Live blog: Wiggins saw someone stabbed to death growing up; Cyclocross event at Herne Hill Velodrome; Did mandatory helmet law kill Melbourne’s bike share scheme? + more
SUMMARY
“No one gives a shit if you crash”
New Zealander George Bennett tends to be good for a quote. Here’s what he told Cycling News about yesterday’s Vuelta crash.
“I’m not sure if it was someone from EF who went down first or if it was Tony [Martin]. It was real nasty. I don’t feel too good after it, but I feel a lot better than the guys in hospital.
“That’s part of racing – crashing. It was all going all right with [Primoz] Roglic’s results, but we keep hitting the deck, and that’s not good.”
Asked about continuing in the race, he said: “What can you do? If you crash, you can’t really sulk in a race. You just got to get on with it, because no one gives a shit if you crash. You’ve got to keep going.”
An update on yesterday’s Vuelta crash
A nasty crash in the Vuelta yesterday led to a number of abandons, including overall contender Rigoberto Uran, former race leader Nicolas Roche and Britain’s Hugh Carthy.
“Today we’ve had a really tough day, there was a crash on a descent on a corner, and there were a number of riders who went down, there was no possibility to avoid the crash,” said Urán.
“Us riders, we are used to having these crashes so we know what it takes to recuperate from them. There’s no other option, we just have to take some time out and recover to then come back. I’ve learned a lot about this, each time you learn a bit more, you go out there hoping not to crash or at least to not break anything.”
Uran’s team-mate Carthy added: “If I look at the work we’ve done this week, we can be happy. The team now can look forward and continue racing. I wish them luck.
“I’m all OK – nothing too serious. Could have been a lot worse. I’m thankful for the help from the team and the hospital. I’m looking forward to recovery now.”
Roche was a little less phlegmatic.
“There’s not much to say. I think this is one of the biggest disappointments I’ve had in my career. I’d worked so hard to get back to this level and it was a new opportunity to show that I was at this level again.
“There’s nothing broken which is the good point. I have some stitches in my forearm and pain in my quadriceps which is why I could not continue.”
Bradley Wiggins says he saw someone stabbed to death when he was growing up
“I witnessed a lot of horrific things as a kid, but I didn’t consider them horrific at the time,” Wiggins told the Daily Star. “I saw someone being stabbed and murdered, but that was a regular occurrence. If I saw that now I’d be traumatised.”
Wiggins is currently studying to become a social worker.
Garmin launch new Fenix 6 multisport watches
Not strictly a cycling-specific product, but useful if you do other sports aside from cycling, Garmin has launched new Fenix 6 multisport watches today.
They’re packed with all the sort of tech you’d expect from the GPS giant, but they now have bigger screens, better battery life and a new pacing tool for runners. You can also listen to music on the move with storage for up to 2,000 songs. Plus they’ll do heart rate monitoring, VO2 max estimates, turb-by-turn navigation, track your sleep and record any activity.
They’re not cheap, starting at £599.99 for the Fenix 6 Pro and 6S Pro, and rising to £649.99 for the Fenix 6X Pro. More info at www.garmin.com/en-GB/
Stages Dash L50 computer now available to buy plus firmware updates
It’s been a while since we first saw it, but the new Stages Dash L50 is now available to buy. This is the company’s top-end computer, bigger and more powerful than the smaller L50 and cheaper L10.
The L50 gets a 400×240 resolution colour display with a claimed 14 hour battery life and 16GB worth of storage.
We’ve got the Dash M50 on test at the moment, reviewing coming soon, hopefully, we can get our hands on the L50 soon as well.
The company has also announced new firmware updates for the Dash L50 and M50 with new features including adaptive training zones, power management modes, ride history, map improvements and performance and bug fixes. You can get the update here
LEM launch new Motiv Air cycling helmet and it looks good
Barcelona-based LEM Helmets has launched its new Motiv Air lid “precision-built for road, XC, and gravel cycling, whatever that means, which weighs a claimed 220g and costs £210.
What is interesting about the helmet is what the company calls a proprietary exoCarbon™ technology and low-density EPS foam, which together give claim to “improved low-energy and oblique impact management and an unmatched strength-to-weight ratio.” As with all claims, best to take it at face value.
“The technology and construction of the MotivAir is precise and sophisticated to offer enhanced head protection in a lightweight, compact design,” said Keith Cozzens, Global Brand Marketing Director at LEM. “By integrating a thin, rigid, full-carbon exterior shell, we’re able to improve the overall benefits of the high-performance helmet for cyclists, and, in turn, help create a riding experience that’s memorable.”
The helmet also features 23 vents for cooling, a micro-adjust retention system, reflective details and a lightweight straps. It’ll also come in six colours.
It’s certainly got us interested and we’ll try and get one in for review.
