Lockdown cycling: “The faces behind the percentages”; “Best ad ever for cycling in Los Angeles” by Phil Gaimon; Thief banned from “sitting astride” bikes; Sheffield close pass operation; Tough day for Froome at the Dauphiné (+ bitesize highlights) + more

The Critérium du Dauphiné started yesterday. Here’s a little highlights thing.

🎥 Coup double pour 🇧🇪@WoutvanAert, qui s’impose en costaud et prend le #MaillotJaune. Résumé de la 1ère étape de ce #Dauphiné.

🎥 Double delight for 🇧🇪@WoutvanAert, who took a superb win to move into the #MaillotJaune. Highlights of Stage 1. pic.twitter.com/1Uq0vCqogB

— Critérium du Dauphiné (@dauphine) August 12, 2020

And here’s the finish.

Still riding his way back to full fitness, Chris Froome was working as a domestique at the Tour de l’Ain last week.

He did the familiar Ineos front-of-the-peloton thing on the climbs and looked okay.

However, at the Dauphiné yesterday, he was dropped when the peloton was still quite large.

A tough day at the office for Chris Froome and Jonathan Castroviejo 😩

Watch 👇
📺 ITV4
💻 https://t.co/bVTKOXEWBQ pic.twitter.com/kMIk9PamuB

— ITV Cycling (@itvcycling) August 12, 2020

The Tour de France starts in just over a fortnight.

What d’ya reckon his chances are of making the team? (It’s perhaps worth mentioning that he’s leaving Ineos at the end of the season.)

The Dauphiné isn’t pissing about this year.

Every single stage is an uphill or summit finish.

Etape 2 #Dauphiné

🚩 Vienne – Col de Porte 🏁
📏 135 km
🚩 : 12h50 / 12.50 PM
🏁 : entre 16h17 et 16h38 / between 4.17 PM and 4.38 PM

📺 : 15h15 sur @francetvsport & @France3tv pic.twitter.com/cOMRWR8Z1b

— Critérium du Dauphiné (@dauphine) August 13, 2020

A recent story about a Brighton bike thief in the Argus raises a lot of questions.

“Prolific” bike thief Christopher Hussey has been handed a Criminal Behaviour Order that bans him from, “sitting astride, handling or being in any other way in possession of a pedal cycle, both manual and electric within the city of Brighton and Hove.”

He has also been ordered to carry out voluntary work and training.

• Is he still allowed to sit side saddle without using his hands?
• Can you be ordered to carry out voluntary work?
• Does the order preclude sniffing saddles?

If Hussey breaches the order then he is liable to be sent to prison.

In itself a sign of confidence in the design.

One of our engineers brought his daughters and their friends out for a cycle to test our new coastal cycle route. This safe space for pedestrians and cyclists has been completely transformed recently and we’re delighted our 4 young product testers approve of the works! pic.twitter.com/iCbUgrAuoB

— dlrcc (@dlrcc) August 12, 2020

🤸🏾‍♂️ 🚶🏻‍♀️🧑🏽‍🦽 🛴 I’m delighted that @ManCityCouncil have made it much easier for residents to turn their streets into people-friendly ‘playstreets’ by temporarily closing to cars. Application form for #Manchester residents is here. ✍️https://t.co/ocMsrc64P4. pic.twitter.com/yzLf728clt

— Eve Holt 😷 (@evefrancisholt) August 12, 2020

Manchester City Council says: “We want more of our residents from all parts of the city to come together to close the road or street where they live to help children’s play. A group of residents can apply to close their road on a regular basis for a few hours each time so there is no danger or inconvenience from through traffic.”

As you may have seen below, they’re going up the Col de Porte in the Critérium du Dauphiné later on.

They descended it in 1977 and Bernard Hinault fell while alone in the lead.

Hinault being Hinault, he still won the stage.

Si le col de Porte désigne aujourd’hui le lieu de la 1ère arrivée au sommet du #Dauphiné 2020, pour les plus anciens c’est le 4 juin 1977 où Bernard Hinault tombe dans sa descente puis, à bout de force, met pied à terre dans la montée finale de la Bastille. Une légende est née. pic.twitter.com/ntEykNTOyU

— Miroir du Cyclisme (@Miroir2Cyclisme) August 13, 2020

Does this count as sitting ‘astride’ a bike?

