Music producer puts up £1,000 reward for safe return of stolen LTN gnome; We’re all sniggering at Silca’s ri-dick-ulous mount; Ben Foster signs for Garmin; Count the BMWs; AA apology; Giro gravel stage (+poll); 100th birthday + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
AA apologises for parked van pictured blocking segregated cycle lane
I’m not sure this was the reason the Bee network was installed in Cheadle Hulme.@TheAA_UK @OfficialTfGM @Chris_Boardman pic.twitter.com/g71KGJDPV6
— Andy Brown (@abrown1707) May 15, 2021
Over the weekend we shared the story of the AA van spotted blocking a cycle lane in Manchester.
At first, the AA did not help itself, replying to Andy: “it looks as though the patrol is attending a breakdown. Our patrols will assess the situation to find the safest place to park, for them and other road users.” Right. This did not go down well, so much so that the AA’s President Edmund King got involved to say it “doesn’t look great” and that they would investigate…
A couple of days later and Andy got a copy of said investigation including the recognition from the driver and the AA that the parking position was wrong and both parties apologise unreservedly.
This seems like a positive outcome.
— Andy Brown (@abrown1707) May 17, 2021
The photos got a lot of traction on social media with Gus Hoyt saying it “sums up car culture in the UK […] because to them a broken down car is more important than the safety of cyclists.” Another local said they had used the cycle lane earlier in the morning when there were children riding in both directions.
Happy with the AA’s response?
Count the blue BMW drivers...
New favourite past time is watching compilations of people destroy their cars by driving through the Rufford Ford in Nottingham 😂 https://t.co/rfhsCFkfdx pic.twitter.com/wNBg0tBtZO
— Daniel Ley (@daniel_ley) May 17, 2021
Best stage of the Giro? Peloton prepares for 35km of gravel over the white roads made famous by Strade Bianche
#Giro104 🇮🇹 / Bonne nuit les amis. 🥰 pic.twitter.com/1VFCIfqaTc
— Renaud Breban (@RenaudB31) May 18, 2021
162km with 2,300m sounds like a fairly reasonable punchy day out for the pros, but those menacing grey sectors on the profile are what is important today…the gravel made famous by Strade Bianche will be unleashed on the Giro. Fortunately for the riders there is no rain forecast, so no repeat of the 2010 epicness when Cadel Evans won in the mud.
Evans recalled that famous stage to Eurosport: “It was cold, raining, long, and there were crashes, and you didn’t know what was going on because of the mud and everything. Going back to my mountain bike days, I was a pretty well-balanced all-round rider, but I could excel in the mud and the extreme conditions. So you put in an extreme stage like that – and it wasn’t just extreme, it was really quite muddy – and I was in my element.”
If it is a mountain biker you are looking for today then we know a guy…
La historia de Egan Bernal en el mountain bike: https://t.co/HWqhd69eK9 pic.twitter.com/ny4yFz11G7
— ESMTB.com (@esmtb) July 31, 2019
And if you needed any more reason to tune in…
Among other reasons to watch the Giro today, after 60km the race takes in ‘the most photographed road in Italy’ (has anyone ever checked? How?) at La Foce… where there’s also an outstanding restaurant! pic.twitter.com/P0JkmAz331
— Daniel Friebe (@friebos) May 19, 2021
Ri-dick-ulous memes galore as Silca's eye-catchingly shaped computer mount has us all sniggering
Is it just me or does it look like something from? @Lovehoney
— JT 😺 (@JT2UK) May 18, 2021
This angle of Silca’s new Mensola computer mount was quickly purged from all of the brand’s social media channels after it received a lively reaction from potential customers. Cue dick jokes, penis puns and sex toy silliness…
On our story, where you can find all the hard facts about the product, Chris Hayes was wondering what sort of market penetration Silca expected? Captain Badger noted its practicality, saying: “Quickly bolt it on, and you’re ready for action…”
As you would expect, Twitter did its worst too…
Do you think it vibrates???
— Evy_MTB (@Evy_MTB) May 18, 2021
Was about to say – I’ve got one of them. Then I realised it was a cycle part.
