Video – Casey Neistat back with world’s first ‘Tesla’ Cyberbike; Jakob Fuglsang denies Michele Ferrari link, while doctor claims he’s never been convicted of doping; André Greipel in ALS awareness Zwift ride; Poole shared infra woes vid +more on live blog
SUMMARY
Weekend catch-up
If you’ve missed your weekend dose of road.cc for whatever reason, here’s your lowdown…
Strava encourages obsessive tendencies
Cycling group have given safety training to over 50,000 children
UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships: van der Poel dominates men’s elite, Pidcock second (+ videos)
Bernal crashes hard at Colombian National Championships
El preciso momento de la caída de Egan. #Nacionales2020 pic.twitter.com/dTDrv2ncSz
— 🕳️ fander (@JeSuisFander) February 2, 2020
The Tour de France champ somehow managed to finish second despite this very nasty fall on a descent, leaving him with some serious flesh wounds…
Egan Bernal is pretty banged up and in pain after a crash at high speed…there is a deep wound on his leg. 😢 #Nacionales2020 pic.twitter.com/WmyJHQtgJo
— Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) February 2, 2020
Ineos teammate Ivan Sosa crashed out, with EF Pro Cycling’s Sergio Higuita of EF First claiming the victory – Bernal rolled in 1min 15secs behind the winner.
“The only ad that should matter”: Former car ad producer hits back at car-centric Superbowl ads with touching alternative
Cancel the Super Bowl, this wins best ad already. And the Jeep is badass to boot. pic.twitter.com/VFTLGYrVu0
— Quoth the Raven (@QTRResearch) February 2, 2020
The Superbowl was its usual OTT self last night, with the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory over the San Francisco 49ers sometimes appearing like a sideshow to what the whole thing is truly about… grandiose entertainment and rampant commercialism.
When the game was in timeout and when Shakira and Jennifer Lopez weren’t doing their thing, the relentless advertisements rolled; and with tens of millions changing hands for a few seconds of exposure, any ads to do with transport were inevitably on behalf of giant motor producers such as Jeep and Hyundai… admittedly the Jeep commercial (above) was pretty good.
Having made a number of car ads for the #SuperBowl in a past life, thought I would make one for what we really need in our community. #SafeStreets pic.twitter.com/T4RNG6XxbJ
— Tom Flood (@tomflood1) February 2, 2020
Enter Tom Flood. He claims to have produced car commercials in a past life and is now an advocate of active travel, so made the charming video above to promote safe infrastructure for cycling to school. In reference to the car ads’ emphasis on vehicle safety, the text reads: “We don’t need bigger vehicles or more technology to protect our kids going to school… we just need safe routes for them to get there.
”Brought to you by the humble bicycle.”
Touché and chapeau, Mr Flood!
Evenepoel takes overall win at cursed Vuelta a San Juan
With a rogue dog, an rogue idiotic spectator and a sexism scandal taking centre stage away from the main event, the prodigious 20-year-old Belgian provided the entertainment in it by becoming the youngest rider to win in the race’s 38 year history. He commented modestly: ““I always try to be in good shape and give my absolute best, I am always motivated and ready for a new challenge. This is who I am. I am fortunate to have an extraordinary team around me and I want to stay with my feet on the ground and be the same Remco you know.”
Storey bags three world titles at Para-cycling World Champs
Storey’s success story continued at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Milton, Canada at the weekend as she scooped gold in the WC5 individual pursuit, the omnium and the scratch race. It means she’s now won 38 titles in total across 20 world championships across swimming and cycling.
There were also victories in the tandem sprint events for Team GB, with duos Sophie Thornhill and Helen Scott and Neil Fachie and Matt Rotherham winning gold medals.
Malaysian cycling federation boss detained on corruption charges
Malaysian National Cycling Federation president Abu Samah Abdul Wahab has been accused of giving contracts to his family, and has been detained for four days for investigations on abuse of power – he was arrested at his home last week according to local media.
Malaysia’s youth and sports minister told the Malay Mail that we “wasn’t sure” why Wahab was arrested, but was confident the Federation would conduct their investigations in a “fair and transparent manner.”
Breaking: Astana issue statement on Fuglsang allegations (full story to follow)
In the statement relating to yesterday’s story about Fuglsang’s alleged involvement with Dr Michele Ferrari, the team say: “Astana Pro team has taken note of the press article by Danish and Norwegian media relating to the existence of an alleged confidential report by CADF suspecting some riders of the team to have been in contact with banned Dr Michele Ferrari.
