Same cycle lane, different driver, same near miss…but The Sun asks “who’s in the right?”; Reaction to Ed Laverack’s Sa Calobra-conquering KOM; “I started to hyperventilate”: Remco relives Liège; One week ’til Giro time + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Same cycle lane, different driver, same near miss...but The Sun asks "who’s in the right?"
Yesterday’s live blog featured the video of a cyclist using the A38 cycle lane in Birmingham, with its lane-crossing turnings and not-looking motorists…
The clip was fairly uncontroversial, I don’t think that’s up for debate. A cyclist riding along the route was forced to brake hard after a driver, coming from the left, didn’t check to see if anything was coming and pulled out across the rider’s path. A fairly common occurrence for anyone who uses a bicycle to negotiate the UK’s road network, unfortunately.
The Sun newspaper did not see it that way…
We really didn’t want to give their social post the slightest air of promotion, so here’s a picture of it instead (with Jeremy Vine’s thoughts on the “but who’s in the right?” ridiculousness)…
But who is in the right?
😡😡😡 pic.twitter.com/VvOvRRQ5gd— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) April 28, 2022
Amongst the replies: someone who thought the cyclist was riding the wrong way down a one-way street (no, really), “It’s a horrible thing to have to say but in this instance the cyclist is absolutely 100% in the right”, and this handy advice…
Anyone who doesn’t know the answer to this should send their driving license back to the DVLA ASAP.
— CyclingInASkirt (@CyclingInASkirt) April 28, 2022
But that wasn’t the end of matters as, in reply to Vine, another rider who has footage from the very same Birmingham cycle lane, said he’d “nearly died there” yesterday afternoon.
You can hear my brakes go on very early, in assumption the driver will stuff up … because they so often do. 👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/5sEueresBc
— Michael Brown 🌍🇺🇦 (@bikelawman) April 28, 2022
It seems running the gauntlet of crossing motorists is just part and parcel of using this infrastructure…
In the words of yesterday’s cyclist: “Even when you think you’re cycling in a safe place, there are drivers around to show you, you never are.”
Work begins on "specialist" mountain bike park in Northampton
The Northampton Chronicle & Echo reports work has started this week to build a mountain bike park on a former golf course. The site, west of Brackmills Industrial Estate, opened for work on Monday to build the Northampton Bike Park where the former Hard Nine golf course stood. Shredding dirt is the new golf, apparently.
The plans include: A multi-user green trail – an easy, dual-direction cycle route across the site, connecting Houghton Hill to the underpass for the A45. Blue (moderate), red (difficult) and black (severe) off-road mountain bike trails for different abilities – dual tracks will allow head-to-head riding. Five gathering spots where riders can meet to discuss the next section of track, and coaching can be provided. A mountain bike skills area.
“This will be an outstanding facility,” Cllr Lizzy Bowen said. “We know there are many people in the local area and the mountain biking community who can’t wait to see it up and running. This project continues our work to make Northampton a town fit for the 21st century, with opportunities for everyone in the area to live their best lives.”
"I accidentally switched two teeth smaller instead of bigger": Remco relives Liège–Bastogne–Liège triumph
A few days on from his breakthrough Monument success, Remco Evenepoel sat down with Belgian media outlet Sporza to talk through his triumph, including his accidentally high cadence and post-race hyperventilating.
“I accidentally switched two teeth smaller instead of bigger. That caused panic for a while, because my cadence was very high,” the Belgian sensation said of his thermonuclear attack…
Remco made La Redoute great again! 🚀 #LBL pic.twitter.com/pfZ2XVRmcc
— Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) April 24, 2022
“I had a day like the time trial in Algarve. I didn’t really hear anything around me because I was so in the zone. Only what they said in my ear came to me. The only thing I felt and heard was when I saw my trainer Koen Pelgrim standing on top. Only at that moment did I look away from the road. He was screaming like the other supporters.
“But I just didn’t realise what was happening in the last 200 meters. You can ask my family: I was really hyperventilating after the finish.”
