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"I rode ten miles to the bike shop clenching it between my buttocks": Reader's collapsed saddle nightmare; Anti-LTN vandalism; "Bet you I can"; Pros injured by driver; National champs reaction; Merckx addresses Remco criticism + more on the live blog

Here we go again...Dan Alexander is the man behind the keyboard today, bringing you all your live blog action
18 October 2021, 13:29
"I rode ten miles to the bike shop clenching it between my buttocks": Reader's collapsed saddle nightmare

Hope everyone has finished with their lunch...reader John Forbes has the definitive answer for 'when's a good time to get a new saddle?' When it's hanging off, leaving you perching precariously on the rails...

John was leading a ride back in June when this atrocity occurred. In his own words..."It had been looking worn for a while, but was a really comfortable saddle and matched the Pinarello bike. It has indeed done a considerable mileage. After it collapsed, I managed to ride it ten miles to the bike shop clenching it between my buttocks." I bet they got a laugh when he waddled through the door.

"The person on my wheel described it as like watching his wife do her maternity pelvic floor exercises." At least there was some saddle left and not just a very unforgiving seatpost...

We're having a bit of a component failure special today inspired by a post over on the forum. One of our readers has shared a pic of his snapped Shimano crank along with the tale of a weekend fall. What started as a mysterious creak ended with the rider hitting the deck and needing some new cranks..."So, sometimes a creaky noise isn't what you think it is," hawkinspeter concluded. I guess if you're putting out that many watts it's bound to happen eventually...

We've heard a few similar tales, especially involving Ultegra or Dura-Ace, so we'll have a look into it...(and be checking our cranks at the first opportunity)...

18 October 2021, 15:34
Cyclist-powered concert

Ed Sheeran, Coldplay and KSI performed at the Earthshot Prize awards ceremony outside Alexandra Palace this weekend. The music was "powered" by 60 cyclists...no wonder NewsThump had a pop...

18 October 2021, 15:29
"It rains 150 days a year in the Netherlands, we bike 365"
18 October 2021, 14:34
More than 50,000 people waiting on cycle hangar space
Lambeth Bikehangar

More than 50,000 people across the UK are on waiting lists for on-street bike hangars, according to new figures obtained by PA and reported by Wales Online. The numbers show there are just 20,000 hangar spaces but 51,000 people on the waiting lists. 

Many of the facilities are in London and some boroughs have thousands of residents waiting. Hangars usually offer space for six bicycles and have proved popular amongst cyclists who want a safe place to keep their bike but don't have space in their accommodation.

Some of the other council areas to have hangars include Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol and Salford. There are hundreds of people of the waiting list of both Scottish cities. As of yet, no council areas of Birmingham, Cardiff, Liverpool or Newcastle have hangars.

18 October 2021, 14:08
British Heart Foundation's London to Brighton returns in 2022 for first edition since 2019
London to Brighton (CC licensed by youngie:Flickr)

The British Heart Foundation's London to Brighton charity ride will return in 2022 after two years of absence because of the pandemic. The charity hopes around 16,000 cyclists will take on the 55-mile ride on June 19 with the aim of raising more than £2.8 million. There is expected to be record interest in the event and a ballot system has been set up to notify riders if they've been successful by December.

18 October 2021, 11:59
Just in time for Christmas! Which non-cyclist relative will be getting you this?

Cav is making hay while the sun shines...time for another book.  

18 October 2021, 10:31
Eddy Merckx downplays Remco Evenepoel criticism, insists he's a big fan of Belgian youngster
Remco Evenepoel (screenshot from YouTube)

Eddy Merckx appears to be keen to put the rumours he dislikes Remco Evenepoel to bed, telling Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws he is a big fan and, "as far as I'm concerned there's no problem". Merckx made headlines for questioning Evenepoel's place in the Belgian World Championships team, arguing the 21-year-old is not a team player.

At the time Evenepoel said: "I have a lot of respect for Eddy and apparently that is not mutual." Merckx dismissed this in his latest comments published by the Belgian press. "As far as I'm concerned there's no problem. I’m a big fan of Remco — let that be clear," the five-time Tour de France winner said.

