Joe Biden gifts Boris Johnson a Union Jack roadster…but not everyone’s impressed; “This sort of infrastructure is a game changer”: Riders pleasantly surprised by CS4; Get the Prince of Wheels an Allen key; BBC news report by bike + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
"This sort of infrastructure is a game changer": Riders pleasantly surprised by CS4 cycle lane
So then new Tooley st bike Lane (CS?) is an absolute dream! So many horrible memories of riding down this road with the trucks. This sort of infrastructure is a game changer 👌 @London_Cycling #london #cycling pic.twitter.com/MdFVUEg541
— Dirty Wknd (@Dirtywknd) June 10, 2021
What better way to start Friday than with a clip of a rider loving CS4’s new segregated route along Tooley Street near London Bridge. Dirty Wknd spins seamlessly down past the stream of fellow riders travelling in the opposite direction and was so impressed they described it as a “game changer” compared to how dangerous it used to be.
Another rider who has been using the route for years was shocked by the improvement too…
Barely recognise it – used to cycle here in the 80s and 90s. Much much improved.
— Pilarin (@Pilarinciclista) June 10, 2021
Elsewhere on the capital’s growing network of cycle routes, Transport for London has asked for public feedback on trial changes to CS8 between Chelsea Bridge and Wandsworth Town Centre. Earlier this week we shared pictures of the new cycle lane on the southbound side of the bridge on the live blog, which is one of the trial changes.
And…in a hat-trick of CS news to start your Friday…the CS3 counter at Embankment is close to recording 1 million cyclists this year.
We’re getting closer and closer to 1 Million cyclists passing this CS3 way-marker/counter at Embankment!
Are you planning a celebration, @London_Cycling or @willnorman? 🥳 pic.twitter.com/hMqCjEs8xW
— jp (@jeanpauljh) June 10, 2021
Visitors make egg-celent use of rider’s helmet
We’ve been sent this from Becky who unfortunately got knocked off her cargo e-bike on the way to work six weeks ago, so hasn’t cycled since. Fair to say she got a shock when she went to fetch her bike helmet out the shed…
Get the Prince of Wheels an Allen key...
Imma be that guy. Saddle is far too low. https://t.co/xwVuEVpskL
— Fully Vaccinated CyclingMikey. 🇪🇺🇳🇱🇿🇼 (@MikeyCycling) June 10, 2021
Great Britain win four gold medals and one silver on opening day of 2021 UCI Para-cycling Road World Champiobships
Team GB added to Dame Sarah Storey’s gold and Crystal Lane-Wright’s silver in the women’s C5 time trial, winning three more golds during the first day of competition in Cascais. Storey’s rainbow jersey, her 24th, was a sign of things to come as tandem pairing Steve Bate and Adam Duggleby won the next gold shortly after.
George Peasgood then won the men’s C4 time trial, his first para-cycling world title after crossing over from triathlon. “I feel pretty overwhelmed,” he said. “I came here without any expectations, I just came out to have a good ride and thankfully I did. I was always going to be happy no matter what, as long as I got everything out that I could on the day, and I did. I couldn’t have ridden it any better so I’m chuffed with that.”
Lora Fachie and Corrine Hall won the final GB gold medal of the day in the women’s B time trial. Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl finished in fourth on their world championship debut as well. Alex Brooke-Turner and Luke Jones are in action today in the hand bike events.
BBC reporter takes a cycling tour of Cornwall during the G7 summit
No flying in here…just a BBC reporter going for a tour of what it is like on the ground in one corner of Cornwall while the G7 summit is on. I’d say Cornwall could be the toughest gig for a pedalling reporter having to tackle all those savage ramps…
Joe Biden gifts Boris Johnson a Union Jack roadster...but not everyone's impressed
This neatly sums up everything that’s wrong with UK and US cycle culture.
