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Another motorist spotted with 'cyclist tally' decal; Traffic cops schooling ignorant road users...Highway Code edition; Cav: Biggest joy from 2021 was people saying 'thank you'; Guess Alex Dowsett's "irrational" cycling dislike? + more on the live blog

It's Thursday and Dan Alexander is your chief live blogger while Ryan takes a well-deserved break...
27 January 2022, 17:27
"On a BMW? Who'd have guessed!": All the reaction to today's 'cyclist tally' reappearance

Over on our Facebook there's a lively discussion about the 'cyclist tally' sticker spotted in north London on...you guessed it...a BMW. It was that or an Audi, wasn't it? 

Jake Underhill's wondering "Do they do a 'BMW wing mirror' version of this sticker? Asking for a friend."

Aaron Bennett wondered if it's encouraged to add to the tally with your keys?

Ian Weatherill reckons the bigger issue is why a child has clearly been mistakenly given a driving licence...very good.

Not everyone agreed though, Rollo Gillespie said: "You know what I doubt there is true malice behind it, live and let live. I would have laughed and gave them the thumbs up to be honest." Each to their own.

Here on the blog Captain Badger reckons a spray can of Hammerite could solve this issue pretty quick...the rest of you were too busy debating the pros and cons of carrot cake...which, for what is worth, is an elite cake in my book...

27 January 2022, 08:51
Another motorist spotted with 'cyclist tally' decal

Remember back in December when Capita apologised for an "offensive and inappropriate" decal snapped by a road.cc reader on the side of one of its highway maintenance vans?

Capita van

Well, there's another one...this time noticed by a road.cc reader on a passing BMW in north London. The picture at the top of this live blog isn't entirely clear, but Paul tells us "you can just make out the bottom right bumper, its a tally sheet for cyclists, pedestrians, disabled persons and horse riders hit, killed or injured.

Cyclist tally (image supplied)

"I wouldn't want to encourage anything untoward but can you publish attached photo taken in green lanes north London? You never know they might see it and the error of their ways and remove it. Not sure I can describe the emotions I felt but it took great self control not to follow and remonstrate."

Last month, Capita confirmed a disciplinary process had been opened and the offending sticker, similar to the markings denoting enemy planes shot down that pilots would display on the side of their aircraft during World War Two, removed from their van.

27 January 2022, 16:40
Online harassment, misogyny and why none of us can ignore it

Cycling Weekly's tech editor Michelle Arthurs-Brennan has penned a blog post detailing the grim reality of her experiences as a woman in the world of cycling journalism. It is a pretty shocking read and well worth five minutes of your time...

In April 2020, YouTube shockjock Hambini posted a video attempting to discredit her, in which he called her a "feminist attention seeker", "girl" and included a sexually suggestive caption.

At the time Arthurs-Brennan tweeted this...and said the Hambini video ‘asks 44k people to comment on my vagina’.

The blog post is well worth a read, follow the link here.

27 January 2022, 15:25
Suffolk WW2 veteran celebrates 100th birthday — still cycling 100 miles per week

War veteran and centenarian Norman Gregory marked his 100th birthday by doing what he does every day...riding 10 miles near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. He was greeted by cheering crowds of friends, and described his age as "just a number".

The 100-year-old has already racked up 350 miles in 2022 and last year covered 5,350 miles, the equivalent distance from his home village of Cockfield to San Francisco.

"By the time I was 16, I joined the West Suffolk Wheelers and quite frequently I was cycling 100 miles at the weekend with the cycling club," he told ITV.

Norman was met by a camera crew from the broadcaster who recorded a news story as he was presented a birthday cake and his card from the Queen.

27 January 2022, 14:27
Tom Pidcock ready for opportunity of a generation at CX world champs
Tom Pidcock GP Sven Nys (CorVos:SWpix)

Tom Pidcock was 14 the last time the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championship was won by someone other than Wout van Aert or Mathieu van der Poel. Come Sunday a new name will pull on the rainbow bands, as both miss out through prioritising the road season and injury respectively.

Pidcock told the media in Fayeteville how not having his two great 'cross rivals on the startline is both a blessing and a curse.

"They are the two best CX riders in the world," he said. "So, I certainly think there's more opportunity this year. Of course, it's an opportunity to take. But then again, you know, there's always going to be that cloud if you like that they aren't there.

"But I think, if I can win this year, then I'm world champion and then I can focus on beating them in another year. So, it is kind of the blessing and sort of – it's not good at the same time."

