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Bike lane wands blamed for delaying ambulance...but was it just bad driving?; Cav "changes bikes like underwear"; Cycling ASMR; Pogačar: You shouldn’t be scared of me; Terminator visits a vegan cyclist cafe; 1-0 to the cyclists + more on the live blog

Happy Friday! The weekend is just around the corner, Dan Alexander will be bringing it home with your final live blog of the week
12 November 2021, 16:49
Very one-sided reaction to our main story of the day...

One-sided because there's literally barely anyone saying anything other than 'yes, it was Mercedes driver causing that problem'...glad we could all agree.

Owd Big 'Ead had a go at summing it all up..."Good grief, the world is full of idiots. Unfortunately, the vast majority of them appear to be driving cars."

Wycombewheeler made a more general point about how drivers react to emergency service vehicles: "It's surprisingly common for drivers to interpret the sirens as 'pull to the side RIGHT NOW' rather than, 'don't delay the ambulance, keep the route clear' which can often be achieved as effectively by continuing on, leaving that space at the side of the road behind clear for others."

On Facebook, Adam Keenan said: "I don't know what's worse, the fact the Merc chose to pull in at that point, or that they couldn't fit the car into the sizeable gap between the posts!"

Antony Leeson commented: "That's pretty shocking driving. The only thing holding the ambulance up is the incompetent driver of the front car. What an absolute plum."

We could have added roughly 50 comments of a similar tone...

12 November 2021, 17:14
Happy Friday!
12 November 2021, 16:03
Out the saddle century attempt 2: Chad Tavernia aims to prove unique100-mile challenge on Zwift this weekend
Chad Tavernia 100-mile out the saddle (Image credit: Chad Tavernia/Strava)

Remember Chad Tavernia's unique century? The US-based rider completed 100 miles out the saddle back in July to the shock, amazement and adoration of the cycling community. As with anything online there were sceptics saying it was fake, the seatpost hole isn't there, it must be Photoshopped. Well, Chad explained that particular question away by showing it to be the red electrical tape that's on his bars...and commited to giving it another crack to prove the achievement once and for all.

That's how we're here...tomorrow, live streamed on his Cycle Jockey Facebook page, he'll try to repeat the feat...

Chad told us he feels "ready and capable" although had an unfortunate illness this week. The bike? "SuperSix Evo with 54T 1X setup with 10-52 cassette."

Chad Tavernia 100-mile out the saddle bike (Image credit: Chad Tavernia)

The attempt and live stream is in the diary for tomorrow at 1pm EST (6pm GMT)...all the best, Chad!

12 November 2021, 16:01
Out of context cycling...

At least he's wearing a lid... 

12 November 2021, 15:12
Filippo Pozzato released from hospital following treatment for severe pneumonia

The 2006 Milan-San Remo winner Filippo Pozzato has thanked medics for treating his severe pneumonia after contracting Covid at the end of October. Pozzato is unvaccinated and called himself an "idiot" for thinking he was too strong to need the vaccine.

"I finally got the ok to go home!" the retired Italian sprinter told fans on Instagram. "My thanks go to all of you who have been close to me in these difficult weeks and above all to all the operators of the health system, doctors, nurses, assistants...you have been wonderful and I will always bring your dedication as an example of professionalism and a source of inspiration.

"However, the most important aspect of my message is dedicated to all those who still hesitate to get the vaccine: boys and girls, it's not a joke! The virus is still among us and if you catch it you are sick as hell, trust those who the day before were ready to take on the world and the next day it was hard to move from one room to another. The vaccine is the only real defence we have against this plague: it is not a joke, from COVID-19 you can die and above all you can kill."

12 November 2021, 14:24
Napier Bathrooms and Interiors has another pop at Edinburgh cycle lane...this time because a bus driver ran over a wand

'A bus driver ran one of the wands over' is up there with 'a Mercedes driver blocked an ambulance' for questionable reasons to remove a segregated cycle lane. Napier Bathrooms and Interiors had more CCTV evidence supporting their "time to go" calls. This time it was a video of a bus driver running over one of the wands...

Apparently they are "damaged almost daily" and are "dangerous to passersby and cyclists"...

Again, more than a couple of people were happy to point out the decisions and actions of drivers might not be the best argument against infrastructure...

 Some were more sympathetic, but still came to different conclusions...

