Kyiv cyclist spotted training “surrounded by tanks” (+ Strava activities); Mega Tour du Rwanda crowds; Van Vleuten and Van Aert steal Opening Weekend; Damage-proof mounts; Drum & Bass On The Bike; Snack storage; Weekend round-up + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Kyiv cyclist spotted training "surrounded by tanks"
Here’s a screenshot of an incredible piece of news footage shot by CNN Portugal in Kyiv over the weekend. A cyclist, unfazed by the military vehicles blocking their path, continues training as normal…
> Ineos Grenadiers’ Russian pro Pavel Sivakov denounces invasion of Ukraine
The snap was shared in the aptly-named ‘interesting as f***’ subreddit with plenty of admiration for the rider’s resolve. Others shared anecdotes of other examples of the Ukranian people’s endless spirit in the face of such danger.
One comment said: “Silly people with their silly politics. Nobody stops me from my 40km routine.” Another, comparing the situation to…
CNN’s video comes four days after shocking CCTV footage from Uman, just over 100 miles south of the capital Kyiv, appeared to show a person being thrown from their bike by an explosive orange flash of light, crawling away from the wreckage, before lying still. Various media outlets have since claimed the rider was hit by a missile.
Weekend round-up: Angle grinder thieves; Matteo Trentin says cars — not TT bikes — are the real danger; NMotD; Hunt 54 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc Wheelset gets a rave road.cc review; e-bikes banned from Parliament
Aside from the marathon bike racing schedule this weekend (which we’ll pick out some reaction from in a bit) there was plenty of other stuff on the site these past two days…
The angle grinder thief videos are back…this one ended well though as a gang of thieves attempting to steal a bike were thwarted by passing locals on a busy Edinburgh street…
Meanwhile, UAE Team Emirates pro Matteo Trentin addressed the TT bike debate during an interview in Belgium. Trentin said the big danger for cyclists is cars (and their drivers), not time trial bikes…
On the tech side of things, Hunt’s 54 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc Wheelset got rave reviews from our tester Stu, find out why…
On our sister site eBikeTips, we brought you the news that e-bikes have been banned from the Houses of Parliament due to fire risk, with one Labour peer saying he believes the decision is based on a misinterpretation of advice from Transport for London.
Weekend racing round-up: Classics, crowds and cobbles
This is what cycling 🚴♂️ means to my country. Upgrade @tour_du_Rwanda to world tour 🤓#TdRwanda22 pic.twitter.com/pZ2sNRLxur
— Athan Tashobya (@AthanTashobya) February 26, 2022
HUGE crowds in Rwanda once again for the country’s cycling tour. Get the 2025 UCI Road Cycling World Championships in your diary…it’s heading to the African country, the first time in the event’s history it will have been hosted on the continent…
A bit closer to home it was all about Opening Weekend — the double-header of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussells-Kuurne. Annemiek van Vleuten did what Annemiek van Vleuten does, and Wout van Aert did what Wout van Aert does, both winning Omloop crowns in stunning fashion. Can anyone beat them?
There was only a men’s edition of Kuurne, won by Fabio Jakobsen, who broke the escapees’ hearts, powering past Christophe Laporte, Taco van der Hoorn and Jhonatan Narváez in th final metres.
Caleb Ewan was second, and sent a warning message to his Milan-San Remo rivals, saying he felt “really comfortable on all the climbs”.
Dutch sprinter Jakobsen gave his sympathy to the people of Ukraine following his win: “My mind and my prayers are with the people in Ukraine and the east of Europe.
“Here, it’s 25-year-old guys fighting on a bike for a win and there, it’s the 25-year-old guys like me fighting for freedom and their life. It’s not a nice time over there and here we enjoy this, but my mind is over there and that puts things in perspective.”
Ukranian rider Mark Padun took a popular win on the time trial stage of Gran Camiño, a race eventually won by Alejandro Valverde.
In the virtual world, Jay Vine and Loes Adegeest were crowned eSports world champions, winning their digital rainbow jerseys on Zwift.
Aaaand breathe…
High-protection phone case brand enters the cycling game...
Mous has launched its Intralock bike mounting system which it claims provides “unrivalled Mous-grade protection”. Mous is the brand that’s responsible for some of the most daring phone case testing – yes, throwing new iPhone/Android devices off 45ft cranes and helicopters.
The Evolution Case (£49.99) contains the brand’s signature AiroShock technology to protect against extreme drop damage. As well as being compatible with Mous’ IntraLock accessories, the Evolution case has 38 magnets built-in for pairing with everyday MagSafe compatible accessories including a charging stand and wallet.
