“Christ on a bike!” Vatican City officially becomes a UCI cycling federation; Some cyclists are rejoicing at UK petrol shortages; Ineos switch to Bioracer for 2022; Disc brake ‘conspiracy’ comments; Ex-pro banned for 9 years + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Rwanda will host 2025 Road World Championships... and decision proves controversial on social media
The nation of Rwanda is mad about cycling, so you’d think it’s only right that its president Paul Kagame flew into Flanders to meet UCI boss David Lappartient this week to confirm Rwanda as the first African hosts of cycling’s road world champs. However, some have highlighted the country’s recent human rights record as a reason not to be so thrilled with the announcement…
News that Rwanda will be hosting the cycling World Championships in 2025 comes in the same week as Paul Rusesabagina was sentenced to 25 years in prison on “terrorism offences” – https://t.co/9zYB6kP13Q
— adam becket (@adambecket) September 23, 2021
Going by that we would never ever hold major events in Germany, Russia, China, Qatar, Argentina, Chile, South Africa to name just a few.
Regimes do change and cant be shunned forever and sometimes sport can help in that process
— sussexfox (@sussexfox1) September 23, 2021
Others, however, defended the decision, with one saying: “…when did human rights become a litmus test for allowing countries to host international athletic competitions?”
Reaction to the story by Rwandan newspaper The New Times seemed largely positive – do you think a Rwandan world champs is positive for the sport?
Former pro turned GCN presenter Björn Thurau banned for over nine years "for several violations of anti-doping regulations"
Germany’s national anti-doping agency (NADA) has banned the former professional cyclist Björn Thurau for nine years and six months for multiple offences including attempted use, possession, distribution or administration of prohibited substances for doping purposes in cycling. All Thurau’s results from December 2010 to the present day will be voided.
According to Spiegel, the 33-year-old was named as part of Operation Aderlass, a blood doping scandal of which the German doctor at the centre of it, Mark Schmidt, was jailed for four years and 10 months in January.
Thurau’s ban comes two years after his professional cycling career ended. His father Dietrich Thurau won Liège–Bastogne–Liège and six Tour de France stages in the 70’s and 80’s, but Björn never won a major World Tour event other than a mountains classification jersey at the 2014 Tour de Suisse. His most recent public appearances were on GCN’s German YouTube channel, where he was working as a presenter as recently as January of this year.
Wout approves of the 'best crosswalk ever'
— Wout van Aert (@WoutvanAert) September 23, 2021
It’s almost as if there’s a famous Belgian hoping to win a world championships on Belgian soil this weekend or something!
Ineos Grenadiers switch to Bioracer kit for 2022
Ineos will end a five year sponsorship deal with Castelli when it begins a partnership with the Belgian cycling and triathlon apparel brand Bioracer for the 2022 season. Sir Dave Brailsford was at the Bioracer House along the World Championships course in Leuven yesterday to finalise the deal.
Known for its custom kit, Bioracer sees this deal as part of its lofty ambitions to expand into the UK and North American markets, aiming to reach an annual turnover of 100 million euros by 2030.
Its founder Raymond Vanstraelen said: “From day one, Bioracer’s ambition has been to partner with the best riders, and thanks to our work with cycling federations, we have been able to fulfil these ambitious but extending this to a partnership with Ineos Grenadiers is a personal dream come true for me. The very best all-round team of this century shares our constant drive for innovation like no other.”
Brailsford commented: “I’ve known Danny [Segers, Bioracer’s CEO] and Bioracer for a long time and always admired what they do and the way that they do it. I’ve always hoped and believed that we would work together one day so I am genuinely delighted that day had now come. The ethos that underpins their work is built around speed – pure and simple – with athletes right at the heart.”
Known for its custom clothing, Bioracer plans to have measuring and custom fitting sessions with all Ineos riders before unveiling the kit in December. You’ll be able to buy replicas from January 2022.
Disc brakes: a round-up of your comments on whether the bike industry is having us all on
It seems like we just can’t stop talking about stopping at the moment, and our latest article on the subject of disc brakes delves into the theory that the bike industry saw us coming and are steadily moving all road bikes to disc brakes as a cynical ploy to rinse more money out of us.
