Free beer from CHPT3 (we think); Deliveroo explains why its riders don’t need number plates; Specialized to close website and global HQ to mark Global Climate Strike; Georg Preidler charged with fraud; Rapha + Gore Shakedry jackets + more on the Live Blog

Good morning everypeoples! I’m hiding behind the hedge again. pic.twitter.com/OGl4o7KdXt

— CyclingMikey aka Bike Gandalf (@MikeyCycling) September 19, 2019

…Cycling Mikey will get you. Here’s one on of his latest catches from the notorious Regent’s Park spot where plenty see fit to drive up the wrong side of the road. 

Bike behemoths Specialized have announced on social media that they will close their Global HQ and website to support the “youth activists driving the movement”: “We hope that you’ll join us in participating in your local community, and show that together, we can pedal the planet forward.”

It’s worth noting that Specialized don’t actually own any of the factories where their bikes are produced, so it’s unclear whether the shutdown will actually extend to bike manufacturing tomorrow; saying they will shut their website and Global HQ suggests not. With carbon bike production not exactly being an emission-free operation, is this something of an empty gesture from Specialized, or do you think they are setting a good example? Let us know your thoughts in the comments of course… 

The most psychedelic trippy cycling clip you’ll see today…
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Recovery day turbo, playing around with camera stuff
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Latest tour of Britain vid is right here https://t.co/rRr0eDAV73 pic.twitter.com/tPRKZHS0QQ

— Alex Dowsett (@alexdowsett) September 17, 2019

Dowsett is getting some final trippy sessions in before his appearance at the World Championships time trial, confirming yesterday that he was on the start list for Great Britain.  

In June, Georg Preidler was banned for four years for blood doping, having been provisionally suspended by the UCI in March as a result of the Operation Aderlass blood doping investigation in Austria.

Cycling News now reports that he has been charged with fraud in relation to his testimony to that inquiry.

According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, because he raced at the World Championships in Innsbruck, he was contractually obliged to abide by anti-doping rules set by the UCI and those of the race organisers. Not doing so, they say, is criminal fraud.

Preidler has two weeks to appeal the charges, but could face between six months and five years in jail if found guilty.

Barcelona announced its ‘superblocks’ plan to reduce motor traffic in 2016.

The plan involves limiting traffic to arterial routes, around an area of nine-or-so existing blocks, and opening up smaller streets to bikes and pedestrians.

There are six superblocks at present, but the original plan envisaged 503.

The first was introduced in 2017 in Poblenou, in the north of the city. Predictably, it was met with opposition from motorists and claims it would ruin local business.

The Guardian reports that opposition has since faded with residents warming to the benefits of a traffic-free neighbourhood.

Far more people are walking and cycling and there are 30 per cent more local businesses than before.

The Welshman has been named in GB’s squad for both the road race and the individual time trial. Alex Dowsett joins him in the TT start list, with Owain Doull, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Ian Stannard, Ben Swift and Adam Yates completing the road race squad. 

Councillor Gill Gower told the latest Canterbury Forum meeting that Deliveroo and Uber Eats workers should be more easily identifiable, after an 85-year-old was recently hit by a delivery cyclist on a pedestrianised high street. She said: “I appreciate the cyclists are under enormous time pressure, but they’re quite often cycling on the pavement, cycling without lights, and cycling in a generally reckless behaviour.

“It’s very difficult to describe a cyclist who is wearing a hood or helmet and travelling at speed. If you can actually say ‘this is this person’ it makes it much easier to call them into account.”

A Deliveroo spokesperson told Kent Online: “Road safety is of utmost importance to us and we operate a zero tolerance policy towards any riders who are found to have broken the law.

“As part of our commitment to road safety, we make hyper visible kit – designed to ensure riders can be seen by all road users – available to every rider free of charge. Free helmets are also available to all cyclists.

“We would ask people to share any complaints with us so that wherever possible, we can use our technology to identify whether a Deliveroo rider was involved in an incident and take action.”

Just a normal day slaloming between cyclists at 70mph on a country road.

Watch the video here.

There’s more about the Preidler case further down the page.

I was shocked this morning when I read the news that my former teammate Georg Preidler has been accused of doping starting in the Giro of 2017. My thoughts: pic.twitter.com/NCufwuxDR5

— Tom Dumoulin (@tom_dumoulin) September 19, 2019

Here’s a bit with a high level of want. It’s a Canyon Grail AL painted up in Grinduo colours, the hippest gravel event around right now, being shared over on Canyon Poland’s Facebook page. No idea if you can buy it, but we do hope you can. 

Rapha uses all its own fabrics for its clothing range, but on a page titled “coming soon” on its website it has revealed it’ll be using Gore-Tex fabrics for the first time.

That’s a good thing, the latest ShakeDry waterproof fabric from Gore is hands down the best waterproof material currently available. That Rapha has likely decided to utilise it would be no surprise, but it’ll be interesting to see what twist Rapha puts on it.

There’s not much to go on at the moment, but we’ll hopefully know more soon. Check out the Rapha new season reveal page here.

Also on the coming soon page is news of other highlights, including a collaboration with Byborre, an Amsterdam-based textile company.