The IntraLock Bike Mount (£49.99) has patented hinged teeth which are designed to protrude and contract around the Evolution case, Mous explains, to ensure a tight grip with no additional bulk. Compatible with all standard handlebars, you can also swap between landscape or portrait viewing while your phone is still mounted.
Need some extra snack storage?
Restrap has added the all-new Rear Top Tube Bag (£34.99) which mounts against the seatpost to its Carry Everything range.
“The Rear Top Tube Bag is the perfect add-on to maximise storage on the bike when frame space is limited, all other attachment points have been used or you want to organise tools, spares, food or other accessories into a separate compartment,” says Restrap.
A simple zip closure is said to allow for easy, one-handed access, while an internal stiffening structure inside the bag should keep the bag upright and secure.
Hypalon MOLLE accents on the base and rear of the bag each provide two placements for the double sided velcro straps, Restrap explains. This is said to help riders tailor the bag for the perfect fit.
Handmade in Restrap’s Yorkshire workshop from 100% waterproof textured nylon, the bag also features an orange nylon lining to make it easier to find what you’re looking for.
Fabio Jakobsen's comments in full...
Legend @FabioJakobsen pic.twitter.com/ALzB2A9srv
— Cycling out of context (@OutOfCycling) February 27, 2022
He’s a good lad is Fabio…
Kyiv cyclist reaction: When you've got to train, you've got to train...
The most impressive example of our “riding my bike like every bastard’s out to kill me” mindset. https://t.co/fHpwFhd9y4
— Dan M (@SirArthurIndeed) February 28, 2022
We’re all in admiration for the Kyiv cyclist spotted dodging tanks while training…there’s not even been a middle of the road/road tax comment…that makes a nice change, doesn’t it?
Not wearing Hi-Viz or having any lights, there is absolutely no chance of him being seen by any tank gunner, obviously.
— 🚴♂️🚙Carlton💙🐩🚶♂️ (@carlton1512) February 28, 2022
On Facebook, Slav Iljasov has the current top comment with, “Ride bikes, not tanks!” Can’t be long before that pops up on a t-shirt.
Man, I don’t think there is a more resilient individual than a road cyclist.
— Higor (@zaminnl) February 28, 2022
Richard Pearson speculated it’s probably still safer than riding in traffic…while Danny Reardon has been left feeling a little bit soft…”And there’s me complaining when it’s a little bit cold n damp outside.”
Rule 5 ay
— Jwb62 (@jwb62) February 28, 2022
Paul Cole promised to never complain about potholes again, although some were left slightly envious by the state of that Kyiv surface…
Less potholes than we got…..
— Sam (@arsenicsam123) February 28, 2022
Drum & Bass On The Bike visits Southampton
@dailyecho @wave105radio music on bikes on Southampton High street this afternoon pic.twitter.com/6g9w3ha624
— David McIntyre (@DaveLacMac) February 27, 2022
Drum & Bass On The Bike turned one year old this weekend with Dom Whiting hosting a celebratory first anniversary ride in Southampton. The Daily Echo was on-site to see the 26-year-old DJ “waved off by members of his family” before being given a police escort as the mobile set made its way around the city.
> Drum & race: DJ takes drum and bass on bicycle tour
“I’ve ridden in every type of weather, including rain and snow. When it’s wet I put a cover over the decks, which seems to do the trick. Bright sunshine is a problem because I can’t see the screen,” he said.
“I haven’t had any accidents but I’ve had a few close shaves, usually involving lampposts or gates I’m trying to get through. I was cycling down a hill in Bristol and when I put my put on the brake it pulled me over to the kerb. That was a very close call.”
Meanwhile in Kyiv...
Kyiv is understandably a bit quiet on Strava at the minute. Although a quick look at some of the more popular segments, filtered by activities today, found a few brave souls getting their training in…and nabbing a top-ten…
Here’s the link to the second activity (mainly for kudos-giving purposes)…
"Of course he does. Volodymyr Zelensky rides a bicycle"
Of course he does. Volodymyr Zelensky rides a bicycle. pic.twitter.com/CAPcDhDIzX
— Peter Flax (@Pflax1) February 27, 2022
He was also the voice of Paddington Bear when the film was released in Ukraine…no, really…
Jeremy Vine's niche Mastermind specialist subject
If I’m ever asked to appear on Mastermind, my subject will be “Predicting the movement of white vans which aren’t signalling.” pic.twitter.com/0Ft23tbogu
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) February 28, 2022
Bike Bath celebrates 10th anniversary — more than £250,000 raised for 30 charities
Registration is now open for Bike Bath 2022 supported by Bath Recreation Limited, the 10th anniversary year. Starting in 2012 with the aim of encouraging healthy lifestyles and active transport through cycling, it has seen over 12,000 riders take part, raising over £250,000 for 30 different charities.