🚨One-week warning🚨
Excuse me, don’t mean to interrupt, but it’s ONE WEEK TO THE GIRO D’ITALIA! ONE WEEK I TELL YOU! 😮🇮🇹🌸🤌🤩 #Giro105
— Katy M is counting down to the GIRO (@writebikerepeat) April 29, 2022
"I'm slower than that going down...": Reaction to Ed Laverack's Sa Calobra-conquering KOM
Sa Calobra has a new king 👑
Hill climb specialist Ed Laverack claims one of the most competitive Strava segments in the worldhttps://t.co/F1W1CSmrZ0 #cycling— road.cc (@roadcc) April 28, 2022
Ed Laverack conquering Sa Calobra was one of those rarest of rare news stories that attracts a universally positive reception. Here’s the best of it…
peted76 said: “This is great to see! Ed has been planning a crack at this KOM since before COVID hit and scuppered his plans..Chapeau Ed, what a KOM to have!!”
> Most competitive Strava segment in the world? Ed Laverack smashes Sa Calobra KOM
Over on Facebook, Colin Worth commented: “Not bad, I stop to take photos, otherwise I’d expect to be pretty close to that, we’ll never know though.” Wouldn’t we all…
Paul Winchcombe came to the painful realisation Ed’s time is more than twice as quick as his Sa Calobra PB, while Ben Williams reckons he was slower going down…
Rob Slack wanted a shout-out. He’s on the Strava leaderboard too…just in the bottom 5 per cent. Mark Markowski noted the baguette, coffee and cake at the bottom is the only thing slowing his ascent down. Me and you both, Mark, me and you both…
Mark Williams commented: “Beat me by about 30 mins but he probably does lots of training which, let’s face it, is a bit like cheating.”
Saturday 30th April — Local Bike Shop Day
Did you know it’s Local Bike Shop Day tomorrow?
We’re really proud to be one of their supporters this year
Kick-start your child’s love of cycling by paying your local bike shop a visit on Saturday 30th April! #SupportYourLocalBikeShop @LBSDayUK pic.twitter.com/q413xCRgvJ— Cycle Sprog (@CycleSprog) April 29, 2022
Annemiek van Vleuten suffers broken wrist in training crash
We regret to inform @AvVleuten sustained a broken right wrist during a training crash on Thursday.
She underwent surgery at @Rijnstate last night, and is already on track for a full recovery. Send her all of your best wishes everyone! 🙏
More info 👇
— Movistar Team (@Movistar_Team) April 29, 2022
Annemiek van Vleuten will be out of action for the foreseeable having broken her right wrist during a training crash in the Netherlands, Movistar has confirmed. Last Sunday’s Liège–Bastogne–Liège winner underwent surgery last night at the Rijnstate Hospital in Arnhem, with no return date yet discussed.
Despite this, the team says Van Vleuten should still be able to be fit in time for the Giro d’Italia Donne and the inaugural Tour de France Femmes, in July.
The Empire grows?
Exclusive – Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos bid more than £4bn for Chelseahttps://t.co/s9kGd79emB
— Matt Dickinson (@DickinsonTimes) April 29, 2022
Ineos Grenadiers announce line-up for pre-race favourite Richard Carapaz's Giro d'Italia tilt
Our cycling heroes. Immortalised.
Meet the 2022 INEOS Grenadiers #Giro lineup 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/UPwuQfa8kR
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) April 29, 2022
Talking of The Empire, here’s Ineos Grenadiers’ line-up for the Giro. Any talk of a Chelsea takeover hasn’t materialised in time for Romelu Lukaku to pull on the Lycra…
In full: Richard Carapaz, Richie Porte, Pavel Sivakov, Jhonatan Narváez, British national champ Ben Swift, Jonathan Castroviejo, Salvatore Puccio and exciting British prospect Ben Tulett.
Thomas Tuchel will be in the team car, with N’Golo Kanté first reserve should anyone drop out…
All the reaction to The Sun's 'debate'
We all know who is right, but The Sun isn’t interested in that. Just wants to stir it.
