Rider inches from crashing into photographer at Italian stage race; Denise Welch uses archive TDF pic to claim French aren’t “terrified” of pandemic; Riders forced to slide at XC race; Parents want cycling on National Curriculum + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
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Bank holiday weekend catch-up
Too busy watching that little bike race to catch up on other cycling things over the bank holiday? Here’s what you missed (plus the Tour reports as well JIC)…
Tour de France Stage 3: Caleb Ewan pips Sam Bennett in the sprint (+ video highlights)
Tour de France Stage 2: Julian Alaphilippe back in yellow with win in Nice (+ video highlights)
Tour de France Stage 1: Alexander Kristoff wins crash-strewn stage in Nice
Video: Brighton driver deliberately clatters wands on emergency bike lane
Cyclist slams “lazy bastards” who use North Wales beauty spot as “rubbish bin”
Garmin Connect is having a major outage for the second time in six weeks
E-bike stolen after rider deliberately rammed by van driver in Reading
If you can’t hack it, retire, Wiggins tells Tour de France riders
Survey finds 82% of parents believe cycling should be added to the National Curriculum
As cycling boomed during the lockdown, many families took advantage of the safer and quieter roads by bike… and a new survey from Halfords has shown that the majority believe it’s time to think of riding a bike as more than just a hobby, rather a vital tool that is taught on the National Curriculum.
Halfords’ first indication of more kids cycling is their sales figures of children’s bikes, bike seats and trailers, going up by 100% ahead of schools reopening. The survey revealed that almost half of all parents would consider buying a bike or scooter for their children to travel to school, and that 56% would like cycling added to the National Curriculum so that all children will be taught to cycle competently, confidently and proficiently on the roads.” 60% also wanted more money pledged towards cycling and scooting safety for children, even if this was at the expense of other school resources.
The survey also shown that there is still a lot of apprehension over road safety, with only 17% of those surveyed saying they have a child who cycles to school, and 42% saying the main reason their children don’t cycle to school is because the roads are too dangerous; just 12% of British families with kids under 12 have at least one family member who doesn’t know how to ride a bike, according to statistics.
A further 27% of parents said they would welcome interactive cycling clubs at schools and in local areas, with free bike helmets given to all children.
Halfords’ Emma Dines commented: “On the back of a year when many adults have rediscovered cycling, it’s heartening to see a growing number of children taking it up too. Our research shows that parents want further cycling education to be provided to young people to ensure it can help them to cycle safely. We know how important is it to start these skill sets young and educate the next generation. Such initiatives can help fuel a lifelong interest in bikes – as well as sound cycling safety knowledge. The benefits of cycling and walking are enormous.”
A new test for cycling infra: can you carry a pint while riding on it?
You know you have Dutch level cycling infrastructure, when it passes this 🍺 test.
(via @geenstijl) pic.twitter.com/ThaQS8whfv
— Cycling Professor (@fietsprofessor) August 31, 2020
“Why aren’t you wearing a helmet?”
“Beer.”
Cyclists hogging the road again
This is a 2 way road. Remind me how cyclists are taking up the road space. pic.twitter.com/lsEL8EDLtH
— Tommy (@Wombletom) August 30, 2020
Must be a new cycle lane in Chesterfield @but_cyclists 🤷 pic.twitter.com/cqvLQbyX6u
— Dr Declan Ryan PhD (@DrDecRyan) August 31, 2020
A couple of examples from the Bank Holiday weekend.
Near miss of the day, bovine edition: cyclist nearly taken out by a runaway cow in Norfolk
In the video from CCTV footage belonging to JSW Used Car Sales, we see a cyclist ride up and stop in the road… and then at around 30 seconds in, it becomes clear what has brought him to a terrifying halt.
The cyclist avoids the raging animal by inches, before a driver in a 4×4 appears to successfully direct it off the road.
A JSW employee told Cambridgeshire Live that three police cars were in pursuit of the cow but were a few minutes behind, adding: “It would have done quite a bit of damage if it hit someone.”
Norfolk Police said that the cow was safely contained by farmers and returned to a field later that morning.
