Oil on popular cycling + walking route spilled deliberately to target cyclists, claims spotter; Simon Cowell urges e-bikers to "read the manual" after fall; Tory Councillor slammed for red light whataboutery; Sunweb sign Bardet + more on the live blog

“Have you been in an accident that wasn’t your fault?” pic.twitter.com/yhwznkWuYg

— Matt Becker (@MattBecker82) August 10, 2020

"Hi Dave. Can you come back and give me a lift?"

— Colin Lynch (@FormerTTchamp) August 10, 2020

OK lads, send in the air strike. Target is about 1min ahead, head bobbing, elbows out.

— Matt Becker (@MattBecker82) August 10, 2020

The Welshman appears to be on the phone with a helicopter in the background, and social media hasn't disappointed with the replies. 

Thanks to "time off through furlough", Chris Canham set off with Vinnie the Jack Russell on the 28th July, and has completed around 500 miles so far. They will also stop off at all of the three peaks and climb them on route, and are pressing ahead despite numerous mishaps along the way. His friend Craig Hudson said: Chris' bike, now named Lazarus, has broken on a number of occasions, always being rescued by Chris and a group of good Samaritans along the way. Halfords in particular have been vital in keeping Chris, Vinnie & especially Lazarus on the road, managing to provide work on the more extensive breakages. Some concerns were raised at first about Vinnie, referred to as “The Wonderdog” by the Facebook community, but Chris has won over the Great British public by showing just how much he spoils the pup and how much Vinnie is loving the adventure too."

You can follow Chris and Vinnie's journey on Facebook here, and donate to the JustGiving page here. 

Posting on a local Facebook group before sending this image to road.cc, the cyclist spotted the oil along the popular Two Tunnels Greenway path in Bath, speculating that it is likely the deliberate work of a saboteur who is attempting to make a warped point about cyclists' speed on the route. He also claimed to have spotted a similar oil patch last week, adding: 

“What they need to remember is that this path is used by everyone, including kids and the elderly. It’s now very slippery, potentially very dangerous, and will also be polluting the area once the rain comes.

“Some humans really suck.”

Numerous people replied to say they have reported the issue to the council and to Sustrans, who maintain the route. Another commented: "It's not just a danger to the cyclists, it's an environmental problem as well. As soon as it rains it's going to flow into the surrounding area. This is so pointless and dangerous to a lot of people including children, I'm not a cyclist but I would never dream of doing such a malicious, deliberate act. I hope the police do something." 

Although it's not clear exactly what type of bike Cowell was riding when he broke his back, Pure Electric are keen to remind the British public that e-bikes in the UK are subject to much stricter regulations. Their public affairs director Tom McPhail commented: “Some American e-bikes are more like motorcycles and it’s not clear what Simon Cowell was riding when he had his accident.

"By contrast, e-bikes in the UK are well-regulated. E-bikes are an incredible transport solution that can help millions of people get fit, move around cities easily and have fun while they’re doing it; it would be a tragedy if this one isolated accident in Los Angeles deters people from riding them here in the UK, particularly given the way the streets are filling up with cars again since lockdown ended.”

In the US there are three classes of e-bikes, with most capable of a 20mph assisted speed from a motor that could be up to 750 watts. In the UK, motor power is limited to 250 watts and the assisted speed cuts out at 15.5mph (25km/h). Check out eBikeTips' comprehensive guide to e-bikes and the law in the UK here. 

And a massive thank you to all the nurses and doctors. Some of the nicest people I have ever met.
Stay safe everyone
Simon.

— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) August 10, 2020

So sorry to hear this.
Sounds a very nasty accident.
I wish Simon a successful operation and a full & speedy recovery. https://t.co/RqBwIzVeqR

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 9, 2020

The music mogul fell of his electric bike near his Malibu home on Saturday, and thanked the doctors and nurses who treated him after undergoing surgery on a broken back. He also said: "Some good advice... If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time."

According to a spokesperson, the 60-year-old had "broken his back in a number of places", and the surgery involved a number of procedures including the installation of a metal rod in his back. The BBC report that Cowell's six-year-old son Eric was with him at the time of the accident. 

This week's ride is a 'C', so expect to be getting a bit more of a sweat on if you've only previously joined us on a 'D' week. At least one sock giveaway will take place at some point as always, awarded to the rider who is directly behind the ride leader when we take a screen grab. 

Click here to get full details and sign up, and we hope to see your avatar on the start line at 7! 

Jolly bad luck. Was the traffic light red? Like the time I saw you on Brentford High Street cycling through a red light?

— Joanna Biddolph (@JoannaBiddolph) August 7, 2020

Biddolph - who represents Turnham Green ward - sent the reply to Councillor Guy Lambert, questioning if his accident happened when the traffic light was on red because she allegedly saw him cycling through a red light once, apparently. It's safe to say people weren't on her side, with almost a hundred replies accusing her of being "petty", "nasty" and "spiteful" amongst other things... 

Even for you Joanna this is particularly odious. You may disagree with him on various issues but he’s in hospital! Try and display some empathy.

— Philip Schroeder (@phil_schroeder) August 8, 2020

What a petty and mean spritted sentiment from an elected official. There should be no space in politics in all mainstream parties for attitudes like this.

— Gareth Fiford (@FifordGareth) August 8, 2020

A dreadful comment of the kind you might expect from a child, not an elected official

— Bike Party (@bike__party) August 8, 2020

Wow, fellow councillor in A&E and you're gloating. What a spiteful response.

— Karen Liebreich (@kareninagarden) August 8, 2020

Biddolph has anti-cycling form, including the time in March 2019 when she asked Twitter: "What's it called when someone on a bicycle whizzes past moving cars in moving traffic on a busy road, squeezing between the car and the pavement or the car and parked cars, almost touching the cars it was whizzing beside?" 

Surrey Police replied "filtering", as did the West Midlands Police Traffic Investigations Unit, who said: "Joanna, what you are describing is called "filtering" actively encouraged by @transportgovuk for both motorcycles & cycles, actually taught in bikeability level 3. If done correctly it is risk free and enables those on two wheels to be the most efficient form of transport."

Carol Kirkwood has seen lots of doggers in Greenwich Park this morning. 🤣🤣 #classic#BBCBreakfast pic.twitter.com/4Oh9vKUZhw

— Haggis_UK 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 (@Haggis_UK) August 10, 2020

That's according to BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood anyway. We hope they're keeping socially distanced in any case... 

Enjoyed the weekend sun a little too much and forgot to read road.cc? Here's what you missed...

Four-year doping ban for Swiss cyclist who tested positive for three banned substances

Milan-Sanremo: Wout van Aert takes the somewhat belated first Monument of the season

Noel Gallagher says the only downside of cycling is "the f***ing helmet"

Chris Froome faces crucial Dauphiné test to clinch Tour de France place

Near Miss of the Day 452: Horse box lorry driver's astonishingly close pass "scared me sh*tless," says cyclist

Simon Cowell breaks back in electric bike fall

Cyclist convicted of causing bodily harm by wanton or furious driving after fatal collision with pedestrian

Had your bike nicked? £30k of stolen bikes recovered in Hackney