> 8 reasons not to get disc brakes
After doing some investigating, the conclusion of Mat’s feature is that “the idea that disc brakes are being forced on a reluctant bike buying public is a complete myth,” because there is plenty of evidence to suggest the shift is consumer-led, not top-down as some folks on certain video sharing platforms have theorised.
What do you think? Sam3 commented: “In this new world, rim brakes will be a quaint leftover but otherwise really irrelevant, much like cars with manual transmission. Especially as the bikes industry reconfigures itself and its supply chain around this new design direction. That’s why. It’s not an illuminati plot to impoverish bikers or anything. I got disc brakes on a bike I bought about 10 years ago, found them to be shockingly better, low maintenance in practice and I would never go back to mucking about with rim brakes – or rim brake wheels. It’s so yesteryear. It’s fascinating that it’s mainly in the british press that I still see these kinds of disc–vs-rim storylines. Everyone else has pretty much moved on.”
Captain Badger, we suspect with a hint of sarcasm, says: “I for one am sick and tired of the Disc-lobby’s machinations. I’m a hard-pressed v-braker, and this is just another stealth tax. This isn’t what I voted Brexit for! It’s political correctness GAWN MAIRD!”
nicmason added: “I have hydraulic disc brakes and have never had maintenance problems with them. For sheer stopping power they can’t be beaten. If you’ve never had them I’d recommend trying them. Also I have worn through several wheel rims using rim brakes, I would not return to rim brakes.”
It seems road.cc readers are team disc. Maybe those rim brake aficionados are just a noisy few, and we’re preaching to the choir after all…
Some cyclists aren't too sad about the UK running out of petrol
Its an absolute certainty that when the government appeals for calm and not to panic buy #petrol people will go apeshit and start panic buying #petrol https://t.co/cw5difggG1
— 𝕁𝕒𝕔𝕜 𝕁𝕒𝕫𝕫 (@JayJay08752584) September 24, 2021
— The Department of Parks & Recreation 🦌 (@ldnparks) September 24, 2021
Denying Londoners and guests safe and enjoyable cycling worsens the dependence on petrol and diesel – and the impact of shortages when they come 😬 https://t.co/BCsUFkLOU0
— London Cycling Campaign (@London_Cycling) September 24, 2021
Fuel has joined toilet paper, pasta and soap as the latest thing to be panic bought by UK consumers – although this time the pandemic is thought to be only partly to blame, with some petrol stations missing out on deliveries yesterday because of a big shortage of HGV drivers – this news in turn led to some panic buying, which had led to the current situation of some fuel stations running out of fuel today.
While other countries across Europe are also experiencing difficulties with their supply chains, the problem in the UK is thought to have been exacerbated by Britain’s exit from the European Union.
Grant Shapps was quick to clarify today that the UK does actually have plenty of petrol and diesel and that drivers should buy fuel as normal, telling the BBC that refineries have “plenty of petrol”.
It won’t be long before petrol rationing comes back! On the plus side I can enjoy cycling on quieter roads….
— SouthwestCyclist #FBSI (@ejmatthew) September 24, 2021
At least 16 months of walking, running, cycling, skating everywhere with everyone claiming they are enjoying a healthier way of life. One mention of a petrol shortage because of the lack of drivers and everyone is #panicbuying again. pic.twitter.com/kVwMOtFE34
— Fomorunner (@Fomorunner) September 24, 2021
Not all people are sad at the pumps being empty, however, with some suggesting a lack of available fuel could mean quieter roads. Others have noted the irony of Britain transforming into a nation of outdoor enthusiasts over lockdown, and then panic-buying petrol again at the first mention of shortages.
Could a silver lining in this latest supply crisis be quieter roads to cycle on because everyone has run out of petrol? The only problem being that malt loaf, bananas and jelly sweets are invariably delivered to their final destinations via lorry, so we might not be able to ride very far without getting super tired…
"Bring back the golden age of the first lockdown"
Ah, bring back the golden age of the first lockdown. Riding the wrong way along all the main roads, 4 abreast, red lights ignored. Magical times.
— ZombyWoof (@ZombyWoof65) September 24, 2021
There’s already been some reaction to our lead story about petrol panic-buying not being all that bad after all.