Annemiek van Vleuten joins Movistar
The world road champion will leave Mitchelton-Scott to join the Spanish team in 2021, having signed a two-year deal
She said: “My link with the Movistar Team goes back a long way. I got to know the team better in some high altitude concentrations in Sierra Nevada that I did in 2014, and in which I coincided with part of the men’s team. One of the coaches invited me to ride one day with them and I loved the experience. For me they were like my ‘Spanish family’. I felt very comfortable, they were the first team of boys to invite me to train with them on long days, and the atmosphere was very pleasant.
“We trained quietly, they waited for me after the climbs, each one did their work and every day, after dinner, you could tell that there was good vibes in the team, they got together to stay a while longer instead of going back to their rooms … I even played table tennis one day with Alejandro Valverde!
“I’m not the youngest in the peloton anymore, but I am super ambitious and I want to do very well with this team.”
Mind games? Quintana says he doesn't expect to be with the favourites on the final climb today
🎙 🇨🇴 @NairoQuinCo
Too modest?
“C’est la première bagarre aujourd’hui pour les favoris. Mais je ne pense pas être avec eux dans la montée finale.”#TDF2020 pic.twitter.com/5bC0ySocj3
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) September 1, 2020
Stage 4’s hilly profile looks like it would suit a prime Quintana, but the Colombian doesn’t seem to think he’s in contention for the win… being the clear GC contender for Arkéa–Samsic, perhaps this quote has been lost in translation a little.
With the summit finish coming at the end of a category 1 climb that averages 6.7% over 7.1km, it’s probably not quite enough ramp for a rider like Quintana to settle in, and could suit more punchy riders like a certain Frenchman in yellow.
Sliding or riding? A tough day at the office for competitors at the Zanzenberg XCO
The extraordinary scenes were captured at this XC race in Austria, with riders forced to slide down the slippery mud slope and most not even managing to stay on their feet, let alone bikes. We’ll stick with tarmac thanks!
Conor McGregor is in the yellow jersey
And the new… Yellow jersey wearer @TheNotoriousMMA 🇮🇪🟡
Who’s going to wrestle that off him later?! 😰 #TDF2020 pic.twitter.com/JPWPTIRJgW
— ITV Cycling (@itvcycling) September 1, 2020
Well, the retired MMA fighter and one-time boxer was wearing one during a recent ride anyway, and also got his nails done according to this curious Instagram post…
McGregor is a fan of cycling to keep fit, and has been spotted on numerous occasions riding a custom road bike from Dublin-based FiftyOne with 24-carat gold leaf on the carbon frame.
Confidis rider Anthony Perez suffered collapsed lung on stage 3 crash yesterday
Devastating for Anthony Perez (Cofidis), the virtual KOM leader had to abandon after crashing on the descent and breaking his collarbone.
📸 Getty #TDF2020 pic.twitter.com/hlVZaTk1Q6
— La Bicicleta News (@LaBicicletaNews) August 31, 2020
In an interview with L’Equipe, Perez said the pain is already better than yesterday, but he’s been left with two fractured ribs, a pneumothorax, three stitches in his knee and a lot of bruising all over. After taking maximum points on an earlier breakaway, Perez would have been in the polka dot jersey if he’d have finished the stage; but the crash, which involved his own team car, ultimately meant a painful abandon.
He added: “It happened too quickly, I didn’t have time to be afraid. I felt great pain after the fall, I couldn’t breathe and I understood immediately that something wasn’t right, but I still tried to get back on the bike.
“At the time of the fall I yelled “bike number 2!”. My bike was brought back to me, I recovered and put my shoe back on that come off. I got back on the bike and tried to start again, but once I was on the bike I knew it was over.”
Indoor cycling facilities get back on track as more coronavirus restrictions are lifted
British Cycling have announced that club and coach-led activity taking place in indoor facilities in England can resume with immediate effect, following updated guidance published today.
They say that some facility operators have already delivered sessions with reduced numbers successfully, and other clubs and coaches are being actively encouraged to resume activities. Clubs and coaches have to adhere to the rules in British Cycling’s ‘The Way Forward’ document, which has been updated with additional guidance for facility operators.