— Sally Smith (@Sporty_sal) May 18, 2021
A bicycle cockpit is vital, I’m sure they just wanted to get to the point with every member of the cycling community, that they would see this, stand to attention and get the thrust of their idea. Sliding the computer on to form one aerodynamic package.
…..I’ll get me coat.
— Aaron Cooper (@Coop8640) May 18, 2021
Poor Silca’s flashy Instagram collage of some of the product’s other less eye-catching angles got plenty of engagement, but mainly from people wondering why the other picture had been deleted…
And then the memes came…
Poll: Gravel stages at Grand Tours...love them or hate them...or somewhere in-between
Fans tend to love them, riders usually dread them. Is it fair to bring the unpredictability and puncture danger of gravel stages to GC battles? Or is it all part of the sport and makes the racing more exciting? Personally, I love a bit of gravel chucked into a stage. The 35km on today’s parcours might be at the top end of what seems reasonable but hey, it will likely be more entertaining than a road stage over the same route….
Tory councillor gives Hammersmith Bridge ferry update confirming it should be up and running by first week of September
Nicholas Rogers, a Tory councillor, has provided some answers to the growing list of questions and concerns surrounding Hammersmith Bridge’s closure. Following a meeting with relevant parties, Rogers confirmed the ferry should be up and running by the first week of September in time for the return of schools.
To meet this deadline the piling work would need to start by July 19 which is the immediate concern considering the need for Marine Management Organisation consent, which can take up to thirteen weeks.
TfL will know well in advance of September if the target will not be met and has said it will let residents know details closer to the time. One concern has been that the ferry is due to end crossings at 22:00 due to staffing and objections about noise from residents. However, TfL has also committed to reviewing the end time once services start.
The ferry should take around 90 seconds to take pedestrians and cyclists across the Thames.
Evans Cycles celebrates 100 years on the UK high street
Evans Cycles is celebrating 100 years on the UK high street by taking a look back at where the popular chain came from. In 1921, Frederick W. Evans opened the first store on Kennington Road in south east London and traded under that one location as a trusted local bike shop until the 50s.
Now, Evans Cycles has over 50 stores across the country and employs 700 staff and mechanics. Sir Chris Hoy was quick to join in the celebrations for the brand that distribute his kids bikes. “I’ve worked closely with Evans Cycles to help inspire the next generation of riders. Whether that’s future Olympic champions, or those that simply want a greener, healthier way to travel, brands like Evans Cycles play an important role in helping them get there. Here’s to the next 100.”
Evans says it has more centenary activities planned and that all its stores were dressed to celebrate the milestone yesterday.
I want to break free: Another good day to be up the road at the Giro
The final kilometres today are from a picture postcard. Here are the white roads that await the peloton of the Giro d’Italia.
Oggi gli ultimi chilometri della tappa si corrono dentro una cartolina. Ecco le strade bianche che aspettano la corsa rosa!#Giro pic.twitter.com/tfZAlViCLn
— Giro d’Italia (@giroditalia) May 19, 2021
Here is what is in store for the pros at the Giro today…and it is looking like it is going to be another win from the breakaway. With just over 90km to go the 11 escapees have a little under 13 minutes advantage…Taco is back up the road for Wanty along with three-time Giro stage winner Enrico Battaglin, Harm Vanhoucke and eight others…20 km until the first of the white roads…
So far we have had four winners from the break, who do you fancy to make it five?