12 November 2021, 13:52
Your one-stop shop for Christmas gifts for all the family...Range Rover Mum merch

We've been rattling off the Christmas gift guides for you...we've done affordable sub-£50 gifts, sub-£100 and of course, the money no object one too. However, we didn't account for Range Rover Mum merchandise. Fresh off the fame of ramming an Insulate Britain protester with her motor, she's completed the 'influencer' life cycle by releasing a merch range...

We're talking hoodies and mugs mainly...right enough of that Friday silliness, it's time to get back to cycling, I think.

12 November 2021, 12:26
The worst bike lane in the world just got worse

Remember this one? It's the Austin bike lane that looks like something out of Total Wipeout...either that or it's Pennywise's latest invention...

Well, it somehow managed to get even worse. Roybert Steve shared the pics of the other side...

Go on, ride into that big pole...you know you want to. It makes you almost proud of our world class infra over here...

12 November 2021, 11:53
World eSports Champion and SD Worx pro Ashleigh Moolman Pasio creates Rocacorba Collective
Rocacorba Collective Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (Image credit: Sean Hardy)

Female pro Ashleigh Moolman Pasio has launched the Rocacorba Collective to create an inspiring and safe space for women to come together and ride on any level in cycling eSports; from beginner to World eSports Champion.

Funded through a membership model, its mission is to revolutionise the indoor e-cycling experience, launching with a women’s premier league team, women’s only rides, mixed social rides, weekly workouts, training plans, yoga and pilates classes, Q&A’s, webinars and exclusive product discounts. 

Anyone can sign up to join here...

Riding for SD Worx and being the current World eSports Champion herself, Ashleigh is currently looking for female riders to join her in the new Rocacorba Collective Premier League Team for the 2022 season via a competition on Zwift. 

To help them perform at their highest level, Garmin will be providing those selected for the team with Tacx NEO 2T Smart trainers, Edge 830 cycling computers, Forerunner GPS smartwatches, HRM-Pro heart rate monitors, Rally power meter pedals, while Specialized will be supplying bikes, Roval wheelsets, apparel and equipment (helmets, shoes, saddles and tyres).
More on the selection process, eligibility requirements and how to enter can be found here...

12 November 2021, 11:32
Snug winter booties incoming from Gaerne!
2021 Gaerne G.Ice Storm 1.0 Gore-Tex winter shoes

Gaerne has updated its G.Ice Storm 1.0 Gore-Tex winter shoes that are designed for riding in extreme cold weather or in the rain. A thermo reflective aluminium has been placed between the sole and the upper to create a thermal barrier to allow the foot to remain warm and dry.

Closure wise, you’ve got BOA’s IP-1 dial platform for a fast and uniform fit over the entire frontal area of the shoe, as well as an elasticised and water repellent collar with an adjustable closure for maximum insulation. A rear loop has also been included to make these easier to put on. 

The road spec features Gaerne’s EPS Carbon Power sole made of nylon reinforced with carbon fibre, while the MTB version has Gaerne’s 2Density Sole 7.0, which combines nylon and fibreglass for durability. The tread has also been designed for maximum grip and stability for off-road use.

Both are available for: 249,90 euros/ £213.50 

12 November 2021, 11:21
Gang of teenagers attack cyclist in York — victim was "punched and kicked" during assault
Windmill Lane cycle route York (Google Maps StreetView)

North Yorkshire Police have revealed details of an assault on a cyclist by a gang of "five or six white males, aged 15 to 16" on a cycle route in York. The teenage boys "punched and kicked" the victim during the attack on Monday at around 4.45pm. It happened on the cycle route that runs between Windmill Lane and the University of York Science Park in Heslington. The victim suffered minor injuries and their bike was also damaged.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "The suspects are described as being a group of five or six white males, aged 15 to 16. They were all wearing dark clothing at the time of the incident. One of the males involved is described as having short light blonde hair.

"A second male is described as having a distinctive long nose. We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. In particular, we are appealing for information relating to the identity of the offenders."

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police by calling 101 and selecting option 2 and asking PC 39 Grundon or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

12 November 2021, 10:50
Cav "changes bikes like underwear"
Mark Cavendish after winning in Chateauroux picture credit  A.S.O./Charly Lopez

Mark Cavendish will be back racing in a velodrome next week as he makes his return to the Ghent Six Day, five years after he won it with Sir Bradley Wiggins. He'll be teaming up with Deceuninck-Quick-Step teammate Iljo Keisse for the event, and the Belgian had some amusing things to say about the Manx Missile after their first week of training together.