Totally impractical and uncomfortable. For recreation, not transport. https://t.co/B0X0fdolAE
— Hart’s Cyclery (@harts_cyclery) June 11, 2021
Joe Biden gifted Boris Johnson a Union Jack bicycle made by an award-winning bike maker from Philadelphia to mark their first meeting. Stephen Bilenky explained that he was contacted by the US Department of State about making the custom bike in a red, white and blue colour scheme. “It is a very modern version of an upright British roadster with a custom paint scheme with the Union Jack flag and a matching helmet,” the bike maker said.
The PM will have no shortage of gears if he gets back to cycling around the capital…that rear cog’s like a dinner plate…The gift has got a mixed reception on social media with some saying it is completely impractical and a bike to be presented, not ridden.
Others were left wondering if there was some gentle trolling going on…’Here’s your bike, Boris. We got you some gears that even you’ll be able to turn.’
For a Presidential gift this looks like absolute shit. Atrocious seat, wack bars, shitty brakes, insulting cassette. I know Boris was really ravaged by COVID but there’s no need to do him like this.
— Bristlenose Plecostomus (@SylvainEllis) June 11, 2021
That’s not a very special relationship, based on the bike 😬
— Family ByCycle (@FamilyByCycle) June 11, 2021
will keep an eye on ebay next week
— rick (@micronap) June 11, 2021
After the questions about why the PM caught a flight to Cornwall for the G7 summit…anyone up for seeing him ride this back to Downing Street?
Where the EU imports its bikes from
Here’s an interesting piece of research by Statista who broke down where the EU imports its bikes from…Last year, EU member states imported nearly 5 million bikes with a total value of €930 million. Any surprises here?
West Midlands Cycle Hire carrying England fans to day two of the second Test at Edgbaston
First time on a @WMCycleHire bike and definitely the quickest and least stressful way to @Edgbaston from the city centre. Nice day for it too! ☀️😎#BikeIsBest #BrumByBike #ENGvsNZ #LoveCyclingWM pic.twitter.com/1RwEPT53lh
— Rich Forrest (@Rich_Forrest) June 11, 2021
Following on from the love for CS4 this morning, we’ve got some great footage of Birmingham’s cycle lanes helping an England fan nip down to Edgbaston for the second Test. Nothing better than cruising past rows of gridlocked cars…any chance of another wicket?
Israel Start-Up Nation sports director says team are not contractually obliged to take Chris Froome to the Tour de France...but probably will
Israel Start-Up Nation directeur sportif Rik Verbrugghe has been talking about Chris Froome’s Tour de France chances again. Not too long ago he was quoted saying Froome’s place on his team’s squad for the Tour was not guaranteed. Today, in a similar vein, Verbrugghe told DH Sports that Froome does not have a clause in his contract which means he must go to the Tour.
“Contrary to what I have read or heard, we are not contractually obliged to have Chris in the team for the main event in July, but it could help him to take another essential step in his physical evolution. And also give him a mental boost,” Verbrugghe said.
So it does sounds as though the four-time winner will be on the startline in Brittany at the end of the month. In what role remains to be seen, although Verbrugghe confirmed that Canadian Michael Woods would lead the team’s GC challenge, while Dan Martin will have the freedom to go for stage wins.
“Chris’ fighting spirit is impressive,” the team’s directeur sportif continued. “We are well aware that he is not at a level that would allow him to fight for the general classification of the Tour de France or even for a stage victory, but this race could be an important stepping-stone for the next Vuelta. Our selection will be built around Michael Woods, who will go for GC, and Dan Martin who will aim for stages.
“Behind them, we’ll lack a bit of depth in the mountains because we’ll be without [Alessandro] De Marchi, [Daryl] Impey and [Carl Fredrik] Hagen. Krists Neilands fractured his collarbone only a short time ago but we still hope he can recover in time for the Grand Départ in Brest.”
