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“I’m a 60-foot lorry… it’s easier for you to go back as a pushbike”: Countryside stand-off between cyclist and driver turns heated; Carrera Jeans or Quick-Step 2.0? Alpecin-Deceuninck brings double-denim kit to the peloton + more on the live blog

Hop on the road.cc live blog with Adwitiya for a Thursday full of cycling news and views, discussion and debate, and some general chitter-chatter

SUMMARY

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15 February 2024, 09:22
“I’m a 60-foot lorry… It’s easier for you to go back as a pushbike”: Countryside stand-off between cyclist and driver turns heated

You've heard of Mexican stand-offs, now get ready for a countryside stand-off, between a cyclist and a lorry driver over who should reverse to allow space for the other to pass... Sorry, that sounded way more exciting in my head.

As bizarre as that sounds (almost like a knockoff Michael Mann or Quentin Tarantino thriller), on the narrow, country roads of Hampshire an impassé so deadlocked that neither party could give an inch took place, with this video of a lorry driver asking a cyclist to reverse to allow her to pass doing the rounds on social media. Her claim? That it would be "easier for you to go back as a pushbike, than it would be for me as a 60-foot lorry".

First off, I am instantly suspicious about someone who uses the word pushbike unironically. Secondly, I am even sceptical about someone who phrases things like 'you're a pushbike' and 'I'm a lorry'.

But my dubious thoughts aside, the cyclist seems to have turned down the driver's request/command (it's a little difficult for me to judge by the tone), and asks her instead: "Where am I supposed to go?"

The driver replies, "To a wide bit! I can see a bit just three...", when the cyclist interjects: "I can see a wide bit over there!", pointing to behind the truck. 

"You think it's easier for me to reverse? I'm 60-foot long and the same width as this road as you can see by the fact that you can see I'm in the hedge on both sides," the driver says, hastily turning the camera the other way round to show a glimpse of the lorry barely managing to fit on the unpaved lane, with the side-view mirrors grazing the hedges.

The cyclist asks, "Why should I turn around and go back?", to which the driver replies: "Well surely it's easier for you to go back as a pushback than for me as a 60-foot lorry."

The cyclist then tells the driver that she "shouldn't be down here anyway", to which the driver replies saying that she's going to her field, before the clip cuts off abruptly, leaving us wanting a resolution to the thrilling stand-off (with that ending, it seems more of a Chris Nolan movie).

Incidentally, the video has drawn varied reaction on this lovely little thing called social media. While some believe that the cyclist had the right of way and that the lorry driver should pick a road better suited to accommodate the vehicle, others have argued that it would indeed be easier for the cyclist to give way, and that reversing the lorry with the mirrors being blocked by the hedges would be dangerous.

One person, who claimed to be a cyclist said that they'd be "quite happy to ride back and find a wider section for the truck to pass", with this alternative being "far easier and quicker". Another person agreed, saying they would avoid the confrontation in a first place and leave everyone a little less annoyed.

Some were quite critical of the lorry driver, while others defended the lorry driver wholeheartedly. A Twitter user said: "What a lovely sounding lorry driver! What on earth is she doing on a single track lane in a 44 ton HGV", while another reply said: "News to a few on here wondering why a lorry goes down tracks. It’s called agriculture. Farmers and horse owners need access to take feed/equipment/livestock down them."

There were obviously a few replies spewing blatant anti-cycling vitriol, but I think we can do without mentioning them on the live blog this beautiful Thursday, can't we?

In the meantime, I think this post might sum the whole faff up?

15 February 2024, 10:25
Gianni Vermeersch new Alpecin denim kit 2024
It’s in the (Carrera) Jeans… Alpecin-Deceuninck brings double-denim to the peloton — or is it just Quick-Step 2.0?

What date is it? Surely not April 1st?

Or more like, what decade is it? Surely not the 90s?

Because the peloton has been done a massive favour (as most of us here at road.cc towers) by Alpecin-Deceuninck, with the Belgian team releasing its new 2024 "double-denim" kit, alongside a new denim-themed logo. It's safe to say, we are all as surprised as we are pleased.

The team, so far racing with its previous season's kit, has announced today that it will be sporting the brand-new jersey at the UAE Tour, with young sprinter Kaden Groves as the team leader.