Riders of all ages and abilities are welcome to take on one of the 25, 50 or 75-mile routes and raise funds for more local charities. This year the event is once again supporting Dorothy House Hospice Care.
You can take a peek at the routes collection on komoot…
“The idea behind Bike Bath has always been to provide something for everyone,” event director Jacko Jackson said. “The 25-mile short route was designed with families, new cyclists and new cycle-commuters in mind.
“For regular cyclists or those looking for something more adventurous, we have designed longer routes to take in some of the more challenging lanes across the Somerset and Wiltshire countryside.”
Return flights to Slovenia, anyone?
Tadej Pogačar is the new face of Feel Slovenia’s promo campaign, and he’s doing a decent job of making us want to go climbing in his homeland…
Ride for Ukraine Rouvy challenge
Indoor cycling app Rouvy, which lets users ride realistic virtual routes when training indoors, has announced a new ‘Ride for Ukraine’ challenge. The Czech company said its nation has twice experienced similar aggression during its history and “unhesitatingly decided to express support” for Ukraine.
For each rider who completes the 10km Ride for Ukraine route, €1 will be donated to Ukraine’s cause. “Our goal is to unite people in the belief of liberty, democracy and simple fair play,” the brand says.
“We just could not stand by and simply watch how a sovereign European country is undergoing a large-scale rocket and military attack,” CEO Petr Samek said.
28 February 2022, 09:00
28 February 2022, 09:00
28 February 2022, 09:00
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Latest Comments
Take a step back, and this looks like a rather silly episode of men with competing agendas and self-appointed positions slinging mud over a strip of green paint with some naff plastic wands. WalkRideBath- lead by a man who apparently knows best on women's safety Dave Dixon- overwhelmed with concerns about heritage in the same park where he had a massive concrete skate park built Bike Mayor/BCC- nice effort lads, but do you not have some women in your ranks who have a voice? And I don't remember the Bike Mayor vote... All bickering over a project lead by a woman who is also the local councillor. Surely in a representative democracy we should give a bit more credit to people who have stood for election, rather than the bunch of self-appointed 'representatives' above?
@wtjs "Nothing changes if we don't want it to. I love you", (oops a quote from GEN V). I didn't need to put that last bit in, but hey you write so passionately and so long and obviously have an emotional attraction to cycling. "If you don't have a dream, how you gonna make a dream come true"
@eburtthebike Most of the people cycling mikey confronts with his vigilante behaviour are using their phone while stationary in traffic; while illegal, conflating those offences with the murderous actions of this deviant person is patently ridiculous.
@Rendel Harris Of course it wouldn't work; the sort of person that would be banned would have plenty of mates that would fill jerry cans for him so he could fuel his car at home.
@BroomBroomBroom I cycle commuted for 30 years, with a number of close passes and a few crashes that gave me pause to consider the risks of cycling on public roads, but what made me give up was a diagnosis of osteoporosis because cycling was my exercise activity and because cycling is not weight bearing exercise, it leads to bone loss; I now mix walking and jogging to commute and have introduced a program of weight-lifting to try and reverse the osteoporosis.
More on the "e-bike scourge" from the beeb: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmn068ywr9e1o OTOH well, yeah - stuff that facilitates crime (and is cheaper / easier to get than cars / ICE motorbikes) is gonna be used by criminals. Plus: Well... I'm not happy either with the lack of interest in doing something about the mass sale of things which almost all aren't going to be used legally. But ... like guns? Don't think that's a helpful analogy there.
@Rendel Harris It should be simpler. In this case, and other cases where individuals drive while banned, there will be many people who know there is a banned driver behind the wheel and turned a blind eye. If we could find a way to make it culturally unacceptable the cases would drop. The change it attitudes around drink driving made a huge difference and it wasn't just the punishment. Unfortunately, we see the media run campaigns on the 'war on motorists' rather than try and change societal attitudes. The sequestration of vehicles as a punishment I think is an opportunity. Car removal, for many motoring offences and if you let a banned driver drive your vehicle I would include vehicles from employers and associates of a banned driver.