Caleb Ewan wins uphill sprint at Baloise Belgium Tour
🎥 Stage 3 of the Baloise Belgium Tour ended in a bunch sprint, won by @CalebEwan (Lotto Soudal)#BaloiseBelgiumTour pic.twitter.com/fPGiwnBCkt
— Baloise Belgium Tour (@belgium_tour) June 11, 2021
Caleb Ewan is warming up nicely for one of the most sprint-heavy routes of the Tour de France in years. The Aussie was too good for everyone on stage three, gapping all the other sprinters as only Pascal Ackermann was able to stay in his wheel. Mark Cavendish was separated from his lead out and sat up in the final hundred metres. Good signs for Lotto-Soudal who are preparing a team to back their fast man’s chances in France. Remco Evenepoel keeps the leader’s jersey ahead of the final two stages this weekend.
At Tour de Suisse, Mathieu van der Poel did not start this morning as the race headed for the high mountains. The peloton has already climbed the 2,100m Gotthard Pass and 1,900m Lukmanierpass and are heading to the summit finish at Disentis-Sedrun. It is looking like the breakaway might survive. David de la Cruz currently leads the stage and has a minute back to a group with former world champion Rui Costa and young British prospect Fred Wright.
"This is due to excellent cycle aware training - a model for other bus companies"
Classic situation with @on_lothianbuses – bus pulled in and so have to decide whether to overtake or not, and in this case the timing is tricky. No probs though – driver saw and waited and waved. This is due to excellent cycle aware training – a model for other bus companies. pic.twitter.com/NXd4zzwVwY
— Algorhythmical (@Algorhythmica1) June 9, 2021
Rui Costa takes controversial Tour de Suisse win before being relegated to second as Andreas Kron is awarded the stage
“Hold your line.” #tourdesuisse pic.twitter.com/xfaqidTiww
— daniel (@cyclingreporter) June 11, 2021
Rui Costa thought he won Tour de Suisse stage six, however the former world champion has been relegated for deviating off his line during the sprint. Costa forced Andreas Kron towards the barriers and ended any chance the young Dane had of rounding his more experienced rival in the final metres.
Kron has been awarded the stage win after the fact which means it was two from two for Lotto-Soudal this afternoon after Caleb Ewan’s win in Belgium. The GC riders rolled in, so no change there. The weekend stages continue the mountain theme, starting with a TT tomorrow which will see riders climb then descend the Oberalppass climb. Sunday is another big climbing stage and will decide the GC.
11 June 2021, 08:02
11 June 2021, 08:02
11 June 2021, 08:02
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Latest Comments
@Rendel Harris Agree, I am baffled that the 84 year old who is now banned from driving for year can then start driving again without a retest. We should be re-tested regularly.
@mitsky Just checking the figures and apparently the 2026 average cost is £58,000 per year per prisoner; worth noting that is only the direct cost, you then have to factor in ten years of lost tax income from the prisoner, ten years that the prisoner is making no contribution to society as a worker or as a consumer, plus the fact that if they were the primary breadwinner very likely the costs will include benefits for their family as well. None of which should be a reason for keeping violent recidivists out of prison of course, nor drug/drink drivers who kill, but it is a factor worth considering for lower-level offences.
@Surreyrider I ride in Surrey a fair bit and absolutely many do look like that but the point is they all *think* they're driving perfectly reasonably (as one discovers when remonstrating with someone who's skimmed one by 30cm, "I gave you masses of room") so deterrent penalties have little effect. That's why we need to strike at the root cause and actually train drivers properly and test them stringently (and more than once over the course of a potential 70+ years of driving, it's absolutely absurd that competence and knowledge in what for most people is the activity in their life that will run the biggest risk of killing people you never have to have your qualifications renewed).
@mitsky Imprisonment currently costs over £50k p.a. per prisoner and obviously that will rise over the course of a ten-year stretch with inflation. Regarding culpability and mitigating sentences etc, of course I'm not against condign punishment for drivers who kill (and cyclists on the tiny, tiny handful of occasions when this happens), including prison as appropriate; I was objecting to the ridiculous and oft-repeated demand of MM that drivers who kill cyclists must get ten years, "no excuses, no exceptions".
Hey, but their wool blend cycling adjacent t-shirts are/were fantastic.