The team added: "The denim kit is representing our team’s perspective for 2024: daring to stand out, while keeping our feet on the ground. Working hard together, while having fun together. Because jeans are great for any occasion, no?"

Yes, of course! After all, who can forget the iconic look sported by Carrera Jeans in the late 80s and early 90s, one of them being an actual double-denim training kit, all the while winning the Tour and Giro with Stephen Roche, while Chiappucci came up with a string of second-placed finishes at the Giro and Tour (only to be beaten by Greg LeMond and Miguel Induráin, mind you). And coming up to 20 years on Marco  Pantani's death, in my headcanon this is definitely a tribute to Il Pirata.

The more I look at it, the more I love it!

But of course, this isn't the first time a team has tried to force a denim-revival in the peloton in modern times. Just last year, AG2R Citroën raced the Strade-Bianche in denim bib shorts, plodding along the Tuscan countryside in an interesting shade of denim, developed by its kit partner Rosti. It goes without saying, fans were divided.

It's only a shame that it's going to be a nightmare for fans to tell Alpecin and Quick-Step apart in the peloton, because without my glasses on (or maybe after a couple of pints), I wouldn't be able to do so. 

Alpecin Quick-Step kits

PS. Don't tell anyone, but your favourite Northern Irish live blogger Ryan had been struggling to find a pair of Carrera Jeans denim bib shorts to gift his dad for his 60th, but with this new Alpecin kit, he might be having second thoughts... Alpecin, if you're reading this, you know what to send to who!

15 February 2024, 16:53
Stand-off between cyclist and lorry driver
Reactions galore as stand-off between cyclist and lorry driver divides opinion (quite sharply may I add)

The topic was quite touchy to begin with, with some calling in sensibility and common sense into question, others clamouring about the validity and legality of the dilemma. And rightfully so, it's become a topic that has drawn a deep distinction of reactions.

Quite a few interesting ones from Facebook:

Rob Cockburn: "If the story is true then this is a classic case of a jumped up cyclist wanting to prove a point, rather than use common sense. As a cyclist myself it's these kind of cyclists that give the rest (Majority) of us a bad name."

Paul Golding: "Common sense dictates that it’s far easier for the cyclist to back up a bit, and quicker. As a cyclist myself I’ve been in similar situations and have used common sense and moved myself out of the way."

Nicholas Gill: "A lot of talk about common sense here without mentioning that it's also common sense not ro attempt to drive a 44 ton HGV down a road marked "Unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles"!"

Ben Williams: "Is there an equivalent truck drivers site whete they are all saying "this truck driver gives us all a bad name"? . I doubt it so please stop saying it."

Mick Unsworth: "As a cyclist, she is correct that she has right of way, but a bit of common sense would help. She should have stopped a soon as he saw the lorry and looked for a gap or passing space. I often climb a hedge or find a gateway to let lorries and tractors pass."

And then some from road.cc live blog readers:

cyclisto: "I have confronted numerous drivers with numerous ways and numerous results when they park on the bicycle lane, but here I would just ride back. I have driven big vehicles, (fortunately not big as that) and have sat in a lorry's passenger's seat reversing in a narrow road (no space to reverse) where the whole experience took a few hours, so I can feel empathy for the driver.

Besides not sure what happens in UK driving law, but where I am now when two vehicles get stuck, the smaller has to reverse, so in this case where we have a huge lorry (with a seemingly not very experienced driver) and a bicycle it just seems ridiculous that the cyclist still argues.

The road is marked as unsuitable but heavy vehicles are not explicitly prohibited."

Hirsuite: "I can't help feeling there must be a slightly better solution than using a 60' foot lorry on a narrow lane where you can't reverse. What is she going to do if there is a tree down ? It's not like we haven't had various storms in the last 2 or 3 months."

mitsky: "Cyclists v Lorry Driver.
The cyclist could have been very petty and slowly walked the bike back to a wider spot in the road.
Even at walking speed, the lorry driver would likely not have complained as the alternative was to try to reverse the lorry.
The cyclist could have been slow enough to do it so that another motor vehicle driver ended up facing the lorry...
Not saying I would do it myself...  maybe.
The lorry driver needs to know what vehicle is appropriate for that type of road.:

Benthic: ""...it’s easier for you to go back as a pushbike...”

