Concerns young cyclists may copy pros using TT position in road races (+ calls for a ban) ; “Like a boss”: Dutch kid grabs best spot for his bike; British Cycling launch project to tackle diversity gap; Roglic wins again + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Halloween Strava art
*Happy Halloween! 🎃 #GPSart #stravaart #satellitetrackingart #GPSdrawing #Halloween #jackolantern #GPSbaltimore! pic.twitter.com/Eyh1U3V72X
— WallyGPX (@WallyGPX) October 30, 2020
From Baltimore comes this spooky Strava art made by WallyGPX…other recent maps have included a tribute to Eddie Van Halen and Any Given Sunday.
Cambridge North station to increase security following repeated bike thefts
A secure bike compound, similar to the one pictured above at Walthamstow Station, is one measure to be introduced to tackle the increase in bike thefts at the station.
The station has one of the highest rates of bike theft in the country.
New fencing for the existing cycle area and new CCTV cameras are also part of the plan to address the problem.
According to Cambridgeshire Live, the station experienced 182 bike thefts in the 12 months leading up to Demeber 2019 and has the highest rate of crime of any station in the country.
Dirty Kanza renamed Unbound Gravel
One of the world’s biggest gravel races has been rebranded.
Formerly Dirty Kanza, the race will now be named Unbound Gravel over concerns the original name was derogatory to the Kaw Nation.
Race co-director Kristi Mohn explained the decision to VeloNews: “We had had concerns brought up from people in the gravel community that the name was causing harm and was derogatory toward the Kaw Nation.
“Through our history of the event, our relationship with the Kaw Nation had been positive, but as things grew more heated, it became apparent the name needed to change.”
It’s official, the race formerly known as DK is now @unboundgravel
I love it and 🙌 to them for not only talking the talk but walking the walk. pic.twitter.com/ioY1NFo6Bj— Peter Stetina (@peterstetina) October 29, 2020
A cycling holiday to...Chernobyl
Mallorca? Tuscany? Or how about Chernobyl…
A new cycling route has been created to allow cyclists to ride across the exclusion zone at the site of the nuclear accident.
Created by Ukraine’s State Agency for Exclusion Zone Management, the route is 45km long and claims to be a safe way of exploring the area’s wildlife and history.
Previously visitors could only enter the zone by car or on foot.
Should the TT position be banned in road races?
Not ok! @UCI_cycling pic.twitter.com/zLXdKKrdrx
— Reinardt JvRensburg (@ReinvanRensburg) October 29, 2020
The pro peloton at La Vuelta were last night engaged in healthy debate over the safety of adopting a TT position when racing in a bunch.
Team NTT’s Reinardt Janse van Rensburg raised the question by sharing a photo of Team Ineos domestique Andrey Amador riding with both arms wrapped over the middle of the bars while travelling at 64km/h in the final of yesterday’s stage.
Amador responded, saying that he did still have control of his handlebars.
I’ve seen a shitload amount of world tour riders crashing over dropped bottles while they had even two hands on there drops/shifters.. draw your conclusions..
— Jetse Bol (@JetseBol) October 29, 2020
And that does not mean that I like that position with the hands there but there are so many dangerous things
— Jesús Herrada López (@jesushl90) October 29, 2020
One concern raised was that children were replicating the position after seeing professionals using it in races.
I work at a youth cycling event. We see kids do this from 8-9 years old because they think it’s cool. They don’t have the bike handling skills to do it and they crash. We made it illegal and they get a time penalty now
— José Been (@TourDeJose) October 29, 2020
British Cycling set out plan to tackle diversity gap in cycling
British Cycling have announced plans to tackle the diversity gap within the sport by increasing black and minority ethnic representation in the “racing community, volunteer network, recreation programmes and the organisation’s own workforce.”
British Cycling Business Services Director, Rod Findlay, said: “While we have made great strides as an organisation to tackle the gender gap in our sport in recent years.
“It remains the case that too many people from black and minority ethnic communities simply do not feel like they belong in our sport, and that is something which we simply must change.”
The governing body also announced projects aimed at encouraging more people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds to participate in cycling will be announced in the near future.
All of British Cycling’s plans will undertaken with consultation from Inclusive Employers.
Cannondale go fully recyclable
Cannondale have announced plans to make all their packaging in Europe 100% recyclable by cutting down on single-use plastics.