"Remco can race. There is a serious 'engine' in that body. Given the circumstances, Remco had an excellent year. Don't forget that he fell heavily [at Il Lombardia], it could have all turned out differently."

Merckx also emphasised he was not critical of Evenepoel at the World Championships, just the Belgian team..."Obviously he was fine! That's the sad thing. But that tactic…It all started with the team selection. Wout is your only leader, but why didn’t he get a teammate like Nathan Van Hooydonck for support. That makes no sense. And all those Quick-Step riders, was that necessary? I didn't like it. But the biggest mistake was Remco. If you take him, it can’t be as a domestique. That was, in fact, my message in that article."

18 October 2021, 10:10
Androni Giocattoli pros in hospital after collision with driver in Italy

Italian pros Simone Ravanelli and Luca Chirico were hit by a driver while training near Padua this weekend and were quickly rushed to hospital for x-rays and treatment. The pair were hit by the driver as the vehicle left a petrol station.

Euro Weekly News reports Chirico suffered a compound fracture to his right collarbone, while Ravanelli suffered a fracture to the talus of his right ankle. The team shared the news on Twitter: "Best wishes for a speedy recovery to our Simone Ravanelli and Luca Chirico who were hit by a car while training on the Padovan roads ahead of Sunday’s last race of the season."

Ravanelli rode this year's Giro d'Italia, finishing tenth on stage 12 won by Andrea Vendrame from the breakaway.

18 October 2021, 08:52
National champs reaction: Ben Swift keeps jersey for another year, Pfeiffer Georgi claims women's crown

The weekend of national champs racing began on Friday with the nighttime circuit races over the Lincoln cobbles. Ethan Hayter set himself up for a shot at the hat-trick, adding the crit crown to his TT title. Jo Tindley of the not-so easily said Pro-Noctis – Redchilli Bikes – Heidi Kjeldsen team took the women's race solo.

Yesterday, it was time for the main event of the week — the road races. First up, Pfeiffer Georgi backed up her eighth place at the Women's Tour by earning a sharp new jersey for next year. Josie Nelson took silver, while Hour Record breaker Joss Lowden was third.

On the men's side, Ineos Grenadiers made it a clean sweep of TT, circuit race and road race, but it wasn't Hayter this time...Ben Swift defended his title, powering away from Fred Wright and Harry Tanfield on the final ascent of Michaelgate. Tanfield was heartbreakingly caught by Hayter's late surge and ended up off the podium. 

18 October 2021, 08:35
"Bet you a tenner you can't get this double wardrobe on your bike": Pedal Me rider makes some extra cash on the side

Turns out yes you can carry a double wardrobe on a bike... 

18 October 2021, 08:15
Weekend round-up: Cav tattoo, cycling pet peeves, road.cc podcast with Alexandar Richardson, overshoes and a very flash Focus
roadcc podcast episode 9 lead image

So, what did you miss while you were out enjoying a couple of days off? 

On Saturday we had the story of the fan who proved his love for Cav by getting a great big tattoo of his face on his leg. We were talking tats on the Friday live blog, little did we know Paul James was about to blow the competition out the water. Check it out here...

At the end of last week we released the next episode of our podcast. This time we're talking about bike-jackings — what can be done to stop the worrying trend? We caught up with Alpecin-Fenix pro Alexandar Richardson, the most high-profile victim of one of the Richmond Park incidents, to hear about his frightening experience.

We also discuss our cycling pet peeves...get ready for red light jumping and those who don't say hello...

Elsewhere on the site, there's a buyer's guide for overshoes if you're looking for a solution to cold feet now that the weather has turned...and our bike at bedtime was Focus’ top-flight racey Izalco Max 9.9...

18 October 2021, 07:24
Anti-LTN protesters vandalise planters and hang banner at councillor's house

These were the scenes in Dulwich over the weekend as some, angry at local low traffic neighbourhoods, protested the schemes. The group had signs, one saying 'We want our roads back!' and vandalised one of the planters stopping drivers from using a shortcut.