Lorries have a reverse gear. Bicycles do not."

15 February 2024, 16:12
"Flagship cycling route, designed to be underwater for two months of the year"

We all know the state of cycling routes in the UK isn't something to be gloat over, and over the years road.cc has cheekily pointed at the lot, hoping to draw attention and hold the naughty councils responsible for the caretaking to account. But there are times when we come across roads that are simply embarassing, so poor that we are at a loss of words.

Case in point, this route from Cambridgeshire, connecting Swavesey and St Ives and passing through a couple of lakes and the river Great Ouse, part of the National Cycling Network 51. However, despite all that, the route has been underwater and constantly flooded since December!

I don't even have something interesting to comment, other than that this is shambolic.

15 February 2024, 15:30
Under-fire council admits "discriminatory" cycle route barriers were installed without equality impact assessment
"Discriminatory" barriers (Dr Grahame Cooper/supplied)

Bolton Council, which has been criticised for installing "discriminatory" barriers on a cycling and walking route, apparently to prevent anti-social behaviour, has admitted no equality impact assessment was carried out pre-installation but believes it has still acted in accordance with design guidance.

"The real issue is that the barriers discriminate against people who use many types of cycle, including adapted cycles for users with disabilities, and the council's failure to follow due process," Dr Grahame Cooper, a cyclist and Bolton Active Travel Forum Technical Review Group member, told road.cc.

> Read more: Under-fire council admits "discriminatory" cycle route barriers were installed without equality impact assessment

15 February 2024, 15:03
Some good news: All but one of the low-traffic neighbourhoods in Croydon to be made permanent
15 February 2024, 13:58
Stage two of Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta del Sol also called off due to farmer protests

Just a day after the opening stage of the Spanish five-day stage race was cancelled, it’s now revealed that the second stage has also called off due to farmer protests, with the rest of the stage routes also being amended.

Two weeks ago, the opening stage of the Etoile de Bessèges was also cancelled for the same reason.

The Vuelta a Andalucia is now set to start on Friday with a 5km time trial substituted in for the previously planned 161km route, before an abbreviated 100km summit finish on Saturday, according to Het Nieuwsblad

As of now, the last stage seems to stay the same as planned, a 168km route from Benahavís to La Línea de la Concepción, however, that could also subject to change as the protests, which have agitated farmers in several parts of Europe, continue to develop.

A statement released by the race organisers said: “The Vuelta a Andalucia will resume Friday with a time trial in Alcaudete and will conclude next Sunday.

“Due to the inability to count on state security members, the organisation had to reduce the race to three stages, and partly modify the route of the stages. We are waiting at this time for the problems arising from agricultural and transport claims in Spain to be resolved.”

15 February 2024, 13:30
Only one way to settle this: Have your say on Alpecin-Deceunick's double-denim kit!

PollMaker

15 February 2024, 13:12
The reviews have started creeping in for Alpecin's denim kit... Spoiler: They are not favourable (but quite amusing)

It pains, it pains so much! Why isn't every single fan agreeing with me in recognising the true greatness of this gorgeous, groundbreaking, fashionable and nostalgic at the same time double-denim Alpecin-Deceuninck kit?

Initial reviews in the echo chamber of cycling Twitter have not been very favourable to this kit, people have pointed it to be "pointless"... 

Richard Dawson wrote on Twitter: "Considering that the images of their new kit is trending, I would say it has been extremely successful & a very good idea!" I mean as they say, any publicity is good publicity? A few also felt sorry for the commentators who now have the tough task of distinguishing the Alpecin riders from the Quick-Step ones in the peloton (I can get behind this take).

Ouch, that's a little too harsh in my opinion! Anyway, here are my two favourite comments from Twitter that made me smile (social media makes you smile, shocking!)

15 February 2024, 12:49
Female cyclist in London casual winter clothing on hybrid bike - copyright Simon MacMichael
London boroughs accused of “failing cyclists and pedestrians” as report shows no imminent funding plans for cycleways or safer streets

This news takes us to the London borough of Croydon, with a recent report by London Assembly Member, Mayoral Candidate and active travel campaigner Sian Berry revealing that there was a “looming delivery gap” in terms of the number of bus lanes, cycle lanes, safer streets and bike storage facilities being installed by the capital’s boroughs.