There’s also a mechanics collection which looks like celebrating the work and impact of bespoke frame builders.

There’ll be more Pro Team clothing, following development this season with EF Education First and CANYON//SRAM. The Transfer collection apparently uses “engineered knit technology to be more comfortable and breathable than ever” which has us intrigued.

Currently on scene in the area of University Avenue W and Erb Street W in Waterloo investigating a collision involving a motor vehicle and cyclist. The cyclist has been transported to hospital. More details to follow. pic.twitter.com/3yWMhKlN0l

— Waterloo Regional Police (@WRPSToday) September 19, 2019

No further news as of yet, but the cyclist has been taken to hospital. 

Andrew Marsden suffered horrendous wound “where the bone was exposed”.

Full story here.

Data released this week by the city’s Health Department has shown that the number of residents who ‘regularly cycle’ has dropped by 5% on the last two years. Around 787,000 adult residents rode at least once a month in 2019, down from 828,000 in 2017. 

The disappointing stats come after a spate of cyclists’ deaths in 2019, with 19 already killed by motorists this year. Mayor Bill de Blasio has recently announced extra funding for protected bike lanes, increasing by at least 30 miles per year. 

We’ve reported on yet another incident where a cyclist has been deliberately pushed off today.

The story references a Hartlepool cyclist who suffered a dislocated shoulder and fractured collarbone after being pushed off in July.

Three such incidents in as many months have led the local MP this week branded such attacks “tantamount to attempted murder”.

Mike Hill told the Hartlepool Mail: “There are plenty of people out there like me who grew up with the Cycling Proficiency Test at school and, like me, are angry and annoyed by irresponsible cyclists using our pavements as cycleways and running red lights with impunity. But such irresponsible people represent the minority, whereas normal cyclists stick to and respect the Highway Code.

“For them to be targeted by people in fast moving vehicles and literally shoved off their bicycles is not only unacceptable, but is tantamount to attempted murder.

“Three incidents in as many months shows a pattern developing and as such I will be bringing it to the attention of both Cleveland and Durham Police.

“Decent law abiding citizens need to know our roads are safe. This is an example of that not being so.”

First mixed team time trial world champions will be crowned in Harrogate on Sunday.

Full story here.

We’re suffering from bike jacking in saddleworth, 2 attempts by moped gangs in 3 days on a short stretch of road close to Greenfield train station. All the encouragement you need to join A club and ride as a group!

— Mike Kettlewell (@Kettman) September 19, 2019

This was one of the more, um, ambitious press releases we’ve received recently.

Headed “CHPT3 announce great plans for the World Championships” it reads…

Marking CHPT3’s first physical activation of their promise to ‘make good, great’, the World Championships in Harrogate will be a chance to showcase a series of Yorkshire-themed products and for cycling fans from all over the world to enjoy a monumental week of racing with CHPT3

While racers have had their sights set on Yorkshire’s World Championships for many months, preparing to do battle with the best in the world for the ultimate recognition, CHPT3 have been honing their marketing efforts – the industry’s equivalent to the rollers – since God’s Own County was announced the 2019 host.

Feverishly arranging a carefully constructed schedule of activities, conceptualising outlandish stand designs, negotiating partnerships with pioneering global brands, calling on the country’s best creative talents and allocating thousands of ££££ in media spend, by late August, their plans were set.

There was, at this point, nothing more to do than to patiently wait until the right moment before unveiling the ambitious plans that would soon, finally become a reality and show the world that CHPT3 were ready to make good, great.

Niall Russell, Marketing Manager for the brand explains: “With over a year of scrupulous planning, consulting with some of the industry’s heaviest creative hitters and pulling many a late night, it’s safe to say that we are prepared for greatness at this year’s UCI World Championships – perhaps even more so than the athletes who will be competing.”

But then… the Financial Director said “no”.

Russell continued: “Sure, it was a bit of a blow at first. We had some really cool things up our sleeves and were super excited to share them with our fans, but at the same time, it’s been a real pleasure working with the likes of Elon Musk and our ambitions won’t be wasted – we’ll get this off the ground in the future, that’s for sure.” Adding cheerily, “we’ve still got plenty of bananas and a massive flag.”

Owing to their ambitious nature, CHPT3 have confirmed that they will still be attending the 2019 UCI World Championships, albeit in a more conservative capacity, choosing instead to allocate some hidden budgets to making fans experiences great in the simplest way possible… …with free beer.

And the truck pictured above? “An artist’s impression of the futuristic CHPT3 truck where fans will be invited to join Founder David Millar and other representatives to enjoy true greatness.”

Basically, if you purchase one of CHPT3’s limited edition ‘Yorkshire’ T-shirts, you can claim a free beer. More details on that in a minute.

David Millar and “CHPT3 representatives” will also be hosting ride outs from Grantley Hall. Complimentary pre- and post-ride refreshments will be provided, while partners, OTE Sport and Fyffes bananas will be on-hand to ensure riders stay fuelled.

The free-to-attend rides will depart on Wednesday 25th and Friday 27^th. CHPT3 say, “while the wearing of CHPT3 clothing is not mandatory, customers will be rewarded with on-the-spot prizes.”

Course you do.