Helen Redford-Sears, Sports & Events Manager at Derby Arena, said:
“Things will have to run a little differently but the welcome at Derby Arena is as warm as ever. Please take some time to familiarise yourself with the new measures, and let us know how we’re doing, so we can make this the best experience. Get your tyres pumped – we can’t wait to get you back on track!”
Indoor competition and events are not yet allowed to return, but British Cycling are hoping these can resume in England on Monday 28th September.
Tour de France stage 4: Benoot back on a new bike after crashing
Thumbs up from @TiesjBenoot as he’s caught by the peloton.👍🏻
With 20km to go the remainder of the breakaway hold onto a 1’30” advantage. pic.twitter.com/UYDfGnJNxf
— Team Sunweb (@TeamSunweb) September 1, 2020
#TdF2020 – Benoot’s bike. He seems to be ok and can probably continue. pic.twitter.com/ZaCQCLewTH
— La Flamme Rouge (@laflammerouge16) September 1, 2020
The Belgian clearly came out of it better than his bike, and he’s now back in the peloton.
Bristol cyclist has Boardman bike stolen after being knocked off and punched by four teenagers
The Bristol Post report that Chris Stout was riding on the Riverside Park bike path close to Bristol city centre on Friday evening, when he was attacked by four boys, all aged around 16. Mr Stout, 37, says he grappled with the attackers and managed to push one back off his bike, but was eventually forced to let them go when a glass bottle was smashed against a wall behind him.
He said: “Someone came out from behind some trees. I saw someone running on the grass alongside me on the path.
“At first I thought they were being stupid, trying to cause me to swerve or fall off. I turned into them slightly to force them out of the way. Then they jumped out and initiated the collision. They were punching me in the face.
“I don’t remember feeling or thinking anything, it happened so fast. One second I was cycling along, they next I’d been pulled off my bike.”
Mr Stout said the bottle smashing was enough to make him give up on trying to take back his Boardman ADV 8.9, adding: “At that point I just gave up on the bike. It’s a nice bike, but if they had one bottle they could have had more.
I couldn’t defend myself and the bike. They were there for the bike, not for me. There were three guys and then suddenly there were four. The guy I’d thrown off got back on the bike.”
An Avon and Somerset police spokesman said an investigation had began, while Mr Stout says he has already received a Facebook message from someone who claims to have seen someone riding an identical bike in the area on Saturday, who matched the description of the attackers.
1km to go: all the big guns are together
🔻 Flamme Rouge !#TdF2020 pic.twitter.com/6UaD8h6qRR
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) September 1, 2020
Roglic, Alaphilippe, Pinot, Bernal etc are all primed for a big finish.
Roglic wins TDF stage 4
🚵♂️ | Primoz Roglic pakt de zege! Wat een knappe overwinning 🙌#TDF2020 #TourDeFrance pic.twitter.com/5HbSoAyINC
— Eurosport Nederland (@Eurosport_NL) September 1, 2020
The Slovenian played it perfectly to claim the stage win, and it looks like Alaphilippe will keep hold of the yellow jersey after crossing the line in third. Full stage report to follow later.
Photographer nearly taken out at Coppi e Bartali
Olav Kooij (TJV) wins stage 1a of Coppi e Bartali. pic.twitter.com/pnlXepvp59
— NTT Pro Cycling (@NTTProCycling) September 1, 2020
In the video from stage 1 of the five-day race in Italy, a rider is forced to veer off to the side to avoid crashing into photographers, and another misses one of them by an inch. Seemingly unflustered, the cameraman proceeds to snap the rider who had peeled off to avoid a collision.
At other races (e.g. ToB) there’s a line on the floor so we don’t stray in to the path of riders – they don’t have one here. Plus its a tighter bottleneck after the line compared to other races. Even if the photographers weren’t there, they would have smashed in to the barriers.
