his battered 22 inch frame bike and a backpack full of supplies, completing the journey in seven days. Mr Jena had no maps or phone, and just carried a blanket, quilt, a change of clothes, some biscuits, water and 3,000 rupees (about £31) in cash. He said that he had 'no fear and little doubt' and was prepare to walk if the bike was rendered unusable along the way; his other opton was to stay in Sangli's industrial quarter where his factory job was likely to be suspended for up to five months, meaning he would have no income to pay for food or rent. 

After an average of 272km a day and numerous punctures, Mr Jena ​made it to Jajpur town 5km away from his home, where he is still in quarantine waiting to be declared fit to go back to his family. 

New: Bold plans from Italy. Milan seeks to prevent post-crisis return of traffic pollutionhttps://t.co/46k88knc4X

— Laura Laker (@laura_laker) April 21, 2020

The Guardian reports that Milan's Strade Aperte plan will transform 35km of streets into cycling and walking infrastructure, which also includes new and widened pavements, 30kph speed limits and priority for cyclists and pedestrians. 

Described as one of the most ambitious cycling and walking schemes in Europe, Milan is keen to prevent a return to the dangerous levels of pollution it was choking in pre-coronavirus; under the lockdown congestion from motor traffic has dropped  by 30-75% and air pollution has fallen, according to The Guardian. 

Deputy Mayor of Milan Marco Granelli said: “We worked for years to reduce car use. If everybody drives a car, there is no space for people, there is no space to move, there is no space for commercial activities outside the shops.​

“Of course, we want to reopen the economy, but we think we should do it on a different basis from before.

“We think we have to reimagine Milan in the new situation. We have to get ready; that’s why it’s so important to defend even a part of the economy, to support bars, artisans and restaurants. When it is over, the cities that still have this kind of economy will have an advantage, and Milan wants to be in that category.”

Last week it was announced Brighton had become the first UK city to restrict road access to cars to aid safe cycling and walking during the pandemic; as of yesterday Madeira Drive along the Brighton seafront was closed to motor traffic from 8am-8pm.  ​

Yorkshireman Ryan Anderton has already completed the 5,000 mile route around England, Scotland and Wales, and as soon as the UK comes out of lockdown he aims to become one of a select few who have cycled around Britain both clockwise and anti-clockwise.  

Mr Anderton hopes to complete the journey in 40 days and is welcoming other cyclists to join him for as much or as little as they can, while fundraising for five charities including Mind and NHS Charities Together. You can find out more and follow for updates on Mr Anderton's Facebook page, and donate via his Virgin Money Giving Page. 

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