The packaging, developed by Cycling Sports Group Europe (a division of Cannondale’s parent company Dorel Industries), will avoid use of plastic tape, plastic bags, foam, PVC, and zip ties.
Eugene Fierkens, the General Manager of CSG Europe, told Bike Europe: “Our objective was to design a better packaging system.
“Make it better for the environment, make the packaging protection stronger and significantly reduce assembly time. This is better for the planet, a gift for bike shops, and a win for our customers.”
TT position in road races... yay or nay? Vote in our poll
Plenty of discussion on this one amongst the pros themselves… but what do you reckon? Vote in our poll… for no particular reason, but who doesn’t love a good poll?
Council respond to criticism over Sunrise Cycleway
Following feedback from some residents who said they were unaware the scheme was temporary, the webpage was updated. We know not everyone will have seen the press release or read down to the FAQs so it was added to the main body of the page to make it clearer. Thanks.
— North Tyneside Council (@NTCouncilTeam) October 30, 2020
North Tyneside Council have responded to claims that their website was updated with the intention of misleading people about the ‘Sunrise Cycleway’ being a temporary initiative.
OK so we’re just going to throw this out there, someone at @NTCouncilTeam has gone into their website page for the @SunriseCycleway and literally inserted the word “temporary” into the text a few times. Thats where we’re at. pic.twitter.com/kaifEbrG1V
— Living Streets North Tyneside (@NTyneLivingSt) October 30, 2020
North Tyneside Council denied the changes were intended to mislead people, instead claiming that it was in response to members of the public asking for clarity about whether it was a temporary measure.
The cycleway, which runs from Whitley Bay to Tynemouth, has been heralded by cyclists and advocates of active transport for providing a safe environment for cycling.
However, the council have made it clear that the cycleway will not be a permanent feature and will be restored to allow motorists access.
This petition asking for the cycleway to be kept has 5,600 signatures.
Bikes > cars
He took the best spot to park his bike 😂 pic.twitter.com/nAk7RXnQPE
— Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden_) October 29, 2020
If you needed a laugh to take you through to the weekend then here you go.
This kid in the Netherlands knows exactly what to do when he’s done with his bike ride as he ignores the queue of cars waiting behind him and leaves his bike nicely parked in the free space, before walking off.
Chapeau.
Twitter reacts to funny video of Dutch child taking best parking spot
Walks off like a boss
— A Maya A (@Nunno_15) October 29, 2020
Dutch kids learn early the supremacy of the bike. 😁
— Alison 😷 #SaveDaredevil (@AliBess) October 30, 2020
Even backed in. Pro move. 🤘🏻💪🔥
— Fred Schultz (@fred035schultz) October 29, 2020
Some guy is gonna be writing a stern letter on a baseball card!
— Name cannot be blank (@Asciid1) October 29, 2020
Vuelta stage 10
La Vuelta stage 10 has 50km to go and the race is reaching the interesting part of the day’s profile.
It could be one for the sprinters, but there are a number of tests that will need to be tackled within the final hour of racing.
As it stands there is a breakaway of four riders three minutes ahead of the peloton.
New kit
Fancy a black and gold saddle? Brooks have got you covered with this Chris King collaboration.
Limar have announced they are adding MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) to their Air Pro helmet for added protection.
Here’s our review of the brand’s flagship model.
Concerns young riders may put themselves in danger by copying pro riders
Not ok! @UCI_cycling pic.twitter.com/zLXdKKrdrx
— Reinardt JvRensburg (@ReinvanRensburg) October 29, 2020
This morning we highlighted the debate raging on social media amongst the professional peloton at the Vuelta over the saftey of riding in a TT position on a road bike.
Team NTT’s Reinardt Janse van Rensburg tweeted the picture above with the caption ‘not ok’ and tagged the UCI in the post.
It sparked a healthy debate with Ineos’ Andrey Amador explaining that he was still in control of the handlebars as well as fellow pros Jesus Herrada and Jetse Bol having their say too.
One opinion that appeared numerous times from volunteers working in youth cycling and the wider community was that there have been cases of young riders, lacking the experience and bike-handling skills of the professional peloton, putting themselves in danger by copying the position in junior races.
