Welcome to Tuesday’s live blog, with Jack Sexty, Simon MacMichael and the rest of the team…
Live blog: Idiot shoots paintballs at World Naked Bike Ride cyclists; Rees-Mogg riding into cabinet position … on a penny-farthing? Cav double punctures at Isle of Man Gran Fondo as drawing pins strewn on road + more
All today’s news from the site and beyond…
Tue, Jul 23, 2019 18:01
SUMMARY
23 July 2019, 18:01
Pinot is now bookies' favourite to win the Tour
We’ve been having a snoop at the latest odds, and Pinot is now the red hot favourite at 9/5 to win the Tour and therefore become the first Frenchman to do so since Bernard Hinault in 1985.
Despite his stronger performance on stage 15 Geraint Thomas is quite far behind at 7/2, current leader Julian Alaphilippe is at 5/1 and Egan Bernal is 11/2 – do you reckon they’ve called it right?
23 July 2019, 18:01
Police get social media backlash after announcing seizure of e-scooters on Twitter
Our colleagues over at the Safer Transport Team Kings Cross seized four electric scooters today for No Insurance. Remember these are not road legal and cannot be used on UK Roads. #VisionZeroLDN Use the QR code for DfT Guidance. pic.twitter.com/39Ecxf7OUo
— Cycle Safety Team (@MetCycleCops) July 22, 2019
The Met Cycle Safety Team’s announcement on Twitter that they’ve been seizing illegal e-scooters has been met with criticism, with many cyclists expressing frustration that they’re being targeted when the city suffers from high levels of congestion due to motor traffic.
Four more cars back on the road tomorrow
— John (@se3john) July 22, 2019
I understand the law, but I can’t help but favourably compare the people using these quiet, slow, non polluting, space saving scooters with the screen- distracted drivers in the huge, polluting, over-powered, congestion causing, speeding cars that make our roads so dangerous.
— DCArt (@DavidCoxArt) July 22, 2019
E-scooters are currently illegal in the UK on both roads and pavements, and can only be ridden on private land with permission from the land owner. Recently their safety has been questioned in the national media after YouTube star Lily Hartridge became the first person in the UK to die in an incident involving an e-scooter.
Are the police right to be getting them off the road/cycle paths or should this greener mode of transport be encouraged?
23 July 2019, 18:01
G and Luke Rowe's 'Watts Occurring' podcast gets unique artistic twist
Watts Occurring? Episode three now live Loving the artwork @tootalldrisc
> https://t.co/EoRi53smIn pic.twitter.com/ZHHkSPNAIR
— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) July 23, 2019
Not sure the bodily proportions are quite right, but it’s different I suppose… you can listen to episode three of the podcast here.
23 July 2019, 18:01
Jens' legs don't need shutting up any more
I have found a way I can do the Tour de France again. I can be ready tomorrow @TrekSegafredo pic.twitter.com/IuhEFnSiuq
— Jens Voigt (@thejensie) July 22, 2019
…thanks to the Trek Domane+ e-road bike, of course.
23 July 2019, 18:01
Cav punctures at Isle of Man Gran Fondo as drawing pins strewn on road
Mark Cavendish, left out of Team Dimension Data’s line-up for the Tour de France (how’s that working out, guys?) was back on his native Isle of Man at the weekend to ride its Gran Fondo – although his day out was marred by a double-puncture due to someone strewing drawing pins on the road.
Was loving @iomcyclefest yesterday. Savage route, smashing through with @calcrutchlow & blown away with the brilliant organisation.. (and the wind )
Until my ride (and others) was cut short because some miserable twat threw drawing pins on the road. There’s always one! pic.twitter.com/jVd9VpoFDC
— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) July 22, 2019
Home riders Nathan Draper and Sally Walker took the wins in the men’s and women’s events, respectively, while the third rider home in the men’s event was the MotoGP ace Cal Crutchlow, who has a home on the island as well as Tuscany, where Cavendish also has his European base.
23 July 2019, 18:01
Whoop...
The new Prime Minister ladies and gentlemen.
23 July 2019, 18:01
Some amazing Roman architecture on today's Tour de France stage
Besides the Roman sites in Nimes itself where the stage starts and finishes, there’s also the incredible Pont du Gard aqueduct …
You won't see anything more majestic today.