Pidcock also caused headlines when his interview with BBC Sport went live. The 22-year-old said he thinks it's now too dangerous for pro riders to train on time trial bikes because of the riding position. The comments come days after teammate Egan Bernal underwent multiple surgeries following a TT bike crash into a parked bus while training in Colombia. Pidcock too crashed last year while training on his Pinarello TT bike.

27 January 2022, 13:35
😬

Hmmmm we'll have more on this shortly but not a great look. If only he had a colleague with an expertise in active travel and road safety. I don't know, a now-interim commissioner of Active Travel England perhaps...

27 January 2022, 12:37
Before vs after
27 January 2022, 11:46
Glasgow World Championships expected to bring in £67 million
UCI World Championships 2023 Glasgow logo

Next year Glasgow will host the first ever UCI Cycling World Championships where all 13 disciplines are decided at the same event. The event is expected to boost the Scottish economy by £67 million and attract one million spectators to the city.

GlasgowLive reports the city's council is now ready to approve a £15 million contribution to the event, which will welcome 2,600 elite cyclists from 120 countries, competing in road, track, mountain biking and BMX.

A Gran Fondo will also allow 8,000 amateur riders to take part in the celebration of cycling.

27 January 2022, 11:29
Insult a MAMIL, deal with herd

Apparently one of these guys loves cycling, so we're happy to have a laugh at our own expense...

Although to be honest, I'm more concerned about the wear on those cleats tap dancing about like that. 

27 January 2022, 11:11
Traffic cops schooling ignorant road users...Highway Code edition

Go on, have some Surrey traffic cops entertainment to brighten up your Thursday...

With the Highway Code changes getting a spotlight in the media this week (sometimes incorrectly), there has been plenty of social media discussion, debate, diatribe about what it all means...

As per, it means there have been more than enough falsehoods, complaints and attacks for the Surrey Roads Policing Unit to get its teeth into...including some old favourites...

That sound was the mic hitting the floor. Anyway, they still had time for the day job...

27 January 2022, 10:39
Three-hour rides: Alex Dowsett's "intense and irrational" cycling dislike...

Don't all shoot Alex down at once...

The case for the defence?

That was going great until the unnecessary carrot cake slander...

Personally, a three-hour ride sounds lovely. In winter it seems like a proper day out, and in summer you can push the pace with your new-found fitness and even squeeze one in on a weekday evening. Also, unsurprisingly, nobody at road.cc can comment on Dowsett's Porsche Panamera claim...journalism money, and all that...

Gravel bikes, though, that's more up our street. Valued member of your bicycle family or a little bit pointless? I'm sure off-road.cc will have something to say...this could get tasty...

27 January 2022, 09:46
"The biggest joy from 2021 was people saying 'thank you'. Before I would get 'well done' or 'congratulations'. It's touching": Cav reflects on 2021
Mark Cavendish wins Tour de France 2021 Stage 10 in Valence - Copyright A.S.O., Charly Lopez

Ahead of the start of the 2022 season, Mark Cavendish sat down with BBC Sport reporter Matt Warwick from Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl's training camp in Calpe to reflect on the year that was...

We all know the story now: Cav won (a lot) and was back on top of the sport as the Manx Missile we all knew before. But more than wins, the green jersey and the congratulations, it was the gratitude of his fans that connected with the 36-year-old the most.

"It was the first time that… as a sportsperson you're disassociated from a human point a lot of the time. It was the most connected I felt in my whole career, to the fans," Cavendish said.

"They're not watching you do something - they're living it with you. All I can say is the biggest joy I got from 2021 was people saying 'thank you'. I haven't really heard that before - I would get 'well done' or 'congratulations'. But I got 'thank you for the joy and hope you give us'. It's touching, you know.

"I've had some hard years, but a lot of people have had worse years. I hope I can give hope that… if you push hard enough anyone can come back and stand on the top step or whatever you want to."

Speaking to team boss Patrick Lefevere, Warwick was told: "When he won [his] first stage, I think that was one of the biggest emotions I ever saw in 20 years of my team, with everybody. And then the miracle happened; one stage became four and then the green jersey."

Dan joined road.cc in 2020, and spent most of his first year (hopefully) keeping you entertained on the live blog. At the start of 2022 he took on the role of news editor. Before joining road.cc, Dan wrote about various sports, including football and boxing for the Daily Express, and covered the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for The Non-League Paper. Part of the generation inspired by the 2012 Olympics, Dan has been 'enjoying' life on two wheels ever since and spends his weekends making bonk-induced trips to the petrol stations of the south of England.

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127 comments

Avatar
hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
1 like
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Awavey replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
0 likes

I've had parsnip cake before at a cafe stop, apparently they add a similar flavour & sweetness as carrots do, but I wasnt convinced.

