“It hurts watching it”: Expressway coaches’ bizarre ‘cyclists-as-loser’ advert (+ more dreadful cycling ads); Fabio Jakobsen’s “dream” comeback; Cav talks Tour de France; How far to the top?; Sagan shreds; The kids are alright + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
"It hurts watching it": Expressway coaches' bizarre 'cyclists-as-loser' advert
No need for the wheelies. There’s an easier way to get around.
Be like Tomo and book, plan and manage your journeys online using MyExpressway.
Take it easy at https://t.co/kHjh1FMOHA#MyExpressway #TakeItEasy pic.twitter.com/GnJxUIwrEh
— Expressway #MyExpressway (@ExpresswayIRE) August 17, 2021
Expressway coaches’ new ad will have you cringing…What better way to attract new passengers by having a pop at cyclists. ‘No need for the wheelies. There’s an easier way to get around.’ Firstly, I’d love to see someone do a wheelie on a tandem, let alone from the front seat, and that’s before we even start with the ad itself…
The cyclist’s bemused expression at the end was all of us watching. Some have said the most baffling aspects is that Expressway run journeys between Irish cities, meaning that people who use bikes for shorter journeys aren’t even the target audience…and, even if they were, what part of that advert is going to make them want to take an Expressway coach?
Here’s some of the reaction…
Dublin Cycling Campaign called it “a strange new advert from the ‘cyclist-as-loser’ genre. Is it some kind of attempt to win back customers post-pandemic? What’s the strategy here? Expressway coaches, which mostly cover inter-urban routes, aren’t in direct competition with bicycles. It’s bizarre.”
What is actually wrong with you? Feel bad if you actually had to pay someone for this ad. No other way for marketing but playing busses against cyclists game??
— Aliona Wynn (@aliona_wynn) August 17, 2021
No comment.
It hurts watching it.— AskYourLocalGerman (@AskUrLoclGerman) August 18, 2021
How far to the top? A celebration of those soul-destroying climbs that never end
Asked a Norwegian cyclist heading down how far it was to the top. After a long pause he said, “You don’t really want to know.” He was right. pic.twitter.com/6SIIAbEt8G
— stuart stevens (@stuartpstevens) August 17, 2021
We’ve all been there. On a new climb with no idea how far to the top. This is already giving me flashbacks to the 5km climb out of Lochearnhead, Stirling on the A85 that I limped up this summer. Made worse by the fact it wasn’t even one of the ‘proper climbs’ on the route that day, and the streams of drivers chugging past as I struggled up the hillside. Good views though.
Emotional Fabio Jakobsen completes "dream" comeback with Grand Tour stage win at La Vuelta a España
A more popular winner all year you will not find. Fabio Jakobsen, a little over a year on from the horror crash at the Tour of Poland which left him with a frightening list of injuries, has returned to the top of the sport. The former Dutch champion won yesterday’s stage four of the Vuelta and was understandably emotional after the finish.
“This is a dream,” he told his Deceuninck-Quick-Step team. “I want to thank my family and the team, my second family, because they are the reason I am here. It’s the most beautiful victory of my career and I can’t thank everybody enough for what they did for me. It’s been a long road since last year, and to be here, a Grand Tour stage winner again, makes me incredibly happy.”
Jakobsen might have made it two from two by teatime tonight. Stage five should be another easy day for the peloton, finishing with a bunch sprint in Albacete. This was one of the stages bookmarked for possible crosswind action, but the current weather forecast means that shouldn’t be an issue.
Stolen cargo bike
Mel, her partner and their kids have been riding around the UK for the last four months on their cargo bikes, posting updates on their blog. Yesterday, two days before they leave, one of their bikes, including panniers, helmets and toolbox was stolen in Beverley when they left the key in the lock (easily done). The pic has been shared in a local Facebook crime page and been shared 700+ times so hopefully this one will have a happy ending…
Ethan Vernon: the next big star of British cycling? Olympic Games to Tour de l'Avenir win in a month
Winning his first UCI road race in the biggest U23 stage race on earth, just days after competing on the track at the Olympics.