— Steve Western (@IlminsterSteve) April 29, 2022
West Midlands Walking and Cycling Commissioner Adam Tranter provided the most succinct answer to The Sun’s “who’s in the right?” nonsense…”The give way markings might provide a clue” he suggested…
Don’t go bringing common sense to The Sun’s ‘debate’, Adam…
Over on Facebook, Robert Skedgell had the pick of the comments: “One of the most serious problems with the driving theory test is that it’s been made easy enough for Sun readers to pass”…
Here in the live blog comments section, kinggill offered some always-appreciated local knowledge: “Before the A38 route was opened, the council announced in the media that cars would have to ‘give way’ when crossing the cycle route (as if one could ever just swing across the Bristol Road!). It caused fury online as per usual ’causes more pollution for me to idle my engine’ etc. It is a great route but always heart-in-the-mouth moments at those junctions; a pity as it’s one of the few places in Brum where you can pick up a bit of speed.”
brooksby did a good job of summing up how most (all) of us feel: “I honestly don’t understand. How is it ‘open to debate’? Cyclist on cycle path, therefore having priority; motorist approaches ‘give way’ lines. Motorist doesn’t give way, either through a conscious decision or because they just weren’t looking. Either way, motorist at fault. End of discussion.”
While chrisonatrike wondered if the real meaning of The Sun’s ‘debate’ is: “whether cyclists should be allowed anywhere roads – or indeed at all”.
"I’m off for another lie down": Hear from man of the moment Ed Laverack about Sa Calobra KOM
“One thing I’ve learnt today is how valuable taking people along on a journey can mean,” Ed told his social media following. “The KOM on Sa Calobra is one thing, training, creating videos, sharing the little details on socials to hopefully help or give people something to relate to somewhere is a massive passion.
> Most competitive Strava segment in the world? Ed Laverack smashes Sa Calobra KOM
“I saw that today. Not just from the folks at the top of the mountain, but the groups of cyclists on the road, asking ‘did you do it?’ Having no idea who these people were made me slightly emotional, but it makes everything I do so fulfilling and worthwhile.
“Professional cycling isn’t the only way to make a living by doing what I love to do. Right, I’m off for another lie down.”
What’s next?
Bealach next!
— Ed Laverack (@edlaverack) April 28, 2022
How was your commute?
Best commute to work ever! 😉
I know from personal experience that #Chile is making enormous strides in #cycling culture, but this is next level stuff! 🏔🚴🏻♂️🏡#Valparaiso | @bicicultura 🇨🇱pic.twitter.com/ZUaRZZ09Be
— Anders Adamsen (@anderspreben) April 26, 2022
He's alright is this Van der Poel lad...
MVDP has been training in Valencian Community. A bunch of Strava KOMs for MVDP yday. Other Alpecin-Fenix riders there (at least): Tobias Bayer, Dries De Bondt, Michael Gogl & Senne Leysen. Some A-F cyclists started camp already on 18/4-19/4. MVDP’s first file from 22/4. #Giro105 pic.twitter.com/e0RmFkdPQJ
— ammattipyöräily (@ammattipyoraily) April 28, 2022
What’s that? The Giro starts with an uphill finish? Aye, I know a guy…
29 April 2022, 08:05
29 April 2022, 08:05
29 April 2022, 08:05
29 April 2022, 08:05
29 April 2022, 08:05
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Latest Comments
@chrisonabike I'd personally prefer it if she were bolder, but on the spectrum of terrible to brilliant options for Transport Secretary, having someone who believes in cycling, but is a bit timid about it, is a net positive. Yes, those of us who can see opportunities missed or delayed will be frustrated, but it could easily have been much worse. That doesn't mean there's not a role for encouragement and constructive criticism. Agreed Chris Boardman has a good approach. He is ambitious, but communicates it in a way that is meaningful to the majority, and makes it hard for all but the most brazen anti-cycling activists to disagree with his ambitions.
There isn’t a ground based version. Because the whole point is the giant solid base that doesn’t fit in a car. The next nearest thing is a trailer tent which is dearer and requires a towbar.