— 🅰🅽🅳🆈 (@SpinarelloDogma) September 1, 2020
Finish line safety has been called into question more and more since the horrific injuries suffered by Fabio Jakobsen at the opening stage of the Tour de Pologne in early August, when Dylan Groenewegen appeared to move across his line, sending him crashing into the barriers. While the UCI condemned Groenewegen’s “dangerous behaviour”, many noted that the narrow, downhill sprint finish and physical barriers were huge contributing factors in the incident.
1 September 2020, 08:29
Roll up for our latest mega comp!
Scribe Cycling Competition is closed and we have a Winner!
The Scribe Cycling competition is now CLOSED and we announce the winner - Read below to find out if you are the lucky winner
1 September 2020, 08:29
Canyon's worst kept secret...
2021 Canyon Aeroad spotted at the Tour de France. Surely Canyon has to release it soon?
Warren Barguil of Arkea Samsic is riding the bike that features deeper tubes and a fully integrated front end
1 September 2020, 08:29
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Latest Comments
And maybe a planning obligation to have traffic Marshalls controlling access out of the site not obstructing the path and restricting it if cyclists are likely to be obstructed …one can hope
I'll stick to my low rider with Karrimor Kalahari dry bag panniers and Karrimor Kalahari barbag thanks.
How is the Hover Air X1 Smart more jersey pocket friendly? It doesn’t fold, like the original Hover Air X1 (which is excellent BTW). Are your jersey pockets larger than standard? You did read the part about this also being available only for Japanese market?
Presumably your bike has the legal restriction to 25 km/h, in which case you're not dangerously close to the line at all, it's the high speed achievable by illegal electric motorcycles (there is a plague of them at the moment in my area of London that, I would estimate, are capable of at least 45 mph) that's causing the collisions, the actual power is fairly irrelevant.
I use this cycle path regularly. It is used by commuters during the week but it is used more and more by families with young children evenings and weekends when the weather is fine. The car boot takes place on a Sunday which conflicts with this leisure use. One problem is with cars stopping on the cycle path to wait for a gap in traffic (as in the picture). Even if the car is stopped and there is space behind it, as in the picture, you can't be sure that the driver won't reverse or the driver behind won't close the gap so you have to slow down to almost a stop to get through safely. You would have to dismount as well as you would be using the footway part of the path. This isn't a huge problem going up the hill into Cheltenham, (coming towards you in the picture) as it is relatively steep and usually against the prevailing wind if there is any, so you are going slowly anyway. Going down the hill however it is easy to reach 30mph and this is where cyclists are going to be seriously inconvenienced by having to slow down and dismount. I don't think it's a huge safety issue but it will be annoying. Obviously the driver should not be blocking the cycle path at all and should wait in the entrance, which has good visibility, until there is a gap in both the road and the cycle path traffic. This is obviously beyond the skill set of the majority of motorists who would not dream of blocking the road but can't see any problem with blocking the cycle path. The main problem, however, is with drivers from Cheltenham crossing the oncoming traffic to enter the car boot sale. There may be nothing blocking the cycle path and the drivers will be looking for gaps in the (usually continuous) oncoming traffic. When a gap appears they will go but will they have checked that there are no cyclists on the track who will expect the driver to give them priority as instructed in the highway code. A cyclist coming from Cheltenham down the hill will be travelling at speed from behind the driver and the driver will cut across them from their left if they are not seen. Experienced cyclists will be watching out for this but that is not who the cycle path is intended for, it is intended to encourage new cyclists to get on their bikes. Another concern is when a driver is turning into the site and does notice a cyclist and does give way. The driver behind may not be expecting the car in front to stop and there is potential for a rear ending incident. The speed limit is 40mph but it is only adhered to in heavy traffic. I rarely drive but I did drive the road recently and I was doing exactly 40mph when I was overtaken. None of these would be a problem if drivers could be relied upon to obey the highway code but it seems to me that it is asking too much in today's "drivers come first" and "must drive as fast as possible" mentality. Finally one time I cycled when the car boot was on there was a person in a hi vis jacket directing the traffic. If the individual has received training then it should be safer but it will still inconvenience cyclists unless we are given priority.