"We trained together on Monday and he had some speed, he seemed OK," Keisse told Het Nieuwsblad. "Cav changes bikes like underwear. He has decided to ride on a different frame and they're being set up and finished at the service course in Wevelgem. When he stopped after 15 laps on Monday, I thought 'here we go again'. In the end he was only off the bike for five minutes and finished the rest of the training...

"I've decided not to bark at Cav again in the six-day race. I’ve done it before but Cav's track record that doesn't fit into Ghent town hall. His palmarès is a hundred times bigger than mine, who am I to tell him what to do?"

12 November 2021, 10:04
1-0 to the cyclists...packed bike parking outside football stadiums

 Simon wants to make it quite clear he's not a Brentford fan...I don't blame him for not wanting to be associated with the Bees. He was at the Norwich game last week though and noticed the packed bike parking facility outside the ground. 

It got us thinking about cycle facilities at football grounds and major venues. I can't say, in my experience, I've ever seen too many people riding a bike to a football match. But then again I've never seen a bike parking facility at a football stadium...is it a case of build it and they'll come?

Brentford Community Stadium bike parking (Image credit: Simon MacMichael)

 

12 November 2021, 09:50
The Terminator visits a vegan cyclist cafe...

"I need your Rapha shorts, your cleats and your 11 grand S-Works Tarmac SL7 Red eTap AXS 12-Speed."

12 November 2021, 09:08
Tadej Pogačar: Peloton shouldn’t be scared of me
2021 Tour de France Luz Ardiden Pogacar ASO:Charly Lopez - 1

"You shouldn't be scared of me," is exactly what the all-powerful, all-conquering, evil antagonist would say. To be fair, Pog seems like a nice lad, certainly not an evil antagonist, just all-powerful and all-conquering.

The double Tour de France champion spoke on Geraint Thomas' Cycling Club Podcast and downplayed his dominance. He even went as far as to admit he "can crack really fast". 

"They shouldn’t be scared of me," Pogačar said. "That's the first thing, because I can crack really fast, actually. I do a good power on the not so long climbs, but sometimes the longer climbs are worse for me, and the high altitude - I think that’s what they already figured out.

"For sure, if It happens that I have a not-so-strong team, with long-range attacks, that makes it for us more difficult. And trying to go aggressive from the long way, with multiple riders, like Ineos has a lot of leaders, so they can try a lot of things, in a different way. I think there can be a lot of things that can crack me, or anybody else. It’s not that complicated."

It's a confusing dynamic — the best Grand Tour rider in the world explaining how to beat him to one of his rival team's main riders...on a podcast. I guess it's a bit like Pep Guardiola telling Jürgen Klopp how to beat Manchester City...

Earlier this week you voted for Pogačar as your pro cyclist of the year in our highly scientific live blog poll...he beat Cav by a solitary vote. Reports the Manx Missile has ordered a recount are confirmed...

12 November 2021, 08:48
Cycling ASMR: Amsterdam edition
12 November 2021, 08:16
Bike lane wands blamed for delaying ambulance...but was it just bad driving?

Napier Bathrooms & Interiors, an Edinburgh-based "award-winning bathroom design studio", knows who it wants to blame for this ambulance being delayed...the bike lane wands, of course.

The bathroom sellers showered criticism on the "plastic rods" causing "chaos" for the emergency services — an "almost daily pantomime nowadays".

It's an interesting take on the footage, but not one that many seemed to agree with...

Most people seemed more concerned with the Mercedes driver wedging themselves into the bike lane, while blocking the rest of the road with the back end of their vehicle. A strange decision made stranger by the fact there appeared to be clear road beyond the wand, where the driver eventually did pull in to easily let the ambulance past.

The Audi driver had the right idea (God help us...), moving up the road, away from the wands to create space. The footage left many wondering how Napier Bathrooms came to the conclusion the bike lane was to blame?

Others couldn't help but wonder how the scene would have been different if the ambulance was trying to pass the same number of people on bikes or on foot...

We'll finish with a laugh (it's Friday after all)...

Dan is the road.cc news editor and has spent the past four years writing stories and features, as well as (hopefully) keeping you entertained on the live blog. Having previously written about nearly every other sport under the sun for the Express, and the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for the Non-League Paper, Dan joined road.cc in 2020. Come the weekend you'll find him labouring up a hill, probably with a mouth full of jelly babies, or making a bonk-induced trip to a south of England petrol station... in search of more jelly babies.