@Surreyrider Still the boss. Ride one, you'll see why
@Smoggysteve "Most would happily ride on the roads and be treated with respect by drivers". But people aren't - and as far as I can see they won't be. Not until there is a lot less driving and it's slower around cyclists, and far more people driving have "skin in the game" eg. they sometimes cycle and their friends and family do also. That's what leads to the model - which is perhaps most advanced in NL - where cycling, walking and driving are all seen as separate normal transport modes. Their needs, vulnerabilities and any dangers to others are considered. And *that* leads to "mix / share when possible, separate when necessary". But "possible" is "where your 10-year old would be safe to cycle unsupervised" - so very few motor vehicles, going slow! And AFAICS everybody - even "existing cyclists" - is happy with the result. (I dunno about a few pro cyclists - but don't they tend to have training camps in different counties anyway?)
@quiff as an Edinburgh resident I can confidently say he's speaking without moving his lips in one sense: - while as I noted in a separate comment there *is* now some real separated cycle infra, all the examples i can think of have *at least as much space* for pedestrians. The rest of the "cycle infra" is essentially similar to the situation in the rest of the UK: eg. bus lanes*, cycle lanes and shared use paths (eg. "build" infra by sticking up a sign). Edinburgh is one of the places with a moderately extensive network of former railways which have been converted to "shared use" paths (completely motor traffic few). However though shared they are not narrow by UK standards. And this is all effectively a "free extra" for all non- motorised users, not like the "sign a cycle path" where pedestrians do lose space. I think this all comes from the "popular understanding" of cycling in which ultimately cyclists are the "other". They don't fit "motor vehicle" or "pedestrian" (including wheelchairs on the very rare occasions people think about that). Thus "cyclists are cheating" in multiple ways! They shouldn't get their own space as "there aren't enough" of them. And "they can just use the road / path". But being able to *choose* "on the road" or "on the footway" (shared use path) is clearly unfair - nobody else gets to do that! BUT of course even if they did pick just one of road OR pedestrian space it's still not fair anyway because they're "too slow" for the road (don't pay "road tax" etc...) and "far too fast" for pedestrians... * Though some existing cyclists may appreciate them when there are few buses, buses and bikes are a very poor mix for several reasons.
Whilst a shame for any employees, their bib shorts had the worst chamois pad I’d ever encountered, utter waste of my money. Even though they were Strava challenge discount purchases, still a waste of money.
Thanks, just going to have to suck it up. Got next week off and will take the easy, if expensive option...
57 thoughts on “Joe Biden gifts Boris Johnson a Union Jack roadster…but not everyone’s impressed; “This sort of infrastructure is a game changer”: Riders pleasantly surprised by CS4; Get the Prince of Wheels an Allen key; BBC news report by bike + more on the live blog”
have been loving the CS4
have been loving the CS4 segregated lane for some time on my occasional rides out that way…it really is a fantastic piece of work…only one slight awkward bit for the unfamiliar when it crosses to the other side of the road as you get towards Southwark Park.
Someday all cycle lans will be built this way
Global Nomad wrote:
Three times I’ve taken friends down it to show it off and had to shout at them to come back as they’ve carried on down the lefthand side, could do with some lampost signage as well as the on-road stuff. But other than that it’s just incredible, easily the best piece of cycling infra I’ve ever experienced in this country, I often leave home fifteen minutes earlier than strictly necessary just to use it as a long way round to town.
Wow, the BBC on bicycles, yes
Wow, the BBC on bicycles, yes actually using bicycles to get out and about!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-57433610
I think Nomia could do with
I think Nomia could do with some cycle training.
More observations to the rear needed at critical points in the ride. And I’d be happier if she took a more prominent position at times:
I suspect she’s so scared that she’s gripping the bars tightly, not daring to look back, not daring to take the space she needs.
Maybe cut her some slack? I
Maybe cut her some slack? I think this could be a first for Auntie, normalising cycling by incorporating it into their regular day job. I find people respond better when you praise what’s good rather than seek out where to criticise them.
Sriracha wrote:
I think you make a very good point there.
