Welcome to Monday’s live blog, with Jack Sexty, Simon MacMichael and the rest of the team.
Live blog: Jeremy Clarkson takes aim at cyclists (again); Sustrans adapt tech to design more inclusive cycle routes; Dumoulin places 6th in beach MTB race, while Bardet tries CX; Should rear lights be compulsory?; Rees-Mogg off to Centre Parcs +more
All the news from the site and beyond as we start a new week…
Mon, Dec 02, 2019 18:08
SUMMARY
2 December 2019, 18:08
Bike Park Wales gets new uplift accessed easier green mountain bike trail
Bike Park Wales announced last week that they had started work on one of the UK first uplifted green trails as well as a brand new visitors centre and lots more parking. With better accessibility for families and younger riders, plus more toilets – it all sounds grand! Find out more here on off-road.cc
2 December 2019, 18:08
And the deals keep on coming...
Black Friday has morphed into Cyber Monday and the likes of ChainReaction, ProBikeKit and many other cycling retailers are giving the deals one last push.
There’s 49% off InfoCrank Power Meter, 51% off Fast Forward F4 Disc Carbon Clincher and loads more to have a look at.
There’s a dedicated Live Blog for deals, which you can find here.
2 December 2019, 18:08
Astana on Wilier for 2020... hot or not?
The Kazakh team have just announced a new partnership with the Italian bike brand shortly after ending their association with Argon 18. What do you reckon? Read all about it here.
2 December 2019, 18:08
Choo choo
For the first time in three years of commuting on the Bristol and Bath Railway track, road.cc Jack was forced to stop for a steam train at the Bitton Railway crossing… pretty typical it happens on a day when it’s about minus 2 outside. Apologies for the crap photo, condensation…
2 December 2019, 18:08
Bristol's new 'cycling infrastructure' at Temple Gate
I raced myself through the @BristolCouncil Temple Gate area – from Bath Bridge to Temple Way using the road vs. using the brand new cycle route. I did not win… pic.twitter.com/slWDDVMtzE
— Toby Wells (@Toby_Wells) December 1, 2019
For anyone who has experienced the new road layout around Bristol Temple Meads train station… well arguably it leaves a fair bit to be desired, no matter if you’re a cyclist, pedestrian or driver. A full article will follow based off this here tweet later today.
2 December 2019, 18:08
Fate...
2 December 2019, 18:08
North Coast 500 rides with Mark Beaumont taking place over summer
Round-the-world record holder Beaumont has completed the NC500 twice already, and in 2020 there will be rides departing on May 4th and August 31st for a five-day journey across the route acommpanied by Beaumont. Bookings are through Wilderness Scotland, with trips including all accommodation, meals and energy snacks and drinks, logistical support throughout and an expert guide from Wilderness Scotland. Beaumont told the John O Groat Journal: “The creation of North Coast 500 in the past five years has taken the north of Scotland from an unknown wilderness for cyclists to an absolute bucket-list challenge.
“It truly is the most breathtaking route in the UK, with wildlife, local food and scenery making it so unique and memorable. But it is also tough, with over 10,000 feet of ascent as well as the 500 miles, so not for the faint-hearted if you are up for the added challenge of completing it in four days.
“I’m excited to be heading back in 2020 to explore this wonderful route.”
2 December 2019, 18:08
Meanwhile, Romain Bardet has been trying his hand at cyclocross
While Dumoulin headed for the sand, fellow World Tour pro Romain Bardet was racing cyclocross over the weekend as part of his winter off-season training. The AG2R rider placed third in the CX race in Cournon, France, telling La Montagne: “It was cool, I had a big week of training and did it all right, with intensive efforts.
“I was happy, there was a lot of people, 50 at the start, we had fun. I will try to do more cyclo-cross before I depart for Australia. This is part of my winter preparation, it means I get a little cardio work in a different way over winter.”
2 December 2019, 18:08
Tom Dumoulin goes beach mountain bike racing
Beautiful day at Scheveningen beach at the Jeep MTB Beachrace
Gerben 16th, Bram 17th and Martin 29th behind winner Rick van Breda. Good to see Tom Dumoulin back in action again! pic.twitter.com/B8MPSJ5AEy— KMC mountainbiketeam (@MTBteam_com) December 1, 2019
In his first competitive outing since June’s Critérium du Dauphiné, Dumoulin placed sixth at the Jeep MTB Beachrace in Scheveningen in the Netherlands, with Rick van Breda taking the win.