The road closed sign had 'mind closed' scribbled over it, and a sign saying 'Cyclists against road closures' was stuck in the planter. Slightly more worrying was the news Labour councillor Margy Newens, a supporter of the road closures, had "a banner from the anti-LTN demonstration strategically placed on my garden wall".

Newens said: "Very shaken to be targeted for hate in my home again today of all days. Abusers just letting me know they know where I live? And letting everyone else know too? Feeling rather sick."

Some questioned if our 'cyclists against road closures' sign maker even owns a bike, while others pointed out the irony their protest was conveniently unaffected by passing traffic, thanks to the planter...

LTNs, for whatever reason, seem to attract a passionate reaction from those who oppose them. Our archives have more than a few cases of LTN vandalism, and back in August two people were arrested in nearby Lambeth in connection with vandalism and removal of signs.

Elsewhere in the capital, one LTN in Hackney was vandalised within 24 hours of installation, while another scheme in Ealing had oil poured on the road. Vandalism has been reported in Manchester too, where a motorist filmed themself ramming a planter off the road.

The city's cycling and walking commissioner Chris Boardman responded to the  incident by insisting anti-LTN vandals "won't intimidate us".

Dan joined road.cc in 2020, and spent most of his first year (hopefully) keeping you entertained on the live blog. At the start of 2022 he took on the role of news editor. Before joining road.cc, Dan wrote about various sports, including football and boxing for the Daily Express, and covered the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for The Non-League Paper. Part of the generation inspired by the 2012 Olympics, Dan has been 'enjoying' life on two wheels ever since and spends his weekends making bonk-induced trips to the petrol stations of the south of England.

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113 comments

Avatar
Captain Badger | 2 years ago
5 likes

RE Dulwich Anti LTNers

Avatar
GMBasix | 2 years ago
0 likes

In fairness to the unelected vandals, the "Road Closed" signs shouldn't be there in most cases.  The roads are still open , but there is a filter point/zone through which motor vehicles may not pass.

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to GMBasix | 2 years ago
5 likes

GMBasix wrote:

In fairness to the unelected vandals, the "Road Closed" signs shouldn't be there in most cases.  The roads are still open , but there is a filter point/zone through which motor vehicles may not pass.

Well if you recall they used not to, originally there were planters and signs saying "Road open to [in symbols] wheelchairs, children, cyclists, pedestrians" but the poor drivists complained this made their brains hurt and they couldn't figure out if this meant they were allowed in or not.

Avatar
Simon E replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
10 likes

Nigel Garage wrote:

The emergency services complained about exactly what you are talking about because they were concerned that they would not be able to reach vulnerable, sick or dying people with the set up you describe.

And surely those concerns were addressed, weren't they?

So why are these people vandalising street furniture and intimidating councillors and residents?

And if the idiots are so concerned about emergency services getting access to residential streets why do they insist on driving so much, causing congestion & lethal pollution and blocking the roads? Whenever I see an ambulance or fire engine going slowly with lights & sirens it's ALWAYS because they are held up by a queue of stationary cars!

Meanwhile you might wish to be reminded that research by Imperial College on 72 LTNs found that they were “associated with a substantial decline in road traffic injuries”. Some stats below.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/uk-travel-traffic-news-london-road-ca...

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2021/apr/23/opponents-...

Avatar
Hirsute | 2 years ago
0 likes

What's happened to HP's crank thread? All I get now is a 403 error.

Has it been degloved :eek:  ?

 

Avatar
chrisonabike replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
11 likes

Thread was stripped - too much talk...

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mdavidford replied to chrisonabike | 2 years ago
1 like

chrisonatrike wrote:

Thread was stripped - too much talk...

laugh

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to chrisonabike | 2 years ago
4 likes

chrisonatrike wrote:

Thread was stripped - too much talk...

Only Monday but I think we can safely say you've won Road.cc this week.