Of the many boroughs criticised in the report, the most scathing critiques were reserved for Lewisham, Brent, Croydon, Greenwich and Kingston, which stood out as the ones to not have made funding bids for any greater cycle infrastructure, reports The Standard.

Berry's report found that outer London boroughs received 82 per cent of what they sought from the mayor, while inner London boroughs received 52 per cent. This was in part because TfL wanted to improve alternatives to the car in the suburbs – but was also a reflection of a “lack of ambition” from outer London boroughs to seek investment.

She said that Mr Khan had failed to use powers available to him to compel boroughs to follow his transport strategy, adding that the mayor needed an “early revision” of his transport strategy.

Last week TfL announced that £80.4m would be available for borough schemes in 2024/25, with £41m already earmarked for outer London and £25m for inner London.

These include 150 new or upgraded pedestrian crossings, 125 “bus priority” schemes including new bus lanes, including on Superloop routes, and 20mph limits on roads in Barnet, Brent, Harrow, Redbridge, Waltham Forest Enfield and Richmond.

15 February 2024, 12:11
Conservative politician makes the case against low-traffic neighbourhoods by *checks notes* showing how safe and vibrant they are
15 February 2024, 11:56
Hands up if you want to see Drum & Bass On The Bike back in 2024!

After an incredible year of entertaining cyclists with sick tunes, and everyone leaving glowing reviews of the event, describing it as "mind-blowing", "massive", "crazy" and "immense", DJ Dom Whitting is looking to bring Drum and Bass On The Bike ride back in 2024. I can't say I'm not chuffed!

> Joining Dom Whiting for a Drum & Bass On The Bike ride – a glorious afternoon in every sense

15 February 2024, 11:42
Park rat-run to remain closed to drivers to promote cycling, following trial made controversial by "vocal minority who drive straight through the park"
Poole Park (Facebook/Leave Poole Park Alone)

BCP Council has admitted the response was "much bigger than expected" after it closed a rat-run through a heritage listed park to prevent drivers using the route as a cut-through, in a bid to promote cycling and walking and tackle air and noise pollution, but has committed to keeping the road closure in place now the trial period has ended and more than 5,000 consultation responses are being considered.

And while the council has not shut the route through Poole Park, a 110-acre green space in the Dorset town, permanently — a period of analysis to "understand every piece of feedback and insight on either side of the debate" will follow, potentially with an "open public meeting" — the road, used as a rat-run near Sandbanks, one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in the country, to remain closed to drivers in the meantime now the four-week trial period has ended.

Read more: > Park rat-run to remain closed to drivers to promote cycling, following trial made controversial by "vocal minority who drive straight through the park"

Adwitiya joined road.cc in 2023 as a news writer after graduating with a masters in journalism from Cardiff University. His dissertation focused on active travel, which soon threw him into the deep end of covering everything related to the two-wheeled tool, and now cycling is as big a part of his life as guitars and football. He has previously covered local and national politics for Voice Wales, and also likes to writes about science, tech and the environment, if he can find the time. Living right next to the Taff trail in the Welsh capital, you can find him trying to tackle the brutal climbs in the valleys.

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107 comments

Avatar
brooksby replied to Oldfatgit | 9 months ago
10 likes

Oldfatgit wrote:

Which leads the question of ... did the cyclist magically materialise in front of the truck in that position... or was the truck driver relying on the size of their vehicle to intimidate the cyclist?

Oh - oh!  I know, sir! yes

Avatar
Rendel Harris | 9 months ago
9 likes

Second stage of Vuelta a Andalucia also cancelled due to protests! This is getting serious, I'm in danger of getting some work done and meeting my deadlines at this rate…

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john_smith replied to Rendel Harris | 9 months ago
3 likes

That doesn't sound good. Have you seen the film "Super Sid"? Definitely a good way to kill half an hour of your working day.