The Dutchman left Sunweb in August and will ride for Jumbo Visma alongside Wout van Aert and Primož Roglič in 2020 – a knee injury kept Dumoulin out of the Tour de France and the World Championships, but on this evidence he looks to be well on the way back to full fitness.
2 December 2019, 18:08
Might even be quicker at next year's Vuelta...
Because I run now. pic.twitter.com/5Yind6iKal
— SamBewley (@SamBewley) December 2, 2019
…what with the fearsome Angliru being included in the route for 2020, a 12.6km slog with plenty of sections topping out at 20%. As noted by Alessandro De Marchi!
You know, at theVuelta … You never know !
— Alessandro De Marchi (@ADM_RossodiBuja) December 2, 2019
2 December 2019, 18:08
Sustrans adapt new software to help town planners design 'more inclusive' cycling routes
How can we design cycle paths that make #cycling convenient & #accessible to more people? – we’ve adapted the AutoTURN® software to help engineers do just that @Wheels4Well @BeyondBicycle https://t.co/qMTuQ4ai2z pic.twitter.com/qLb7KJbMFA
— Sustrans (@sustrans) December 2, 2019
Sustrans have developed an adapted version of the AutoTURN software – originally used to analyse and accommodate movement of motor vehicles – to simulate accurate real-life movements of people who cycle. This, Sustrans say, will “help identify potential barriers on paths and ensure smooth flow and turn for different types of cycles, including tricycles, tandems and cargo bikes.”
Engineers should be able to get real-time feedback at the design stage on whether a path or a cycle track is accessible and practical for different types of cycles, and Sustrans have carried out a series of field tests to determine a cycle’s manoeuvrability. These include how quickly someone can steer from a straight-line path into a curve, how fast someone can travel around a tight bend, and how far they need to lean to do so.
“Towns and cities across the UK have prioritised planning for the car for decades. This needs to change”, says Sustrans. “We need to ensure cycling infrastructure is designed to consistently high standards and help make cycling inclusive for everyone.”
They also claim that only 7% of disabled people in the UK cycle even though 33% would like to start, and this tool could play a big part in making more routes accessible. The bike simulation tools will be commercially available next year.
2 December 2019, 18:08
Jeremy Clarkson manages to shoehorn traditional dig at cyclists in latest interview
The nation has a choice: Jeremy Clarkson or Jeremy Corbyn.
December 12th, you decide. pic.twitter.com/RBGbmpa08h
— PoliticsJOE (@PoliticsJOE_UK) November 30, 2019
Speaking to Joe UK, bantersaurus Clarkson says he will be voting for “anyone but Corbyn” in the upcoming UK general election because “socialism doesn’t work.”
Of course it wouldn’t be a hilarious Clarkson tirade without a potshot at cyclists – so he claims that “if you are ill there will be a doctor”, but “they won’t be able to get to because of the cycle lanes.”
That said, according to the BBC it’s not all terrible news on the Clarkson front, with the broadcaster ‘explicitly acknowledging’ the existence of climate change in the upcoming series of The Grand Tour. With reference to Greta Thunberg, Clarkson says: “Now, if I wanted to, I could run around the world on carbon fibre yachts, shouting and yelling and wailing.
“Or, you can just acknowledge it, and then behind the scenes start working on how we address this problem. But we don’t offer any solutions, we’re not scientists, only scientists can come up with solutions. Politicians can’t. Weird Swedes can’t. Only scientists can.
“We just go, ‘look, there’s hardly any water in this lake, look at all these poor starving fishermen. That’s the fact, now let’s get on with making the TV show’.”
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Jack has 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 the website 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).
21 Comments
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Latest Comments
swagman 23 minutes ago
Oh sir! sir! Johnnys riding his bike without a helmet, he’s going to die when he falls off!, Yes what a silly boy he is ! Anyway jump in the car we’re going to be late for school and I hope no one gets in my way especially bleeding cyclists!! I wonder if AI will see what fools we are..
ktache 52 minutes ago
It's more about the nomex suit, car helmet and five point harnesses (with HANS), but "reply" ain't what it used to be...