“…for the time being, no procedure has been initiated against any rider affiliated to the team. The Astana Pro Team trusts that if the CADF had any evidence of wrongdoing by any rider of the team, disciplinary proceedings would have been immediately initiated in accordance with anti-doping regulations and the World Anti-doping Code.”
Full story to follow.
Kids: don't ride the rollers like this
Youtuber Mike Boyd – who makes videos specifically showing himself ‘learning stuff quickly’ – could have made things a whole lot easier for himself in his attempt to learn how to ride rollers. Placing a shagpile between the rollers and his perfectly suitable wooden floor probably wasn’t the best place to start, and reverting to an e-bike that’s already moving to get used to them before hopping on his own (very dirty) bike was a dodgy move too. We also witness Boyd hurting pretty much every part of his body other than his head, so perhaps some body armour rather than a helmet would have been more useful to him on this occasion.
If you want to see someone who has truly mastered the rollers, look no further than the very talented Ruby Isaac…
"I've never been convicted of doping”, says Dr Michele Ferrari in statement
Ferrari posted a statement in regards to allegations that he was working with Astana’s Jakob Fuglsang on his 53×12 training website. Here it is:
“Once again I unfortunately find myself compelled to deny the latest media hoax that concerns me.
The following is my reply to the “Secret Report” mentioned by the newspaper POLITIKEN:
– I have not had any relationship with athletes from Team Astana for over 10 years
– I haven’t been to Monaco/Nice for at least 12 years
– I have never been on a scooter/motorbike in my entire life, let alone motorpacing a cyclist
– I haven’t been to the Vuelta Catalunya in 2019. I haven’t physically been present at a single race since 1994
– The “Report” is based on false reports from probable interested parties
– I have no base in Lugano, a place where I have never been
– I have never been convicted of doping.”
Ferrari was mentioned 489 times in the US Anti-Doping Agency’s Reasoned Decision document over the Lance Armstrong/US Postal scandal published in 2012, and as is evident above, still denies any wrongdoing.
Astana have also released a statement today on this most recent case, which you can read more about here.
Looks like a right hoot: man takes owl for a bike ride
陽がさしてるけどハンパなく寒かった🥶
If I felt cold, I felt that the barn owl felt as cold🥶🍃 pic.twitter.com/ERzkvkYN0e
— Sonfha🌈 (@Hoshikazu123) November 30, 2019
Is it even cycling unless you take your owl with you?
Felt unveil brand new AR aero road racer for 2020
It’s faster, lighter, stiffer and more integrated and all that jazz, and we’ll have a full story with all the details on the site soon.
Zwift and André Greipel hosting virtual ride to raise cash for ALS awareness in tribute to Greipel's mother
Greipel’s mother passed away after a long fight with Lou Gehrig’s Disease (known as ALS in America) in 2017 after initially being diagnosed in 2013; and on 8th February at 5pm, Zwifters are invited to join the ‘André Greipel Fight ALS Mega Ride’. Zwift are hoping it will be the biggest group ride on the platform ever, and they will also donate $1 for every rider that joins up to $10,000.
The event description says: “Gudrun was Andre’s biggest supporter, and now it’s up to us to help support him and her legacy by joining him in the fight against ALS. With this ride on February 8th, we’re raising awareness and money to accelerate the pace of ALS research. The donations go entirely to ALS researcher Professor Prudlo, currently conducting research at the DZNE, the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases.”
Lou Gehrig’s Disease is thought to affect up to 450,000 people across the globe – much awareness was raised back in 2014 through the Ice Bucket Challenge, where participants filmed themselves pouring icy water over their heads and donating to a relevant charity.
You can side up for the André Greipel Fight ALS Mega Ride here. You’ll also unlock in-game ‘Fight ALS’ kit by participating.
BBC video on cycling through 'Europe's deadliest air' in Serbia
Campaigner Jasna Cizler says cycling in the Serbain capitial of Belgrade feels like “an extreme sport” at times because of the heavy traffic and high levels of pollution. She organises critical mass events promoting cycling once a month, and says two wheels are the key to cleaning up Serbia’s dangerous air.
Video: Casey Neistat is back – with a ‘Tesla’ cyberbike
Remember New York Cit-based videographer Casey Neistat, first featured here on road.cc with his Bike Lanes video back in 2011, which has now amassed more than 25 million views on YouTube?
