Had your cycle lane ripped up? Blame Lance Armstrong; Peloton instructor tells class to think of their dead relatives for motivation; Help woman with cerebral palsy find stolen bike; Jeremy Clarkson calls Sadiq Khan a 'f*******' + more on the live blog

The absolute state of the arguments against cycle lanes. This is the latest https://t.co/fLG8xRHobU

— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) December 18, 2020

This is a new one on why cycle lanes are a bad idea... Anir Banbasu recalls asking RealOne Chiswick about cyclists and getting the answer that they shouldn't be trusted because of Lance Armstrong. Banbasu posted: "I asked someone about cyclists and they said 'Lance Armstrong - banned for life, stripped of all prizes from Aug 1, 1998, including 7 Tour de France and 1 Olympic medal... not to be trusted.'"

Jon Wright replied: "Wait what? i just want to take my kids to school without being hit by a distracted SUV driver, not cycle around France..."

I see their point, I always get in the EPO before my daily commute! And I steal stationary when in the office!

— Nathan Darby (@nathandarby) December 18, 2020

So, is the reason some people dislike others cycling to work and school in London because of a Texan who was stripped of seven Tour de France titles? Let us know your thoughts in the comments as always, and don't go getting banned for life from anything on your weekend ride. 

We are SO EXCITED to announce that @AdamBlythe89 will be joining our Christmas games show tonight! ✨ If you want to see him get quizzed on all things cycling - along with our other wonderful cycling stars - be sure to tune in LIVE at 7pm this evening: https://t.co/HdSyNHlS2d pic.twitter.com/4X9AukQ9xI

— Cycling UK (@WeAreCyclingUK) December 18, 2020

"There might be some empty chairs this Christmas...

...which means there's some extra servings to be had. So before you eat up all that food your dead relatives won't touch let's get those feet in motion!"

— Horhay Blanco (@HorhayBlanco) December 18, 2020

absolutely lost it at "and so we're gonna climb" https://t.co/StLbGGWfUN

— Ashley Feinberg (@ashleyfeinberg) December 18, 2020

The Argus reports that two bike shops in Eastbourne have been targeted by thieves in the past week. Police officers were called to Evolution at 1am last Sunday and found that the store's front window had been smashed and an Evil Wreckoning mountain bike taken. Thieves then returned at 11.30pm, and repeated the crime this time taking a Santa Cruz Heckler electric cycle.

Two days later, Cycle Tech was targeted. A Raleigh Motor Grand Tour and a Mondraker Dusk RR29er electric mountain bike were taken from the shop in Pevensey. Police believe the two raids could be linked.

Anyway yeah I wasn’t joking here’s the video of the Peloton instructor who wanted me to think about my dead relatives during a festive spin class pic.twitter.com/LFH6mtvZlp

— John Cullen (@cullenthecomic) December 17, 2020

John Cullen knew something was up when his Christmas ride on Peloton was interrupted by the song 'Hallelujah'. What he didn't expect was to be asked to think of his dead relatives for motivation...

 The instructor, who John is quick to point out usually has a great music taste, pulls on the heartstrings saying: "One of the hardest parts of the holidays, is that sometimes there might be an empty chair. I know that's been a part of my journey this year, it's been a part of a lot of our journeys this year and so we're going to climb in honour of the empty chairs."

So get out the saddle, stamp on the pedals and think about everyone you've lost this year...Here's some more Peloton gold for your amusement: 

Can I interest you in a palate cleanser? pic.twitter.com/tLxsJalymb

— Jake Regier (@jakeregier) December 18, 2020

Man I wish I bought a 2k bike and paid a monthly fee to be reminded to set my bike to hill climb mode to pedal for my dead grandma

— Vox Populi (@voxpopulx) December 18, 2020

Peloton: If you ain’t peddling for the dead, you ain’t riding with us.

— Thanos (@FightOnTwist) December 17, 2020

On January 7, Kate Strong will attempt to break three world records for the furthest distance covered on a static bike in one, 12 and 24 hours. To break the records, Kate will have to cover 35.3km in an hour and 348km in 12 hours. There is no current record for the 24-hour effort but considering the distances she's trying to beat for the previous two, I think we can expect an impressive marker to be put down for future challengers.

Kate was the world champion in her age group for long-distance triathlon in 2014 and the triple record attempt is all part of her training to take on the Limitless Challenge. Starting in 2022, she is hoping to become the first person to attempt the cycle Race Across America, swim the English Channel and summit Everest, all within 12 months.

The Race Across America is a 3,000-mile endurance cycling event that travels from the Pacific to the Atlantic passing through 12 states and climbing nearly 60,000m of elevation.

What can I do? Is the bike replaceable?

— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) December 18, 2020

Here's a heart-warming story from social media this morning. The response to Dani Jacobson's tweet has seen hundreds of people offer to help replace Dani's sister's bike, after it was stolen from her flat in Golders Green. Tali has cerebral palsy and her "greatest joy is cycling around on her big red trike, singing at the top of her voice." 

Lots of Twitter users, including Jeremy Vine, have offered to donate a new bike or help contribute to the cost of one. Dani explained that the bike is quite unique to Tali's needs so they're are hoping to find it. One of the retailers of the bike, RMS Limited, has offered to sort a new bike for free if it isn't recovered...

Hi Dani! We are a retailer of these trikes - I've had a look and we have this deep purple one in stock - these are made to measure so would need to make sure it fits, but looks close from pictures once we attach a backrest - if the old trike is lost - it's yours for free. Dm me! pic.twitter.com/VMI5VsteSU

— RMS Limited (@RMSRehab) December 18, 2020

She has a big repertoire but this is one of her favourites! https://t.co/AJXRrWvNJR pic.twitter.com/z6I8gk3lY9

— dani jacobson (@daniellarivka) December 18, 2020