No wonder our U23 rider to watch @EthanVernon22 looks happy.
📸 Anouk Flesch pic.twitter.com/mL5Fa5prqt
— The British Continental (@BritishConti) August 17, 2021
In a matter of weeks Ethan Vernon has competed at the Olympics and won a stage of Tour de l’Avenir – the top U23 race in the world. He doesn’t turn 21 until next week…not bad.
The Cat & Fiddle Challenge charity ride returns this September with two routes over the iconic climb plus a bonus off-road option
The Cat & Fiddle Challenge charity ride returns on 12 September after a year on hold due to the pandemic. Gold medal machine Jason Kenny and Sean Kelly are two of the cycling greats who have taken on the challenge over the years. There are two routes this year, both taking in the famous seven-mile Cat & Fiddle climb, as well as a new off-road option.
The Cat & Fiddle Challenge route is 96km with 1,292m of ascent, the Cat & Fiddle Classic route is 85km with 1,122m of climbing and the Towpaths, Tracks & Trails option takes in 199m of ascent over 48km. 95 per cent of this new route is off-road. All the rides start from Port Vale FC’s ground in Stoke-on-Trent where Rourke Cycles will be offering mechanical help. On the route there will be Nuun Hydration feed stations as well as prizes to be won from Continental Tyres, Big Bobblehats and the Cat & Fiddle Distillery.
"The Tour is not a bike race, it’s a world sporting event": Cav talks his love of Tour de France
Mark Cavendish has spoken to Danish TV show Radio Tour about his love of the Tour de France. Visiting after riding the Tour of Denmark, Cav said: “The Tour is not a bike race, it’s a world sporting event. It’s a different level. People who have never been don’t understand. Every time you do an interview with one of the riders, whether it’s a rider with personality or without personality, they always say ‘the Tour is the Tour.’
“It’s the only bike race in the world where you have 180 of the best bike riders at that time, all in peak form. The consequences of winning or losing are just bigger. That’s why the emotions are so high. The stress is different, it’s something you have to prepare for.”
On Monday, Cav was confirmed as the first rider for the upcoming Tour of Britain. The race starts in Penzance in Cornwall next month and regional news site Cornwall Live is getting into the Tour spirit, asking the hard-hitting journalistic questions…
Cadex launches 160g handlebar
Cadex, the component brand owned by Giant Bicycles, has unveiled a new Race handlebar with a claimed weight of just 160g (that’s for the 42cm-wide version). Cadex says that it employs a no-bond manufacturing process and a precision layup technique that are similar to the ones it uses to create its wheels.
“A unique one-piece moulding process eliminates the need for bonding, which results in a superlight weight that’s significantly lower than leading competitors,” says Cadex.
The drops have an elliptical profile. On most options there’s a 72mm reach and a 125mm drop although the 380mm-wide model has a 68mm reach and a 120mm drop.
“The tops feature a gently curved ergonomic design with a flattened rear section for comfortable hand and thumb positioning,” says Cadex.
We have reviewed slightly lighter handlebars on road.cc before. The Schmolke Roadbar Oversize Evo TLO handlebar (measured at 44cm outer to outer) came in at 147g, for example. That bar was £450, though. The Cadex Race handlebar is a little more affordable at €399.95, which is about £340 at today’s exchange rate. However, there are currently no plans to bring it in to the UK so you’d need to source one from abroad
The other eye-catching cycling adverts we've come across...not all for the right reasons (ft. Vikings, Tour de France dreams and Walmart bikes)
No need for the wheelies. There’s an easier way to get around.
Be like Tomo and book, plan and manage your journeys online using MyExpressway.