Garmin announces partnership with Ben Foster
Prepare yourself for Premier League matches uploaded to Strava. Watford goalie Ben Foster has partnered with Garmin to promote the brand’s devices and support his training. Maybe this will give us answers to the pub debate about how far a goalkeeper runs during a game. My money is on 2.5km…
We chatted to Ben back in March about life as a professional footballer with a cycling hobby (or maybe those two should be the other way round)…anyway, that was the first of our Drink at your Desk Live episodes and we have another one for you coming this Friday. Journalist and presenter Orla Chennaoui will be joining us for a cold one and a natter about all things cycling. Keep your eyes peeled for more details…
Gravel chaos...Evenepoel (and nearly everyone else) dropped by Filippo Ganna and Ineos Grenadiers
Wonderful what Ineos did here, just like I expected. Race totally destroyed and Remco way back. The Empire can win the Giro today. #Giro pic.twitter.com/FJCXehN4OZ
— Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) May 19, 2021
It looks like it could be coming back together but the race has been blown to pieces on the first gravel sector by Filippo Ganna and Ineos Grenadiers. Movistar made the front group along with Trek-Segafredo and Peter Sagan…we have still got three more to go and the next gravel is coming up now…it feels like time for a lie down already…
Maybe Sir Brad was training last night after all
Cannot wait for this! I’ll be hosting my first ever Tour De Force cycling camp in Les Deux Alpes, it’s open to everyone! For further details sign up here https://t.co/LyTRjZXRMt pic.twitter.com/p97vNeFgOw
— Brad Wiggins (@SirWiggo) May 19, 2021
We had our doubts Wiggo was actually out training when these pristine modelled photos appeared on his Instagram…but it seems he has something to prepare for after all. Not many details about this yet apart from that it is three days riding in the French Alps. Hard to go wrong with that, to be fair…
Talking of Brad…it can’t be, can it?
Looks like Wiggo fell in some glue and tripped over in Sky Orca’s wardrobe.
Massive overcorrection too on the no-socks theme. pic.twitter.com/5MtAyCG6DJ
— Rad Diggins (@mocycling) May 18, 2021
Qhubeka Assos' Mauro Schmid wins 'Strade Bianche' stage of the Giro d'Italia
After 162 spectacular kilometres of dust and sweat on the white roads, here is the final km at Montalcino!
Dopo 162 chilometri di polvere, fatica e spettacolo nello sterrato ecco l’ultimo chilometro a Montalcino!
Powered by @supersapiensinc #Giro pic.twitter.com/qfdDcBneyS
— Giro d’Italia (@giroditalia) May 19, 2021
Well, the white roads of Tuscany did not dissappoint. Look away fans of Dan Martin, Remco Evenepoel and Davide Formolo. Qhubeka Assos’ 21-year-old Swiss rider Mauro Schmid won the stage from the breakaway as Remco faltered. Egan Bernal sensed blood and went for the throat, putting 2:09 into his Belgian rival. Of the GC riders, Aleksandr Vlasov, Emanuel Buchmann, Simon Yates and Damiano Caruso fared best but Bernal now has a 45 second lead.
Now we wait for the photographers to get their best snaps in…
💗 Giro – Stage 1⃣1⃣
📌 Castiglion del Bosco – km 116
🍷 Brunello di Montalcino Wine Stage
🚴♂️ Breakaway
⏱️ 9’19” > Gruppo Maglia Rosa
💻 Live: https://t.co/j8ggiiKeUQ
🏁 46 km#Giro pic.twitter.com/GmiJNOdCAL— Giro d’Italia (@giroditalia) May 19, 2021
Music producer puts up £1,000 reward for safe return of LTN gnome
£1000 Reward! This is a ridiculous sum, but many thanks for the offer @scaramanga_silk. This story is getting madder and absolutely madder. #whostolepcplod https://t.co/cwkqngl9MF
— @Athirty4 (@Athirty4) May 17, 2021
This might be the weirdest live blog headline I have ever written. In fact, make that the weirdest story too. There is an LTN gnome thief on the loose in Oxford and what started as a simple enough campaign to get missing ‘PC Plod’ back has now got a £1,100 reward thanks to the generosity of a music producer and DJ.
Scaramanga Silk, an anonymous DJ whose debut record sold for £30,000 on music collectors’ website Discogs back in February, put up the reward for the safe return of the decorative gnome taken from an LTN planter on Salegate Lane. Silk told BBC Radio Oxford he had been a fan of the artist Athirty4’s work for a few years and wanted to help out.
“As a fellow artist I’ve always admired Athirty4’s creativity,” he said. “I’m a supporter of green and environmental projects and I felt the way Athirty4 was putting out his message was really creative and very original. So when he reported that PC Plod had gone missing and needed some help, I’m fortunate enough to be in a position to do so. As a fellow artist I don’t really like seeing when someone’s work is abused.”
There was initially a £100 reward and a local printing company then published some banners free of charge to set the campaign in motion. “I felt we needed to put the reward up to a more significant amount to get whoever this person is to come forward and return the work. I see it as a body of art rather than just a gnome,” Saramanga Silk continued.