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Rendel Harris replied to john_smith | 9 months ago
2 likes

I have not, thank you, marked down for later. Fortunately the Volta Algarve is coming up at 14.50 so all is not lost!

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cyclisto | 9 months ago
6 likes

I have confronted numerous drivers with numerous ways and numerous results when they park on the bicycle lane, but here I would just ride back. I have driven big vehicles, (fortunately not big as that) and have sat in a lorry's passenger's seat reversing in a narrow road (no space to reverse) where the whole experience took a few hours, so I can feel empathy for the driver.

Besides not sure what happens in UK driving law, but where I am now when two vehicles get stuck, the smaller has to reverse, so in this case where we have a huge lorry (with a seemingly not very experienced driver) and a bicycle it just seems ridiculous that the cyclist still argues.

The road is marked as unsuitable but heavy vehicles are not explicitly prohibited.

Avatar
stonojnr replied to cyclisto | 9 months ago
2 likes

I suspect UK law or the highway code suggests you make use of passing places to aid each others passage past.

The problem is drivers in the UK thesedays just won't stop, or simply slow down abit, to allow you as a cyclist to use them, they drive at you, you've got to get out of their way.

The cyclist here was displaying classic British passive aggression in her stance, no doubt completely fed up of being treated that way and was making a point, more power to her.

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brooksby | 9 months ago
5 likes

If that street is where I think it is in Bath, it's a ginnel which has never allowed motor traffic through.

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Doctor Darabuka replied to brooksby | 9 months ago
5 likes

I wonder if James Wright believes the Rt. Hon. B. Johnson is a LibDem? 

In the foreword to 'Gear Change: One Year On' Mr Johnson, in his role as Conservative Prime Minister, said "Almost exactly six years ago, in east London, we began the first of the transformational low-traffic neighbourhood schemes I funded as mayor. There was intense controversy: hundreds of protestors carried a golden coffin to symbolise the “death” we were supposedly causing to the local shops. But the council stuck it out, thank goodness. Now, the local shops and cafes have never been busier, air quality is up, opposition to the LTN has evaporated, and so has some of the traffic."

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Benthic | 9 months ago
7 likes

"...it’s easier for you to go back as a pushbike...

Lorries have a reverse gear. Bicycles do not.

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eburtthebike replied to Benthic | 9 months ago
5 likes

Benthic wrote:

"...it’s easier for you to go back as a pushbike...

Lorries have a reverse gear. Bicycles do not.

And an engine.

Avatar
brooksby replied to Benthic | 9 months ago
3 likes

What is a "pushbike" anyway?

I don't know about other road.cc commenters, but I generally pedal mine rather than pushing it along like a three year old on a balance bike… 

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Gimpl replied to brooksby | 9 months ago
2 likes

I've often called it a pushbike. Not sure what all the fuss is about tbh!

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bikeman01 replied to Benthic | 9 months ago
1 like

Benthic wrote:

"...it’s easier for you to go back as a pushbike...

Lorries have a reverse gear. Bicycles do not.

Is she unable to turn around then? 

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LeadenSkies | 9 months ago
13 likes

Like many here, I am thinking there is more to this than initially meets the eye. At first glance the cyclist appears to be a muppet. Of course it's easier and way faster a solution for the cyclist to turn around and cycle back to the first gateway to allow the lorry to pass. That's SO OBVIOUS that it raised red flag number one. Red flag two is raised when looking at the cyclist, it's not some stroppy male but a middle aged female, not the section of the species best known for provoking bolshy stand-offs which makes me think what went on before. The third red flag is raised by the way the clip ends. I am kind of left wondering whether the cyclist went on to point out that not only was there a gap just behind the lorry but the lorry driver had decided to drive right by it with the cyclist in plain sight. I guess we will never know which of the two, or possibly both, were being totally unreasonable now!

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mctrials23 replied to LeadenSkies | 9 months ago
2 likes

What middle aged women have you been dealing with. They can 100% one of the most obnoxious groups to deal with. They have few fucks to give, often a very stress free life which leads to manufactured stress ie. someone daring to cut their hedge a little short and they are very stubborn.

I'm not suggesting this woman fits that bill with any surety but I have witnessed plenty of middle aged women and men being fantastically obtuse and obnoxious for little reason. 