Take it easy at https://t.co/kHjh1FMOHA#MyExpressway #TakeItEasy pic.twitter.com/GnJxUIwrEh
— Expressway #MyExpressway (@ExpresswayIRE) August 17, 2021
If Expressway wanted to catch plenty of eyeballs on its new coach advert, then they can tick it off as a success. If Expressway wanted said eyeballs to like said advert, then they’ve got some work to do. The reaction to the crigeworthy addition to the ‘cyclists-as-losers’ genre has continued to roll in this lunchtime, with some saying it exceeded expectations for just how bad it was…
It’s not the first time we’ve covered some naff adverts here at road.cc…
In June, Toyota was mocked for releasing a pic on Instagram of a £27,000 off-road vehicle alongside a rather disappointing looking mountain bike, captioned ‘Our Ideal Adventure’. Some questioned if the bike had in fact just been picked up from Walmart for $100…
It’s not all bad…Danish broadcaster TV2 hit the nail on the head with its Tour de France promo. So unbelievably good it even had us wondering if Dave B was going to get us on the phone for a late call up…brilliant.
And what about the Danish Road Safety Council’s helmet safety comedy worthy of Netflix. Fair enough, you might not agree with the message, but give it a watch purely for the entertainment factor…
Sagan shreds
A different way of training on my bike that I enjoy a lot! Thanks to Luca Leonardi for following me and filming me!@BORAhansgrohe @iamspecialized @sportful @ride100percent pic.twitter.com/96q3hPjCJx
— Peter Sagan (@petosagan) August 17, 2021
London Ambulance Service recruits' Public Safety Cycling course
And they are off! @LAS_CycleTeam welcomes a new cohort of paramedics 👋, this week they are doing their Public Safety Cycling #PSC course! Good luck to all of you and enjoy the week! #TeamLAS #cycling #London @Ldn_Ambulance pic.twitter.com/mqQhxhtDNm
— LAS Cycle Team (@LAS_CycleTeam) August 18, 2021
"An advert brought to you by candidates of The Apprentice?": Reaction to Expressway coaches' bizarre 'cyclists-as-loser' advert
This may have been made tongue in cheek, but the advert feeds into the underlying negative attitudes towards cyclists on public roads. Dangerous underlying message.
— Frank O’Leary (@folear) August 18, 2021
We can’t repeat some of the reaction to Expressway’s shocker…let’s just say Jay Cartwright’s famous line hanging out the window of a yellow Fiat Cinquecento Hawaii edition has been a popular response…
On Facebook, Mike Lister wondered if the project was actualy the work of the next series of candidates on The Apprentice.
Paul Michaels added some words to live by, “I’d rather wear a helmet than be one”. (No helmet debate please).
Under this blog, Jenova20 said: “That’s pure cringe. I’m not convinced youngsters actually talk like that either…”
eburtthebike added: “Wow! This must be front runner for 2021 worst advert, and a good bet for worst of the decade. The ad agency must be so proud; does anyone know who is responsible, or are they denying ownership? I can’t imagine anyone being persuaded to go on one of these coaches when you’d have to share it with people like that. Maybe they were trying to be funny, but it’s just moronic.”
Dorest district nurses getting around by e-bikes
District nurses in Dorset have ditched their cars for e-bikes when visiting patients. The idea began in Purbeck but has expanded to Dorchester and Bournemouth after NHS Trust bosses offered £2,000 to encourage nurses to switch. Costs for running a car topped £600 a year and the nurses are now able to bypass traffic jams, promoting a healthy lifestyle at the same time.
“We had the idea after a trip to Gouda in Holland, where healthcare staff use bicycles to get to appointments all the time,” Lead District Nurse for Purbeck Hattie Taylor told Dorset Health Care. “Purbeck isn’t quite as flat as Holland, so we found electric bikes worked better, especially when you’re trying to go uphill. Even so, they are a much better alternative to cars. You can get through traffic more easily, and don’t have to worry about finding a parking space when you get to an appointment.