@KiwiMike Respectfully, I don't think "oh well people can afford it" is a valid excuse for blatantly overcharging for a product. Yes of course it's people's choice whether they want to pay for it or not, just as it's my choice to point out that in my opinion, as with so many cycling products, it's a rip-off.
I guess you’ve never been for a ride in the countryside, and wanted to stop somewhere there isn’t a perfectly-positioned tree, fence or wall? Or have always had the good fortune to have a bike rack or wall positioned perfectly where you need it, and been happy to balance your bike and trust no-one will nudge it. I accept that’s a valid use case.
If you can afford a £3000 ebike you can almost certainly afford this. Especially as it’s the last one you’ll ever need to buy. Of course people will value the utility in their own way, there’s no definitive right / wrong, there’s just choice.
@jackcycles "The idea that you need a dedicated cycleway in order to ride a bike is ludicrous and false" You might not need one because you're a brave cyclist. There are many people in this country who aren't brave, who don't like mixing with traffic, and who won't cycle if they have to. So they need a dedicated cycleway, despite your protestations. "Just be more assertive" will never, ever work as a tool to enable more cycling.
@neilmck Other studies have shown different results, however, e.g. a 2025 study in Barcelona showed injury rates on uni-directional cycle paths were slightly higher than on bi-directional ones - I'll post the link below as otherwise might end up in the black hole of link approval quarantine. The study you cite is from 1990 when in many areas cycle provision was very much in its infancy and drivers were much less accustomed to watching for cyclists in separate infrastructure than they are now. As ever, in my experience at least, the issue is not the cycle lane per se but junction design, with proper mitigating measures e.g. raised tables at junctions, different surface colours, warning signage, set back give ways etc there's no reason bidirectional lanes should be more dangerous.
38 thoughts on “Rider inches from crashing into photographer at Italian stage race; Denise Welch uses archive TDF pic to claim French aren’t “terrified” of pandemic; Riders forced to slide at XC race; Parents want cycling on National Curriculum + more on the live blog”
If only the cow had been
If only the cow had been wearing high viz and a helmet.
As for the guy riding with a beer on his head, that’s an impressive skill.
Indeed.
Indeed.
Dunno about you but it didn’t look to me like the farmers were safely containing the animal. It looked like they were chasing it with a 4×4, and it was essentially out of control.
OldRidgeback wrote:
Or at least sounded its horn.
Why did the cow cross the
Why did the cow cross the road?
To get to the udder side
That is easily the worst joke
That is easily the worst joke I have herd today.
Mungecrundle wrote:
“Knock knock.”
“Who’s there?”
“Daisy the interupting cow.”
“Daisy the interup…
“Moooooo”
“..ting cow who?”
eburtthebike wrote:
That was an udder terrible joke
Why do you never see cows
Why do you never see cows hiding in trees?
Cos they’re really good at it…..
Not this one !
Not this one !
Mungecrundle wrote:
I once saw a farmer giving a cow some coffee after the vet had just given it a hysterectomy.
It was decalffeinated
I once saw an old lady giving
I once saw an old lady giving hot chocolate to cows on a cold morning. Apparently it was Thora Hird…..
I saw a documentary about the
I saw a documentary about the cow space program. They wanted to travel a bovine beyond.
Sounds like a good plot for a
Sounds like a good plot for a moovie; you’d need some moovistars of course.
Probably too scary for young
Probably too scary for young calfs to watch, though – the mother cows would tell them that it’s pasture bedtime.
“Hurry up, we’re Friesian
“Hurry up, we’re Friesian here”.
Put on a Jersey or Gold Top
Put on a Jersey or Gold Top then.
Quote:
I agree. However, what would probably make a bigger difference would be if cycling/Bikeability was added to the driving test.
It doesn’t matter how well taught you are as a cyclist if all the motorists are ignorant so-and-so’s who have never ridden a bike and don’t know how to drive around one…
I think you’re spot on, but
I think you’re spot on, but it could be said that this achieves the same aim – if every child does bikeability, then every new driver has also.
What do they propose removing
What do they propose removing from the curriculum in its place?
Many schools already do
Many schools already do provide bikeability. Both the cubs did their 1 and 2 through school, in school hours.
