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@Malv173 the cynic might say there isn't a bollard because it *wouldn't* be a PITA for vulnerable road users, just for motor access. Meanwhile much narrower spots seem to be favourites for making completely inaccessible on dubious grounds ("keep out yoof on motorbikes" - only many clearly don't). The "gold standard" is not to have obstructions that people can crash into on cycle paths, but that can only happen when motoring has been reduced and people have been retrained.

@Fursty Ferret good, but that may not be good general advice. It's possible you're just dealing with dozy drivers, but them being there could be evidence they don't give a stuff about more than just road law. There are a number of cases of motorists exiting their vehicles and battering people in public for less. All the usual advisories apply eg. get off bike, get it between you and any threat, be prepared to sacrifice it. Plus the response from the police and especially the courts may be less than rapid or vigorous.

@theslowcyclistxx It depends on what you consider technical and what you compare it to. For example, compared to the Gralloch, it is smoother and wider, but the pea gravel makes the biggest difference, even after recent rain makes it easier. There were a few downhills with some rough sections, where line choice was key, and the ability to hop over ruts, and lots of hairpins. I don't think any good mountain biker would class it as technical, but lots of people I spoke to during and after thought it was.

@agp The XCadey has been fine until this, and when testing against others, it has been accurate and reliable, but the biggest reason is that there are few others that offer fitment for Praxis cranks and a 5-arm 110 bcd. For fluid, it was borderline, but worked out OK. I am small and light, and the weather was mild, so I was not sweating. Everyone is different, and it can take a lot of training and racing to know individual needs.

Interesting to hear about real world race choices! On TV it didn’t look like a very technical course. Was it? And was 50mm over 45mm an advantage seen in hindsight?

@Fursty Ferret Not uniquely, I'd be more than happy to do a spot of Gandalfing if it was in my area, as I have done on numerous occasions in different circumstances, e.g. stopping car drivers from ignoring no entry signs into LTNs.

@Malv173 Even the widest, off-road type e-trikes, Jorviks for example, are only about half the width of the average car, and even bariatric power wheelchairs are narrower still. Closing the gap enough to prevent car access wouldn't limit access for the users you mention.

@Malv173 No it doesn't. This is a large-vehicle-wide road, so a bollard in the centre of each entrance would be no impediment to anything but illicit large vehicles

@Fursty Ferret Why haven’t these drivers been videoed and reported? Because the police would take great pleasure in filing the report in the bin

I appreciate that I'm a uniquely petulant bastard, but if I came across a car driving on a bike path I'd plonk myself in front of it and rely on the fact that they probably wouldn't murder me in public while I wait for the police to arrive. Why haven't these drivers been videoed and reported?