Test

@tomlew we can discuss both things, I don't see them as mutually exclusive. On the topic of comparison - have a look at the KOM / QOM times on the Mur du Huy ... Demi Vollering's winning time in 2026 is exactly the same as Tadej Pogacar's winning time in 2023. Women are closer than you might think. Let's see how it goes for Lael Wilcox ... she has a chance to set the outright record for riding around the world. On differences, I for sure enjoyed watching the Women's Giro this year and got a chance to see 1 stage. The more open access to the racers is quite surprising and gives extra appreciation for how they interact post finish line.

@tomlew Women's sport should of course remain protected. Hear hear. That women can excel at ultra-endurance, where short-term aerobic capacity becomes less and less important and mental strength/endurance becomes a major factor, obviously does NOT mean that we can set aside protection in other sports where aerobic capacity, strength, reaction time, or whatever, are the major factors - where women are at (varying) disadvantages to men. They're all amazing athletes at these high levels too, of course.

And to reinforce that, the previous record holder appears to have set it at the back end of a successful effort to set a new record for the greatest distance covered in a month - likely she would also have managed significantly further if she'd come to a specific effort fresh.

The 'alongside men' comment was in reference to the overall effort, which was better than any men has managed. The seven day result was in the context of an overall effort of nearly twice the length. If she'd focused specifically on the seven day record she'd almost certainly have gone further. The fact that it set a new women's record anyway likely just shows that few women have yet targeted it.

Do they also have a garage in which they don't keep their car(s)? It would be in keeping...

As far as I know, the men's 7-day record is 3,826.47 km. I am absolutely astonished by both the result and the manner in which the previous record was broken. However, it still demonstrates that women are far behind men in terms of absolute numbers. 15% is far to big a difference to call it "alongside men". Just to be clear: this takes nothing away from Sarah's spectacular achievement. If anything, it reinforces the argument that women's sport should remain a protected category. And that's perfectly fair and fine. Rather than trying to prove that "we can complete alongside each other," which still seems far from true, why not celebrate our differences and diversity?

There's a waiting list for the cycle storage units in my street. Why my neighbours bagged places in them makes no sense, given that they have a cellar with nothing in it.

Data from London shows a drop in crashes since the 20mph speed limits were introduced. There is a certain type of driver that shouldn't be behind the wheel no matter the speed limit though.

She's simply magnificent!

The 20 mph encouraging people to use their phones concept reminds me of possibly my favourite ever Private Eye cartoon, two muggers standing over their senseless victim going through his wallet and one saying to the other, "There's bound to be crime when idiots persist in carrying this sort of money around…" If drivers are admitting that they will break the law if they are given the opportunity to do so then clearly that is openly stating that giving them a licence to drive is about as sensible as giving a drug addict a pharmacist's licence.