I presume the main sticking point is the cost, and assuming budgets remain tight, perhaps the level of subsidies needs to be reviewed. At £42 subsidy per person per year, and assuming six per hanger, that's over £200k for the existing provision. I'd argue that's excellent value for money when you factor in the benefits to society of a healthier population that comes with more cycling, but being mindful it's not all about me, and that councils are struggling to fund their basic and pressing statutory requirements, it may be they need to reduce the per person subsidy, or restrict the subsidy to particular groups, freeing up budget for more units. But I'd also argue that maintenance costs to Bikehanger reduce as more units are installed in one area, so there may be an opportunity to negotiate a better deal for subsequent units.
@bensynnock given the facts of this case, does your argument work if she had stepped out in front of a car on this road? Would you have expected a motorist to beep whenever they saw some people standing beside a road? Or should cyclists always ring their bells to compensate for their lack of "motor car audio/visual signature"? And would pedestrians know what to do? What about deaf pedestrians? I think we generally have to assume people shouldn't step out into a road in front of a vehicle. That can be qualified though - but I think that is done by "better infra". We already sometimes take measures to block pedestrians crossing "busy roads", provide signalised or even "grade-separated" crossings. And keep them completely away from motorways etc. And I guess there may be expectations that when people see "park" they drop their guard a bit? I do think some kind of "what about cyclists using spaces for racing / training?" argument could be made though.
@FionaJJ "I’d say that being visible is still very useful in a lot of locations where effort has gone into safe systems (like railway tracks). " Indeed ... but while we *do* operate a "safe systems" approach in the railways (and indeed in shipping and air transport) we don't do this in the same way on the roads. So unfortunately what should be the final backstop - given we've also addressed hazards at higher levels - ends up getting promoted as a first line safety measure. And of course safety is mostly out of cyclists' hands * so it's something people *can* do themselves. * After deciding whether to cycle at all, route choice (can I avoid roads altogether / what are the quieter routes), basic road skills. Individuals can't change road layouts and rules, so we simply have to hope that drivers do their part...
Some places are just getting on with it though. I visited Bristol again after about a year and while it's a slightly unlikely cycling venue (very lumpy, the motor traffic is terrible) they really seem to be making an effort. Roads and streets are being redesigned to accommodate cycling and pedestrians. A bit rough and ready? Missing links (especially outside the centre)? Certainly, but I saw loads more parents cycling their children places than Edinburgh and even kids cycling places on their own.
@FionaJJ perhaps. Perhaps the last transport secretary (that didn't get going) would have been "too bold" and brought down bikelash? And with the fact that motoring is built into the culture and (literally) to planning and infra, the overwhelming power of the motoring-related industry lobby etc. And that cycling - at a very low level - has existed despite all that, in the gaps as it were. On the other hand, as the likes of David Hembrow point out the "wrong kind of compromise" has been the norm here. Asking for too little ("it's the best we can hope for") and getting less. Leading to stuff which might even set things back overall ("nobody uses it... waste of money and space"). Plenty of impossible "take it or leave it" choices... So far I think Chris Boardman has found a good way: heavy on local engagement, lots about children's journeys / people doing basic tasks / nicer places. This does seem to end up being mostly "crossings" and quieter streets - pedestrian and public transport measures with cycling a quiet addition. Is that enough? Not sure.
I've often said in debate with drivers that a pedestrian should be able to complete their journey safely even if they are a complete idiot and entirely ignorant of the rules of the road. I can't then say that this doesn't count if the result of their error is that they are hit by a bike. There's a responsibility here for everybody to take the duty of care that they have over vulnerable road users seriously. As cyclists we want drivers to be alert to our presence and to take precautions that, even if we do something they don't expect us to do, they will not hit us. We must apply that same responsibility to ourselves and pedestrians. I have one question. Did any one of the cyclists in that group observe the lady approaching the road and ring their bell?