“They save on travel costs and help to reduce pollution. Cycling also gives us a bit of clear headspace between visits, and we feel like we are setting a good example around staying fit, active and healthy. Our patients love it when we turn up with our helmets on. It’s an amazing feeling getting around the community on two wheels, it’s like district nurses use to do in the old days, and I was keen for other teams to have that choice.”
Taipei Cycle returns as hybrid show in 2022
Taipei Cycle, one of the world’s largest cycle shows, will return as a physical show and virtual event in March 2022. It will be the first hybrid event, with pre-pandemic in person shows being replaced by strictly virtual editions in 2020 and 2021. This year’s show attracted 110,000 visitors from 81 countries online, but the 2022 industry show and exhibition will be back live between March 9-12 2022.
The online aspect of the show is designed to allow those from countries with cross-border restrictions or differing time zones to get involved via the virtual exhibition.
Where's G?
Right, where was I riding today? First person to guess the bay correctly wins a signed TDF race number 🏴🏴
Good luck 👍 pic.twitter.com/drJS7aJgmB
— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) August 18, 2021
18 August 2021, 08:07
18 August 2021, 08:07
18 August 2021, 08:07
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Latest Comments
The problem with roadcc's coverage of Nick Freeman is that it's focusing too much on his controversial hot takes, rather than the well-known work he's done road safety campaigning. For balance, Nick has been very vocal recently on the dangers posed by electric cars for cyclists and pedestrians, writing (on X): "Pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users often rely on hearing an approaching vehicle. That’s why I believe EVs should emit synthesised warning sounds at all speeds, not just low speeds. Road safety must always come first." I think we can all unite around that sentiment rather than the more divisive number plates argument which I disagree with. Nick thinks that "accountability" comes with identifiability. I agree to some extent, but you have to balance the risks posed by a form of transport with the loss of freedom and increase in state power resulting in having mandatory identity numbers. Cycling doesn't even come close.
@HarrogateSpa : Exactly. Clickbait articles such as this to keep the advertisers happy.
@hawkinspeter Hmm... while there is sensible stuff in there it's even better where the design and human nature carries more of the weight than rules or guidance. Speed limits being one; if it was just on the rules that would be a lesser way of ensuring safety than the road / space design. (Of course just changing a number on a sign *does* work to some extent, presumably in part via the "anchoring" effect and "when in Rome"). I'm thinking more of what we have in eg. UK motorway-design-level thought and applying that *. One example would be the Dutch taking the observation that a certain fraction of people will make dangerous overtake no matter the rules, paint or even considerations of their own safety and a muffed overtake can have very severe consequences ... and then simply banning overtaking on some classes of roads (and even bringing in physical barriers some places). Hey presto - a whole class of problems they don't have! (It's not perfect of course, lots of legacy roads there). * Only some classes of vehicles allowed, everyone going the same direction with no crossing traffic or stopping / parking, rumble strips at edges, energy absorbing crash barriers, curved layout to stop people falling asleep...
I liked his graphs.
And yet not three weeks ago you were actively canvassing likes. Good liars need good memories, Nigel.
@chrisonabike - the Highway Code is a good example of fool-tolerant rules. The emphasis is on how to minimise causing danger to others, but also avoiding collisions even if the other road users are being arseholes (e.g. not running over cyclists even if they're blatantly cycling on the wrong side of the road)
Bless you, I didn't realise you place your self-worth on the number of likes you receive on an internet forum. I've never yearned for the approval of others, I'm just satisfied in the knowledge that I've constructed a coherent and noteworthy post. The best one I've done so far was the one I gave with your pipe, ale and suggestion to move to my leafy cul de sac. I have to admit I cheekily read it back to myself a few times and chuckled *every single time*!
Yeah, I think you're right, it did get a bit more "oh yeah? Well what about this?!" latterly. There's a lot more polarising going on. I blame myself. And the unicyclists.
"They want us all locked in our homes...!" "Not all, only some..."