Vous ne verrez rien de plus majestueux aujourd'hui.#TDF2019 pic.twitter.com/W2dNrLFkHV
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 23, 2019
23 July 2019, 18:01
Chris Froome's missing the Tour ...
That one time I tried to sprint against @petosagan
Shoot for the stars… https://t.co/r8Fpu4hztw— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) July 23, 2019
23 July 2019, 18:01
Sprint-day snooze...
The peloton crossed the Pont du Gard 1’30” behind the breakaway, led by the sprinters’ teams.
Le peloton a traversé le Pont du Gard 1’30” après l’échappée, mené par les équipes de sprinters.#TDF2019 pic.twitter.com/x6qdX0bSSy— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 23, 2019
Today’s stage has the potential to be a second rest day for the GC riders. There’s a group of five up the road with a 2’05” gap while the sprinter’s teams control the peloton.
Commence your snooze or get on with your job. We’ll give you a poke if any crosswinds happen.
23 July 2019, 18:01
Just as we say that...
Thomas crashes @GeraintThomas86 hits the deck coming around a corner but looks to be okay.#TDF2019 pic.twitter.com/VcPy8h8wfg
— ITV Cycling (@itvcycling) July 23, 2019
Geraint Thomas goes down. As crashes go, this is an ok one…
Sorry, Geraint, the curse of the commentator and all that…
23 July 2019, 18:01
Cycle to Work Day challenges week 4 - female riders who log a ride this week could win a Trek FX Sport
In the run up to Cycle to Work Day on 8th August Cyclescheme are running seven weeks of challenges with prizes to be won – week 4 is one for female cyclists, and with the latest research from Cycling UK suggesting female riders make up less than a third of all
UK cyclists, Cyclescheme are putting the spotlight on female riders. All you have to do is log a ride on the Cyclescheme Love to Ride community between the 22nd–28th July and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win a Trek FX Sport 4, worth £950 (pictured below). More info on Cyclescheme’s website here.
23 July 2019, 18:01
The Team Ineos riders don't seem to concerned after G's chute ...
Thomas might've gone down for a second earlier but that won't stop @TeamINEOS riders from having fun
Watch Stage 16 of #TDF2019 LIVE on Eurosport
– Eurosport 1
– Eurosport Player: https://t.co/bt3TbPVNQG pic.twitter.com/NH3E8omtAm— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) July 23, 2019
23 July 2019, 18:01
Jacob Rees-Mogg spotted en route to Boris Johnson’s house to secure a cabinet position:
Credit the Have I Got News For You Facebook page for the caption.
On the subject of penny farthings, we reported on the man attempting to break the 132-year-old penny farthing LEJOG record – Richard Thoday is now well on track to break it, currently about 30 miles south of Inverness according to the live tracker.
23 July 2019, 18:01
Fuglsang abandons after crash
Bad news for @jakob_fuglsang as it looks like he has had to abandon @LeTour after a fall during today’s stage #TDF2019 pic.twitter.com/vQWRjSC02k
— ITV Cycling (@itvcycling) July 23, 2019
It looks like it’s one crash too many for the Dane, who has had a Tour to forget. The helmet is off and it’s all but confirmed that he’s now abandoned the race – more in our full stage report later.
23 July 2019, 18:01
Fuglsang in “too much pain to continue” Tour de France after crash
Astana’s Jakob Fuglsang – third favourite to win the Tour de France at the start of the race in Brussels more than a fortnight ago – has been talking about the crash which forced him to abandon today, when he was lying 9th overall.
I’m really disappointed about leaving the Tour de France this way, but there was too much pain to continue.
Somebody crashed in front of me and there was no way to avoid it, so I crashed over my handlebar. My hand directly swelled up and I could barely stand on my feet, I directly knew my Tour would finish here.
I was very motivated for the final week and I was ready to battle for a higher position in the GC. That this has to be the way of missing out on this battle, is just very disappointing.
Now all the focus will be on recovering, both physically as mentally, because the Tour was a big goal after my wins in Liége and the Dauphiné.
23 July 2019, 18:01
Idiot fires paintballs at World Naked Bike Ride cyclists
Have you ever done paintball?
If so, you’ll know that even through the combat fatigues you’re issued with at the start of the day hurts, and leaves a bruise.