So why was Athirty4 decorating Oxford LTNs and front gardens with gnomes? The artist says it is to draw attention to people “ripping up their front gardens to park cars, leaving no room for flowers or shrubs”. His Vocal Gnomes campaign is a protest against the impact of increased car ownership on the environment, particularly when front gardens are paved for parking spaces. That will sound familiar to readers who remember Leicester City Council’s prized Victorian neighbourhood…
#whostolepcplod ? Let’s see if we can get this campaign under way. In response to a neighbour’s paper notice in the Salegate Lane #LTN road block, I placed a new policeman in the same spot this morning. The search for PC Plod has begun. #vocalgnomes @TheOxfordMail pic.twitter.com/IfEgKqUNeT
— @Athirty4 (@Athirty4) May 9, 2021
#whostolepcplod There is somebody out there who is in possession of the missing police gnome, PC Plod. The demand for posters by East Oxford residents is quite amazing. I’ve had to ask for some more to be printed. #vocalgnomes pic.twitter.com/8Bn4TmSzvp
— @Athirty4 (@Athirty4) May 12, 2021
19 May 2021, 08:06
19 May 2021, 08:06
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Latest Comments
@belugabob I've been in a few different hotels in recent years and never had any difficulties with keeping my bike in my room. I always take a couple of newspapers with me to spread out under the bike to stop any drips of oil/water etc getting on the carpet. One hotel even had a nice timber post in the room, for me to lock my bike to. One of the hotels had a secure lock up room for bikes, but were happy for me to keep the bike in my room because it meant I didn't have to drag away a member of staff to get my bike at busy breakfast / check out time. When I went to stay in N Yorks for the 2019 World Champs, the only inconvenience was breakfast being crowded because the Italian Junior women's squad's bikes were being stored in the main dining room! The only slight downer is looking like a bit of an eccentric as I carry my bike down the stairs and through reception in cycling kit.
Another one for the "just because we can doesn't mean we should" pile for me I think, my cheap (£35) photochromic glasses that I use for commuting at dawn and dusk may take 30 seconds to adapt fully to changing light but they start pretty much immediately and I hardly ever feel that they are too dark or not dark enough; if I hit a patch where they really are too dark, sudden tunnels et cetera, one quick hand swipe (same as with these) moves them down to the end of my nose so I can look over the top of them. No precious battery resources wasted, nor the price of a decent secondhand bike.
Great report, sorry, yet another great report, about LTNs which the MSM will instantly leap into action, pens poised, recorder buttons pressed, camera shutters primed, to ignore completely. It's simply not controversial enough. The lurid claims of the anti-LTN mob, of congestion, pollution, danger, plague and pestilence, will however, be front page news. The media in this country actively works against the best interests of the population, with a few notable exceptions: the ITV expose of Reform was good, very good.
This is the arsehole who insisted the Brexit would make the country (and world) a better place. The sooner we stop reporting on any bullshit that leaves his mouth the better.
Undoubtedly this is clever technology, but I wonder about the safety aspect of having to take your hands off the handlebar to switch modes. I get that the rapid response rate improves things to a degree but if I go from sunlight to shade on a poor quality road (of which there are many, as we know) do I want to take one hand off the bar in order to lighten my glasses….? Photochromatic may be slower but will get there without intervention (and at far less than half the cost).
@Rendel Harris - perhaps there is a gap in the market for hyadrationpak.com?
@kingleo I'm sure they may be but Lime's UK profits last year were around £4M; a standard 27-bike docking station costs around £100,000 installed and they have around 50,000 bikes in the capital. £185M would be a big ask for a £4M p.a. operation, even if you could find 1800+ suitable sites, which would be next to impossible.
@belugabob At a certain Scottish branch that shall remain nameless just in case any of Premier's brass are reading we turned up shattered with filthy bikes, when we asked the manager if there was somewhere we could clean them he said, "Ach it's just mud, it'll hoover off in the morning, up ye go!"
@Rendel Harris, I would have thought that the e-bike companies' owners are mega rich; they can afford to put lots of e-bike docks in place. The problem is that they are an outstanding business success; they are too successful, from nothing a few years ago to what we see now.