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
2 likes

hirsute wrote:

What's happened to HP's crank thread? All I get now is a 403 error.

Has it been degloved :eek:  ?

I got an email from Mat Brett asking for some details about my crankset, so they're most likely going to do a piece about the Ultegra/Dura-ace problems.

And can you stop making me read the word "degloved"?

Avatar
Hirsute replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
1 like

It doesn't take people long to realise putting ideas into my head is a bad move !

Avatar
mdavidford | 2 years ago
2 likes

Quote:

More than 50,000 people waiting on cycle hangar space

Is it right next to the country's best cafe or something?

Avatar
chrisonabike replied to mdavidford | 2 years ago
3 likes

How many road cyclists are there? I think it's Rod Liddle's fantasy:

 

Avatar
Steve K | 2 years ago
2 likes

Many years ago, I had a seat post snap on me.  Luckily I was not impaled upon it, and also I was fairly near my destination so able to walk the rest of the way.  Quite a shock though - there was a 'pop' and suddenly my saddle was no longer attached to my bike.

Avatar
PRSboy | 2 years ago
8 likes

For anyone interested, ITV4 7pm today (monday) showing the national criterium championship highlights.

Avatar
eburtthebike | 2 years ago
7 likes

"Mind Closed" from mindless vandals.  

Thankfully those Chinese irony meters are cheap enough to have two, but supply is becoming critical in the UK.

Avatar
chrisonabike replied to eburtthebike | 2 years ago
5 likes

eburtthebike wrote:

"Mind Closed" from mindless vandals. 

Another opportunity to quote the Ranty Highwayman: "the streets are not too narrow, your minds are too narrow".

Avatar
brooksby | 2 years ago
12 likes

It's a good job those barriers and planters were there so that the demonstrators could safely stand in the road  3

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Ride On | 2 years ago
1 like

"Safe to say our rider pocketed that"... not sure there is anything safe about it, just because you can stick a double wardrobe on your bike doesnt mean you should!

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chrisonabike replied to Ride On | 2 years ago
1 like

I initially took it for a coffin...

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Sniffer replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
18 likes

There is no evidence to Nigel's claim that LTNs 'now seem to be pretty much universally opposed.'

He is just looking for a reaction.

Avatar
Hirsute replied to Sniffer | 2 years ago
5 likes

And he has changed his name again !
 

Avatar
AlsoSomniloquism replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
2 likes

If you are talking about Nige Drives Cars and Bikes. New account, not a name change. No idea if it is them as well, but not a spoof like socrapi from what I can see. 

Unless he changed Nigel Garrage and changed it back again in the time I was away from the forum. 

Avatar
Hirsute replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 2 years ago
2 likes

Nigel Garrage -> Nigel Garage

Subtle change for no clear purpose.

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
4 likes

hirsute wrote:

Nigel Garrage -> Nigel Garage

Subtle change for no clear purpose.

It's to get around people blocking their inane comments.

Avatar
Hirsute replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
2 likes

They can't be that dense to think that anyone who has already set up a filter can't add a new line into 'my filters' ?

Avatar
AlsoSomniloquism replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
2 likes

Well you did mention the other day you don't see his posts.......

Although at least when you mentioned about blocking them, you followed through. When our Boo promised to block people who was rude to them it turned out to be another of their long list of lies. 

Avatar
Hirsute replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 2 years ago
1 like

All the ones I ignore I have tried to engage with over time, but eventually it is pointless as all that happens is it becomes clear that their MO is to inflame and it saves my blood pressure from being raised.

Avatar
ChasP replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
2 likes

So he can get some likes for his drivel? (From himself)

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Sniffer replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 2 years ago
5 likes

I suppose you would need a second account to like your own posts.

Nigel is probably that shallow.

Avatar
Sniffer replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
4 likes

Yep, just to get another reaction.

His tactic of using a Liddle article,  or something like last weeks Daily Mail link, or a Freeman reference is solely to get people to bite.

I may point out his tactics, but he really isn't worth the effort of knocking down his specious arguments.

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