Virgin Media van driver muscles in front…blames cyclist; Larry Warbasse photobombs Polish wedding pic; Bike change skills; Bahrain Victorious’ eye-catching Vuelta kit; LTN positivity; G risks Friday 13th spin; Pidcock’s 2022 plan + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Diane Abbott announcing major new LTN met with... positivity
This is the BEST NEWS! So many times I’ve felt in danger on my bike from drivers on Church Street. It is not suited to heavy traffic at all. Although I am concerned about where this traffic diverted traffic will to go on the already congested Hackney streets. https://t.co/UbDJBMsz3u
— Seán McGovern (@SeanMcGovernX) August 12, 2021
After a week of two abreast noise and social media spats, let’s start Friday on a positive. Labour MP Diane Abbott shared the news that in her Hackney constituency, cars, vans and lorries are to be banned from the high street during the day to encourage cycling and walking. Only buses, emergency vehicles and blue badge holders will be able to access the street between 7am-7pm from September 20 as part of a plan to improve air quality and road safety.
Transport for London has funded the 18-month scheme and there is hope from some that the high street can copy others nearby, such as Orford Road and Francis Road in neighbouring “mini Holland” Waltham Forest.
What’s more, the reaction was pretty positive…even taking into account the abuse and opposition that Abbott gets as standard under every tweet.
I used to live on Church Street, one of my favourite London neighbourhoods. A Church St without the speeding cars would have been wonderful!
— Anton Chiron (@AntrimChicane) August 12, 2021
24 years too late for me but pleased for the current locals. Hat tipped.
— Andy in the Peaks (@Andymo444) August 12, 2021
And although most of the top replies feature the usual anti-LTN arguments: traffic displacement, what about those who need access etc. but even the pockets of negativity were weighed out by sensible replies…
Yes. Walking and wheeling will be easier and more pleasant. Blue badge holders will still be allowed 24/7
— Ben Collier (@benjyminty) August 12, 2021
There is a car park on Church street. It is not being closed down.
— Hackney LCC (@hackney_cycling) August 12, 2021
Citation needed.
— Frank Adorno (@lidf2014) August 12, 2021
Watch Matt Gibson's Tour Series bike change skills
Quick bike change from Matt Gibson of @RibbleWeldtite #TourSeries pic.twitter.com/8jXPvyk6dK
— Scottish Cycling (@ScottishCycling) August 12, 2021
What do you do when you need a new bike mid-way through a town centre crit when your heart rate’s through the roof and your legs withered to jelly 20 minutes ago? If your Matt Gibson you casually roll to the side and gracefully remount on your new steed, barely breaking stride. That’s got to be worth a couple of bonus points…
It seems the Tour Series is the place to go for elite bike changes, back in 2017 a 17-year-old Tom Pidcock entertained the Durham crowds with his skills…first the bike change…
And then the skidzzz…
Skids aren’t just for kids. 📷: kev fox pic.twitter.com/r5ikRocIGW
— Tom Pidcock (@Tompid) May 28, 2017
What ever happened to Pidcock? Haven’t heard about him for a while…
An explosion in a Dulux factory or Bahrain Victorious' new Vuelta a España kit?
I’m torn: do i love it or do I hate it? I can’t tell…Bahrain Victorious has released pics of its new limited edition Vuelta a España kit. Along the same lines as EF Education-Nippo avoiding clashing with the pink jersey at the Giro, Bahrain have switched out their usual reddish orange jersey to respect the race leader’s red. The kit has been designed by Alé and promotes awareness about obesity and diabetes. It features the quote, “exercising 30 minutes a day reduces your risk of diabetes by 25 per cent”.
Elsewhere on the jersey, as news editor Simon pointed out, there’s a hint of TikTok to that TBV colour scheme…and just below the noble healthy lifestyle messaging is a Bapco sponsorship. That would be *checks notes* the Bahrain Petroleum Company…
G risks Friday 13th ride
Friday 13th folks. I’ll be taking it extra careful today 🤕🤣👍 #Friday13th pic.twitter.com/cPADVbgh3m
— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) August 13, 2021
Take a rest day, G!