"Alexa, define lucky": rider in U23 worlds race narrowly avoids going through shop window
Alexa, define “lucky”.
This race has been intense and full of mishaps. Let’s hope it calms down soon. #Flanders2021 pic.twitter.com/KflewEer7o
— AnnaMac (@AnnamacB) September 24, 2021
That was close! We’ve identified this rider and will have a full story to follow shortly.
Today at Road World Championships - a very brief round-up so far
World-class performance ✅
World-class celebration ✅Per Strand Hagenes 👏 #Flanders2021 pic.twitter.com/NyiP1PFDMK
— UCI (@UCI_cycling) September 24, 2021
This morning was the men’s junior road race in Flanders, with Per Strand Hagenes of Norway triumphing after launching an attack on the penultimate climb of the day. He ended up crossing the line 19 secs clear of Romain Gregoire of France, with Estonian rider Madis Mihkels winning a sprint to round off the podium. These poor Lithuanians apparently didn’t make the start line because they turned up an hour late….
Gli junior della Lituania non sono partiti. Il motivo? Si sono presentati alla partenza con 1 ora di ritardo… 😱🚴♂️🇱🇹#EurosportCICLISMO #Flanders2021 pic.twitter.com/wt4traJdS5
— Eurosport IT (@Eurosport_IT) September 24, 2021
In the U23 race, there has been so many crashes it’s difficult to keep up. There was a breakaway with a gap of just over a minute with about 60km to go, but by the time we’ve sent this post there’s likely to have been another dramatic development…
🔊SOUND ON
It´s extra special for so many reasons this year to see the U23 athletes riding amidst rows of noisy, cheering fans ❣️🚲#Flanders2021 pic.twitter.com/NuQRx0EuaT
— UCI (@UCI_cycling) September 24, 2021
Inner tube panic-buying, anyone?
I might panic buy some inner tubes, just so I don’t feel left out.
— Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) September 24, 2021
If you don’t own a motor vehicle, perhaps it’s time to stock up. That said, cyclists have certainly known what its like to experience supply issues since the pandemic began…
Isotonic holy water, anyone? UCI announces latest national federations to be affiliated, and one inclusion is raising eyebrows
Christ on a bike https://t.co/NNy8rb6kC9
— Will Strickson (@WillStrickson) September 24, 2021
A routine tweet was sent out by David Lappartient today announcing the latest nations to become UCI member states. Those nations are Equatorial Guinea, Solomon Islands, South Sudan and… the Vatican?
I don’t think the vestments are very aero?
— Clare McMenemy (@highpoh) September 24, 2021
The Pope’s back yard and the world’s smallest country has also been recognised by the European Cycling Union, and it’s led to a flurry of comments wondering what the Vatican will bring to professional cycling… how will sock height be checked under those vestments, and will any sports nutrition brands step up to make caffeine versions of Sacramental Bread? Will riders be allowed to compete on Sundays? Will the Pontiff be team manager?
A round up of the best comments and pics so far can be found below. For further reading on why cycling and Catholicism is a match made in heaven, read about when Egan Bernal gifted Pope Francis a Pinarello Dogma here, and when Pope Francis warned about cycling’s ‘dark side’ here.
@li3jam @altijdzat @justkeeprobbing @slamyourjam @bastiaenstibo @CochinaKid @jef_druyts @HondtJens https://t.co/x40HijxIU9 pic.twitter.com/jjLSWf5ZZu
— René🦜Flup A & Ω 🇪🇺 🇵🇸 (@renevdeuren) September 24, 2021
I can’t wait to see the national team of 🇻🇦 #VaticanCity in a race one day.
Young riders that would dream of winning the rainbowjersey… and becoming Pope one day. #cycling #Flanders2021 https://t.co/JIODFQJzJZ
— CyclingBottle (@Cyclingbottle) September 24, 2021
Who wouldn’t love to do some Vatican City Crits? https://t.co/C3ybEQopXe
— Alex Murray (@leguape) September 24, 2021
Final reminder: Drink At Your Desk Live with Ned Boulting starts at 4.30pm on our YouTube channel!
And we’ve embedded it here for your convenience so you can read all about the world’s holiest cycling federation, petrol panic buying and disc brakes then just press play at 4.30. Enjoy!
