10/01/2019, 16:06
Gloucestershire Police respond on Twitter to "maybe you should swap bike for a Hummer" comments
We are aware of these comments and are looking into them. Enquiries are currently ongoing.
All cyclists should expect to be able to use the road network safely. Drivers can see advice for looking out for vulnerable road users here: https://t.co/4gekubyb8r
^D
Social Media Team— Glos Police (@Glos_Police) January 10, 2019
Gloucestershire's social media team at least say they "all cyclists should expect to be able to use the road network safety", and they are now "looking in to" the alleged comments made by one of their officers.
10/01/2019, 13:45
Gloucester cyclist allegedly told "maybe you should trade your bike for a Hummer" and asked if he had vendetta against coach company... by a police officer
According to the Gloucestershire Constabulary the driver in the video has done nothing wrong. I was also asked if I had a vendetta again this coach company, and told to trade my bike in for a hummer. #Cycling #Ride #Bike #RideToWork #CycleCommute #Gloucester pic.twitter.com/O4PcLAlc3d
— Ride to Work Gloucester (@CyclistGlos) January 9, 2019
Many police forces in the UK have adopted policies to crack down on drivers who pass other vehicles too closely, such as Operation Close Pass by West Midlands Police - however it appears that hasn't filtered through to Gloucestershire Police, who reportedly told cyclist Matt Coldrey that the coach driver in this clip had not committed an offence because the cyclist and coach continued on their journeys smoothly.
Even more shockingly, Matt claims the police officer told him over the phone: "Maybe you should consider trading in your bike for a Hummer". He told us: "I do get that it was a joke, but as I was trying to explain to the police officer that having a coach pass me so closely that I can touch it, as traffic is travelling in the opposite direction, is at the very least careless driving, it didn't seem particularly appropriate response to my legitimate concerns."
He also says he was accused of having "a vendetta" against George Young's Coaches, because he had reported a similar incident against them in the past.
In the clip, there are two lines in the middle of the road and the closest to the left is solid, meaning it's illegal to cross it to overtake unless the road on the other side is clear and the vehicle in front of you is travelling at 10 mph or less. Section 6, part 129 of the Highway Code states: "This means you MUST NOT cross or straddle it unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road. You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.
We've asked Gloucestershire Police for comment.
10/01/2019, 13:24
Trek-Segafredo reveal Richie Porte limited edition kit at Tour Down Under to celebrate his move to the team
Thanks @SANTINI_SMS for the welcome to @TrekSegafredo Pretty chuffed! https://t.co/vhVfWWFwin pic.twitter.com/yttubKMFyC
— Richie Porte (@richie_porte) January 10, 2019
Porte has joined Trek-Segafredo from BMC Racing for 2019, and to celebrate his first race for his new team on home soil Santini have released some limited edition kit: "Santini and Team Trek/Segafredo have worked together to create a new limited edition cycling kit. The original design by the Santini creative team features a surf board motif (inspired by Richie’s other sporting passion) each dedicated to a victory or team that Richie has been involved with during his pro cycling career. In a race that has long been dominated by Aussie riders, Porte will be looking for a repeat of his 2017 TDU victory in Adelaide. Here’s to a very successful 2019 with lots of podiums to come in the new red and black kit."
We reckon the kit looks pretty hot to trot, it's in stock and you can check it out on Santini's website.
10/01/2019, 12:10
Matchy matchy
10/01/2019, 11:37
How many near-crashes can you spot?
This video from the men's Australian Criterium Championships had us covering our eyes at times!
10/01/2019, 11:19
Anti-doping authorities "wasting their time" targeting older athletes, says 90-year-old stripped of world record
Carl Grove, the 90-year-old who was last week stripped of an age group world record after he tested positive for the steroid epitrenbolone, says that anti-doping aiuthorities are “wasting their time” targeting older athletes.
The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) accepted that Grove returned a positive result due to having eaten contaminated meat the night before he was tested at the at US Masters Track National Championships in July, where he won the the 90-94 age group sprint title.
He was issued a public warning, the least severe of the penalties that can be applied by the agency.
“Us old guys are kind of like peanuts,” said Grove, who was quote in the Guardian. “I think that they’re wasting their time. “What can I gain at 90 years old doing drugs? Tell me, I just don’t know.
“So I think that somewhere there ought to be a cut-off and they ought to zero in on the stuff that is done for money reasons or whatever it may be. But I think after 65 or 70, you know, they ought to just give up.”
He continued: “I was really kind of down for a while. But I’m over it. I wanted to be an inspiration, if possible. I worked like a real horse to do it.
“They struck me from the records. I don’t really care about that too much. The thing that I really, really care about is that I wanted to be a sterling, totally clean person in front of people that knew about me.
“It looked like I had not been an honest person to a lot of people. I guess I was kind of worried about what did other people think, you know? Then, I began to think, ‘Well, some of them will believe me and some of them won’t.’ I guess that’s just the way it is,” he added.
10/01/2019, 11:09
Herdwick sheep almost takes out cyclist
Herdwick sheep, native to the Lake District, are known for being a bit headstrong, to put it mildly. Basically, they'll do what they like and don't give tuppence what anyone thinks, including dashing out in front of a cyclist on an empty road.
The footage was shot by road.cc reader Andrew, who told us: "It managed to get out the field somehow. I'd like to think its mates are nearby and said "now' as i approached.
"After this it ran down a side lane away from the main road. I did follow it down but lost sight of it."
Oh, and despite what the date stamp might say Andrew assures us this was shot on the third of January this year.