In this situation I would just get out of the way because I simply don't care enough to make a big deal out of it. The lorry driver is an idiot but no one really wins fighting an idiot with your own idiocy. 

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john_smith replied to mctrials23 | 9 months ago
2 likes

Why do you say the lorry driver is an idiot? On the basis of what can be seen in the film I reckon she seems pretty reasonable.

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ChrisB200SX replied to john_smith | 9 months ago
4 likes

john_smith wrote:

Why do you say the lorry driver is an idiot? On the basis of what can be seen in the film I reckon she seems pretty reasonable.

I expect it's mostly because of the things she said in the video, such as "I'm 60-foot long and the same width as this road as you can see by the fact that you can see I'm in the hedge on both sides,"

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john_smith replied to ChrisB200SX | 9 months ago
2 likes

What's wrong with that?

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bikeman01 replied to john_smith | 9 months ago
1 like

john_smith wrote:

Why do you say the lorry driver is an idiot? On the basis of what can be seen in the film I reckon she seems pretty reasonable.

Apart from stupidly driving up such a narrow country lane in her 60 foot lorry.

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LeadenSkies replied to mctrials23 | 9 months ago
1 like

I deal with my fair share of middle aged women, being of that age myself. Mrs LeadenSkies tells me she has not an obnoxious bone in her body and I don't dare disagree! 😀

I like to think I too would have moved out of the way as that's the sensible thing to do but in my younger days I am ashamed to say I suspect I might have had a few very choice words for the driver.

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brooksby replied to LeadenSkies | 9 months ago
11 likes

LeadenSkies wrote:

…the lorry driver had decided to drive right by it with the cyclist in plain sight.

That would be where I would lay my bet.

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Sriracha replied to LeadenSkies | 9 months ago
2 likes

All we can say for sure; two women can't reverse. The rest is speculation.

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mitsky | 9 months ago
3 likes

With regards to the gouge in Jeff Stelling's car...
How can we be sure it was done whilst he was away from it and the vehicle was parked?

No disrespect to Jeff but a lot of drivers (especially of larger cars) may not notice if they sideswipe something that could cause damage like that.
So in theory it could be self-inflicted.

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ChrisB200SX replied to mitsky | 9 months ago
1 like

mitsky wrote:

With regards to the gouge in Jeff Stelling's car...
How can we be sure it was done whilst he was away from it and the vehicle was parked?

No disrespect to Jeff but a lot of drivers (especially of larger cars) may not notice if they sideswipe something that could cause damage like that.
So in theory it could be self-inflicted.

The damage was quite clearly inflicted by something very strong and sharp being dragged through the metal skin and pulled out, most likely in a sawing motion, possibly to get at some device to allow access and theft of the vehicle.

It's much more likely that this would have been done while stationery, would be very difficult and dangerous to do while moving.

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brooksby | 9 months ago
1 like

Anyone read the latest Eben Weiss blog?

https://bikesnobnyc.com/2024/02/14/atone-it-down-for-chrissakes/

Quote:

I realize I’m old and out of it, but I’ve never felt quite so old and out of it as I do at this moment. When I see a photo like that I think, “Wow, look at the futuristic crabon space bike!” Meanwhile, the entire article is about how antiquated the bike is.

Avatar
brooksby | 9 months ago
12 likes

Quote:

I'm 60-foot long and the same width as this road as you can see by the fact that you can see I'm in the hedge on both sides,"

So that lorry probably ought not to have been driven along that lane in the first place…

Imagine if they'd met another 60-foot lorry.  They would have been stuck there forever.

Avatar
Hirsute replied to brooksby | 9 months ago
0 likes

She said she was going to her field, so I guess she would have co-ordinated with the rest of the household !

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brooksby replied to Hirsute | 9 months ago
7 likes

"Get orfff my road!"  3

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Backladder replied to Hirsute | 9 months ago
4 likes

Hirsute wrote:

She said she was going to her field, so I guess she would have co-ordinated with the rest of the household !

Just because you have a field doesn't mean its a good idea to park a 60 foot lorry in it!

Avatar
john_smith replied to Backladder | 9 months ago
1 like

If you have to transport something heavy to or from the field, how else would you do it?

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