“They even took the grips off the handlebars”: London cyclist locks new bike to railing… thieves steal wheels, drivetrain and just about anything else that could be stripped + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Weekend round-up: Sarah Ruggins' incredible record-breaking ride + "TNT price hike is two fingers to cycling fans"
The weekend kicked off with the superb news on Friday evening that Dr Sarah Ruggins had broken the record for cycling the length of the UK (and back). She rode from John o’ Groats in Scotland to Land’s End and back in five days 11 hours, and 14 minutes.
We spoke to Ruggins’ team to get the full rundown on all her kit choices, from all-out aero to a copious supply of Mars Bars… here’s how she did it.
The latest episode of the road.cc Podcast is out now too, Ryan chatting to former WorldTour pros Harry Tanfield and Sophie Wright about all the big issues in British cycling today, including their perspective on why the infamous “TNT price hike is two fingers to cycling fans”. Listen to the episode here.
In Tech of the Week we took a look at a pair of featherweight road shoes, plus a Capri-Sun-inspired Eddy Merckx, the new Garmin Forerunner watches, Rapha’s latest kit collab and more.
Finishing off the weekend was Bike at Bedtime, Mat going down memory lane this week for a look at the original Boris Bike.
"It was a really cool stage": Giro peloton enjoys rest day after chaos of Strade Bianche gravel stage
SWpix’s Zac Williams was on fire at the Giro yesterday, getting all the best shots of the gravel chaos…
As you’ll be well aware by now it was an absolute corker, the most entertaining stage of the race so far, Wout van Aert taking a popular victory ahead of Isaac del Toro, the Mexican getting a quality consolation prize in the shape of the maglia rosa.
Del Toro’s teammate Juan Ayuso and Primož Roglič, the two big pre-Giro favourites, both lost time, in the Slovenian’s case more than two minutes to the two leaders. No panic for a rider as experienced as Roglič though: “It was just hard,” he said afterwards. “The pace in the front… In the back I didn’t feel really the best of the best. We take it, we finished it, we have to see what to do next.
“Today we lose this minute, sometimes you lose sometimes you win. It’s still a long one, but yeah, first need to check the wounds, try to recover and see how to approach it for the next one.”
As those quotes suggest, Roglič was one of the riders to crash on the stage, the time gaps and incidents caused by gravel or cobbles always a somewhat controversial inclusion at Grand Tours. However, even one of those who lost two minutes, Canadian rider Derek Gee, echoed what many fans were thinking on Sunday afternoon… “It was a really cool stage.”
“The boys had put me in a great spot for when the race kicked off on the first sector. Some of the favourites crashed right after that and I front flatted but luckily we had someone at the side of the road who gave me a front wheel. Then Jakob helped me chase back,” he said, no bitterness at his day’s misfortune.
“Obviously, on a stage like this, it could’ve gone a lot worse… I mean, it could’ve gone better too, but I’m happy with how the legs felt. I got through the stage safely, so now I’m just looking forward to the rest of the race.”
That seemed to be the main reaction from the GC camps, relief it was over and that nobody has lost their Giro. Tomorrow, after today’s rest day, the race resumes with a 28km time trial, the final TT of the Giro.
Luke Plapp and Diego Ulissi were the big winners on Saturday, the Australian rider taking the stage and Ulissi the maglia rosa on a lumpy breakaway day. It was the first time since Alessandro De Marchi in 2021 that an Italian has worn the famous leader’s jersey at the men’s race and, even if it just lasted a day, was a dream achievement for the Astana XDS rider. After yesterday’s stage, he was classy enough to save some words for stage winner Van Aert who, everyone would agree, has deserved a day in the sun too after all his challenges of the spring.
While the Giro is the main event every May, Demi Vollering continued her winning run this weekend too, following up her Vuelta success with a win at Itzulia. Good luck to anyone taking her on at the Tour in this form.
A nap and a Chinese... how to celebrate a world record like Sarah Ruggins
“There’s no better feeling than doing exactly what you said you were going to do…”
That was Sarah’s reaction to breaking the outright record for John o ‘Groats to Land’s End and back. There’s links to all our coverage in the weekend round-up, but I thought we’d share the team’s latest update now the dust has settled on the incredible achievement.
She “passed out for a nap on arrival” while the rest of the support team took their opportunity “to throw Captain Ryan into the sea before celebrating together with Chinese food at a local hotel”.
“Finally having a real bed after being in the RV for six days was fully appreciated by everyone!” they said. “Honestly, Sarah’s truly monumental achievement will take us all a while to process.”