@hawkinspeter fool-tolerant design? Fool-foiling designs sound better but they tend to have unfortunate side-effects - at least when combined with human nature *. "Sustainable Safety" - design expecting mistakes and some rule-breaking eg. corner-cutting - but be *forgiving*. That means while *feedback* is provided (see adverse camber, slightly uneven driving surface etc) favour "everyone gets to their destination safely" over "the rules must be respected even at risk of collateral damage!" The penalty for failure shouldn't be serious injury or death. * Few want to be thought a fool and some may prove it if they believe that assumption was made.
42 thoughts on ““It hurts watching it”: Expressway coaches’ bizarre ‘cyclists-as-loser’ advert (+ more dreadful cycling ads); Fabio Jakobsen’s “dream” comeback; Cav talks Tour de France; How far to the top?; Sagan shreds; The kids are alright + more on the live blog”
Wow! This must be front
Wow! This must be front runner for 2021 worst advert, and a good bet for worst of the decade. The ad agency must be so proud; does anyone know who is responsible, or are they denying ownership?
I can’t imagine anyone being persuaded to go on one of these coaches when you’d have to share it with people like that. Maybe they were trying to be funny, but it’s just moronic.
It rivals the ambassador’s
It rivals the ambassador’s reception for being so corny.
I miss the ambassador’s
I miss the ambassador’s reception.
brooksby wrote:
Do you have to buy your own chocolates now?
TheBillder wrote:
I miss the ambassador’s reception.
— TheBillder Do you have to buy your own chocolates now?— brooksby
They don’t taste the same if you have to buy them yourself…
I doubt any ad agency would
I doubt any ad agency would own up to that. It has the look of a “The Apprentice” style marketing ad challenge thrown together by a bunch of wannabee entrepeneurs. I suspect it was an “in house” production.
Yes, and I could see those
Yes, and I could see those tremendous actors as employees of the coach company…
Expressway – if you are going
Expressway – if you are going to wear a helmet, at least put it on correctly.
WHOPPER!
WHOPPER!
.
.
Pointedly, everyone wears a
Such poverty of imagination! Tommy plays his role to a tee, the whole plot line just reinforces the stereotype of coach travel as hobson’s choice for losers.
Here is a better approach:
Sriracha wrote:
Nice rack!
Shame they decided to use a tandem for the ad as you’d never get a tandem into one of those racks. I’m not sure that I’d choose a tandem for commuting either as it’s less flexible than having two separate bikes but maybe I’m over-thinking this.
I used to see a tandem locked
I used to see a tandem locked up outside one of the other biology buildings when I worked at the Uni, bumped into him one afternoon, he would take the kid to school, then continue to work, and then pick the kid up on the way home.
I think this is a likely reason for when seeing single rider tandems…
That’s pure cringe. I’m not
That’s pure cringe. I’m not convinced youngsters actually talk like that either…
A rather better story
A rather better story
https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/19519424.teenager-undeterred-disability-marathon-effort/
Its ripe for a Father Ted
The Expressway ad is ripe for a Father Ted “Down with this sort of thing” meme
Awavey wrote:
This advert can…
The ad is cheesy as hell but
The ad is cheesy as hell but not ‘that bad‘. The most unbelievable bit is probably that it’s trying to make coach travel the posh or desirable option – will never happen without a massive upgrade of the coaches used and a dedicated coach lane for the busy bits 😉
Who wants a twitter-speeding
Who wants a twitter-speeding bot on their road?
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/twitter-speed-bot-bristol-clocks-5796929
Where do the tweets appear? I
Where do the tweets appear? I couldn’t see an example tweet.
I did see this horrendous story just below the article.
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/cctv-captures-terrifying-moment-speeding-5784811
hirsute wrote:
Presumably you set up the twitter account when you install the app.
Here’s the Glenfrome Rd one: https://twitter.com/GlenfromeRdBot
That horrible CCTV story was covered before, but without the CCTV footage. It’s where the defendant would have welcomed a lifetime ban.