Tom Pidcock won't make Tour de France debut in 2022 - will target classics, mountain bike world champs and possibly Giro d'Italia
Tom Pidcock will not be rushed into Ineos Grenadiers’ Tour de France plans next year and will target the classics and more success on the mountain bike scene instead. A Giro d’Italia debut is also a possibility for the 22-year-old sensation who won gold in Tokyo.
“For the moment, the goal is the classics but I certainly do want to transition to riding GC at some point,” Pidcock said ahead of his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a España this weekend. “I’m not riding it [the Tour de France] next year. Maybe I’ll ride it in 2023. It takes more time and energy and is a much more high-pressure environment. There’s no rush to go that way soon.”
As for this season, Pidcock’s big goal is the road race World Championships in Belgium in September as well as a first crack at Paris-Roubaix, a race he won as a junior and U23.
Larry Warbasse photobombs couple's wedding photos at Tour of Poland
— Piotr Ignaczak (@PiotrIgnaczak) August 12, 2021
Larry Warbasse made the most of his Tour of Poland breakaway by photobombing a couple having their wedding pics taken on the route. The American’s escape was doomed with all the big teams chasing to set up a queen stage sprint victory for João Almeida, but Warbasse didn’t arrive in Bukovina Resort empty-handed…He’ll be immortalised on these newlyweds’ mantelpiece for the rest of time…
After the stage the AG2R Citroën rider wrote on Twitter: “If our breakaway couldn’t make it to the line at least I got a good photo op out of it.” What. A. Pic.
Sto lat młodej parze od Larry’ego Warbasse!
///
Larry Warbasse photobombing newlyweds like a… pro!
fot. Szymon Gruchalski@AG2RCITROENTEAM @larrywarbasse #tourdepologne pic.twitter.com/oOZslblZxK— Aleksandra Górska (@miss_gorska) August 12, 2021
You’d think these two would be quite happy with the snap…more so than the Philadelphia newlyweds who had their pictures taken at the very moment the city’s naked bike ride went past…
Another cracker on the wedding theme from the archives was at the 2014 RideLondon when a cycling-mad couple briefly broke off their progress on the 100-mile ride to tie the knot.
Cervélo delivers Primož Roglič a special golden TT bike in time for Vuelta opener
Look at those details🔎🤩 pic.twitter.com/ysR0OOod26
— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) August 13, 2021
Oh yes. We wondered if Cervélo would be making a special visit to Burgos to sparkle up Olympic champion Primož Roglič’s TT machine…they certainly did not disappoint. Will Primož be getting a golden aero lid too?
Check out Richard Carapaz getting a first glimpse at his golden Pinarello Dogma on yesterday’s live blog. Which do you prefer?
(POLL) Battle of the Olympic champs...who did it better? Cervélo or Pinarello?
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Josh Quigley sets September date for record attempt
7 Day Record Attempt: 13th – 20th September 2021. #2
Sponsor: @Thomas_Franks_
We now have a confirmed date for my second attempt at the 7 day record.
We’ll be doing it in Aberdeenshire again on a slightly shortened route.
Huge thanks to @Thomas_Franks_ for their support pic.twitter.com/1rRAQVxSFd
— Josh Quigley (@JoshQuigley2026) August 12, 2021
Josh is back from the knee injury that forced him to abandon his first crack at the seven-day cycling distance record…September 13-20 is the new date…one month to go.
Work on south east London's first major protected cycle route set to begin on Monday
Transport for London will begin construction on south east London’s first major protected cycle route on Monday. Cycleway 4 will build upon earlier sections completed between Tower Bridge Road and Rotherhithe, with the finished route connecting local communities in the Greenwich area and Central London via accessible active travel.
Once created, the route will include 1.4km of two-way protected cycle tracks as well as pedestrian crossings at Gosterwood Street and Grinstead Road. The works also include upgrades to existing pedestrian crossings and wider footways and a new public space at New King Street, with new trees and seating.
Heidi Alexander, Deputy Mayor for Transport, said: “Thousands of people are already benefiting from new and upgraded cycle routes across London, and the next phase of Cycleway 4 will make a huge difference to those cycling around Deptford. Making it easier to walk and cycle in the capital is key to a green and sustainable recovery from the pandemic, and it’s really exciting that this key route between central London and Greenwich is going to be improved.”