With reference to a hotel where " You can take your bike right into your room" ... Premier Inn have been doing this for years and therefore have had lots of our custom, on multi-day trips. Not once has any member of staff batted an eyelid - in fact, on one occasion we asked if they had paper towels to clean our bikes before we took them inside, and they shrugged then gave us 2 enormous fluffy white bath towels (needless to say, they weren't white for long.
30 thoughts on “Music producer puts up £1,000 reward for safe return of stolen LTN gnome; We’re all sniggering at Silca’s ri-dick-ulous mount; Ben Foster signs for Garmin; Count the BMWs; AA apology; Giro gravel stage (+poll); 100th birthday + more on the live blog”
> Happy with the AA’s
> Happy with the AA’s response?
Yes, if it is acted upon in future and we don’t have any more examples of parking for convenience of the patrol at the expense of pedestrian or cyclist safety.
Only time will tell….
A nice idea would be if the
A nice idea would be if the AA put up a poor parking portal so that people could submit photos of poorly parked AA vans and for each one, a donation was made to a cycling charity. That would show a bit more intention than just an apology.
Although I like the idea, I
Although I like the idea, I think this then just becomes a bell*nd tax – park where you like as long as you’re prepared to pay a small fee. If the minimum donation was somewhere in the region of £50,000 per offence, however, then I think we are definitely on to something!
Yes, but the bean-counters
Yes, but the bean-counters will most likely want to push the costs onto the van drivers, so I reckon it’ll end up having the desired effect.
I would state “any charity”
I would state “any charity” as it is not neccesarily going to be cyclists incovenienced with future bad parking.
AlsoSomniloquism wrote:
It sends a message about sharing the roads, though.
I was trying to make the
I was trying to make the point that the next bad parking job could be incoveniencing wheelchair users and ot impact bikes. So a road death awareness charity might be more inclusive on who is inconvienced and still send a message.
That ford compliation is
That ford compliation is hilarious. I liked the one where the number plate falls off !
I think it is also great that
I think it is also great that it provides entertainment for the whole community, who all seemed to have turned out and were cheering with oohs and aahs. Really enjoyed it but I can’t help thinking that the council really should have some clear warnings as to how deep that is? Not sure if there is a legal definition of a ford when compared to a river crossing??
bobbinogs wrote:
Maybe they could install some kind of technology that animates an analogue scale to indicate the depth, in real-time? But, how to make it simple enough for dipsticks?
From the YouTube channel,yes
From the YouTube channel,yes theres a channel devoted to this stuff seems a regular source of entertainment for the locals, it’s only visible one side, this is my fave compilation https://youtu.be/rd2c1YVHn6Y
Though compilation 17 has BMWs with bicycles
If this where I think it is
If this where I think it is then it is a cut through to Centre Parc’s from the A1.
Went to Sherwood forest CP several years ago and turned around before the ford (flood signs were out) as wasn’t going to risk it. Took the slightly longer way round but saved on costly repairs.
Natural LTN?
“it’s only visible one side”
“it’s only visible one side”
If you are talking about the depth meter, there is one on either side as you can see the other at 1:05 in the video when one of the three Beemers are rescued.
It was a foot deep so I expect they all thought “that isn’t deep” but being as the cars max depth is only about 8 inches it was more then enough.
My mistake,in my defence it’s
My mistake,in my defence it’s not visible on all the clips.
It’s fairly local to me, and
It’s fairly local to me, and there are signs at either end of the road too. The problem arises when people leave the golf club just up the road (not that saying golfers are more likely to drive BMWs?) and forget they’ve driven past a road closed ahead sign earlier. It does seem to stay deeper for longer than it used to too. It can be a rat run to Centre Parcs and Sherwood Pines when sat-nav tries to avoid Ollerton roundabout. There’s usually a pile of bumper trims and undertrays at the side of the road which should act as a warning, but seldom does.
Interestingly, in the owner’s
Interestingly, in the owner’s manual for my 2005 MINI, it says I can drive slowly through a foot of water, which actually seems rather generous. So I guess I could have made it!
bobbinogs wrote:
— bobbinogsReminds me of the villager who was asked by a motorist how deep the ford was, and was told it was only a few inches. He drove in, and his car stalled when it was flooded by the three feet deep water. He rounded on the villager for lying about the depth, to receive the response
“Well, it only comes halfway up our ducks.”