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43 comments

Avatar
Jenova20 | 2 years ago
1 like

"One of the males involved is described as having short light blonde hair."

"A second male is described as having a distinctive long nose."

With descriptions like that we'll have caught them any second now...Seriously that's the descriptions released to the public? Could they have possibly narrowed it down to less than about 3 million people in the country?

You caught Eminem, big nose, and his 4 mates yet police? FFS.

Avatar
mdavidford replied to Jenova20 | 2 years ago
1 like

Jenova20 wrote:

"One of the males involved is described as having short light blonde hair."

"A second male is described as having a distinctive long nose."

With descriptions like that we'll have caught them any second now...Seriously that's the descriptions released to the public? Could they have possibly narrowed it down to less than about 3 million people in the country?

You caught Eminem, big nose, and his 4 mates yet police? FFS.

Have they rounded up the usual suspects?

Avatar
brooksby | 2 years ago
0 likes

On the latest Napier Bathrooms brain fart, the 'pop-up' lane on Park Row Bristol got repaired and reset earlier this week, with a team of blokes bolting new bases to the road surface and mounting fresh new wands.

It took a day before there were wands laying around broken where people had driven into/over them to park.

The cycle lanes along there are also beginning to full up with the round black rubber bases, which have come loose from too many people driving over them - actually quite dangerous, I would have thought: they're not exactly easy to spot...

Avatar
brooksby | 2 years ago
0 likes

I was reading about range rover woman earlier on a different 'news' site.  She's apparently claiming she wasn't in it for the money but that 'the public' encouraged her to do it because there was definitely a market for it (?).  Some other twitter user suggested bringing it to the attention of Land Rover as a trademark infringement...  3

Avatar
PRSboy | 2 years ago
4 likes

That mercedes... driver brain out.  I love how he/she finally got the fact they were in the way, then move forward only to pull over and get in the way again.  Reminded me of this sheep;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N2RrodCucg

Avatar
brooksby | 2 years ago
2 likes

Quote:

 a distinctive long nose. 

Bl00dy elephants! surprise

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SimoninSpalding replied to brooksby | 2 years ago
0 likes

Bet they're not from Yorkshire either!

Avatar
Steve K | 2 years ago
8 likes

I'll stop posting about cycling to football soon, promise, but having cycled to 23 different grounds, the most secure parking (other than those clubs who stored my bike in the ground) was at Liverpool (no jokes, please). They had a (small) bike park that was manned all game, and they'd even lend you a lock if you needed one. This was in 2017 - I don't know if it's still there.

Avatar
chrisonabike | 2 years ago
1 like

There is even an (EU *cough cough*) organisation interested in getting people to sports grounds via active travel.

For example, looks like you can cycle to watch Ajax just fine:

https://healthystadia.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Johan-Cruyff-Arena-1.png

(This whole area is a big "destination" so there will be plenty of parking e.g. at the Bijlmer Arena station etc.)

They have a case study on Brighton and Hove Albion - not quite as comprehensive as The Netherlands yet...

Avatar
Steve K replied to chrisonabike | 2 years ago
2 likes

chrisonatrike wrote:

There is even an (EU *cough cough*) organisation interested in getting people to sports grounds via active travel.

For example, looks like you can cycle to watch Ajax just fine:

https://healthystadia.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Johan-Cruyff-Arena-1.png

(This whole area is a big "destination" so there will be plenty of parking e.g. at the Bijlmer Arena station etc.)

They have a case study on Brighton and Hove Albion - not quite as comprehensive as The Netherlands yet...

Much that I hate to say it, Brighton do have pretty good cycle parking at the Amex.  Though when I cycled there I had to argue with the police to be able to go back to my bike after the game as they were trying to kettle me and the rest of the Palace fans onto trains!

Avatar
jh2727 replied to chrisonabike | 2 years ago
1 like

It makes a lot of sense to cycle to football games. Often 50% or more of the fans will be local, traffic and parking are typically a nightmare*.

* I don't go to football matches, but I work near a stadium, so I know the chaos that ensues when there's a game on.

Avatar
Steve K replied to jh2727 | 2 years ago
0 likes

I always get home sooner from Selhurst Park if I cycle than if I go by train.