Well, he’s back with a new video in which he showcases the world’s first ‘Tesla’ cyberbike and talks through how it was put together.
Okay, it’s not actually a Tesla, but with an outer body styled to resemble that of the Tesla cybertruck memorably unveiled by Elon Musk in November, it certainly turned heads when Neistat took it out on the streets, and the T-word was the one that sprung to many people’s lips when they saw it.
There was method in Neistat’s madness, however – beneath all that carboard, aluminium and plastic lurks a forthcoming model from e-bike brand Super 73 that he was asked to test, but which the company asked him to keep under wraps.
So, in the same vein that car manufacturers will often modify the bodies of new models during road testing to throw photographers trying to get spy shots for automotive publications off the scent, the ‘Tesla’ body here is designed to camouflage what’s really underneath.
It’s a pity, though, that in so doing, it means that the bike is left with the turning circle of an oil tanker, but you can’t have everything.
"I have no case to answer" says Jakob Fuglsang
Astana’s Jakob Fuglsang has broken his silence over claims he trained with banned doping doctor Michele Ferrari, with the world number-two ranked rider insisting he has “no case to answer.”
In a ststement published on his Instagram feed, the 34-year-old said: “I contest that I have met with Dr Ferrari. I am not aware of any report and I can confirm that no procedure has even been opened by competent anti-doping authorities against me.
“Accordingly, I have no case to answer,” he added. “I am extremely concerned that such rumours could be spread out in the press.”
3 February 2020, 21:59
Need wider pedals? Shimano has been listening
Shimano is now offering Dura-Ace and Ultegra SPD-SL pedals with multiple axle widths
Shimano SPD-SL pedals now available with 4mm wider axle option
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@mdavidford thanks for the tip on replying to the thread! It would seem odd for his brother (thank you for the correction) to mention that he wasn't able "to brake in time" because he was in the TT position if he otherwise would have been able to apply the brakes. Perhaps it wouldn't have avoided the crash entirely, but it seems likely that it would have at least lessened the impact. It therefore seems entirely reasonable to conclude from this that TT bikes are more dangerous. That takes no blame away from the driver, as a rider should not be forced to brake to avoid a collision caused by a driver turning into their path.
@the little onion I'd agree that would be a sensible way to go. I don't think it's currently feasible for Sustrans / NCN, though, because they don't have the necessary powers to make it happen. It needs a local authority, who can drive the planning, land acquisition, etc. And actually there are much larger sums earmarked for local and regional authorities to improve provision. (Whether they actually end up using that effectively is, of course, another question.)
@Steve K My sister taught a kid who came up through Crystal Palace youth system then left for another club at 16. Jordan classily traduced him and his family in some friendly newspaper.
@Terry Hutt Thing is, I've yet to come across a silent ebike, so all you have to do to check legality is ride it, keep an eye on your own speedo and listen to hear if the motor's still running when you get over 15 mph.
@Rendel Harris This would probably be better than their current "tests" if the e-bike has a cadence sensor and a non-GPS speed display. If it has a power sensor (proportional assistance) or no speed display you're back to square one. Mind you, if the bike is doing 30mph on the flat and the rider isn't pedaling furiously, I say crush it with the rider still attached.
@the little onion AFAICS the notional cycling network is best seen as a "national sign network". An impressive mapping effort to catalog what infra there is and *suggest* places for cycling. But no guarantee it will be suitable for all cyclists. Or even any specific cycling purpose. Unless possibly you're into a kind of "adventure racing". It certainly bears little resemblance to the numbered junction network ("knooppunt") in NL. *That* is a genuine "help you navigate" system - but that goes everywhere, on at least "good enough" infra.
@the little onion Yes. One of the many great features of cycling-as-transport is that you can start local. Then concentration (of money, then infra and cyclists) is effective. That's how eg. Seville did it. And (I think) Paris. And much of how NL has got there I suspect. OTOH there are some potential blockers at bigger scales. Perhaps a Reform regional mayor decides they *will* implement the national policies - win the war *for* the motorist? Or good infra or transport reorganisation gets tangled up in national legal regulation. Or the money is suddenly shut off (or redirected to fill half-a-mile of potholes for motorists for a year).