24 September 2021, 08:16
24 September 2021, 08:16
Wahoo or Garmin, Wahoo or Garmin???
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt vs Garmin Edge 530 - which is best?
Two of the most popular cycling computers go head-to-head... which one is the best computer you can buy at the £250 price point in 2021?
24 September 2021, 08:16
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Another really weird review from road.cc. They take a product, use it for something it wasn't designed for and then mark it down. I've just upgraded my Boost to the Boost 3 and I can say it does the jobs it is designed for very well. I use it on rides in daylight for Saturday group rides and occasional all day epics. I feel that cars are more likely to see me and the significantly brighter day flash and doubling of battery life are significant upgrades, especially for longer rides. It's also so light that there's really no downside to using it so safety wins. I also use it for short 30-min commuting. The easy of detachment and robustness of the light here are key and it's perfect for this use case. For longer rides that involve significant unlit or off-road, such as along a canal path, at night I use the Exposure Strada RB. Again, road.cc, right tool: right job. It's also great that Exposure use common mounts for all their lights. I change the Boost and RB between multiple bikes using the mount with a red pin and it takes seconds to move from bike to bike or to detach for charging. The table for setting brightness is something I tend to set only once. Then the single button is a boon.
Yes, I can't wait: a duff BMC frame with a crap oval BB, and carbon rims set up tubeless and without a pressure -relief hole so you can pressurise the cavity and which would likely (to complete the disaster waiting to happen) be hookless/ mini-hook and explode with no notice
About time they got more of them out of cars and onto bikes. Do their fitness levels some good.
I cannot tell if they relate to my report or someone else’s Yes, that's the point - the aim of the pseudo - database is to shut the punters up and deceive them about how little the police have done. They know the deception scheme has been successful when people report on here that they have achieved successful outcomes from most of their reports. They haven't.
Mayor Adams perverted a lot of laws, hence the fact that he is no longer Mayor. New York cyclists have had an ongoing problem with members of the ultra-orthodox Satmar Jewish community in Williamsburg. They don't like people in cycle shorts and skimpy tops cycling through the neighbourhood. They used their political influence to get a cycle lane removed from a local highway. There was talk of a naked bike ride through the area but I think wiser counsels prevailed.
This is disgusting. Cycling is for everyone; no-one should feel intimidated out of the hobby. The kind of "men" who think it's ok to harass women would think twice about doing it to a man. If we are going to persuade large numbers of motorists to become cyclists then the issue of harassment has to be addressed.
I've a memory the poster may be Edinburgh-adjacent (is that right?) - in which case it *may* be possible as the shared use paths (former railways) (plus a bit of more recent infra) can allow you to do this. Highly dependent on your journey though. That's not the case most places in NL. There you may be using motor-traffic-reduced and slowed *streets* there but most roads have alternatives. But here in the north-west I can cycle for several miles in a couple of directions using them. Of course if I needed to eg. go east-west in the south of the city it's back to more usual UK conditions...
According to the website as seen on my mobile this is an outstanding deal - the price in the box at the top by the weight etc. is showing as £0.00 ! (sorry due to site redesign I can't post a screenshot - besides I'm ignoring the price points which *are* quoted later in the article and am off to claim my free machine...)
Thanks for bringing that to our attention. Then ... it will be easy to see that in the casualty numbers, no? And (albeit this is looking a decade back) indeed you can *see* the truth! https://robertweetman.wordpress.com/2017/09/29/a-year-of-death-and-injury-2016/ Do you mean is "we are used to *looking for the cars*" (or even "looking with our ears" - which is real) and thus cyclists are often surprising? Or is it "cyclists are in or space, we know that motorists are only on the roads"? * But ... it is true that cyclists are a bit less visible and quieter than motorists. And it is true that some cyclists don't make efforts to be visible. And indeed some are too relaxed about cycling in accordance with the law. The latter points are not good ... but then the damage caused by cyclists in a collision is on average much less than a with a motor vehicle. And while people often think that motorists are more likely to be motivated to obey the law because of legal consequences (because eg. "They've got number plates") that it's debatable. Unlike cyclists motorists aren't going to be motivated to proceed carefully because of worries about being injured or killed in a collision with a pedestrian... * Excluding all those motorists who reach year kill more people on the footways than cyclists do altogether...