Miller 1 hour ago
'Gotten' ? The word is 'become', as in, I have become sick of seeing 'gotten'.
Rendel Harris 1 hour ago
OK, all the stuff I said elsewhere on this thread in defence of helmets, I take it all back. I'd sooner be seen as an anti-lidder than be associated with that heap of steaming ordure.
ceppm 1 hour ago
Exactly my thoughts. A real shame, they're amazing bikes, same as Islabikes. Really sad to hear the news. Having said that, we probably didn't do enough to help them. My son had one Islabike and two Frogs, all second hand that we resold for about the same amount.
Rendel Harris 2 hours ago
I couldn't agree more, and when we have all that everywhere I might think about leaving off the helmet, but until then if I have to share the road with huge fast-moving chunks of metal, many of them piloted by persons of limited intelligence and even less self control, I'm going to keep the lid, which even Burt agrees can "probably" offer some protection from injury.
eburtthebike 2 hours ago
And the irony is that helmet promotion and mandation kills lots of people and they don't reduce the death rate of cyclists. The benefits of cycling vastly outweigh the risks, and helmet promotion and mandation deter cycling (the only proven effect) so those deterred lose those benefits and die earlier.
Justblewbyyou 2 hours ago
I see Mont Pythons upper class twits have been replaced by male anti helmet twits who probably ride under 10000 km/year while wearing bike gloves, ladies bib capris, power meters to register the watts they dont produce ,gps because they are easily lost on a tiny island, a mobile phone to call the wifey in case the ride gets too hilly or wet or fast or windy, all while complaining their tushy hurts. They always ask for proof..you could crash a few times on purpose without and with a helmet and send us the pictures. Do pros complain about helmets?..if you rode in a country with sun you would know that styrofoam actually keeps your head cool.. Ps ice hockey players say they dont need mouthguards..ask them to smile
ktache 2 hours ago
If it saves one life...
Hirsute 2 hours ago
Pro cyclists wear helmets as it is mandated. Before it was mandated, very few wore them. Infrastructure, separation, 20 mph, traffic calming are far more important.
21 thoughts on “Live blog: Jeremy Clarkson takes aim at cyclists (again); Sustrans adapt tech to design more inclusive cycle routes; Dumoulin places 6th in beach MTB race, while Bardet tries CX; Should rear lights be compulsory?; Rees-Mogg off to Centre Parcs +more”
Should looking where you are
Should looking where you are going be compulsory for all motorists?
I think it’s more likely that
I think it’s more likely that Rees-Mogg is being shipped to the Village, to stay forever and ever…
brooksby wrote:
I hope not as I love Portmeirion.
However, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis (the architect behind Portmeirion) did describe the village as “a holiday retreat for the discerning”, so he may have well have shared some classist views with Rees-Mogg.
brooksby wrote:
“I am not a number, I am a human being” would be a bit awkward for the guy who called his sixth child Sixtus.
FluffyKittenofTindalos wrote:
I think it’s more likely that Rees-Mogg is being shipped to the Village, to stay forever and ever…
— FluffyKittenofTindalos “I am not a number, I am a human being” would be a bit awkward for the guy who called his sixth child Sixtus.— brooksby
Six of one, half dozen of another.
hawkinspeter wrote:
Very good!
Be seeing you…
Re – Stopped at Rail crossing
Re – Stopped at Rail crossing.
So Jack, getting you reasons for lateness in early then?
AlsoSomniloquism wrote:
Indeed, not many people have the benefit of being able to broadcast the fact to several thousand people so might as well take full advantage! (I await my written warning)
Clarkson doing interviews
Clarkson doing interviews these days is like a pearl diver coming up for air. He bursts up, says his predictably ignorant guff, sucks down great big lungfuls of attention, then submerges again to pluck riches (pay cheques from Amazon) off the seafloor. But really, deep-down, he wishes he was back on proper telly, and still relevant, instead of being limited to an audience comprising the niche of the niche of people who’re both subscribed to that particular video service and who find him even vaguely tolerable. Do not pander to him.
handlebarcam wrote:
I agree, I have a subscription to amazon prime but would never dream of watching his program now even though I sometimes used to watch top gear when it was on. The show seems to be entirely made up with the least interesting bits of Top Gear the pointless stunts that were nothing directly to do with cars.