We can do a praise sandwich approach: congratulate them for the effort (which you’ve done); feedback on how they can do better by improving a well-meaning but unskilled performance (done); round off with a positive close. I don’t think we cut slack where safety is concerned – it’s important to identify flaws wherever possible, while still acknowledging the effoprt and progress.
I congratulate the Beeb on making use of an appropriate means of transport and encourage them to develop the skills of their reporters. I think you’ve done a great job in highlighting the message we want to give to them.
Nope. With most of the roads
Nope. With most of the roads closed and traffic travelling at appropriate speeds, it actually doesn’t matter what position she takes — *this* is why we campaign for segregated infrastructure.
Please consider that saying she needs cycle training to ride on a closed road in a small town in Cornwall is exactly the kind of exclusionary gatekeeping that deters more women from getting on bikes. Also consider that if she was “in the middle of the road” there would be people (not so much on this website) criticising her for that as well.
Let’s just congratulate the BBC for choosing an appropriate vehicle (well, two if you count the camera person as well), and move on.
Albeit it does
Albeit it does unintentionally show the classic MGIF/NMOTD overtake by the BMW at 1:54 (you know the kind of thing that only happens because angry YouTubers deliberately provoke for more view clicks apparently)
But the BMW doesnt attempt to cross the centre line gives less than 1.5metres room for sure, theres no way the copper standing on the pavement would be as happy standing in that gap admiring the scenery and it’s all just so the BMW can join a queue of traffic and slam on the brakes straight away after overtaking, oh and does the classic quick block the cyclist from passing me again dive to the kerb move as well.
That’s the stuff we are talking about when we say close passing puts people off cycling and why it’s a big issue and why it will never show up in however many stats people dig up on how ‘safe’ cycling is, because it didnt result in a trip in an ambulance or any broken bones, but I can assure you the cameraman (whose pass didnt look much better) and Nomia experienced it in a way that makes them less likely to want to ride again in traffic.
Presumably with such a funky number plate means it’s a diplomatic car or something.
Awavey wrote:
Exactly – so the more Auntie gets on her bike and experiences stuff like this first hand the more likely it is to get some attention from that great organ. Can’t wait for the first NMOTD direct from the BBC.
Oh yes, the BMW, and the police out in droves, but I saw none licking their pencil. Warship squandered a target too.
notMyRealName wrote:
Yup.
(Condescending!)
There will not be segregated infrasdtructure everywhere any time soon. Meanwhile, we have to train cyclists to deal with what’s there. Hence NSCT.
Yes, but no. See my separate reply; but basically, if the Beeb is going to protray an example, it should be a competent one. Great! they got on bikes…. now here’s how they could do it better and demonstrate that cyclists can make themselves prominent and safer on the roads.
I have considered it. And I disagree with what your saying.
I don’t disagree that she shouldn’t need training to ride on a closed road, but that wasn’t one – it was quite busy in the clips shown, and adult cycle training exists to help people feel safer. It is largely a fear of traffic that deters women from cycling, and training can improve that.
If she was “in the middle of the road” and people criticised her, it’s a chance to make the message that she is as entitled to be there as the drivers are; and by doing so, she helps to normalise it. What she actually did is normalise the marginalisation on the road of women on bikes; and cycle training would help her, the BBC and us.
Astonishing! The BBC has two
Astonishing! The BBC has two cycling events in three months, what with the Woman’s Hour feature. Doesn’t exactly spell the end of their ban on cycling, but it is the tiniest crack.
I was going to criticise the piece for having a car following her, but in one shot you can glimpse the handlebars of the following bike.
It seems the camera man was
It seems the camera man was cycling and filming at the same time. I might be wrong though. I think the Sigma Cafe stops with Stephenson did it better and safer with the camera man in the bucket of a E-cargo bike.
Just a minor detail, I’m
Just a minor detail, I’m pretty sure they’re both on e-bikes so those ‘savage ramps’ would not have been a bother. Curiously, the BBC website is currently serving a 500 internal server error as I try to check their video.
Good to see the bicycle being
Good to see the bicycle being used here.
Anna Holligan has been reporting for the BBC via Cargo bike for a while (in the Netherlands obvs!). Hopefully more BBC reporters will follow…..