@mdavidford Yes. There's plenty of evidence, well known to the advertising and sales industries, that once people have decided they want to buy something, they will dismiss new negative information on the item while embracing positives. It's why so many organisations persist with, and get away with having additional 'hidden' costs that appear once you've already decided you want to buy those tickets. I'm sure most of those who still wanted to buy an SUV despite the added dangers to the rest of the population were convincing themselves those stats only applied to the bad drivers, but not them because they are good drivers etc. But also a little voice telling them that the bad drivers out there causing havoc confirms they need one too. Education about the dangers of SUVs needs to come before people are thinking of buying them, or possibly more realistically, needs to focus on the issues with the worst offending SUVs. Rather than 'SUV drivers are out there killing people', it should talk about the consequences of different bonnet height and shape, as well as the weight and power. Lots of people just want an SUV so they can get into and out of the car without it hurting their knees. Explain they can get that without buying a tank and they are less likely to go on the defensive. I'd also tax the worst offenders, and introduce speed limiters for the most powerful ones. See how many people who need one to tow a caravan once a year are put off if they can't speed on the motorway. I'd also suggest that in the case you are involved in a serious collision, that your choice of vehicle is considered an aggravating factor in allocation of blame and any sentencing. If you don't have a good reason for driving around in something big, heavy, and powerful with terrible close-range visibility, and go on to kill or seriously injure an eight year old, when they probably would have survived with just minor injuries if you were in a Fiesta - that's a consequence of a choice you made just as much as deciding to get behind the wheel while drunk, or to look at your phone. The only difference is time scales. Most people would at least try to come up with a justification for needing their personal tank, but it might at least make a few more people think about the potential negative consequences for them.
@chrisonabike I get the impression that Heidi is a true believer when it comes to the benefits of cycling and active travel, but she's also a moderate and team player when it comes to temperament, and will co-operate with the PM of the day, and will compromise according to what is assumed to be electorally popular. That's not necessarily a bad approach, especially if you hope to stay in power for long enough to get sustained change, or if you are happy to get on with making useful changes when the attention isn't on you.
39 thoughts on “Same cycle lane, different driver, same near miss…but The Sun asks “who’s in the right?”; Reaction to Ed Laverack’s Sa Calobra-conquering KOM; “I started to hyperventilate”: Remco relives Liège; One week ’til Giro time + more on the live blog”
Mark Hodson
Mark Hodson
Surely the DfT should be
Surely the DfT should be writing to the editor of the Sun, demanding a correction and an apology?
Just when you think the gutter press can’t get any lower, they keep digging, and they wonder why their sales keep dropping. We should all go Liverpool on this rag.
Of course we actually have an
Of course we actually have an official body that might have been able to the Scum with their question. I wonder if they contacted the DVSA for comment? Stupid question.
the Scum living up to its
the Scum living up to its name again.
there is no “debate” here
I honestly don’t understand.
I honestly don’t understand. How is it ‘open to debate’? Cyclist on cycle path, therefore having priority; motorist approaches ‘give way’ lines. Motorist doesn’t give way, either through a conscious decision or because they just weren’t looking. Either way, motorist at fault End of discussion.
The “debate” is whether
The “debate” is whether cyclists should be allowed anywhere roads – or indeed at all.
chrisonatrike wrote:
You joke, but there’s a regular commenter on the Bristol Post BTL who insists that bicycles should be banned…
brooksby wrote:
That twat who calls himself Ferry1. Bristol Post BTL does seem to attract the most miserable and stupid people in the entire city.
Surely the fault lies with
Surely the fault lies with the heretic who violated the natural order by designing the road so that cycles were given priority over motor vehicles?
{ Obligatory Roads Were not
{ Obligatory Roads Were not Built For Bicycles link }
Exactly. It is more than
Exactly. It is more than alarming that a newspaper can completely ignore fact/law and get away with it. Even more worrying is the picture the Sun uses in its tweet proves beyond any doubt who is in the right.
Er, what? Doesn’t the Sun,
Er, what? Doesn’t the Sun, Daily Mail, Express, Telegraph ‘ignore fact’ and misinterpret and misrepresent every single day of the year? That’s what they do. I don’t know who owns these media but it will probably give you a good indication of their stance knowing who does. These media complain about the ‘cancel culture’ and ‘wokeism’ but they have spent decades and vast fortunes cancelling anything their billionaire owners disagree with – Labour govts, climate change, immigrants . . . . . You name it and they’ve cancelled it. What’s a cyclist to them?