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kinderje replied to Awavey | 2 years ago
1 like

I've had a courgette and chocolate cake before. Very nice and not at all what I was expecting - luckily I couldn't taste the courgettes.

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Jenova20 replied to kinderje | 2 years ago
0 likes
kinderje wrote:

I've had a courgette and chocolate cake before. Very nice and not at all what I was expecting - luckily I couldn't taste the courgettes.

I got chocolate and chili cake once (Think it's a Wagamama thing). Couldn't taste the chilis thankfully.

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hawkinspeter replied to Awavey | 2 years ago
0 likes
Awavey wrote:

I've had parsnip cake before at a cafe stop, apparently they add a similar flavour & sweetness as carrots do, but I wasnt convinced.

I've seen some cake recipes that use parsnip and carrot together, but at some point surely you'd be better off having them with a bit of gravy and maybe some peas

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TheBillder replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
1 like
hawkinspeter wrote:
Awavey wrote:

I've had parsnip cake before at a cafe stop, apparently they add a similar flavour & sweetness as carrots do, but I wasnt convinced.

I've seen some cake recipes that use parsnip and carrot together, but at some point surely you'd be better off having them with a bit of gravy and maybe some peas

You can ruin any dish with parsnips. Some people find the parsnip edible. Myself, I find this claim incredible.

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hawkinspeter replied to TheBillder | 2 years ago
0 likes
TheBillder wrote:

You can ruin any dish with parsnips. Some people find the parsnip edible. Myself, I find this claim incredible.

I love a good roast parsnip or what I sometimes do is parsnip mash with a bit of nutmeg.

Meanwhile, I've found the good old traditional Lancashire recipe of celery and mayonnaise cake: https://lancashire-food.blogspot.com/2011/11/celery-cake.html

//1.bp.blogspot.com/-FRRfNqkJwZA/Trl7pM6FJFI/AAAAAAAAASA/93UdjAuWO0s/s320/P1010343.JPG)

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wtjs replied to TheBillder | 2 years ago
0 likes

You can ruin any dish with parsnips. Some people find the parsnip edible. Myself, I find this claim incredible

I wonder if it's one of these genetic things where people taste things very differently. I don't like parsnips, but I really enjoy sprouts- which many people seem to hate (reportedly)

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Awavey replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
0 likes

Rachel tried that with a trifle once  3

Https://YouTu.be/G08pqAaJi5k

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hawkinspeter replied to Awavey | 2 years ago
1 like
Awavey wrote:

Rachel tried that with a trifle once  3 Https://YouTu.be/G08pqAaJi5k

I wasn't a big fan of Friends, but for some reason the beef trifle episode stuck in my head

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EddyBerckx | 2 years ago
11 likes

Michelle Arthurs-Brennan's experience is f**king horrific and that muppet Hambini and his followers need to be brought down a peg or 10. YouTube need to hit him in the pocket by banning him...and his hateful followers need a police visit and a 10k fine.

They can then explain to their family why they are threatening sexual violence towards a female journalist who is guilty of some unspecified error on aero f**king testing. FFS.

Surely at some point we are going to have to severly restrict social media or hold it's owners to account, its a total horrorshow and there seems to be few actual benefits.

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hawkinspeter replied to EddyBerckx | 2 years ago
4 likes
EddyBerckx wrote:

Surely at some point we are going to have to severly restrict social media or hold it's owners to account, its a total horrorshow and there seems to be few actual benefits.

I like the model that Hacker News uses - strict and active moderation so that problematic posters are flagged and then banned if they continue to ignore the guidelines: https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

Quote:

In Comments

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AidanR replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
5 likes
Garage at Large wrote:

Blimey, if they applied those rules here I'd be just about the only one left!

Extract from rules wrote:

Don't feed egregious comments by replying

Dammit, you're right!

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Wingguy replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
8 likes
Garage at Large wrote:

Blimey, if they applied those rules here I'd be just about the only one left!

Yes, because you're the only one that keeps coming back with new accounts each time an old one is banned. 

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Hirsute replied to Wingguy | 2 years ago
1 like

Think they have done that only once.
There is a stupid feature which allows users to change their username though.

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Clem Fandango replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
5 likes

I was having a bad day but you've rescued me.  

In the first rule - "please don't sneer" .... 

*falls off chair* 

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Secret_squirrel | 2 years ago
9 likes

Michelle Arthurs-Brennan's blog surprise

Thats f'ing disgusting what continues to happen to her.  surprise

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Carior | 2 years ago
8 likes

Andy Burnham:  we've tried this great scheme where we put a zebra on the side road so motorists have to give way to people crossing - we'd like to do more of it.