German man attacked by frightened elephant while out cycling
Local residents found Hans Dieter Sherding, 69, lying next to his damaged bicycle in a ditch in Banglamung on August 24, according to Pattaya Mail.
Sherding was confronted by 38-year-old elephant Ply Kumkoon. The elephant, normally quiet, was known to be scared of people.
Boonsom said he and others told Sherding to back away, but said Sherding didn’t move and stood still to observe the massive animal.
Rescue workers from the Sawangboriboon Thammasathan Pattaya Foundation gave Sherding first aid before sending him to Banglamung Hospital.
The ultimate fate of the elephant was yet to be determined.
Andrew Neil turns to "Jameson's and sleeping pills" after cycling crash
Broadcaster is due to host new Brexit show from next week after convalescing for most of August.
Rapha and EF Education First release Leadville documentary
After Dirty Kanza and GBDuro, Rapha and EF Education First Pro Cycling’s alternative racing calendar set its sights on the Leadville Trail 100, one of the world’s toughest one-day mountain bike races.
An out and back 100-mile course that never drops below 10,000 feet above sea level, Leadville is a lung-busting, heart-breaking ride for its 2,000 participants.
You can watch the video here.
Tekkerz team put on cross race at Herne Hill Velodrome
Oh hi. Come do our first ever TEKKERZ CRIT X tomorrow at @HerneHillVel . We’ve done it officially. It’s going to be sick. Basically rally x / supermoto for bikes. Sick prizes, sick times. Come down. Details in insta link. https://t.co/LoTelkK5VL pic.twitter.com/Wgw2ogzIW3
— TEKKERZ (@TEKKERZcc) August 30, 2019
Near Miss of the Day 301: Police accuse cyclist of "cycling into the path of the van"
Today’s near miss was reported to Lancashire Police who said they would offer “words of advice” to the driver after first blaming the cyclist for “cycling into the path of the van”.
Philippe Gilbert the biggest name in today's break at the Vuelta
Una fuga potente: @jellewallays @PhilippeGilbert @sergiohenaoofic @StephanRossetto @QuentinJauregui @glbrambilla @mjstorer_au @5_henao @TMarczynski @CyrilBarthe. Tienen opciones?
Can this 10 strong riders make it to the line to fight the stage win? #LaVuelta19 pic.twitter.com/9p4ZuSgvAM
— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) August 30, 2019
A football fan has found a unique way to combat racism
#Refugee and #Schalke fan fights racism by cycling with beer on his head#Germany pic.twitter.com/knQhN4uxtt
— Ruptly (@Ruptly) August 29, 2019
Bike & Go railway bike hire scheme to be shut down in Scotland, Merseyside and East Anglia
Each bike in Scotland is being used around once a month.
Club launch hill climb to raise money for family of cyclist killed
Cycling club 3RT are tp relaunch a hill climb event in memory of member Darren Speight, according to the Examiner.
The dad-of-two had been in coma following the collision on Lower Edge Road, Elland, which involved a motorbike travelling in the opposite direction and a parked car.
The Daz Speight Memorial Hill Climb will raise cash for his daughters Millie, 11, and Mia, 13.
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But also So it's OK for people to be driving while on their phones around schools, but not anywhere else?
“I personally think this will cause more accidents as people have got more time on their hands to play with their phones and other gadgets in the car.” Tell me you're not fit to hold a driving licence without telling me you're not fit to hold a driving licence!
https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/highland-council-s-20mph-speed-limit-programme-picks-up-nati-437891/ the article fails to mention that the majority of motorists blithely ignore the 20mph limit, continuing to drive at 35 unless there's a marked police vehicle in sight or outed on waze.
Ours has a wardrobe in it - I guess that could have a mirror attached.
Canyon’s tech bike of the future close passes etc. I’m thinking this from a few years ago could be scaled down, electrics powered off the di2 etc, gas from co2 , triggered by your Garmin radar? https://youtube.com/shorts/W7OSeqyjaxQ?is=nM5cgzNCMXcSKfDZ
@Aluminium can this argument isn't entirely spurious, what with over a century of literally rebuilding places / relative position of accommodation and amenities around motor vehicles. OTOH IIRC the majority of driven journeys are still of cyclable distance (although perhaps people are currently driving many such per day). Certainly cycle hangers are available as quick fixes in the home / work side (and / or Sheffield stands). They lack security though and are susceptible to motor vehicles driving into them. However to compete with the car in your garage * or in the multistory car park we ultimately need a rules change to encourage *suitable* cycle storage built in to new build, and ultimately decent cycle parking garages at transit hubs / in town (ideally manned). For existing housing provision perhaps something like the Dutch "bike parking 'shop' " eg. Conversion of existing property into a cycle garage? (Bicycle Dutch has a couple of good articles / videos on this topic, search "home bicycle parking") * who actually uses their garage to store mirror vehicles...?