(Two-mile hill is just up the road from where I live)
55mph, 56 mph in the last
55mph, 56 mph in the last couple of hours
hirsute wrote:
Looks like it’s turned into a competition already.
There was a 59 just before
There was a 59 just before midday
hirsute wrote:
If only there was some way that the police could set up cameras to catch them
hawkinspeter wrote:
“Would have welcomed a lifetime ban”.
Bullshit. Clowns like this guy think this crap plays well in the courts but they get back on the road as soon as they can. That twat that injured a child cyclist was already banned at the time of the offence. We need some effective enforcement.
Eton Rifle wrote:
Normally I’d agree, but in that particular instance the motorbike rider was also seriously hurt and his defence stated: “He won’t be able, mentally or physically, to return to the road in any event.”
Totally agree about effective enforcement. I’d like to see more police presence on the roads and better use of ANPR cameras as well as plain clothes police cyclists catching mobile phone users. I’m convinced that it could pay for itself, but it requires the political will to make drastic changes to funding and to maybe recognise that we do actually need a war on motorists if we want to keep the planet suitable for people to live on.
hirsute wrote:
That’s the story I mentioned last week when first reported in the Post. The motorbike’s brakes were secured with cable ties…
hawkinspeter wrote:
[/quote]
If it was emergency services they want relieving of driving duties…..
Captain Badger wrote:
Mr Wilcox says that the bot on Glenfrome Road recently detected a vehicle travelling at 60mph in a 20mph zone. However, as the system is anonymous, it is possible that the vehicle was that of the emergency services.— Captain Badger If it was emergency services they want relieving of driving duties…..— hawkinspeter
I’d bet the hooks from my rims that it wasn’t emergency services
I’d bet the hooks from my
I’d bet the hooks from my rims
I like that. Might have to use that in the future…
I might have just read a
I might have just read a certain article about hookless rims
If anyone fancies setting up
If anyone fancies setting up a twitter speeding bot, the code is here: https://github.com/BerkshireCar/SpeederBot/
There’s a blog post here giving some info about it too: https://www.digitalsmartarse.co.uk/speed-data-for-all/
Interesting. $9 or 10 a month
Interesting. $9 or 10 a month but I guess you don’t need to run it for many months.
Hope those bristol speeds have the &units=imperial parameter !
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56748346
“Drivers already own 32 million cars – that’s up 28% since 2001, during which time the population has only risen by 13%. And by 2050 there will be 44 million cars in the UK – so start looking for that parking space now.”
“Lucy Marstrand-Taussig points out that 58% of UK car trips are less than five miles so there is huge potential for reducing motor traffic.”
This is why we need to stop those cycle lanes ! Mind you, they are handy to park my car in…
The most bizarre thing about
The most bizarre thing about that bus advert is the magical materialising mask that appears on her face between the bike and the bus.
The most bizarre thing is
The most bizarre thing is they believe it’ll attract passengers. I ride a bike because it’s faster than taking the bus and afterwards I still smell better than the average bus passenger…
As much as I disagree with
As much as I disagree with pretty much everything she ever said or did, Margaret Thatcher’s comment on those over the age of 30 riding a bus having failed at life kind of feels appropriate in this situation. Don’t the bus companies realise that most of the people who cycle are at least averagely well off, and in a lot of cases when you look at the cost of the bikes they ride, noticeably better off than most people who will be riding the bus?
I actually used to quite
I actually used to quite enjoy riding on a bus, in the Before Times (now it feels too much like being asked to rub an open wound on a park bench…).
Being able to completely switch off and read a book or something while being taken to work was quite pleasant (my bus route wasn’t particularly scary).
Quote:
Dorest?
Wanna buy a spell checker?
Wasn’t the helmeted guy on an
Wasn’t the helmeted guy on an escooter rather than bike? Dumb advert obv but not like anyone will watch it.
It’s tough making a bus remotely cool for kids. Gotta start creating that common enemy for them to gang up against.
Looks like that expressway
Looks like that expressway tweet is deleted.