It was a little bit
It was a little bit schadenfreude but watching those BMWs get destroyed was funny AF. Felt like a little bit of karma!
Best thing I’ve seen for ages
Best thing I’ve seen for ages! If nothing else it proves that BMW drivers do appear to drive like morons even if there is no one else on the road with them.
In all seriousness, getting water in an engine is usually terminal. I was told to drive at a speed that does not create a wake, but keep the engine running fast enough to avoid stalling and maintain exhaust pressure. Which is fine until King Cock approaches in the opposite direction at speed in their 4×4, hence why I usually drive through floods in the centre of the road.
I mean, it’s highly risky to
I mean, it’s highly risky to take a car through a foot of water anyway, but why do these people go in so fast? Thus guaranteeing bow waves, splashiness and engine drenching. It’s puzzling.
yes. thats what I do . low
yes. thats what I do . low gear and high revs even slip the clutch if its a manual. Also don’t do it if you dont know how deep it is.
If you don’t know the level
If you don’t know the level of the air intake on your car you should never attempt to drive through flooding (If you do drive a car I highly recommend knowing where your air intake is). On some cars the air intake is very low, often a scoop low down. If you suck water into the engine you will create a hydraulic lock in the cylinders and bend a con rod. At one time this would meant an engine rebuild. In this day and age it is terminal as garages no longer repair cars, they just swap out bits.
I discovered over the winter
I discovered over the winter that riding through deepish water, overflowing river on river cycle routes and flooded bridleways, in my mostly waterproof winter 5 10s, is not good, the tounge is only water resistant, grr, and the pedals are fully submerged on the bottom stroke, which forces the filth past the seals and into the metal derlin bearing interface.
This requires an urgent strip down and grease, if not the metal bearing surface becomes scarred and damages the derlin, thus shortening the life of the pedal. I will avoid doing this in the future.
Just do short pedal strokes
Just do short pedal strokes keeping the pedals (and feet) out of the water. You should be going slowly any way in case of potholes. Won’t work on a fixie though.
Silca’s eye-catchingly
Silca’s eye-
catchinglywateringly shaped computer mountTFTFY
I dispute Evans still exists
I dispute Evans still exists as something recognisable from pre 2018. The name does, a few staff do but restructuring to save money by the Grinch (Mike Ashley) has dramatically changed it for the worse. The behaviour of their diabolical online team and its negative effect on shop staff (web orders mess up, delivers missing and damaged goods, is not phonable, replies to emails in 1-2 weeks, and it all leads to ” we cannot deal with this go to a store” where instore teams have no access to weborders and do their best) *breathe here* just makes me sad. I’d like to still shop with them occasionally but what’s the point when they can’t do their jobs propery through no fault of their own. Plus headline from March “Evans Cycles to axe 300 staff and move remainder to zero-hour contracts in cost-cutting measures.” The shop staff deserve much better.
= NPlus1Bikelight… wrote:
[quote NPlus1Bikelight…]
I dispute Evans still exists as something recognisable from pre 2018. The name does, a few staff do but restructuring to save money by the Grinch (Mike Ashley) has dramatically changed it for the worse.
[/quote]
You beat me to it. Evans in its current Ashleyfied incarnation is almost not worth visiting any more.
The Gnome “Anaonymous DJ”
The Gnome “Anaonymous DJ” made me look to see if Ogmios had done another vid yet.
Still no, but he did do this safety video for TFL so get your fix. His twitter is saying soonish for a new video but that has been his reply for months now.
There was an interesting
There was an interesting article about Shimano and their refusal to increase component production on Reuters the other day for anyone interested: https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/shimano-is-too-scared-going-too-fast-2021-05-17/.
Takeaway: don’t expect the component shortage to come down any time soon.
I think I had seen a simialr
I think I had seen a simialr article on the GFX card and PS5 shortages. Essentially the companies involved don’t want to spend loads to upgrade to meet the current demands as they believe demands are artificially high and short term.