The cross checking is limited but I do have the matching data fields on my own records which correspond with the police's data fields: 'Offence Date', Offending Vehicle Type', 'Reporter' ('Cyclist' for me), 'Location Town or City', 'Primary Offence'. If that isn't replicated in the database for an incident I have reported it tells me something is wrong with the database. If I have reported an incident and there are several matching possibilities then, yes, I cannot tell if they relate to my report or someone else's.
49 thoughts on ““Christ on a bike!” Vatican City officially becomes a UCI cycling federation; Some cyclists are rejoicing at UK petrol shortages; Ineos switch to Bioracer for 2022; Disc brake ‘conspiracy’ comments; Ex-pro banned for 9 years + more on the live blog”
The major problem with the
The major problem with the way the UCI approaches events in controversial countries is the direct involvement of the government. Basically, why does David Lappartient have to meet Paul Kagame? This should be between the UCI and the Rwandan cycling Federation, there is no reason for Lappartient to be giving credence and approval to the political regime.
As soon as you invite the direct, public participation of pseudo-democratic dictators you have categorically crossed the line into sports-washing.
I think the problem is the
I think the problem is the UCI want Government money. All hosts, and I am sure this will be the case in Rwanda, pay a fee for the Worlds. A quick google revealed that Yorkshire’s bid pledged £24M of Government money for a variety of purposes. The UK Government was a ‘partner’ in the bid.
Once you take the money from Government it will be hard not to meet the Heads of Governments if they want to meet the UCI.
The fee to the UCI for Yorkshire was reported to be 5M Euro.
Rwanda is also spending £30M over the 3 years on Arsenal shirt sleeve sponsorship.
A Rwandan word champs… it’s
A Rwandan word champs… it’s a bit mind boggling…probably because I know nothing about Rwanda beyond a vague stereotype that it’s full of angry people with guns who value human life very little.
Bringing new countries in is a good thing and sport should not be political.. how does the UCI chose a host? On the surface it seems the head honcho’s at the UCI just go to whoever waves the most money in their direction.. I know elite sport is an ‘industry’, but for all us grass roots cyclists, sport should not be ‘brought’ and sport at the ‘highest level’ and should morally be better. I also know the world doesn’t work like that and I’ll happily keep having these conversations. We need to keep having these conversations.
Qatar was another controversial world champs a few years back, I don’t think they had anyone from Qatar actually in the mens road race.. we had the same conversation back then. Sagan won it with long hair.
peted76 wrote:
No, that’s the US….
peted76 wrote:
Machetes mostly, but that was a quarter of a century ago.
Overall I think an African WC is an absolutely fantastic move and long overdue, and the fact that Rwanda has a bad government shouldn’t be held against the cyclists of Rwanda and the region in general (and unlike Qatar it’s a region that does have cyclists). The problem is Lappartient’s eagerness to personally schmooze and promote dictators and leaders of repressive political regimes. It’s amoral.
Wingguy wrote:
Couldn’t agree more. See: https://www.toilettwinning.org/
Wingguy wrote:
so we don’t punish the people because they have a lousy Government, tell that to the people of Zimbabwe.
Like a lot of foreign policy,
Like a lot of foreign policy, damned if you do, damned if you don’t. There’s a lot wrong with Kagame’s Rwanda, but the alternative could be worse – compare Libya before and after Gaddafi was toppled. Consistency is important but it can be infected with whataboutery.
The UCI could make much more of a human rights point, and in a world where even stock markets are starting to be interested in Environmental, Social and Governance issues (ESG), they should have no problem in being seen to push. They have more leverage than they might think.
Rwanda went through hell in
Rwanda went through hell in the 90s. The kind of divisions that exist there run deep and long and you don’t need to look far to find other examples.
However it’s a nation that loves cycling and could do with some happiness. I think it’s fantastic that the Worlds are going there.
‘Land of Second Chances’ by
‘Land of Second Chances’ by Tim Lewis tells the story of the establishment of the Rwandan cycling team and Jock Boyers involvement in setting it up. It’s possibly the best cycling related book I’ve read. Some of these riders had seen multiple family killed.