There's something about a BMW. Last year I'd finished a climb and had pulled up onto the verge of a narrow lane a some way before a tight bend. Was just about to have a drink, take a photograph of the view when a shiny metallic blue BMW shot round the bend at about 60mph. If I'd not stopped I'd have been at the apex of the bend and smeared across the bonnet of the car. I've had some near misses but that one was really unnerving...
Maybe I'll just go out on my MTB and ride in the woods. Thanks for reminding me of the future chaos you think the roads will be, Canyon - great message.
@Rob Hart widening the carriageway increases driver confidence and consequently, driver speeds. Which makes the road more dangerous for all.
14 thoughts on “Live blog: Wiggins saw someone stabbed to death growing up; Cyclocross event at Herne Hill Velodrome; Did mandatory helmet law kill Melbourne’s bike share scheme? + more”
Proves it, compulsory helmet
Proves it, compulsory helmet laws do prevent cycling head injury!
When cycle when you be can
When cycle when you be can hooning in a v8 ute?
It’s Australia. Politicians
It’s Australia. Politicians barely tolerate cycling, why would they do anything to encourage it? A bike share scheme that they contracted to the RACV to operate, is there any wonder it failed? As if a motorists association is committed to the promotion of cycling…
Re: Aussie failure with
Re: Aussie failure with regard to bike hire (warning, it’s quite old but still relevant):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPjvZlAl_js
Well, there is a pattern.
Well, there is a pattern. Bike share works in places where there is no helmet law, and it doesn’t work in places where there are helmet laws, but I’m sure it’s just a coincidence.
Doesn’t help that cyclists in Oz seem to be treated rather worse than serial killers.
burtthebike wrote:
It is a coincidence. Helmets are compulsory in Vancovuer and the popular bike share systems just lock a helmet to the bike. When you unlock the bike the helmet is freed. Some people put the helmet in the basket and ride without it. It’s a non-issue.
The relevant part is your serial killer comment. Unfortunately that is true.
flat4 wrote:
So is there any explanation why that approach has not been attempted in other bike-share schemes where there are helmet laws? I don’t know, but I suspect there’s a reason why they haven’t gone that way. Perhaps they reckon the helmet stock would suffer a high attrition rate? Or maybe they fear an epidemic of head-lice!
FluffyKittenofTindalos wrote:
They do fear exactly that, which is why helmet sharing has also failed. As flat4 makes clear, many people don’t use the helmet but there are no consequences, so there isn’t really a helmet law there.
flat4 wrote:
Probably not a coincidence, as if you can ride without a helmet and there are no consequences, then helmets aren’t compulsory, which is why the scheme hasn’t failed. I, and many other people, would be extremely wary of putting on a helmet which had been worn by hundreds of others, so if the helmet law was enforced, I suspect bike usage would plummet.
ReadyBike didn’t work in
ReadyBike didn’t work in Reading, but then we did have Counciller Tony Page being in charge of cycling.
Regardless of the reasons
Regardless of the reasons offered for the poor performance of the bike share scheme in Melbourne, MHL was one of its defining issues. MHL proved to be an inconvenience to anyone who wanted to use the scheme, you either had to be carrying a helmet around with you or you had to hunt down a near by 7Eleven to purchase one. Just take the spontaneity right out of riding a bike share bike.
The free tram zone was introduced at the start of 2015, by then the bike share scheme has been going for four years with little up take mainly due again to the elephant in the room. The Govinator got pinged here once for ride said share bike with out a helmet. So why bother.
Regards from a Melbournian
“… the bike share scheme
“… the bike share scheme was quite small for a city of this size.”
Proof, if it were needed, that you can waste a lot of money by not spending enough to make it work properly. If there are not enough share bikes around so people can rely on them, they won’t be used.
I thought that was uniquely a British politicians’ disease, forever spending just too little to make something a success and then pulling the plug, but it seems Oz has caught it too 🙁
Of course, there is also the whole helmet thing, police standing right by the share bike racks and fining anyone who used the bike without a helmet, and lack of separate infrastructure… But right now with a global warming crisis, it is no time to be giving up on cycle schemes, but trying harder.
I can’t believe that Australia still has its helmet laws after all these years of being cited all round the world as an example of why not to make helmets compulsory. We have to remove these impediments as a matter of urgency.
When in Melbourne, I quite
When in Melbourne, I quite fancied picking up a $5 helmet or three. They were meant to be available in convenience stores across the city but the availability was basically zero. Maybe that’s why the scheme failed.
UCI worldcup cross country
UCI worldcup cross country was on last night, now on BBC iPlayer. Downhill on tonight on the red button, at some point, maybe, and on iPlayer later, hopefully.