Chapeau all…
How much money can an electric cargo bike save you?
Near Miss of the Day 926: "This is why taxis shouldn't be allowed to use bus lanes", says cyclist who watches cab driver squeeze between cyclists and drivers in dangerous overtake (only to get caught in traffic seconds later)
Cav rides Le Mans track with MotoGP riders and "not just bigging it up... they were going fast"
Sir Mark Cavendish is enjoying retired life, hanging out at the French MotoGP and taking the riders on a spin around Le Mans by his kind of bike. He told the TNT Sports cameras he was “well impressed” and knew “a lot of the riders ride push bikes” but was taken aback by how quick they were.
“MotoGP riders, they’re more competitive than cyclists,” he said. “I was well impressed, it was really nice. I know a lot of the riders ride push bikes, anyway. I just thought they did it to chill, but they were going fast. I was, I really was, I’m not just bigging it up.
“Le Mans has got that hill, it’s not an easy circuit, and it’s right at the beginning. If you go too soon, you’re paying for it later, but they knew what they were doing. I’m glad I’m retired, because I think some of them could have been changing sport.”
"Relentless circling": Cyclist rides 1,000km around Regent's Park
> “Relentless circling”: Cyclist rides 1,000km around Regent’s Park
A meme to get you through Monday...
Click the vid for some silliness…
Hundreds join Sheffield 'Big Ride' calling for safer cycling infrastructure
Here’s a video from Kidical Mass Sheffield and CycleSheffield’s ‘Big Ride’ and event calling for safer infrastructure, particularly child-friendly infra. The 5km family cycle was attended by an estimated 220 people, including plenty of kids, CycleSheffield saying it wants to see “safe routes to town, safe routes to schools and safe high streets for all”.
They added: “We want a Sheffield where kids can ride to school safely, where cycling is normal, not brave.”
How to lock your bike when you're out and about so it's there when you come back
We’re not rubbing it in for whoever’s bike that was that got stripped, I promise… but… when your feature for Monday is more than a bit relevant.
> How to lock your bike when you’re out and about so it’s there when you come back
"The scheme will play an important role in keeping cycle lanes flowing freely": Camera company's ANPR tech to be applied to cycle lane parking
Highways News has today reported that Yunex Traffic’s ANPR cameras are to be applied to a new enforcement role — keeping cycle lanes clear of parked vehicles.
“With many local authorities encouraging and investing in active and sustainable modes of travel, it is vital that people are assured of their safety and reliability,” Sharon Silcock from Yunex Traffic said.
“Our LaneWatch solution helps keep cities safe and attractive for everyone to move around in and we are pleased to now be installing our first cycle lane enforcement solution in a major UK city. The scheme will play an important role in keeping cycle lanes flowing freely and reducing accidents [collisions], as well as encouraging behavioural change and a shift from driving to active travel.”
ANPR cameras will be deployed to enforce the entire cycle lane in question, although it has not been communicated which city the LaneWatch cameras will be first used in. Drivers’ licence plates will be snapped if they enter or park in the lane, resulting in a fine.
"They even took the grips off the handlebars": London cyclist locks new bike to railing... thieves steal wheels, drivetrain and just about anything else that could be stripped
A London cyclist says they learnt a few lessons at Easter, their new Specialized Sirrus X 5.0 going from looking like this…
To this, in the space of a single weekend…
They told the story online: “I recently bought a Specialized Sirrus X 5.0, got an insurance and started parking the bike in the communal area with two Gold Locks. I live in Euston, London. On the morning after Easter weekend, I found my bike stripped for wheels and drivetrain. They even took the grips off the handlebars. I was gutted to see it like that. It was the most expensive bike I ever bought. The insurance people declined my claim because it wasn’t parked behind a locked door. My fault that I didn’t read the terms properly. The bike shop told me it’s going to cost me more than the original cost of the bike to put it back together.
> Your bike’s been stolen – now what? Here’s what to do next (and fast)
“So, I went on a journey to learn how to assemble bikes. I tried to get it back to original specs while keeping the total cost to a minimum. I now have a hybrid bike with a mountain bike rear mech but I am happy I could give it a life again. Now I keep it in my room and I learnt a few lessons about cycling and London.”