So pity the poor riders at the World Naked Bike Ride in St Louis, Missouri, this weekend who had to put up with this absolute bloody wanker firing paintballs at them …
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Jack is group editor across road.cc, off.road.cc and ebiketips, overseeing all three sites in the F-At Digital group to make sure everything’s up to scratch. He’s been writing about cycling and multisport for over a decade, arriving at road.cc via 220 Triathlon Magazine in 2017. He worked across all areas of road.cc including tech, news and video, and also contributed to ebiketips before being named editor of road.cc in 2021 (much to his surprise). Jack has been hooked on cycling since his student days, and currently has a Trek 1.2 for winter riding, a beloved Bickerton folding bike for getting around town, and an extra beloved custom Ridley Helium SLX for fantasising about going fast in his stable. Jack has never won a bike race, but does have a master’s degree in print journalism, and two Guinness World Records for pogo sticking (it’s a long story).
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Latest Comments
mdavidford 2 hours ago
@Chris RideFar I think what you meant to say was "REMOVE this and put it on PODCAST CC".
jaymack 3 hours ago
As Mary Whitehouse never said - one doesn't have to read the article if one doesn't want to read about an off-road bicycle.
Rendel Harris 4 hours ago
@FionaJJ In London they're allowed to stop on single and double yellows to deliver packages or empty pillar boxes; in practice they take this as carte blanche to park wherever and whenever they want, such as this chap on the Brixton Road who pulled into the bus/cycle/motorcycle lane without indicating, as I approached at 20mph, to park on a red route, response to a remonstrance, "I suppose you never get post delivered do ya?"
FionaJJ 4 hours ago
@Rendel Harris We have a pavement parking ban, but around here at least, royal mail vans are already exempt, subject to certain caveats, such as allowing at least 1.5m, and only being stopped to do their work.
FionaJJ 4 hours ago
It was already embarrassing for the police that they made such a mess of their attempt to determine whether a bike was legal or not, but I had assumed it was a group of well intentioned, but under-trained officers acting on their own initiative, having spotted something they thought looked not quite right. I'm now discovering this was a planned activity, something sufficiently organised to have been given a name - Operation FRISLEN, designed specifically to identify and remove illegal e-bikes and scooters. It's apparent that the officers were sent out without adequate training, never mind the kind of equipment that should be used for this sort of work. I'm not saying they always need specialist equipment to spot all illegal bikes, but at least if they'd been given a demonstration with that equipment, they'd have realised why their approach was not going to end well.
Geoff Ingram 7 hours ago
Have put drop bars on a 2001 B1 mtb, a 2007 stumpy hardtail and a 2010 stumpy full suss. In all cases fairly basic conversións leaving gearing and wheels broadly the same and concentrating on correct positioning of bars and fit. Oddly, with all 3 I was happy with the result when recently done, but after a few months found that the extra speed on easy trails was more than offset by the lack of ability (probably mine) on tougher routes and finally preferred flat bar with slammed and inverted stem as best overall compromise. Good fun playing around, though.
mark1a 7 hours ago
The photos in this review look they are for a different bag?
mattw 8 hours ago
This is a strange reactionary knee jerk overall. But what is this "are essentially motorbikes in disguise" waffle? "One letter claimed that high-powered electric ‘e-bikes’ were “essentially motorbikes” in disguise, with many being used without lights, helmets, or any hi-vis clothing." Surely, they simply ARE motorbikes?
bikes 9 hours ago
I only watched the last one, that's enough for me! A punishment pass and a clueless passenger. Did you op snap that one?
bikes 9 hours ago
I don't love the motorway comment. What if they're miles from a motorway? The get in the cycle lane comment is born out of ignorance from people who never cycle. I would just tell them the reason: It's full of broken glass, wet leaves, etc. I'm turning right. I'd have to keep stopping and then rejoining the road. I'd have to keep giving way. It's full of pedestrians. Etc. Or simply ask if they have tried it and leave it at that.
18 thoughts on “Live blog: Idiot shoots paintballs at World Naked Bike Ride cyclists; Rees-Mogg riding into cabinet position … on a penny-farthing? Cav double punctures at Isle of Man Gran Fondo as drawing pins strewn on road + more”
They should prioritise safer
They should prioritise safer driving by running a close-pass operation or even just a crack-down on motorists using mobiles whilst driving. Stopping e-scooters is hardly going to make the roads any safer.