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hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
13 likes

I heard that Arnold refuses to upgrade his PC to Windows 10. He claims "I still love Vista, baby"

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
3 likes

hawkinspeter wrote:

I heard that Arnold refuses to upgrade his PC to Windows 10. He claims "I still love Vista, baby"

Oh very good sir, chapeau!laugh

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
10 likes

Saw him in the supermarket paying for some wine I hadn't been able to find. When I asked where he got it he said, "Aisle B, back."

Avatar
Steve K replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
10 likes

hawkinspeter wrote:

I heard that Arnold refuses to upgrade his PC to Windows 10. He claims "I still love Vista, baby"

Veteran action movie stars are volunteering for parts in a new film about composers.

Van Damme says "I'll be Beethoven"

Stallone says "I'll be Mozart"

And Arnie says... 

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to Steve K | 2 years ago
13 likes

Steve K wrote:

Veteran action movie stars are volunteering for parts in a new film about composers.

Van Damme says "I'll be Beethoven"

Stallone says "I'll be Mozart"

And Arnie says... 

Arnold is actually very musical. He's known to be able to remember all the lyrics to "Africa". He has Toto recall.

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
7 likes

He's recently been studying the outcomes of the climate change conference. He said he didn't really see the point at first but now he's kinda gotten COP.

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to Rendel Harris | 2 years ago
0 likes

Rendel Harris wrote:

He's recently been studying the outcomes of the climate change conference. He said he didn't really see the point at first but now he's kinda gotten COP.

Ok, that's enough. Stoppit.

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to Captain Badger | 2 years ago
0 likes

OK, I don't think I could get any lower than that last one anyway.

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to Rendel Harris | 2 years ago
1 like

Rendel Harris wrote:

OK, I don't think I could get any lower than that last one anyway.

In fairness, it was pretty ok

Avatar
SteveSlow | 2 years ago
0 likes

Ambulance held up..

Was the first car parked - I would love to see the next 2 mins of the video...

Looks to me like they had no intention of going anywhere?

Avatar
TriTaxMan replied to SteveSlow | 2 years ago
2 likes

That's exactly what I thought.  The Mercedes driver seemed to just be stopped on the carriageway before the Ambulance arrived.  I've decided to ask them on twitter to post a longer excerpt of the clip..... but that won't fit with their agenda so they won't do it

Avatar
Steve K | 2 years ago
5 likes

And here's the cycle parking at Crystal Palace...

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Steve K replied to Steve K | 2 years ago
1 like

And just to add, this is what the Palace website says about this 'facility'

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chrisonabike | 2 years ago
1 like

RE: Cycling ASMR: Amsterdam edition. The silence of the 'dams:

https://youtu.be/d9yqG6hAS4s

https://youtu.be/hfVGXz9inWE

https://youtu.be/xCy38tqEuNM (OK it's Houten... nice sounds though)

https://robertweetman.wordpress.com/2017/10/12/what-nobody-told-me-1/

Avatar
chrisonabike | 2 years ago
1 like

RE: Bike lane wands blamed for delaying ambulance. Driver and vehicle issue here. If - hopefully when - Edinburgh council gets round to putting in proper, sensibly sized cycle tracks (rather than lanes) of course the ambulance would be able to drive in those!

Context for anyone who wants it. Just here on streetview. (When I checked the latest they had was Mar 2021 which predates the protection).

I suspect this company's beef is the usual e.g. "No parking?! Congestion?! Bloody cyclists!". (They've also had extensive rebuilding next to them). However this was still a busy area before, often congested (lots of buses too) and indeed there rightly wasn't parking except up Brandon Terrace.

This is Cannonmills - so this is just by one busy T-junction and just before another, on a road that acts as an "arterial" into the east of Edinburgh from Ferry Road, the major route to the North of the city. (Hence good location for a petrol station, at top left in the video). The video doesn't really convey the width of the tarmac here (Edinburgh Council only put in blocks and wands "where it was easy" e.g. there was a ton of space).  Although this is a road which also goes through "places" there are few "pinch points" between the buildings until about 500m south in Broughton Street. Indeed - there are parallel streets on either side about 100m further on from this location.

Avatar
Captain Badger | 2 years ago
3 likes

Arnie wrote:

The Terminator visits a vegan cyclist cafe...

Cable ends...........

Terminated.

Avatar
chrisonabike replied to Captain Badger | 2 years ago
3 likes

For me the apogee of his ouevre will always be "Rob Halford robs Halfords".

Avatar
Owd Big 'Ead | 2 years ago
9 likes

Good grief, the world is full of idiots.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of them appear to be driving cars.

What a tool!

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