Those five lessons were, in their own words: 1. Lock wheels and not just frame, 2. Doesn’t matter if it’s a CCTV monitored communal area or a garden, 3. Bike thieves of London are the worst humans, 4. Large bike shops are a scam, a neighbourhood friendly bike shop and some tools are all you need, 5. How to fix a bike
There was loads of sympathy for the poor guy, although he’s turned it into a positive and learnt some valuable skills that’ll save him money in the long run. In the comments, one person was “actually surprised the fork is still there”. They must have not liked the look of the saddle and seatpost either, that’s a classic last thing to disappear too.
Someone else said they were surprised the pedals were still there, although the angle of the bike, precariously balanced locked to a railing, might just be the reason for that. Anyway, they got the bar grips so maybe they were satisfied with their haul…
19 May 2025, 08:12
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I thought you just got a crime number?
@Dodonline I believe the non-expert you're defending was the one with the "cycle tyre more damaging than large commercial jet tyre" theory, so I suspect their professed opinion is usually to get a rise out of folks. And normally as helpful as "but a few years ago we were advised to smoke to 'help us cough' ..."
What doesn't help in these cases is that the road is often no longer closed, but nobody could be arsed to take the signs down. Or more likely, the signs are managed by a different crew and they can't come for a few days.
@tomlew Correct about the second part but Campagnolo improved rear derailleur design, he didn't invent it. There are numerous claimants for the title of inventor of the first mechanical derailleur going back long before Campagnolo, and even in terms of the parallelogram derailleur that was invented by Lucien Joy and marketed as Simplex.
@Dodonline No, their opinions are not just as valid when scientific testing has clearly demonstrated the truth of a particular proposition. If I say the earth is flat is my opinion just as valid as Professor Brian Cox saying it's round? The only abuse here was Nigel's standard attempt to slip in a derogatory remark about heavier people; I am simply pointing out that given his occupation it is unlikely that he (or I for that matter) knows better than the best riders and bike techs in the world what is best. The reason it used to be thought that high-pressure skinny tyres were best is because scientific testing was always undertaken in a laboratory on smooth steel drums, on which high-pressure narrow tyres do perform very well, but wider tyres with lower pressures have been found to perform better in real world imperfect road conditions.
I have a Geeko conversion kit by 100g which sounds very similar (although I only get a rear wheel). You hit all the things I like and dislike about this type of conversion including ease of installation (good) and reaching between your legs to change the assistance (bad). I strongly agree that a bluetooth handlebar control would be great. Alternatively I'd like one, two, or three beeps when I change the assistance level. I'm looking forward to seeing a price and a full review of the finished product.
Can anyone explain why he's not being charged with criminal damage to those cycle lanes? If a member of the public unilaterally decides to remove communal assets, then they either have to replace it or the police are involved.
Most of my riding is solo 30 to 75 mile rides. I do enjoy an occasional group ride, however. I ride an endurance bike with mechanical shift, tubed tires, and disk brakes. While electronic shifting is absolutely wonderful and precise, I have never been stuck in a 50/13 to limp home, nor had a torn tire spew sealant all over. When I have had the rare mechanical failure (broken cable / damaged derailleur), I been able to jury-rig something reasonable. As far as my tires, they are slightly heavier, but much more puncture resistant ---- and I have TPU tube. I carry a spare tube and a patch kit (and I have never yet used the patch kit on the road). One negative that no one seems to mention; Electronic shifting will add $300 to $600 for two, otherwise, identical bikes. To retrofit e-shifting to an existing bike is $500 to $800+! For me, reliability is paramount!
@jackcycles Opinionated much?
"Dangerous driving, call the police!" "RTA. Injured casualties, call an ambulance!" "Police car and ambulance now at the accident locus." "Great response!"
28 thoughts on ““They even took the grips off the handlebars”: London cyclist locks new bike to railing… thieves steal wheels, drivetrain and just about anything else that could be stripped + more on the live blog”
Weak policing and grotty
Weak policing and grotty parents failing sociciety. Hugo Drax had it right.
Low-effort theft there –
Low-effort theft there – clearly “why bother chopping the locks?”
Is that a bike trailer (also stripped) behind the fence there?
They have my sympathies – I also discovered the hard way that even if do you lock both wheels and frame (wheel + frame twice) there are fewer places that are “secure” than you might think, if people are determined / motivated. (In my case “inside” security just meant “space out of sight for thieves”). I’ve also had to move bikes into the house.
The violation of the bike
The violation of the bike aside, this doesn’t look to be a difficult fix. New wheels, tyres, discs, chain and rear derailleur. Oh and bar grips. £250-300 or so? On a bike that has a list price of £2000, the advice from the shop is terrible.