Before the A38 route was
Before the A38 route was opened, the council announced in the media that cars would have to ‘give way’ when crossing the cycle route (as if one could ever just swing across the Bristol Road!). It caused fury online as per usual “causes more pollution for me to idle my engine” etc. It is a great route but always heart-in-the-mouth moments at those junctions; a pity as it’s one of the few places in Brum where you can pick up a bit of speed.
I remember a similar argument
I remember a similar argument for this section of the A34 one. Car driver was predicting deaths because a car coming off the 40mph central section would have to negotiate traffic coming down from the island, the buses AND the cyclists if they wanted to take the left turn. Not the cyclists deaths mind, the drivers deaths because they would be forced to slow down so much…….
AlsoSomniloquism wrote:
That’s reminded me of this scene from Expanse Series 3 (blood, gore and spoiler warning): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGmTZeiCmJY
On a similar note, I was
On a similar note, I was approaching the A34 Cycle path here on my way home Wednesday. The turning from the main road has been “blocked” for 18 months and since the Streetview, official bollards and fixed signs have been put in place rather then the temp barriers and signs. I was at the spot shown when a Taxi pulled in on the wrong side, and barged over the Ped crossing which had two people using it at the time. It is with the local rozzers but I won’t know if actioned. So who was in the right….. you decide?
Interesting long read in the
Interesting long read in the Gadurian
‘It’s just more and more lanes’: the Texan revolt against giant new highways
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/29/texas-highway-expansions-project-displacements-protests
brooksby wrote:
That sounds like just the logical conclusion of designing cities and transport around personal cars. It’s inevitable that high population densities will just require more and more road space.
However, with it being Texas, I do wonder whether racism is a motivator as well
But “guardian … leftist
But “guardian … leftist propaganda … ” etc. Aside from “yes that’s the kind of thing they may pick up on” it is interesting to me that even Texans are starting to say “enough”.
For transport infrastructure from the perspective of financial sustainability NotJustBikes has you covered:
Getting about Houston is barely possible without a car – even for short distances
The capacity and financial folly of adding more roads (Canada)
Texas, out of all the places
Texas, out of all the places in the world I have driven which admittedly is not a representative sample but includes a lot of north america and europe, is the place I think I would be least likely to get on a bike. Not only are the roads designed only with cars in mind but the drivers, in my experience, are some of the most aggressive around.
I quickly learned not to try to indicate when changing lanes on the highway as, without fail, the driver behind would close the gap you were planning to move into as soon as your indicator went on.
Texas supplies the most oil
Texas supplies the most oil for America so don’t want to encourage anything that would reduce their “honeypot”.
I was in Seguin, Texas for
I was in Seguin, Texas for work a couple of years ago. From my hotel, I wanted to walk to a restaurant that was 0.6 miles away. It was over a two mile drive, but since the hotel was basically on a highway on-ramp I ended up driving it.
Google Maps walking directions suggested a 1.8 mile route.
NotJustBikes on Youtube has a
NotJustBikes on Youtube has a massive amount to state about American designs to accomodate cars and the inability to walk within 1 mile of a hotel to anywhere else safely in some places.
Not just the US. In Melbourne
Not just the US. In Melbourne pre-pandemic for work and it took me 20 mins to walk 300 yds from my hotel to a restaurant. Top of St Kilda Rd by Albert Park. Ended up getting Deliveroo the next night. Two tram lines, four lanes of traffic, and three pedestrian crossings. Just awful design
Yes, same here. I tried to
Yes, same here. I tried to walk to a restaurant from the my hotel on a business trip to the USA. All of half a mile. Hotel receptionist recommended I drive. I could see why.
Patrick9-32 wrote:
Texas has one of the worst records for road safety of any US state. It has the highest rate of driving uder the influence of any US state. The NHTSA website has a full breakdown of the stats. It is not a place I’d choose to cycle.
The States is just so screwy
The States is just so screwy in so many ways when it comes to car culture that a facepalm doesn’t even cover it.