UK Government: we like that idea, rather than spend loads of money and effort on the shitshow of consultation on every road project that isn't about giving cars unfettered access to kill people, why don't we just change the rules of the road so that's the default position.  That sounds like a great idea.

Andy Burnham: oh no no no, no no no, I don't like that!

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chrisonabike | 2 years ago
8 likes

RE: Before vs after

Gorgie Road, Edinburgh.  Much needed and will be great, but the thing is - development here has been bubbling for years. The usual rounds of consultation, uproar by a few with loud voices, more redesigns, consultations.  Happy days for consultants.  Pretty much every metre has been contested. Last year the scheme as a whole was watered down ("value engineering").

So to the "cyclists are running this town now!" cries I give a hollow laugh and point out just how easy it is...

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OldRidgeback replied to chrisonabike | 2 years ago
2 likes

Safe cycling thru jambo town  1

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giff77 replied to OldRidgeback | 2 years ago
1 like

I still have nightmares of negotiating Easter Road and the streets round Leith. 

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chrisonabike replied to giff77 | 2 years ago
3 likes

"What is Leith? Begbie, don't hurt me"

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IanMK | 2 years ago
9 likes

So disappointing from Andy Burnham and breathtakingly ill-informed. Has he lost Chris's number?

We've known the changes were coming since the consultation in 2020. The details have been available for months. Additionally, making these comments after the DVSA officially announced the changes last night. You really think that it can be halted now:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-highway-code-8-changes-you-need-t...

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brooksby replied to IanMK | 2 years ago
5 likes

Maybe he's been reading the tabloids?

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chrisonabike replied to IanMK | 2 years ago
2 likes

RE: Ill-judged and ill-informed. Agree he doesn't quite seem up to speed on this and maybe hasn't digested the news.  Maybe he read about it in the Mail?  However if you read all he said I think you can understand where he's coming from. That is a better vision than will be illustrated in pictures in the Highway Code:

Andy Burnham wrote:

...number of issues about road safety that have not have been handled properly ... The answer is to build segregated infrastructure for people. ... That's a better way rather than expecting cyclists to go into the middle of the road.

Can't really disagree with that - not when you realise they're actually doing this to a decent standard. They're tackling junctions. They appear to genuinely have a unified active travel programme with "mass cycling" for "8 - 80" as a goal.  They're looking critically at car parking, creating cycling and walking networks.

I'll forgive his slightly odd take on the HC changes if they're really on that path. I can imagine someone from The Netherlands responding in a similar way to advice to "claim the lane" after experiencing a day out on the UK's roads.

I'm not in Manchester though so if someone's aware they've ditched all the stuff they got started with Chris Boardman do let us know!

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ooldbaker replied to chrisonabike | 2 years ago
7 likes

Hardly his fault if he is ill-informed with the lack of information. I have just seen a clip from ITV showing what they showed as a graphic from the DfT. It shows the space "that has to be given to cyclists" and they interpreted is as being the linear distance rather than lateral (ie. nothing to do with overtaking) and suggested that at up to 30mph cars can travel 1.5m behind us.

 

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Wingguy replied to ooldbaker | 2 years ago
4 likes
ooldbaker wrote:

Hardly his fault if he is ill-informed with the lack of information. I have just seen a clip from ITV showing what they showed as a graphic from the DfT. It shows the space "that has to be given to cyclists" and they interpreted is as being the linear distance rather than lateral (ie. nothing to do with overtaking) and suggested that at up to 30mph cars can travel 1.5m behind us.

If he's taken that graphic created by ITV as gospel without bothering to check any of the very clear advice that the DfT has actually put out then it really is his fault.

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wycombewheeler replied to chrisonabike | 2 years ago
3 likes
chrisonatrike wrote:

RE: Ill-judged and ill-informed. Agree he doesn't quite seem up to speed on this and maybe hasn't digested the news.  Maybe he read about it in the Mail? 

Enjoying the image of Andy Burnham smuggling his copy of the daily mail into the Labour Party conference

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Hirsute | 2 years ago
2 likes

Interesting stats on the number of accidents involving provisional drivers.The range per 10,000 varies from

0.57 to 25.20

With Peterborough at the top (best) and Colchester at the bottom. They are quite similar places so that's a big disparity. You might want to try and do some weighting for those who are active licence holders but even so it would likely be even across the board.

You 'd think any other industry questions would be asked or worked stopped until an investigation was complete.

https://www.billplant.co.uk/blog/learner-driver-accidents/

 

 

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brooksby | 2 years ago
5 likes

Well, Carolinee Willmot seems like a lovely person, doesn't she...? 

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