‘The southern end of CS7,
‘The southern end of CS7, particularly southbound, is still a disgrace. I’m not surprised they’ve stopped using the term ‘Cycle Superhighway’. It many places it is downright dangerous with designed-in material hazards for cyclists. The covid-era wands and floating bus stops are an improvement in some places but make it worse in others.
nniff wrote:
Agreed. Saw a guy knocked off (very fortunately just cuts and bruises) a couple of weeks back in Balham by a fast-turning car going through a gap in the wands to access a carpark. Nowhere near enough protection. As you can see from where his bike finished, it was about 50cms off being a tragedy.
The size of that wankpanzer.
The size of that wankpanzer.
That’s awful. Look at the
That’s awful. Look at the size of that vehicle… I think it’s an act of aggression just to choose a vehicle like that where the rear view mirror is higher than a child’s head.
notMyRealName wrote:
don’t you mean
wingdoor mirror?I wasn’t so lucky three weeks
I wasn’t so lucky three weeks ago – taken out by a right hook in Colliers Wood – someone diving though a small gap in southbound traffic. Straight over the bonnet into St George’s A&E for 9 hours. Bike is stuffed and, insurance or not, it’s going to be a real battle. Today’s quiz – how many manufacturers of bespoke stainless steel bikes can you name? I need a new one.
I’ve got:
Jaegher, Saffron, Passoni, Hartley, and Condor in the UK/EU. Not sure if Starley are still there. There are more in the USA but not really practical..
Wishing you a swift recovery
Wishing you a swift recovery and insurance resolution. Some good makers here – I’ve heard especially good things of O’Rourke.
https://road.cc/content/feature/great-custom-handbuilt-frames-194774
So, engage the services of a
So, engage the services of a claims management company (spawn of the devil they are) and have them procure you a temporary pair of wheels until you are restored to the position you were in before the assault.
nniff wrote:
Bloody hell. Hope you’re ok now.
Varonha (superb workmanship),
Varonha (superb workmanship), Geoff Roberts (but may have retired during lockdown), lots of others – check out the Bespoked exhibitors: plenty of other UK builders.
SigNa Sports have bought
SigNa Sports have bought Wiggle.
Rich_cb wrote:
Signa Sports not being the same as Sigma Sport. Just read something about this deal. Does Wiggle really have 10,000 staff? Times say so.
Wiggle also have overseas
Wiggle also have overseas subsidury companies, e.g. Australia. So that might be why the headcount is high.
Online sporting goods
Online sporting goods retailer Signa Sports United, owned by Austrian investor Rene Benko, has agreed to list on the New York Stock Exchange through a merger with a blank check company, in a deal valuing the firm at $3.2 billion, a person close to the matter said.
The deal will raise $645 million in proceeds for Signa Sports United, made up of $345 million from special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Yucaipa Acquisition (YAC.N) and another $300 million from investors through private investment in public equity (PIPE), the person added.
Signa, the global no.1 pure play online sporting goods retailer, will use part of the proceeds to buy Britain-based bicycle goods store Wiggle, which has annual sales of about $500 million, the person said.
https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/signa-sports-agrees-spac-deal-buy-wiggle-bicycle-store-source-2021-06-11/
I don’t want to be a nit
I don’t want to be a nit-picker but as someone who has cycled down Jamaica road (not Tooley street chaps) since 2011 – its a good cycle lane in some respects but its god awful in other places – and as there had been a bus lane down it forever, this bit of the commute was not too bad.