Some friends of mine were travelling there a few years ago, and stayed a couple of nights in a self catering place (I forget which state but I think it was in the South somewhere) situated right by the roadside (not a freeway, I don’t think, just the equivalent of a large dual carriageway in this country).
Almost immediately across the road was a large supermarket and, wanting to get some food, they decided to cross over and take a look. They were stopped by the receptionist who informed them they couldn’t cross the road there because of the jaywalking laws, and there wasn’t anywhere they could cross legitimately nearby.
The only way to access the supermarket legally was to drive 2 miles down the road to the next junction, take the exit, two left turns to come back the other way and in. Leaving the supermarket then meant a 3 mile drive down the other side of the road to the previous exit, cross over and come back.
A 10 mile drive was literally the only legal alternative to a 200m walk across the road. In. San. I. Ty.
They got pizza delivered instead.
I’ve been in Dallas Tx a few
I’ve been in Dallas Tx a few times for work, most recently in 2019. On the Sunday I hired a bike and went for a ride, off to the NW of the Frisco area. It’s flat and dry and once you’re away from urbanisation the roads were close to deserted. The bigger roads were very wide. You know, it wasn’t too bad. Drivers were polite, inasmuch as I had any interaction with them, though intersections were a little alarming just by being so BIG. OTOH the roads are very straight and long and windy so although I had a decent ride, it really wasn’t the most scenic area. I did see a small handful of other road riders so there is something of a scene there.
More defence of Texas (for
More defence of Texas (for cycling, not politics). I rode all the way across it once, as part of big bike trip in the U.S.. I thought it was amazing. Away from the cities there was so little traffic that drivers would wave to each other (and to me) as a matter of course.
Some parts are so barren that all you could see was a straight road going from horizon to horizon and flat scrubland in every other direction. Not the most thrilling landscape, but for someone like me who grew up in the UK it was like nothing I had ever experienced before. Other parts, such as Big Bend national park, are genuinely spectacular.
I remember the first time I
I remember the first time I went to Australia, I got chatting (in the airport) with an Australian who was returning home after many years living in Europe. he told me that after Europe, going to Australia would be like ‘putting the lights on’. Not is any socio – political sense but just in terms of size and expanse.
RE Remco – did he go down two
RE Remco – did he go down two teeth at the front or up two at the rear?
And my countdown for the Giro is 14 days! Got to get through my niece’s wedding the day before in York, drive through the night and fly to Ancona at 6.30 Sunday morning. The things we do for fun!
I assume if it was a “high”
I assume if it was a “high” cadence it was two down at the front ?
I doubt he’s trying to be
I doubt he’s trying to be that technical. “Two teeth smaller” probably just means two gears lower, which could be 2-4 more teeth on the back.
I once went round a corner
I once went round a corner too fast; when I got up again I was 4 teeth lighter. Is that what he meant?
This one could appear as
This one could appear as double near miss of the day.
NSL, blind bend, chevron signs, SLOW on the road.
M/c easily doing 50, car driver 25-30
I am just left of centre lane.
Brown trouser moment all round
Ooof. There’s a short section
Ooof. There’s a short section on my regular ride where I have to join the A338 (single carriageway, 40mph limit). S bend, double whites. 4 cars overtook me and I was doing an easy 18mph this morning. It’s the same every time. I’ve even had them overtake me when I’m driving and sitting behind a cyclist. MGIF
.
.
CyclingMikey has put the
CyclingMikey has put the Frank lampard video up on his YouTube channel, don’t know if it had been mentioned before, I hadn’t noticed anyway.
Very short bit of lawbreaking for a Mikey vid, but if he hadn’t been able to employ our favourite troll’s favourite safety campaigner, he’d have been banged to rights.
ktache wrote:
Though it wasn’t actually a triumph for Mr Poophole as the CPS decided to drop it before it reached court, saying they couldn’t prove that he was using the ‘phone for “interactive communication.” Under the changes in the law that wouldn’t matter of course, the clear proof that he had it in his hand would suffice. A ridiculous decision in any case, surely the fact that he was driving with coffee in one hand and ‘phone in the other should be enough for a “without due care and attention” charge, regardless of whether he was actually communicating.