"Over the course of the evening, your friend made Gabrielle Debotte write a note on her phone with a false account that she had not seen you on the day of the collision at all." I sincerely hope that friend is in police custody awaiting trial for aiding and abetting and perverting the course of justice. And I hope he gets the same judge.
@rbrtribble All accidents including eg: a touch of a bumper should be reported to the police and an interview with a traffic cop before driving away from the scene What sort of dream world is this?! None of these fanciful wishes will happen in the car-crazed 'we'll give you a subsidy so you can drive and park everywhere with no thought to sensible fuel-conserving driving' UK. Sadly, the succession of dreadful Tory nonentity transport ministers has been followed by a succession of equally dreadful Labour ones, all desperate to avoid being accused of the 'war on the motorist'. Lilian Greenwood was charged with implementing the January 26 Government Road Safety Strategy until she was moved to be replaced by another deadbeat intent on doing nothing for fear of upsetting drivers. Labour could fight the established police strategy of ignoring and actively opposing any legislation to the benefit of cyclists, but they won't. The police are intent on protecting motorists from VED evasion, MOT offences, mobile phone offences, white line offences and most importantly cyclist-close-passing offences. I ask yet again for the evidence of effective police action against this latter offence (not the joke advice letter or joke driving course), but this evidence never appears. The obvious conclusion is that this police action does not exist.
@kingleo They aren't the only ones!
49 thoughts on “Kyiv cyclist spotted training “surrounded by tanks” (+ Strava activities); Mega Tour du Rwanda crowds; Van Vleuten and Van Aert steal Opening Weekend; Damage-proof mounts; Drum & Bass On The Bike; Snack storage; Weekend round-up + more on the live blog”
I’m no military expert, but
I’m no military expert, but that doesn’t look like a tank
APC, innit?
APC, innit?
To a man with a hammer, all
To a man with a hammer, all problems look like nails.
All power to the pedantry but if you’re a civilian (or just not in another armoured vehicle) it don’t really matter much.
And given that the word ‘tank
And given that the word ‘tank’ was chosen deliberately to obfuscate the nature of what was being talked about, it’s an interesting etymological debate as to what (if anything) its definition should be.
Exactly, I believe a bullet
Exactly, I believe a bullet from an armoured personnel carrier kills one just as effectively as a bullet from a tank’s machine gun. I suspect certain people have fairly obvious ideological motivations for downplaying the seriousness of the situation (for example if they idolise those who have allied with Putin and downplayed his activities in the past, indeed still are doing so if the weekend’s statements are anything to go by), otherwise really, why would you bother?
Rendel Harris wrote:
Yeah, but nobody would be that stoopid.
The weird thing I’ve noticed is the same types who appear (genuinely, or to be contrary) to either openly support Putin’s actions (cos [select your numbskullery of choice]: NATO, Bush/Blair, comedians, “geopolitics”, facemasks, established red lights, Ukrainian politics that they are suddenly experts on) or deflect blame towards anyone except for the one that actually gave the order to invade and target missiles on apartment blocks, are often the very same that bang on about Blitz spirit, Churchill and standing up to tyranny.
Captain Badger wrote:
Perfectly consistent – Churchill did a bit of standing up to tyranny, but not so much standing up to the Soviets. In WW2 Russia was doing most of the actual fighting of Germans after all. But the UK’s record on this doesn’t look particularly good – we gave the nod to the Russian version of the Katyn massacre, handed back people – notably Ukrainians – who’d fled the Russians and various other unpalatable things.
chrisonatrike wrote:
How dare you, a national hero. I demand satisfaction
Captain Badger wrote:
The winner!
The winner!
Edit – I thought Churchill was associated with the “black dog” though?
chrisonatrike wrote:
Not to be confused with Big Dog.
Definitely not…..
They say the first casulty of
They say the first casulty of war is the truth, but I’m pretty sure most people are aware a tank has big caterpillar wheels and a giant gun sticking out of front of it.
Lance Strongarm wrote:
I call bluff!
Update: well I will owe you
Update: well I will owe you an apology if there’s a giant gun version:
I thought they had fish in
I thought they had fish in them?
Clem Fandango wrote:
Oh, the old joke: two goldfish in a tank. One says to the other, do you know how to drive this thing?
“But that cyclist is in the
“But that cyclist is in the middle of the road. That traffic light is on red. If only they had some kind of registration.” (Opens popular internet search engine to investigate scope of Ukraine road tax)
mark1a wrote:
ive already seen the inevitable “f**king cyclists think they own the road even in a f**king war” meme…
Which we do, obs
Bloody cyclists, not making
Bloody cyclists, not making proper journeys (with “lethal and non-lethal aid”), holding up the tanks (yes it’s an “armoured vehicle” and I’ve no idea if it has wing mirrors or door mirrors but it’s all academic if you’re armed with a bicycle), should have daylight running lights… At least they were wearing a helmet though. I’m not sure about the ballistic protection rating though.