Jose Been said: “I work at a youth cycling event. We see kids do this from 8-9 years old because they think it’s cool. They don’t have the bike handling skills to do it and they crash. We made it illegal and they get a time penalty now.”
“I’ve seen lots of youth riders in Ireland doing this too. I believe that Cycling Ireland have now banned it for youth, a point of disqualification if caught,” Finbar O’Kane added.
Let us know in our poll below what you think?
E.T. mode unlocked on Zwift
Ron Buch was Zwifting away… when all of a sudden, due to an apparent glitch in the software, his bike appeared to take off and the rest of his ride took place in the sky.
Originally sharing his story on the Zwift Riders Facebook group, Ron said: “I was in the process of being caught up to a pace partner when I hit Join Event. It kept me at the elevation of the Jungle Circuit, but put me in the desert start corral. Then, I rode a straight line to the jungle, and once my wheels hit the road, I followed the road from that point on. But, Zwift thought I was still in the group, so I moved back and forth dodging nonexistent riders. It was a weird morning.“
The monstrously large hydration system on the aesthetically unusual Specialized S-Works Shiv could probably fit an alien or two in it, so we’re calling this E.T. Mode… any other Zwifters experienced this?
Roglic takes red jersey with third stage win
🇪🇸 #LaVuelta20
Mr sprinter🌪😏#ifeelsLOVEnia pic.twitter.com/75yXtGnGfl
— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) October 30, 2020
Primoz Roglic won his third stage of the Vuelta, taking the overall race lead in the process. The Slovenian finished three seconds ahead of Richard Carapaz which, combined with the ten second bonus for winning the stage, was enough to take the red jersey from the Ineos rider. This weekend sees a double-header of summit finishes with Sunday’s stage ending at the notoriously brutal Angliru.
30 October 2020, 09:18
30 October 2020, 09:18
30 October 2020, 09:18
30 October 2020, 09:18
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Latest Comments
@TrainWalkWheel at least one person on here seems to have better understanding of these than I do but AFAICS the model is even less likely to lead to good outcomes than happened with eg. a certain UK bus company. The one notorious for moving into an area, putting the existing providers out of business by running more services for pence and losing money, then - having captured the market - jacking up the price and dropping services. At least in that case the intention was presumably to deliver a self-sustaining service in the end (albeit perhaps a worse, overpriced one). But AFAIK mass bike share itself has never made money directly. So one wonders what the end plan is if any one of these market-share-capture firms actually won? (Presumably that isn't important and it's all about trading / financial shenanigans in some way. I doubt they could hold the local authority to ransom for the extra cash...)
Alas it's another part of "because cars / 'change', we can't just copy a well-proven design eg. from NL" On top of this is the UK "not invented here" making it up / no expertise or standard designs AND a "we must fit cyclists in around existing road space" causing strange contorted layouts. So what happens is we get things like bi-directional cycle *lanes* (not separated cycle paths) because cheapest / easiest to patch in. So that means that pedestrians don't have a space to wait *after* crossing the cycle space and *before* they have to deal with the road. (It also puts another block in the way of cycling convenience at traffic lights - say at a T-junction - because unlike NL the lights then apply to cyclists going straight on, whereas in NL that would be an informal cycle path crossing for pedestrians with no lights applying to the cycle path part - so cyclists just keep rolling).
In 2019, Shanghai and other Chinese major cities implemented strict regulations and clean-up operations tp remove millopns of abondoned dockless bicycles that had created public nuisances and blocked pavements. One can't blame local authorities for taking actions in order to stop a messy situation triggered by unruly users.