M20MAMIL wrote:
Thanks M – now mentally added to reading list!
thx just orderd off Abe for
thx just orderd off Abe for £2.77 all in 🙂
All very well being smug
All very well being smug about fuel shortages until we run out of food, oh yeh and bike spares too.
I think the Govt’s core
I think the Govt’s core problem here, when they are telling everyone “Don’t Panic!”, is that they have told so many lies so many times that nobody actually believes them any more; to the point where when they are saying “Don’t worry, everything will be fine” you know we’re probably facing an Extinction Level Event…
OnTheRopes wrote:
What fuel shortage? There isn’t one
, just a delivery problem. A few petrol stations didn’t get deliveries yesterday, it was poorly reported, and now people are panic buying. Christ on a bike, what is the world coming to?
I’ve tried to clarify this as
I’ve tried to clarify this as best as possible in the post on the subject, the problems are being caused by delivery problems and now panic buying.
Even in normal times we are
Even in normal times we are not far from draining the system of fuel.
All UK refineries are operating well below maximum throughput as demand has been lower than normal and margins extremely poor. Therefore there is no shortage of fuel available and capacity that can be brought on.
The problem is that there is far more ‘storage’ of fuel available in vehicles than in refineries and depots. If we assume that the average car fuel tank is 50% full (probably an overestimate) then if a significant number of people fill up ‘just in case’, which is more accurate than panic buying, then the supply chain will be disrupted hugely leading to local shortages.
Throw in driver shortages and we are not far away from local supply issues. I would expect them to be very short lived though. As once you have filled yoiur car, you can’t fill it twice.
Our whole supply chain for
Our whole supply chain for everything has been based on “Just In Time” for a long time. With the driver shortages, this can not happen at the moment. Factories will stop, there will be shortages on the shop shelves. It’s caused in part by the problems with ocean freight, but mostly due to lack of drivers. As a Freight Forwarder, I have seen this 1st hand. I am struggling to get things collected, and when I can the prices have trippled. Poor driver facilities have stopped Brits wanting to work in haulage, and we’ve got by relying on Eastern Europeans who are prepared to put up with it. Until we start catering properly for drivers at service stations, and elsewhere, it’s not going to get better, unless you raise salaries significantly. The lack of infrastructure for drivers is endemic here, and so much worse than the rest of Europe. I know Truckers are not a cyclists favourite group, but we can’t live without them.
Pyro Tim wrote:
Sounds like we need to build in a bit of slack into our supply chains. I don’t know if the numbers would support it, but I suspect that just-in-time logistics is assuming that rare disruptive events that cause these kinds of issues are actually rarer and more costly than they’ve allowed for. However, the competition between companies probably won’t allow a company to buck the trend and spend more on resilience as they’d end up charging more.
Even though there’s the problems with truck drivers killing cyclists, I’d much rather that the drivers got paid a decent salary to encourage more professionalism and higher skill levels (I think of it as a skilled profession). Also, we need to remove lots of cars off the roads to make it easier and quicker for trucks to get around. Like you say, they’re important to all of us.
hawkinspeter wrote:
The trouble is, that in normal times when manufacturers can get what they need ‘just in time’ those that chose to do so will have a competitive edge over that that choose to keep x weeks worth of parts to ensure manufacture is not interupted. particularly when parts are sizable and require a lot of storage space.
wycombewheeler wrote:
Conversely, they’d get a big competitive advantage whenever the supply chain does have a breakdown which I’d suspect is going to happen more often with the climate catastrophe etc.
hawkinspeter wrote:
yes, those companies who have been carrying the higher costs of storage facilities for the past 15 years, will have an advantage now where their rivals are disrupted.
Providing they are still in business.
wycombewheeler wrote:
It’s like gambling – do you go for the small, frequent wins or hold out for the larger, “rare” wins? Maybe now some firms will pivot from just-in-time to a-little-before-time.
Sniffer wrote:
probably an underestimate, there will be some people who filled up just before getting home, with a tank 100% full, but no people with tanks at 0% as they would be stranded by the roadside.
Ignoring those that routinely do not fill up their tank, because of cash flow constraints, as these people will not be rushing out to fill up anyway, as they can’t affoord to.