Good for them but that’s beyond my idea of extreme. You can be hit by fragmentation, targetted by twitchy soldiers or even just told to get off your bike and go straight to the front to assist.
chrisonatrike wrote:
It’s a TANK, not PLANE
Captain Badger wrote:
ARMOURED CAR. A tank has tracks….
Captain Badger wrote:
Oh dear, I feel another thread on identity and definitions coming on. Where does that leave the lovely Kleines Kettenkraftrad? If we say “but steering wheel” then someone will advance us the initial Mark Is, if we say “enclosed” the response is M18 with open turret. Better let them fight it out.
chrisonatrike wrote:
I think you’ll find most tanks have a pair of sticks, one controlling the left track, one controlling the right, although some do have a yoke
Captain Badger wrote:
I do agree, most tanks. Also “I know it when I see it” and all, and this is all a big distraction from a) bikes and b) a dictator doing some agressive invading and killing. But since it’s also clearly a day of valiant pedant-work here’s the Medium Mark A tank courtesy of “The Great War” series and Bovington Tank museum (a little indistinctly):
Captain Badger wrote:
I’ve read this several times now, but I still don’t get the yoke.
mdavidford wrote:
Keep going, I’m sure that you’re on the right track….
Captain Badger wrote:
I learned that from watching the Indiana Jones films 😉
If you would like a very
If you would like a very enjoyable waste of an afternoon, may I recommend the YouTube channel Inside the Chieftan’s Hatch, a real tankers veiws on historical tanks, and using and living with them. For a tall gent he can get into some very tight spaces. He is obsessed with track tensioning.
But not at the moment, he researches for World of Tanks, which being a Russian game, I have stopped playing. My own pathetic little bit. Though I very rarely ever gave them much money anyhow…
Thanks – I’m aware of him
Thanks – I’m aware of him (via ForgottenWeapons – they do a good double-act). Yes – I often wondered how he got there, it seemed to be like something out of South Park. I recall he alluded to “working the system”…
Yeah – track tension, he’s like the Jan Heine of tanks…
Is the driver of that Tank
Is the driver of that Tank wearing a helmet?? *Runs and hides*
lllnorrislll wrote:
If it saves just one life…..
lllnorrislll wrote:
If not they should be – but they can get them on Amazon if they need. Probably easier than getting it through the Russian military supply chain – especially as Amazon might have gotten them from there.
Fuck Putin!
Fuck Putin!
I’d really rather not
I’d really rather not
Another Kyiv cyclist
Another Kyiv cyclist
Steve K wrote:
I’ve always held that cyclists are the most dangerous things on the road – clear evidence (if t’were needed) of the war on motorists
That’s more like it, clearly
That’s more like it, clearly a “purposeful journey” being made there. No doubt people will be on to decry the lack of panniers and disk brakes though. Maybe Europe / NATO should be supplying some more suitable types? (For territorial defense a paratrooper model is probably less necessary).
Judging by the various
Judging by the various reports on the state of the place, it seems like it’s more likely that the Houses of Parliament would set your ebike on fire than the other way around.
mdavidford wrote:
I can certainly see why the House authorities might take a risk averse approach to anything that could possibly start a fire. The whole building is a health and safety nightmare.
mdavidford wrote:
Or the people in it perhaps, with the raging inferno in the PM’s trousers?
eburtthebike wrote:
Don’t fall for his lines, eburtthebike, the rumour is he’s all mouth.
chrisonatrike wrote:
Don’t fall for his lines, eburtthebike, the rumour is he’s all mouth.
[/quote]
But his pants are always on fire!
https://twitter.com
hirsute wrote:
Thank you. I’ve been trying to tell them that for some time now – always use a tank!
Quote:
Adrenaline doping
Good to see that Kyiv
Good to see that Kyiv cyclists are still Putin in the miles…;)
Mixing it with tanks is
Mixing it with tanks is probably safer than riding in any British city.
And……….he’s wearing a helmet.
Really, really bad all round
Really, really bad all round vision for the driver.
A good one – but alas exactly
A good one – but alas exactly this – and the usual military disregard (e.g. what health and safety, soldiers up for days on exercise etc.) has lead to some horrific deaths – US troops in Korea for one.