Sriracha wrote:
RE
Oh, come on! They haven’t
Oh, come on! They haven’t thought that far ahead about it.
(TBH, everything bar science, tech, english, and maths is being pretty much being dropped anyway…).
I was a teacher and it seemed
I was a teacher and it seemed then, and seems now, that parents want added to the National Curriculum anything they can’t be arsed to teach their kids themselves. Perhaps we might try eating with cutlery, getting dressed and blowing your nose before we delve into the mysteries of balancing on two wheels.
Along with Milk, one of the
Along with Milk, one of the things taken away in the 80’s from memory was the CP in schools. It might have been that it was run as an voluntary thing but definitely I remember several classes having the option at a certain age at myJuniors. (Either it was canned beforehand or I was ill when my class would have taken it.)
Looks to me that the cow is
Looks to me that the cow is enraged because it’s being chased by a 4×4. Love to know what sort of risk assesment went through the drivers head before deciding that the best way to get the cow off the road was to use his vehicle.
That’s how he gets cyclists
That’s how he gets cyclists off the road, too, so it’s been working for him.
Cyclist should have hopped
Cyclist should have hopped into the car sales area not stayed in the firing line !
Damned cyclist, holding up ..
Damned cyclist, holding up … the runaway cow.
Maybe Quintana means he won’t
Maybe Quintana means he won’t be with the favourites because he’ll be out front on the attack, chasing the stage win…
My goodness. Just had a look
My goodness. Just had a look at the replies to that Denise Welch tweet and hadn’t realised how many #KBF whackadoodle conspiracy theorists are out there just waiting to tell the world how we’re all being misled.
At least I have a better idea of the audience profile for Loose Women.
the ones kicked off Mumsnet
the ones kicked off Mumsnet for being too strange.
Never attribute to a
Never attribute to a conspiracy what can be attributed to incompetence.
The only thing missing from
The only thing missing from that cow video was that it didn’t include Alan Partridge ??
I’m surprised that cyclist
I’m surprised that cyclist could even see that bull.. it was cow-moo-flaged,
This thread has gone off the rails.. it’s steered right off topic.. so much bullsh** in here today. The cow jokes are being milked for all they are worth, it’s time to cut the umbullical cord in here today!
Ud-dear..
Ud-dear..
I live in Paris and London
I live in Paris and London (at the moment I am in Paris) and there is no Covid panic or fear. I am not a conspiracy nut – I understand and respect the issues and challenges. We are all wearing masks in the street and shops etc and Macron made a speech earlier this week saying that the country has to live with Covid – there will be no national lock down. One thing I can confirm is that there are a load of bikes on the streets of Paris and all ages riding them. No lycra, accasional helmets, and lots of eBikes – the gov has been offering a 500 Euro incentive. There are also lots of cars 🙁
We are not saying there is
We are not saying there is panic or fear there and we are not saying there is one here. Lukas, she is equating the 20k+ at the finish last year to indicate you are all acting as normal and we should to. However your own description shows it is not “normal” there as it isn’t here. And anyone in the know can see that crowds will not be anywhere neat the amount as last year at the finish*, plus I can see a few less teams finishing as well at some point.
*Unless a Frenchman has the yellow Jersey going into the last day, in which case I don’t think they will be stopped.
re the finish photographers
re the finish photographers thing, well ask Lizzie Deignan if she thinks its any better just having the photographers stand behind a line…but actually I dont see the photographers are particularly at fault for this one, any rider heading directly towards them, is heading directly towards the solid object they are standing infront of, theyd have not unreasonably assumed the riders wouldnt want to be doing that, of course if you crash you dont often get that choice, so ideally youd have wanted to place maybe an air fence in front of them just to guide the riders safely away from danger after the finish, thats the race organisers fault not the photographers though.
But the reason the Alpecin Fenix rider veers to his left, is because the Bahrain McLaren rider who then comes closest to the photographers, actually near enough shoulder checks him in to forcing him to go that way, and that seems to be the reason that rider then ends up so close to the photographers as he sweeps back around in to the main group.