@Jakrayan Criticising people for not riding primary is like criticising a victim of domestic abuse for cringing when their partner threatens them with their fist. People don't ride in the gutter because they want to, they do it because if they don't they know there's a better than even chance that in any given ride at least one driver will be so affronted by the ENTITLED BIKE NONCE TAKIN' UP THE WHOLE ROAD!!!11 they'll do a deliberate punishment pass that could kill you or leave you maimed for life. Getting over in the gutter isn't a great solution, but multiple uncomfortable but not life-threatening passes is better than one potentially catastrophic one. It shouldn't be a cyclist's responsibility to put their life at risk just to remind drivers to obey the rules of the road they should be doing regardless. And as for "just getting off and walking", putting aside the reality that a ridden bike takes up *less* space than one with the rider walking alongside and so I'd argue the most considerate way to use that inadequate infrastructure(presumably there are no safe alternatives within a reasonable distance or why would anyone on a bike be using it at all) would be to proceed across on the bike at walking pace and then stop and put your foot down if someone needs to get by you; plenty of people use bikes as mobility aids and so "just get off" isn't as simple as it's made out to be. A couple of years back I had the worst sprain of my life, I could barely even hobble for two weeks and had a huge honking brace on my foot, had to sleep on the sofa downstairs because climbing them was a no go. I could still ride my bike though, do my shopping, see my mates - plenty of people have impairments that aren't temporary, to them "just get off" is tantamount to saying "just stay home". Let's keep it a benjamin as the kids say: "shared responsibility" and "keeping everyone safe" are, literally, copouts. They've framed the entire campaign so they can justify only taking actions that don't piss off drivers, and don't require them to actually do any work except harassing a few cyclists as they do a lunch run to the local Greggs, because that's the level of seriousness police in this country - in an institutional sense - believe road crime deserves.
"Scott says that it ‘redefines cable routing in the mountain bike industry’. While we’re yet to see if that claim rings true" I have a Spark RC Pro (2022) with mechanically controlled components. Because we use the front brake lever on the drive (right) side in the UK I have the rear brake hose and two cable housings (dropper and shock) on the NDS entering the headset. On my current bike I use 3.0mm Jagwire housing with no problems. I can install them by just pushing them through the headset without dismantling it. The new 2027 Spark has two openings either side of the headset so it is set up for a rear brake to be on the DS (right). Maybe they are dismissing countries that have the UK's brake lever configuration.
The first link is to one of their cycling computers.
To be fair when I'm out on the roads, car or bike, I see very many instances of people cycling who could be doing better. Ignoring the delivery riders, most of whom we know aren't actually riding bicycles / Ebikes, the most common issue I see is people riding too close to the edge of the road. Yes, drivers absolutely should do better, however this type of riding does little to discourage drivers from overtaking, and they will still pass too closely leaving the rider with FA room to the left either. So educating riders as to how to ride more safely isn't a bad idea IMHO. As for that narrow bridge, if it's popular with pedestrians I don't see how getting off and walking a few yards is a massive issue. And I'm normally in SPD-SL road cleats!
Indeed. Some lanes are so narrow, and with overgrown vegetation, that the driver may not be able to see anything behind in his wing (door) mirrors, and vans usually don't have a rear window so no rear-view mirror either. Much easier in this situation to just turn around and head back to the nearest farm gate, it won't be far. After all, 'share the road' works both ways. And before someone comments to say if you drive where you can't clearly see what's behind you, that driver may have no choice - deliveries, tradespeople etc.
So we can add time travel to his list of talents? Is there nothing the man can't do?
"Arguably the best way to carry panniers on the front of pretty much any bike" The thing that is missing from this sentence is the qualification "...that doesn't have the right bosses for a typical low rider rack" The horizontal tube seems too low which means careful pannier selection to avoid a ground clearance issue. Also the panniers are going to be quite far forward which is less than ideal. If you have the bosses then I'd argue you're much better off with something else e.g. a Tubus Duo which places the panniers at a good height and allows them to sit behind the axle minimising the effect on steering.
23 thoughts on “Concerns young cyclists may copy pros using TT position in road races (+ calls for a ban) ; “Like a boss”: Dutch kid grabs best spot for his bike; British Cycling launch project to tackle diversity gap; Roglic wins again + more on the live blog”
I’d ban the TT position and
I’d ban the TT position and sitting on the crossbar for descending (something I’m seeing more idiots doing when out training for no other reason than they think it looks cool), both make a (thrillingly) dangerous sport unecessarily more dangerous.
It’s already “banned” – just
It’s already “banned” – just not enforced.
TT position, sitting on the
TT position, sitting on the crossbar, or both?
The newbie hipsters that have
The newbie hipsters that have seen the pro’s do it and zip by you at high speed thinking they look cool, not realising that the older more experienced cyclists know both the TT and crossbar position are just unstable. descending sat on the cross bar moves your weight forward, as a qualified coach myself its a big no no.
So how do kids again
So how do kids again experience to ride in a TT style if they’re never allowed to ride in a TT style.