Tyres £80
Tyres £80
Wheels £500
Disks £50
Grips £20
Drivechain £200
Cassette £50
Labour £100
Already £1000,
or a new Hybrid with Flat bars
Cube Editor £1000, Cube Hyde £500, Giant Escape £800
Shop is spot on I would say.
Judging by the picture they
Judging by the picture they need a new chain (not drivetrain) about £30 and not sure why they need £500 wheels.
Hirsute wrote:
Maybe they were going for “like-for-like? What are the wheels that come on that bike originally?
brooksby wrote:
Maybe they were going for “like-for-like? What are the wheels that come on that bike originally?— Hirsute
Specialized own brand, and not even the own brand that they bother to give a name like Roval or Alpinist; pretty certain they are nowhere near a £500 set, more like £200 if that.
Rendel Harris wrote:
They look like Fulcrum to me from the red decals, and looking at the red RR by the valve, probably from the Rapid Red gravel range. Therefore upgraded post-purchase I would say, OEM on this would have been cheapo DT Swiss R470 with own brand hubs.
What angers me the most about
What angers me the most about bike thefts is the victim blaming. “Your fault for leaving outside”. However, the public doesn’t blame car owners for being “nieve” when their vehicle is stolen. You don’t hear “Should have parked it in a garage”. Instead we mentally carve out exceptions for motor vehicles.
Great point – it also
Great point – it also reflects two wider points:
-storing your private property in a public space is considered weird, antisocial, risky and dangerous. Unless that private property is a motor vehicle. Not just about theft, but about the ‘right’ to store your motor vehicle wherever you like, for free.
-victim blaming is the norm for everything to do with cycling, not just theft. Not just in the public and political spheres, but as a central tennet of policing.
Everything antisocial to do
Everything antisocial to do with cars is normalised. The noise, the pollution, the parking in bike lanes, parking on pavements, everything being built around cars.
mctrials23 wrote:
Let’s try and keep it to cycle theft
I dont see how common sense –
I dont see how common sense – knowing bike theft is effectively decriminalised – is “victim blaming”.
And its only a few years ago that Car drivers were indeed blamed for leaving their cars in public without a Crooklock (remember them?) on AND it would still happen if they left a handbag on the seat.
You’re exaggerating to find differences of treatment that in this case dont exist.
This isnt an US and THEM situation.
This new one is so stupid
This new one is so stupid that he must be a PBU, surely?
Revenant indeed.
Revenant indeed.
Don’t feed the troll. Every
Don’t feed the troll. Every time someone responds to them, they have a crafty wank.
At leat their not risking
At leat their not risking breeding.
Proper sentences and the
Proper sentences and the police to show any interest would help
Quote:
How many pedestrians did they mow down and leave scattered in their wake?
It’s going to be at least one
It’s going to be at least one per kilometer. Literal carnage out there.
mdavidford wrote:
How many pedestrians did they mow down and leave scattered in their wake?
It’s about time we had some proper laws to stop these lycra louts…um…raising tens of thousands for charity…
Something weird going on with
Something weird going on with that
KittycalKidical Mass video embed – whenever I play it I alternately get lots of pavement and lots of sky, and very little in the way of bikes or cyclists.At risk of spoiling the fun,
At risk of spoiling the fun, the “fullscreen” option worked for me, but took away some of the mystery…
Is it still there? My bell is
Is it still there? My bell is malfunctioning and could do with a nice new polished bell
HexLox might help.
HexLox might help.
They saved my saddle,
They saved my saddle, seatpost, wheels and brakes. Unfortunately there are a few parts on my bike that have bolts that are not magnetic and are too small to take a Hexlox sticker. Which is how my grips got stolen.
“They even took the grips off
“They even took the grips off the handlebars”
Same thing happened to my BMC hybrid when I left it in St Enoch Sq, Glasgow for a couple of hours.
Fortunately my wheels, shifters, brakes, saddle, etc. were protected by secruoty fittings so they couldn’t get much off with a toolkit.
Still took my grips and light fittings – replacements cost me about £100.
These days I rarely leave the bike outside – it’s in a Cyclehoop in Glasgow city centre, when I stay in a hotel or work in a conference centre it goes inside with me (only one place has point blank refused).
ANPR cameras will be deployed
ANPR cameras will be deployed to enforce the entire cycle lane in question… Drivers’ licence plates will be snapped if they enter or park in the lane, resulting in a fine
Ho! Ho! Ho! Who’s going to enforce that, then?