Le photographe Cartier-Bresson a su magnifier les Six Jours de Paris au Vel’ d’Hiv’ (1957). pic.twitter.com/I43BS5911g

— David Guénel (@davidguenel) August 12, 2020

Ready to come cycling in the cotswolds with me?! pic.twitter.com/Uj1frtZtrn

— Timmy Mallett (@TimmyMallett) August 13, 2020

Timmy Mallet is also a super keen e-biker – so much so he set off from home last year on a 3,500km quest to ride the world famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain.

We had a word with him about it a few months back.

Reminds us of this.

🇫🇷 #Dauphiné

Yellow suits you Wout! 🖤💛@WoutvanAert pic.twitter.com/KIcU82LZrM

— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) August 13, 2020

Just as well given that’s what he wears whether he’s leading the race or not.

🇫🇷 #Dauphiné

We are leading the peloton about 3 minutes behind 8 leaders. 96 km 🏁

Photo: ASO / A. Broadway pic.twitter.com/S8cGWueHRV

— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) August 13, 2020

There will be limited crowds for the Tour of Lombardy on Saturday, reports Cycling News.

Coronavirus concerns have led local authorities to ban spectators from gathering at the finish and also on the two most famous climbs, the Colle del Ghisallo and the Muro di Sormano.

The 2020 Cyclone Festival of Cycling has been cancelled due to the ongoing impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. There are more details about our decision on our website, where there’s also a guide to entry refunds and transfers. https://t.co/TwPuB0xP9q

— Cyclone Festival (@CycloneFestival) August 12, 2020

The 2020 Cyclone Festival of Cycling has been cancelled due to the ongoing impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Originally scheduled for June, the festival had been re-arranged for September, but the decision has now been taken to cancel.

Cyclone organiser Peter Harrison said: “We’re very disappointed that the Cyclone has been cancelled for 2020. We had hoped, with Coronavirus infection rates coming down in England, that we’d be able to hold the festival on the re-arranged dates.

“However, with just over a month to go, we still had serious concerns for the safety of our riders, our volunteers, many of them older and clinically vulnerable, and for the local communities we visit.

“In addition, we rely on the support British Cycling, not least to provide insurance for our events. They are working very hard to re-start the sport, but their advice is that, at the moment, they cannot guarantee that they will be able to sanction our races and rides.

“We therefore have no alternative to cancel the event.

“As ever, we’d like to pass on our heartfelt thanks for the support we have received from every single Cyclone rider, volunteer, sponsor and partner, and from British Cycling, during this difficult year. We plan to be back in 2021.”

British Cycling’s Integrity & Compliance Director / Company Secretary Rod Findlay said: “Due to continuing uncertainty caused by COVID-19, British Cycling is unable to sanction these events at this time. We have to consider the particular challenges posed by road cycling and the risk to participant and volunteer health as well as the impact on the communities whose roads we use.

“Naturally, the decision by Cyclone Cycling to cancel this year’s events will come as a disappointment to many people. I want to reassure them that we are working hard with colleagues across the sport, Sport England and the government to ensure the safe return of sportives and road racing events on the public highway.”

The Cyclone Festival of Cycling is provisionally booked to return on July 2-4, 2021.

How close is too close? This video shows not one, but two people passing one of our “Op Close pass” cyclists without giving enough space. A prosecution for inconsiderate driving will be considered in these circumstances. 3 points, £100 fine: If you can’t overtake safely, don’t pic.twitter.com/mkWY2SUZYT

— Sheffield North West NHP (@SheffNW_NHP) August 13, 2020

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has been awarded a grant of £1m from The London Marathon Charitable Trust to get more people walking and cycling.

Greater Manchester’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said: “This money will enable us to reach out to thousands more people across Greater Manchester, enabling them to fit walking and cycling into their daily lives and to enjoy the many benefits that go alongside it.