Quote:
I look forward to plod seizing all the uninsured cars they encounter daily. They must have noticed loads with all those extra vans out looking for those dreadfully dangerous scooters.
I won’t hold my breath.
racyrich wrote:
To be fair to the Met, they have been running a “Vision Zero” campaign targeting driving offences recently, and have seized a lot of cars too. See e.g. http://news.met.police.uk/news/55-arrested-and-221-vehicles-seized-at-collision-hotspot-operation-375856
hawkinspeter wrote:
I suspect its the ‘low hanging fruit’ effect – its far easier and more politically acceptable (unfortunately
) to spot and stop electric scooters, RLJ cyclists, whatever than it is to go after the mobile-phone-users, RLJ motorists, etc.
Nevertheless, though, it *is* illegal to use those scooters on the road…
Quote:
Met Police Cycle Safety Team criticised for seizing illegal vehicles in London.
I have used a Lime escooter,
I have used a Lime escooter, not in UK, and thought it was excellent. Of course pedestrians may complain, and we are all pedestrians at times, but the genie is out of the bottle and I can’t see how bikes and scooters can be kept off pavements any more. If scooter use rises then there will be fatal accidents, as we have already seen. Somehow the fact that motor cars were mowing people down right from the word go didn’t prevent their take-up.
Those odds for Pinot seem a bit sentimental. There’s a lot of racing to go in the Tour yet.
Miller wrote:
Yeah as much as I’d be quite happy to see Pinot win it, he’s got a lot of racing to get through, and by his own admission isn’t a big fan of the heat, he could be set for a few days of baking in the Alps. If he manages it though then fair play to him, and to FDJ for actually coming with a team that is capable of supporting him properly for once.
If the police are looking for
If the police are looking for “low hanging fruit” they could seize the cars with obscured/smoked number plates. Easy to spot, I see a few every day. Not only are the plates illegal, they indicate a premeditated prejudice against compliance with speed limits etc. So why wait?
Sriracha wrote:
i think that’s what the paintball shooter was aiming for.
Sriracha wrote:
On one occassion I saw a truck parked in a cycle lane close to a junction, half blocking the road. Illegally parked in more than one way. It had bits of cardboard carefully taped over its licence plates to conceal them. A cop car carefully maneuvered its way past it, and then drove on.
I’ve seen cars parked on the pavement, on ‘stay clear’ chevrons, in cycle lanes, cop cars drive past and nothing happens.
I really think that with few exceptions the police simply don’t care about motoring offenses.
I’m glad that the default
I’m glad that the default punishment for driving without insurance is vehicle seizure.</sarc>
I’d like to see the Met
I’d like to see the Met Police targetting drivers doing 40mph in the 20mph zones.
Many drivers have cut their speed and it makes these zones much nicer as a pedestrian, stopping the bad drivers will therefore have a big effect.
The Jens video is funny, but
The Jens video is funny, but I can’t help thinking that this (admittedly jovial) smugness portrayed by Jens is just the sort of perceived smugness (whether it’s actually there or not) that riles non-ebike riders in the real world too. Having said that, it does demonstrate that ebikes don’t have to be the preserve of the overweight or physically limited. It has always bugged me that so many naysayers won’t accept that you can still have a good workout on an ebike, either by riding at the same effort but going faster, or by riding further than you otherwise would. If/when ebike prices start to properly come down I’ll be very tempted to get one myself for the daily commute and use the car a lot less!
I wonder if the TT races on
I wonder if the TT races on the IoM also have tacks strewn on the course or is it just cyclists targetted like this?
Impressive Popeye forearms on
Impressive Popeye forearms on Cal Crutchlow.
If you tried to brake on a motogp bike with Froome arms I’d imagine they’d snap. Fit lads the motogp lot.
Surely using a paintball gun
Surely using a paintball gun on innocent cyclists is assault, so why wasn’t he arrested? There must have been police escorting the ride.
burtthebike wrote:
I’m amazed the police didn’t arrest the cyclists – this is the back of beyond in the US. Cyclists are like cockroaches, just run them over if they’re in your way.
Paintballs can KILL or
Paintballs can KILL or seriously wound.
All the more likely when you’re firing at people without the proper protective equipment. That guy needs to go to jail. Had I been there in a suitable position I’d have
taken the fucker downneutralised the threat and then called the police.