Virgin Media van driver muscles in front...gets nowhere AND blames the cyclist
Disappointing driving from this gentleman in a Virgin Media cable broadband van… pic.twitter.com/jvaBzD1Urm
— The Department of Parks & Recreation 🦌 (@ldnparks) August 12, 2021
The Department of Parks & Recreation is a regular on our live blog with their vids of dangerous driving in Richmond Park and occasionally police officers stopping cyclists for speeding…no, really.
They’re back with another incomprehensible driving gem, this time from a man behind the wheel of a Virgin Media van. As you watch the clip you expect to have to wait a little longer for the action considering how little room there is between the cyclist and vehicle ahead.
Nope. Mr van driver just can’t wait any longer behind the pesky cyclist keeping up with traffic and forces his way in front, barely able to fit between the gap. At least he got to wait at the next set of lights for a few seconds longer…when the rider catches up he asks the driver to give cyclists more room.
Here’s the moment. What’s it going to be? An apology? Nah, let’s double down on that one…
“I do give cyclists plenty of room. You also need to keep to one side as well. You can’t take up a whole road”. You can’t take up the whole road on your skinny road bike…wait until he hears he’s driving a van with two spare seats.
— The Department of Parks & Recreation 🦌 (@ldnparks) August 12, 2021
Why we love the Vuelta
Alto de Gamoniteiru 😍
Stage 18 of #LaVuelta21 finishes on this remote climb in the Asturias, which is being used for the first time in the race’s history. Rarely dropping below 10% it ramps up to 17% on that final brutish sweep beneath the weather station. Another gem 🇪🇸🚵♀️🐂 pic.twitter.com/HLVcMrRGmB
— Felix Lowe (@saddleblaze) August 13, 2021
Thursday September 2…get it in the diary.
An email from a reader on the week's events
At the end of a live blog week dominated by two abreast arguments and social media squabbling we got this email from a reader from the Netherlands who was over in the UK recently…we thought we’d share it for some Friday positivity…
“I am a loyal follower of you channel and can be amused by the ‘close pass’ videos and ensuing debate in the comments. But it seems there is a war on and the cyclist is under attack, whilst I also observe inconsiderate behaviour from cyclists. Like many I had a great laugh about Angela Epstein on the Jeremy Vine show, and found out later she portrays herself as a serious journalist. Really?
“Anyway, whilst visiting the in-laws in Mid-Wales I cycle and must say I am impressed with the patience and courtesy extended to me as a cyclist. Solid wide passes, not always 100% on the other side of the road, but spacious enough to make me feel safe. From my side, I help a bit by slowing in a passing place or at a busstop. It takes two to tango and in Mid-Wales there is no shortage of car and lorry drivers who understand this. That’s why I would like to share a big appreciation to those drivers around Llandrindod Wells who enable me to cycle and enjoy the scenery without being scared stiff.”
That’s a nicer way to end the week…
13 August 2021, 08:11
13 August 2021, 08:11
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Also your reminder that data show that "wider road" doesn't mean "more careful sharing" (or even "higher capacity"). What it *does* mean is *higher speed*. And possibly "less attentive/ careful drivers".
Reminds one of that line in The Blues Brothers when they asked the wife of the proprietor of Bob's Country Bunker what kind of music they usually played, "Oh we have both kinds, country and western." Your version of looking at it from both sides is first to look at it from a pro-car perspective, then to look at it from an anti-active-travel perspective.
@chrisonabike other end. There appear to be two access points, one would involve driving up a track, the other involves turning off the main road (not in the expected diversion direction) and presumably now has a similar entry (has an older streetview image though, before construction finished). As an explanation I'm definitely going with "well it says there should be a road here and it looks like I can...". Or just "sod it, not driving the long way, that's ridiculous".
@chrisonabike And easily confused with the road, that path...
Streetview safari - starting from (alas - outside) Penpont and heading east. Can't see why the path is needed - clearly ideal for sharing by all modes! 😉
Yep. From the point of view of the cyclist or pedestrian about to be run over from behind, as well as that of the one about to be hit head on.
