Live blog: Cyclist 'nearly knocked off' in punishment pass by another cyclist; Tim Wellens takes a tumble during Final Breakaway Part 2; Teen given new bike by local bike shop after his was stolen; Mudguard tattoos? + more

We were sent this clip by Chris Impey, who says the incident happened on London's Embankment  around Chelsea Bridge. Mr Impey said he was overtaken by the offending cyclist so closely that he was almost knocked off. He told road.cc: "The cyclist then tells me the reason he did what he did is that I was in the “middle of the road”.  I respond that I was in a primary position; in fact looking back at the footage, I think I may even have been in a secondary one. I was certainly no distance from the kerb and had just overtaken someone else."

As another cyclist challenges the overtaking cyclist at the first set of lights, he shouts him down and then Mr Impey continues to remonstrate with him further up the road: "I try and point out to him that this is the kind of justification give by drivers who commit close passes, but he just keeps telling me to ‘“read the Highway Code”; although he has clearly forgotten to read the part about treating other road users with care and respect.  We continue to discuss the issue as we ride along - he goes on about my positioning, that he is a driver (not unique among cyclists I believe) and with me trying to make the point that I just want to get to work safely."

Mr Impey continued: "As a cyclist, I’m used to getting bullied by cars.  I’ve almost become inured to it.  For a cyclist to do this - and he was very close to causing an accident - I found shocking and depressing.  This is a dangerous stretch of road, without any kind of cycle infrastructure and often with (literally) heavy traffic.  I like to think that people on bikes are looking out for each other, not trying to cause each other harm."

Have you experienced any similar acts of aggression from other cyclists? 

When you think you found a shortcut. @Tim_Wellens #thefinalbreakaway2 pic.twitter.com/wMpNwLoWw5

— Thomas De Gendt (@DeGendtThomas) November 25, 2019

Tim Wellens and Thomas De Gendt of Lotto Soudal did an epic 1000km bikepacking adventure ride last year, and after some unfortunate hold-ups including a sickness bug for De Gendt and a broken bike for Wellens, the pair set off at the weekend for part 2. They've already shared some epic and very snowy scenery from the mountains of eastern and central Spain, and the latest update is this attempt at a 'shortcut' from Wellens. Here's De Gendt's steed for the adventure... 

Bike is all set to start @MontanasVacias #TheFinalBreakaway2 pic.twitter.com/fvwWQ4mDf3

— Thomas De Gendt (@DeGendtThomas) November 22, 2019

Please dont scrap old bikes.
Many can be rescued and given to a child that may never have owned a bike of their own.
Bikes are gifted for FREE once I have repaired them.
Please contact me if you have old bikes in your shed or garage that you would like to donate.#cycling #free pic.twitter.com/B41J38iBj2

— PuffaJones (@PuffaJones) November 24, 2019

Some more good news to brighten your Monday... this self-proclaimed cyclist who is getting "older and slower by the day" is offering to restore old children's bikes and give them away for free. PuffaJones says he's based in the Cardiff/Newport area - if you have anything to donate and can deliver, his Twitter account is linked above to get in touch. 

The 800-mile route from Derbyshire to Cape Wrath developed by Cycling UK has picked up its first award a little over two months after officially launching, picking up the gong at iNews’ National Staycation Awards.  

Duncan Dollimore, Cycling UK’s head of campaigns said, “At Cycling UK we’re passionate about both encouraging and enabling more people to enjoy the UK’s breathtaking countryside, so it’s great to see our Great North Trail recognised by the Staycation Awards.

“The off-road cycling community has been calling for joined up and long-distance routes, which is why Cycling UK developed and launched the Great North Trail. It’s an 800- mile trail from Derbyshire to the northern coasts of Scotland, connecting existing off-road routes with quiet lanes to create an iconic largely off-road route across some of northern England and Scotland’s most stunning landscapes.”

This is all despite Cycling UK admitting the route still "isn't perfect", and say there is an ongoing process in some areas of the trail to negotiate permissive access. This is to designate ideal sections as bridleways rather than footpaths to avoid any on-road sections for cyclists where possible. 

We have fundamentally changed our business over the last 2 years, setting the standard for safety in the industry. TfL’s decision on our London licence is wrong and we will appeal. Uber will continue to operate as normal. https://t.co/RKJQWWHTMq pic.twitter.com/GHE46VKXv4

— Uber UK (@UberUK) November 25, 2019

Not exactly cycling-related but of interest to London commuters/visitors no doubt - but Uber have been stripped of their licence to operate in London after Transport for London (TfL) said it has identified "a pattern of failures" and that Uber "is not fit and proper at this time".

Uber say the decision is "wrong" and intend to appeal it, as outlined above; we assume their cycle couriers delivering food under the Uber Eats brand and their Jump hire bikes are unaffected.

#respect pic.twitter.com/sWn7PQmImr

— Vittoria Bussi (@vittoria_bussi) November 23, 2019

Trek-Segafredo confirmed on Friday that Paternoster had suffered a fractured left wrist and a broken front tooth, while Hour Record holder Bussi was also hospitalised following a crash on the same day. The disappointing news comes as CCC rider Alessandro De Marchi has been calling for safer roads in Italy, while Bussi commented on her Twitter that "unforeseen events and pain are opportunities" after posting the above photo. 
 

PC Knellar is back! He forgot just how long it takes to put all the kit on for cycle patrols! He will be out in #tooting on his bike completing a few visits and then patrolling the area to deter crime and provide a visible deterrent for better #crimeprevention. #HappyMonday pic.twitter.com/Ymfv6pYMRX

— Tooting Town Police (@MPSTootingTnC) November 25, 2019

A lot of people we hear from don't submit footage to police because they think it's a waste of time, but sometimes drivers are convicted based on cyclists' video evidence.

Full story here.

If you've been otherwise engaged this weekend, here's what you missed from road.cc... 

Targeting cyclists will have more benefit because drivers aren’t causing any accidents' say Dundee Police after rejecting close pass operation

Crowdfunder launched after Birmingham cyclist pushed off bike, breaking arm

Has Chris Froome gone vegan? Instagram post pushes plant-based diet

Alex Dowsett signs for Israel Cycling Academy

Ineos would pull out of cycling if rules were broken says Sir Jim Ratcliffe