“just in case” of what? just in case of fuel stations running out? this is the very defition of panic buying. And does not help me when I need to transport teenager and all stuff to university at the other end of the country this weekend.
You are right about
You are right about underestimate. That is actually what I meant.
Yes, I agree that ‘just in case’ and panic buying are equivalent. People just don’t recognise they are panic buying, they do recognise they are just filling up in case it is harder later.
Pyro Tim wrote:
Indeed, on the one hand less than 0.1% of petrol stations being closed is hardly a reason for everyone to go crazy, but on the other hand stating there is plenty of petrol in the refineries does not help people as they can’t go to the refinery to buy it.
And I’ll be most of the panic
And I’ll be most of the panic buyers are pensioners who normally make a full tank last a whole year.
I did think: great my trailer
I did think: great my trailer is here and I have a new thru axle, all sorted for a weekly shop. Then it occured to me that the deliveries may not have made it to the supermarket.
Plus everyone is driving
Plus everyone in a car is driving around like an insane person looking for fuel, and then being quite aggressive in the queues, which isnt making cycling very easy or relaxing.
OnTheRopes wrote:
Best ensure that fuel supplies are directed to where they’re needed most – eg emergency services, public transport, and supply chain
The rest of us perhaps need to adapt and survive…
Just so long as my aircraft
Just so long as my aircraft is refuelled for my flight to Majorca tomorrow
OnTheRopes wrote:
Of course, an essential service!
Captain Badger wrote:
supply chain for what? e.g. is it more importnt that essential workers have fuel to get to work (I know many could chose to cycle) or that supermarkets are able to maintain a plentiful supply of bottled water, soft drinks and alcohol?
wycombewheeler wrote:
Indeed, a fascinating question.
Stock up on roadkill while
Stock up on roadkill while you can.
Mungecrundle wrote:
Rude…
There’s no shortage of fuel,
There’s no shortage of fuel, there is plenty. The problem is there is a shortage of drivers to deliver it. It seems to be petrol, there isn’t a shortage of diesel. As usual, the media have caused the panic buying.
Headline but no story about
Headline but no story about UCI recognising Vatican cycling? Don’t see why that should stop me being the first to say Christ on a bike though…
You called?
You called? Oh, too many for you.
There’s a guy at work who was
There’s a guy at work who was running on fumes getting here.. of the five garages near the office, not one has any fuel.. he’s had to call his dad! LOL
Funny enough I panic-bought a
Funny enough I panic-bought a new chain last week in anticipation of even more price rises in the future (well, Wiggle had a decent offer on KMC x11-ELs)… must be something going round!
When we really need to start worrying is when people start panic buying food, which I feel might happen sooner rather than later – perhaps UK Govt should re-impose rationing, should do wonders for the nation’s wasistline if nothing else!
So you’re worried about the
So you’re worried about the chain supply chain?
Sky were using Bioracer made
Sky were using Bioracer made but not branded team kit ALL through the Rapha sponsored years so they have had a working relationship
I was convinced theyd already
I was convinced theyd already made the announcement the moment they said they werent using Castelli anymore
Wahoo or Garmin, which is
Wahoo or Garmin, which is better?
“Björn never won a major
“Björn never won a major World Tour event other than a mountains classification jersey at the 2014 Tour de Suisse”… Well not any more. That’s a good long ban, and I hope he gets a visit from the police if he’s been supplying drugs to others illegally.
Motorists: are your journeys
Motorists: are your journeys necessary, can you use a bicycle?
I can see some drivers
I can see some drivers keeping their precious fuel, once finally obtained, for only the most essential journeys.
The later bits of the fuel protests were a commuting cyclist heaven, not quite the 70’s Sunday roads of early lockdown, but getting there.
The thing about panic buying is that you are foolish if you don’t get in there early.
And maybe if the desire to
And maybe if the desire to keep tanks full continues for any length of time, causing shortages at the pump, which a shortage of fuel delivery drivers will only exasserbate, maybe a reduction of the heavyness of some of our heavy right footed drivers, a closer adoption of the more fuel efficient speed limit, and maybe, with fingers crossed, less pointless overtaking while approaching queues of traffic or red lights. Though of course that would mean looking beyond the cyclist, which would mean adopting a completely different way of seeing…