@mdavidford I get your argument, but why spread it thinly on stuff that plainly doesn't work, rather than concentrating it on good stuff which does, in the right place? If given the choice of a national network of rubbish, or small localised patches of well-maintained excellence that does a great job within individual towns and cities, I'd go for the latter every time.
Like a lot of CPFC fans, I take anything Simon Jordan says with a pinch of salt. Jordan took over an ailing football club, got it into the premiership and then his ego got even bigger, followed by him running the club downhill fast. He's not remembered fondly by many down at Selhurst Park. He might actually know his wines as he did own a restaurant for a while. But he can stick his views on cycling up his behind.
@didsthewinegeek He can explain it to you but he can't understand it for you.
11 thoughts on “Video – Casey Neistat back with world’s first ‘Tesla’ Cyberbike; Jakob Fuglsang denies Michele Ferrari link, while doctor claims he’s never been convicted of doping; André Greipel in ALS awareness Zwift ride; Poole shared infra woes vid +more on live blog”
I believe Ivan Sosa crashed
I believe Ivan Sosa crashed out and it was Higuita from EF that won it
So has Evenepoel changed
So has Evenepoel changed nationality over the winter then? That’ll disappoint a lot of Belgians, although if there’s now a spare Belgian passport out there, I’ll gladly have it.
“Is fully separated
“Is fully separated infrastructure like they do in the Netherlands a pipe dream in our densely populated nation…?”
I believe the Netherlands is the most densely populated country in Europe, so that won’t be right. Plus, prioritising the form of transport that uses the most space per person doesn’t make sense in a densely populated country.
We are quite capable of building good segregated cycle infra in the UK – even Birmingham can do it! It’s not even all that costly compared with roads.
We know what the solution is, we just have to put more pressure on government and councils to deliver it.
HarrogateSpa wrote:
All very good points, cheers – I probably wasn’t been clear enough that I was playing devil’s advocate/trying to present the opinion of a typical person who might be against building Dutch-style infrastructure. I often see population bandied about as a reason we can’t do it here even from politicians, when of course that’s not an excuse as you’ve pointed out.
HarrogateSpa wrote:
Not done the A38 one, but the A34 does have some issues not mentioned in the article linked. For example the lane just after the Pictures listed Newtown Centre disappears and reappears several times along the way and has a lot of pavement furniture on it. Also, cars aren’t aware that they need to stop before the Cycle zebra and only stop for the Pedestrian one so block it off.
Also the amount of Pedestrians who just use it as an extension of the Pavement (well it is nicer to walk on as it is flatter) means it is still a shared path even when seperate.
Still alot of people use it that wouldn’t have so it is a success (I just use the adjacent bus lane).
Fair points. I did it on a
Fair points. I did it on a Sunday morning when there was hardly anyone around, but there were a few people walking on the bike lane.
The A38 Blue Route is very similar to the A34 one, but I’d say a bit better.
Shared cycle lanes are
Shared cycle lanes are dangerous. Especially at school start and finish. Try getting past 2 mums with buggies with various children on scooters , oh and theres an excited dog on a lead. I’d rather be on the road thank you.
TeresaDay wrote:
“Shared” means… shared. You just have to be aware that there other users and adjust accordingly. Expecting to be able to “cycling at 20-30mph in the same space as pedestrians” is unreasonable.
I in part agree that trying
I in part agree that trying to cycle quickly on a shared use path is akin to the arrogant motorists close passing a cyclist but it raises the wider question about why they are put in place at great expense. They are maybe of limited use for those looking to travel at <10mph but they aren’t a great ‘active travel’ incentive. Furthermore, put them in place and watch drives increasingly endanger a cyclists life due to perceived righteousness…
luke.lon wrote:
“Shared” means… shared. You just have to be aware that there other users and adjust accordingly. Expecting to be able to “cycling at 20-30mph in the same space as pedestrians” is unreasonable.
— TeresaDay
Shared goes both ways, people walking 4 abreast using the entire width, buggies side by side using the entire width, and not opening a gap if requested by someone waiting to pass is not “sharing” that’s “commandeering”
There was an almost pro
There was an almost pro cycling story on the BBCs South Today at lunch, students in Southampton are using bicycles and trailers to pick up household food waste and turn it into compost.
I saw quantities of snowdrops at Mapledurham on Saturday. Slowly spring is approaching. I wonder if it will be as wet and warm as this winter has been.
According to my mother there are daffodils out in Bexhill on sea.