What next the BMX kids not allowed to do jumps?
As for the diversity thing, 1.9 black people live in england….1.1 million of which live in London. 4/5 of UK’s population does not cycle at all. So for the rest of England that’s 800k black people, 4/5 who won’t cycle so that leaves 160k black people cycling across the entirety of the country. Not massive numbers. What do people expect?
Look at people riding 3 times a week 3.2%. Take those figures and that’s only 25600 black people riding across England at best.
I’d be more bothered about the fact that 4/5 OF THE POPULATION DOES NOT CYCLE. That’s more worrying.
Kids gain experience riding
Kids gain experience riding in a TT position using TT bars, not resting their elbows on the tops of road bars which the pro’s do because TT bars are banned in road races.
Do you get the fact that your
Do you get the fact that your whole tone deaf comment illustrates that there is a problem?
I’m wondering what would
I’m wondering what would happen in Netherlands if “TT position” were banned on the road? Lots of pissed-off commuters… !
Rick_Rude wrote:
That can’t be true, I know almost three.
keep those hands on the bars.
keep those hands on the bars…
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8892887/Cyclist-riding-no-hands-smashes-parked-scooter-rides-leaving-lying-road.html
(sorry it’s the DM again, they seem to have exclusive on it)
Riding with your hands off
Riding with your hands off the bars is a DQ-able offence in British Cycling events. In the past I’ve ticked off club members for this and riding Chris Froome style on the top tube while descending. Both are banned in amateur events so there is no place for them in club or group rides.
Cambridge North news is
Cambridge North news is frankly garbage. The existing bike park in Cambridge is CCTV monitored on the first and second floors of a hotel and dining unit next to the station and is littered with wheels, frames and cut locks. When you ask for footage it takes week if it comes and is generally useless as the thieving toe rags know where the cameras are and just cover up.
bike theft in this town is sadly completely out of control
I have heard that the CCTV at
I have heard that the CCTV at the station is in fact not monitored and police say they have no time to review it. So you are SOL regardless. I would never leave a bike worth more than a few hundred pounds locked up anywhere in Cambridge.
If you want cycle security
If you want cycle security just copy the Dutch. Oyster style card for access to the building.
Greater Anglia are part Dutch
Greater Anglia are part Dutch,but implemented a token scheme for their secured bike parks,unfortunately the tokens were limited in numbers,so have a long waiting list,maybe not so much in current climate, but they completely replaced all existing bike parking with them.
Meaning unless you had one of the limited tokens you couldn’t park your bike at a station with this setup anymore. I cant say I feel this is much of an improvement of the cyclists lot there, and where they expect to put the extra spaces for cycling at the other stations that article mentions,I dont know where the space is for them.
Further to the story the
Further to the story the other day about north Tyneside council removing their cycle way, they’re now trying to backdate it to say it’s temporary.
https://mobile.twitter.com/NTyneLivingSt/status/1322080678280835074?s=08
By coincidence I was on it
By coincidence I was on it this very day. It’s absolutely brilliant. Proper, useable infrastructure on a glorious part of the coast. I’m afraid my photo doesn’t remotely do it justice.
British Cycling to become
British Cycling to become inclusive?
Just been for a few hours
Just been for a few hours walk around a countryside beauty spot. Birmingham City is visible from the highpoints, and people come from miles around – walkers, joggers, dog people, horse riders, mountain bikers, families with kids, OAPs, the lot. Didn’t see a single BAME face in several hours. Is this because people who like to go for a countryside walk are not “inclusive”?
Sriracha wrote:
Perhaps you’re asking the wrong people why that’s the case (my impression is that most of us are white males).
I have been listening to the Downcast podcast on racism in MTB (and outdoor activities in general). It goes far beyond cycling, the contributors discuss things that might not be obvious to most white listeners.
Also:
https://singletrackworld.com/2020/10/what-people-mean-when-they-say-cycling-has-a-race-problem/
Saw plenty of “BAME faces” on
Saw plenty of “BAME faces” on the Monsal trail. So maybe they just go to diff places …
There are lots of non-white
There are lots of non-white riders in BMX racing.
Then you also need to ban
Then you also need to ban descending on the bar, putting on and taking off rain jackets, throwing bottles. In fact, anything that may cause joe public to imitate.