Where this lane is god awful is about 500m east of this video when you get to Southwark Park road where they make you wait for ages to cross the main carriageway to ride to Rotherhithe roundabout. That would be ok in principle but then at the roundabout you then have to wait again to cross back over lower road or Jamaica road. This light sequence is a good three or four minutes and, whilst the lower road crossing is just about ok (its a single set of lights to cross both directions of traffic) for those crossing to go down Salter road whilst the crossings are synchronised, they are separate controls – so, pushing the button only triggers the set of lights you are crossing but they all change at once meaning that if no-one is trying to cross the other direction of traffic at the same time you get held at a lengthy light sequence (three to four minutes each) TWICE to cross the road at a roundabout where there used to be a zebra crossing that worked fine. I raised this point in the consultation pointing out that no-one going down Salter road will ever use the cycle lane east bound because crossing the road twice was dumb and they’d be better off putting the crossing at the roundabout so people only had to cross once… but not – however, unsurprisingly, many cyclists going down Salter road remerger with the main carriageway of traffic on Jamaica road (having to go through the right bit of the bike/ car light to ensure you’re on a green) – its really annoying and a real pain and is still an example of where bike infrastructure has been sacrificed to give priority to cars….
rant over…. and breathe!
I get your rant, and my
I get your rant, and my earlier post didnt mention what happens when you get past the roundabout, but hoping we’ll get the cycleway extended down that road too. TBF I think you are letting the weaknesses hide the 95% which is very good
The problem is that TfL has
The problem is that TfL has not even started designing the stretch Rotherhithe-Deptford.
So after a couple of kms on a beautiful track, one is dumped on a horrible, dangerous road.
A very English bodge job.
Evidence that a crown is
Evidence that a crown is beneficial for one’s safety is divided.
Most recent indications suggests that the wearer is protected from all manner of harm. However, association is not causation, and it may be that a phalanx of CPOs that make the difference to one.
However, older studies reveal examples of wearers of crowns who have suffered head or neck injuries incompatible with life, such as Charles I, Richard III (although the post mortem was delayed) and Harold Godwinson*.
Others have suffered injuries unrelated to head or neck injuries that were incompatible with life, from which a crown could not be expected to protect the wearer. Often these are MGIP (Must Get In Power) or punishment cases. One such example is Julius Ceasar, whose injuries appear mostly to be to the torso. There is some speculation that his headgear did not conform to modern safety standards, being made of a collapsible, biodegradable material, but since his other injuries were lethal, it’s a moot point and shouldn’t be used as a case for or against policy-based crown use.
(* Allegedly heard to say, “A Pinarello, a Pinarello. My Rapha outfit for a Pinarello”)
Don’t forget Henry VIII who
Don’t forget Henry VIII who might have suffered brain damage when he fell of the horse, leading to severe personality changes.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0967586815006803
I would venture that that isn
I would venture that that isn’t actually Charles’s bike, and that someone had to lend him their’s for photo-op purposes…
It was for a charity ride,30
It was for a charity ride,30 riders are riding 250miles on the Palaces on Wheels challenge to raise funds for the British Asian Trust which Prince Charles is founding patron of, I think we can allow photo op purposes in this case.
and yes it was a borrowed Pashley, as he admitted he hasnt ridden a bike for years.
I wasn’t criticising the
I wasn’t criticising the photo-op side of it (I knew it was a charity thingummy, saw it on Points West last night). Just suggesting perhaps it wasn’t his bike hence the godawful saddle height
Ah sorry, just without the
Ah sorry, just without the other riders in the photo I thought the context of it all had been lost as he’d admitted it wasnt his bike to the press at the event
No It’s not Charles’ bike,
No It’s not Charles’ bike, the news reports stated it was a borrowed bike.
brooksby wrote:
when I see someone riding on a bike that obviously doesn’t fit them like that I always wonder if they are stealing it
Boris’s bike pressie is fine
Boris’s bike pressie is fine for what it is imo. I’ve seen worse as NAHBS or Bespoked. Better to ride than a Boris bike thats for sure. Overgeared but better over than under. Unlike most of our PM’s there’s a vague chance of Boris taking it for a spin.
The yanks were at pains to
The yanks were at pains to cram as much US manufacture as possible in there. I would love to see the gesture reciprocated, both for the greater good of cycling, and to showcase British cycle industry. Might just have to not trip up over a Brooks saddle.
https://www.inquirer.com/business/biden-bicycle-gift-boris-johnson-bilenky-philadelphia-20210611.html
The picture of the builders
The picture of the mechanics in the bike shop is absolutely lovely. Looks like a real workshop with guys who are really into bikes, not one of the typical photo shoots. That Biden gave the contract to a small nerdy business only known to insiders is very refreshing.