@jackcycles "So it sounds like drivers might genuinely not know where they are meant to be going and simply see the path alongside and assume that’s the diversion." Only if you are despately clutching at straws and have no idea about road markings or signage. "By the way, that photo in the article exemplifies why segregated shared use paths are an absolutely crap idea. Imagine I’m riding there, doing 20mph. Am I meant to use the path with people spewed haphazardly all over it? Or the road where drivers get upset by cyclists ignoring the expensive new infrastructure they’ve paid for? Lose lose." You exercise your judgement/rights, as you would in any other situation. " Sure it’s nice for people to have a jolly with their kids at the weekend, but let’s be honest it would make far more sense just to widen the existing road for pedestrians and cyclists as an integrated solution, and families can go to the upgraded local park with the money saved." Why do you think that this would be safer and/or cheaper (never mind pleasant)?
@mitsky because the cycle symbols and the blue cycle route signs are just too subtle...
I took the rocker plate plunge a few years ago and must confess that I'm very pleased with the lack of 'nether region fatigue'. I have Turborocks 'mini' 'cos, outrageously, I have to share the garage. My one criticism was that the unit needed a pre-cut carry handle for those of us who can't leave a turbo trainer set up all the time; feedback was duly given and lo! one's been added. A good product from a business that listens to it's customers; all in all a fabulous investment.
Looks like what was a 2 mile drive is now minimum 15 miles, around half an hour. So no doubt "frustrating" - because it *used to be* just there. OTOH cycling that trip instead is now highly competitive! Even walking is not too far behind albeit a stretch for some at over 30 mins. For neighbouring places in the countryside the usual mantra is "don't bother making active travel provision, nobody walks / cycles". But that is self-fulfilling. If there is good provision - and particularly if that is more direct than the motor route, a significant fraction of people will. (IIRC there's some data about people's acceptance of journey times - 15 minutes or less is ideal, which is the case here). Maybe it could stay that way? 😉 Given "humans" I'm going to go with at best "wilful ignorance" when people say "but the diversion isn't clear..."
27 thoughts on “Virgin Media van driver muscles in front…blames cyclist; Larry Warbasse photobombs Polish wedding pic; Bike change skills; Bahrain Victorious’ eye-catching Vuelta kit; LTN positivity; G risks Friday 13th spin; Pidcock’s 2022 plan + more on the live blog”
Dead Ringers has a lot to
Dead Ringers has a lot to answer for – I can only hear ‘Diane Abbott’ in one way !
It’s great news that the
It’s great news that the majority are expressing their opinions on LTNs, thus disproving the usual, very vocal, suspects with their predictions of doom and destruction of our way of life. It won’t stop them spouting their petrol driven nonsense, but hopefully, the media will feature them less and the positive people more.
Is it a Photobomb when they
Is it a Photobomb when they actually timed the pics to be taken with the riders coming past? I’m guessing the happy couple got stopped on the way from the church and decided to impromptuly mark the occaision with a unique pic.
Virgin van driver – maybe it
Virgin van driver – maybe it was his first time?
Van driver epitomises the
Van driver epitomises the view that cyclists are only allowed whatever road space is left over after all motorists’ requirements are satisfied. He just could not comprehend, like why isn’t that cyclist giving way to me – doesn’t he realise I’m a motorist?!
Your classic ‘you was in the
Your classic ‘you was in the widdle of du woad’ warrior. ‘Educating’ cyclists the only way they know how.
Made worse by the right-turn just before the pinch point where you’re thinking, are they turning right? or are they a right tw*t?
The only reason he fitted
The only reason he fitted into that gap at all and didn’t end up having to drive over the pedestrian refuge, was because the cyclist backed off. But still the cyclist’s fault, obviously…
HoarseMann wrote:
Maybe.
Although he seemed very confident and practiced in his arguments about why his behaviour was ok……
Quote:
This.
Cyclists riding side by side? Kill them, kill them all.
One person driving alone in a motor vehicle wider than three or four cyclists side by side? Well, that’s normal, innit?
brooksby wrote:
indeed they argue that people in cars aren’t two abreast as it’s one car, maybe we just need wider bikes with two seat side by side. “sorry guv, one vehicle, not two abreast, I can’t make it any narrower” “why do you choose to take such a wide vehiucle out on the roads on your own?” “why do you?”….
https://www.internationalsurreyco.com/four-wheel-bikes/surrey-cycles/
The holiday park we used to
The holiday park we used to go to in the late 70s/ early 80’s used to rent those out to cycle around in.