“Alongside temporary infrastructure in response to the coronavirus pandemic, we are building the UK’s largest cycling and walking network. The Bee Network will deliver more than 1,800 miles of routes, linking every area of Greater Manchester.

“Inspiring people to walk or cycle for everyday journeys is a huge part of the puzzle and we are incredibly grateful to The London Marathon Charitable Trust for supporting us to make this a reality.”   

The project will run from September 2020 to September 2023 and will aim to:

• Get 10,000 inactive people more active through the development of an Active Travel Community Toolkit     
• Train up to 60 Community Travel Champions to provide knowledge and a focus for active travel in their communities
• Help around 60 local communities identify and make positive changes to active travel facilities in their local areas

Sir Rodney Walker, Chairman of The London Marathon Charitable Trust, said: “In 2020, more than ever, we have learnt how important it is to be physically fit and active. By awarding this grant to Transport for Greater Manchester we hope that thousands of people who, for whatever reason, have not been able to exercise regularly will now be able to build physical acitivity into their daily routine.

“The London Marathon Charitable Trust created the Strategic Partnerships Programme in 2018 to support big regional projects that will inspire activity and challenge the inequality of access to sport and physical activity for children, young people, women and girls, disadvantaged communities and those with disabilities. This project in Greater Manchester does all of that.”

Currently unable to function as a music veue, the Village Underground in Shoreditch has temporarily transformed into the VU Cycle Park.

The converted Victorian warehouse is now a space where over 400 bicycles can be stored.

It’s £5 per day, per bike and hourly rates are also available.

They’re also selling a range of beers, wines and spirits from the VU Bar to take home with you, as well as speciality coffees available until midday.

More info here.

Dropping off your bicycle to us and using our secure bicycle park really is this easy. 💁‍♀️
You can also pick up ice cold cans / soft drinks to takeaway with you. Stay hydrated! 🧊🥤 pic.twitter.com/fQU1kvJ4Q1

— VU Cycle Park (@CycleVu) August 7, 2020

L’attaque tranchante de 🇸🇮@rogla qui remporte l’étape et prend le Maillot Jaune. Revivez le dernier kilomètre de la 2ème étape du #Dauphiné.

🇸🇮@rogla attacks, claims the stage win and the overall lead. Relive the last kilometre of stage 2. pic.twitter.com/lobFGS50pK

— Critérium du Dauphiné (@dauphine) August 13, 2020

Jumbo-Visma’s Wout van Aert has been winning pretty much everything going recently.

After Strade Bianche and Milan-Sanremo, he also won yesterday’s opening stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné.

He couldn’t win in two places simultaneously however, so the team was forced to take victory in Gran Piemonte with another rider – Sam George Bennett.

And then there’s Primoz Roglic.

Last week the Slovenian won two stages and the overall at the Tour de l’Ain (finishing second in the other stage).

Today he took the stage and race lead at the Critérium du Dauphiné after ditching everyone near the top of the final climb.

Whether you rode for exercise, essential journeys, or to escape, cycling was there when we needed it most.

Now we want even more people to experience the fun and freedom of riding a bike.

It's time to get the UK #PumpedUpToCycle.

👉 https://t.co/0pISEHjG43 pic.twitter.com/fe2hZ7eY12

— Cycling UK (@WeAreCyclingUK) August 10, 2020

Cycling UK has been touring the country documenting the nation’s burgeoning love of cycling since lockdown.

Over 50 cyclists have participated in the project – some making the most of quieter roads and more cycle lanes and others finding themselves on a bike for the first time.

You can find the ‘Pumped Up’ collection of images and stories here.

Cycling UK’s James Scott commented: “These are the faces behind the percentages governments in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are recording. Through this project we have captured the moment when people from all walks of life started cycling.

“We know that if people see people ‘like them’ out on the roads it gives them the confidence to give a bike a try. So we wanted to show the huge diversity of people who love cycling across the UK.

“Cycling is not only great for your health but obviously the environment, your wallet and above all great fun. We’re pumped up to help even more people reap the benefits of travelling on two wheels.”