Ah, Selle Anatomica saddle.
Ah, Selle Anatomica saddle. Hopefully they’ve improved from the two I broke, because I suspect Boris weighs a little more than my 160 lb / 72 kg.
They have. I swear by them –
They have. I swear by them – heavy for sure, but so comfortable.
The brakes are set up in the
The brakes are set up in the continental European way (rear brake right). Is it another one of those hidden insults that Biden has dished out to Johnson without the Brexiters even noticing?
Stephan Matthiesen wrote:
also standard in the US and canada. When they drive do they use their left foot for the brake? I will never understand using the weaker hand for the most important brake. And as indicating to turn across the passing traffic is more crucial than indicating to turn away from the traffic the hand using the front brake is not only weaker, but also the one they want to use to let following drivers know they are about to turn across them.
Do they set their bikes up like ours in Japan, or other countries where they drive on the left?
wycombewheeler wrote:
Yes, but still an interesting statement for a political gift…
There are brakes in cars…?
Not sure I understand what you say about turning. Yes, indicating is more important when turning across traffic (right in the UK, left on the mainland). And when you only have one hand on the handlebar, it’s safer to use the rear brake; if you brake with the front brake with only one hand on the handlebar you can more easily lose control. So it’s better to be able to indicate with the “front brake” hand, so front is right in UK and left on the mainland.
I’m not sure the stronger hand matters so much. Is there so much difference in strength (my hands seem pretty much similar, and strength has for me never been a limit when I tried to brake). When you go slowly, it’s not a big deal anyway, and those who go very fast are also likely to be stronger overall, no?
wycombewheeler wrote:
It seems to be much much more complicated…
https://www.renehersecycles.com/which-hand-for-which-brake/
There are even differences between France and Italy, it seems, and much of it goes back to times when bikes only had one brake, which may have been a rim brake or a coaster brake.
Luckily there’s no big ring
Luckily there’s no big ring for Boris to stick it into. He doesn’t need any more encouragement.
Yep, it’s not that bad and I
Yep, it’s not that bad and I detect some snobbery in the negative comments. I was marvelling at a bloke bringing his kid back from school on the family bike as I walked the dog earlier. His bike was really incredibly ugly and cheap and the saddle was fitted incorrectly. Boris’s Biden bike would’ve been a big improvement.
OldRidgeback wrote:
It’s not only snobbery, but ignorance. That is a fancy expensive bespoke bike. Paul Components/ White Industries/ Thomson components, and a highly respected “in-the-know” framebuilder. That it’s styled like grandad’s bike from the shed is part of the schtick, and the charm.
It’s pretty representative of a wide sector of US bike construction- the general Portland scene, Rivendell, etc. If the entitled toddler’s PR team deem it beneficial for him to be seen riding it around, then sure he will.
If offered it I’d have it in
If offered it I’d have it in a heartbeat.
I bet it rides like a beauty.
Quality USA parts too. Worth a fortune.
Boris will have to pay tax on it too. (Or some enobleing wanting party doner…)
On the EU bike import it’s
On the EU bike import it’s perhaps worth mentioning that about 20 million bikes are sold every year, so the 5m imports is about a quarter, while about three quarters are produced in the EU.
Doesn’t look like ‘living in
Doesn’t look like ‘living in Cornwall’ is much fun at the moment… Why have a meeting of this sensitivity and scale anywhere near where people actually live and work?
Road.cc get that bike in for
Road.cc get that bike in for review!
Lothian Buses do seem to have
Lothian Buses do seem to have achieved good things with driver training – and I think they have improved over the past few years. Usually in Edinburgh traffic the buses are among the least worrying vehicles.
It can be done.
Looking at the picture of
Looking at the picture of Boris and Joe with their respective flags behind them, and the flag adorned bike, there’s plenty for Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt to snigger about on Monday’s BBC breakfast.