AlsoSomniloquism wrote:
same.
Re: the email from your Dutch
Re: the email from your Dutch reader and a bit of positivity. I have been on road.cc more than I’ve been on the bike this week, and I have to say it hasn’t been good for my blood pressure! Yes, I’m often on the receiving end of bad driving when I’m out cycling, and yes it’s more frequent than I should have to endure. But I do sometimes wonder why I then compound it by voluntarily subjecting myself to watching and reading about other people’s accidents, near misses, bad attitudes etc. I’m not saying they don’t have a place here, but I think I need to take a break and get out on the road!
Was the Virgin van driver
Was the Virgin van driver reported to his employers and the police and Richmond Park management? Aren’t commercial vehicles prohibited there?
Where did you see a park is
Where did you see a park is involved ?
hirsute wrote:
“The department of parks and recreation is a regular on our live blog with their videos of dangerous driving in Richmond park…”
OK so maybe this time it isn’t actually in the Park, but I’m sure you can see how I’d be confused. And I’m easily confused.
In later tweets the OP does
In later tweets the OP does mention he pushed it to Virign, they then said they had emailed the area manager and was now an internal investigation so “customers” can no longer be informed of any action taken. So because of that poor response, he has decided to send it to the Police.
Personally, I think on that driving AND then that justification, Police needed to be informed anyway as he is clearly a dangerous driver with no concern on other road users and no idea on the HC and laws on the road.
To be fair to the Virgin
To be fair to the Virgin Media van driver, the van did have a warning on the side saying something about “…to be moved?”
Perhaps, ‘are you ready to be moved?’ And the cyclist was moved (to the gutter).
Well done for keeping your cool!
It seems to be a new trend
It seems to be a new trend for drivers to claim they have given cyclists plenty of room, when there is clear evidence that they haven’t. This is because they know the police can’t be bothered with it- as a result, for year after year we keep talking to ourselves on here bemoaning our fate while the odd cyclist gets terminated by a driver claiming he gave plenty of room. The police officers are the problem
wtjs wrote:
I think with some drivers plenty is compared to the amount they wanted to give (eg none)
I think with some drivers
I think with some drivers plenty is compared to the amount they wanted to give (eg none)
I’m afraid I can’t resist the usual complaint, even though I have shown this before. There has been no response at all from Lancashire Constabulary. I can’t even tell if the online incident report has even been opened, because when they allocate a log incident reference that takes the date of allocation rather than the date of the offence- they seem to be about 18 days apart at the momemt. They don’t even link it the online incident report reference so that you don’t know which incident they’re referring to, just to make things difficult for the people they really hate: people who report incidents.
Virgin Media, the same
Virgin Media, the same company who will send you your password through the post on a bit of paper because “it’s illegal to open someone else’s post”. It’s also illegal to store customer details in an insecure way under GDPR and the Data Protection Act VM.
I’m completely sick of having
I’m completely sick of having drivers excuse their shitty close passes with things like “you should be closer to the kerb!”, “I gave you plenty of room!” or the classic, “you’re only a bike!”
the last one got out and confronted me, yelling that arrogant cyclists were too far over, we had to share the road and by being so far out I could have caused him to collide with the traffic flowing in the opposite direction. I didn’t argue back because he was clearly spoiling for a fight (and his mate got out of the passenger side too), but what a total wanker.
Can we start attaching spray
Can we start attaching spray cans of paint to our handlebars, and paint a yellow streak down the side of cars and vans that pass too close? After all, the spray from a small rattlecan isn’t going to project further than about a metre, and they should all be giving us more room than that.
Arguably better than a car
Arguably better than a car rescue tool with a diamond tip.
er, which I understand some people might carry…
“You can’t take up the whole
“You can’t take up the whole road. The road is for everybody.”
The self-expressed irony is lost on its author.
I find this ignorance so exasperating. How do you reason with the village idiot?
GMBasix wrote:
The road is for everybody except cyclists; clearly someone who will be avidly reading the new HC when it comes out.
It is completely pointless trying to reason with someone who’s view is so totally entrenched it would take a small nuclear device to move it.