Clarkson: “But we don’t offer
Clarkson: “But we don’t offer any solutions, we’re not scientists, only scientists can come up with solutions. Politicians can’t. Weird Swedes can’t. Only scientists can.”
There may or may not be some breakthrough scientific solution waiting out there. But if the extent of Clarkson’s much publicised climate change realisation is to acknowledge it, use it as a soundbite to sell your globe-trotting gas guzzling show, then carry on as normal waiting for someone else to fix the problem, then it’s not much of an epiphany. I suspect I’m preaching to the at least partially converted here, but we can all make some small difference in our day to day choices, we don’t need to be ‘weird Swedes’ or scientists, and waiting for other people to sort it out is an abrogation of responsibility.
quiff wrote:
It’s all well and good recycling and making less journeys etc., but it really needs proper commitment from politicians/leaders to effect actual meaningful change. Big industry loves selling the idea of everyone doing their part, but they keep refusing/dodging doing their bit and it’s only really politicians that can force them to change some of their ways. However, it seems that big industry is quite happy to pay for the best politicians that money can buy.
It’s like we’re on a sinking ship and some of us are concerned about the ship sinking, whereas the well-off are busy grabbing all the half-drunk flutes of champagne and laughing.
hawkinspeter wrote:
I do understand that people feel their own reducing / reusing / recycling etc is a drop in the ocean compared to big industry and the politics which allow it to continue being big and industrious with impunity, I just feel we could all be making things marginally better at the same time as lobbying others to change, rather than saying “I’ll do better when you do” and waiting for industry or politicians to have a damascene conversion. And it was directed mainly at Jeremy Clarkson, so there’s plenty of rom for improvement there.
Hmm, interesting to see
Hmm, interesting to see Duomolin riding a SunWeb team Giant mountain bike; he left them back in August and they rode Cervelo this year. Granted Cervelo don’t make a mountain bike and the MTB he is riding is from last season but do so, as well as riding in their kit is really odd.
As was mentioned in the
As was mentioned in the Twitter thread, and I am a fan of what Sustran tries to do and give them money every month, but they need to get their own house in order and maybe to remove some of the A frames and other barriers to bicycles on their NCN. Or maybe mention them on their quite expensive maps.
Yes, I know that the routes actually belong to the local authorities, but, you know Sustrans,sort it out.
Do love the bit in the top
Do love the bit in the top video at approx 1:47 in where you effectively have to turn right to get into the bus lane from the left turn only lane! or should the cyclist have been in lane two (for straight on)
i grew up liking jeremy
i grew up liking jeremy clarkson. But now i think hes off his head on something. Cycling works, doesnt cause congestion or pollution, cycle lanes WORK. Driving doesnt and never will. Driving just isnt fun any more. Cyclists dont cause a problem to drivers, drivers cause a problem to cyclists. They also slow us down to a crawl every single day. He needs to realise bicycles and motorbikes are the way forward, the car should remain at the back of the road queue.
feels like Im stating the
feels like Im stating the obvious but you all do realise Clarkson is promoting the next series of the Grand Tour…right ?
theres even a nice picture of all 3 of the gang riding bicycles in the promo material
Clarkson says if he wanted to
Clarkson says if he wanted to he could sail around the world shouting and yelling and wailing… instead, he chooses to fly around the world to drive carbon fibre sports cars, shouting and yelling and wailing about how unfair it is that people with a social conscience point out the frivolous waste and selfishness of it… and how fragile is the blokes ego that he can’t handle being upstaged by a 16 year old girl?
Oh look – Clarkson is in the
Oh look – Clarkson is in the news again with another non PC rant
and by a total coincidence – there is a new Grand Tour series starting soon
getting kinda obvious now mate
A man who has spent much of
A man who has spent much of his adult life striving to legitimise, in the minds of his manchild followers, the use of the public highway as a playground, the Abu Hamza of lethal road misbehaviour.