Perfect karma as raging driver trying to intimidate cyclist blows out tyre hitting the kerb; Another powerful photo from Ukraine; Kyiv cyclists still uploading to Strava; Tube strike solution; Gazprom-RusVelo sponsors drop out + more on the live blog

First it was fellow Brit Tom Pidcock, then teammate Chris Froome, closely followed by another teammate Michael Woods who all said TT bikes were too dangerous/ called for them to be banned or removed from racing. So when Alex Dowsett came to make his video on the topic he probably knew he'd be relatively on his own in making the case for the defence.

> Chris Froome calls for time trial bike ban in professional cycling

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the six-time national time trial champion does not think the bikes should be banned, but instead suggested the UCI opts for a rule change on how high your bars can be in relation to the arm pads. Instead of banning the bikes completely, Dowsett reckons this would be a better way of allowing riders to look ahead while staying aerodynamic.

"A lot of triathletes, Floyd Landis before, and in the UK time trial scene where the UCI rules are not present is you have [a lot of riders] with much steeper hands [positioning], so much lower pads and higher extensions," Dowsett said.

"A major part of aerodyamics is closing the gap between your hands and head. At the moment, because of this UCI rule, we have to bring our head to our hands. [Doing that]...and then to look up becomes massively difficult."

If you're lost, watch the video, he does plenty of demonstrations which make the point a bit clearer than when it's words on a screen...

Man what a difference a day makes ☔.. Yesterday on the #snakepass #cycle was beautiful, except for a nasty headwind on the way back 😬 no lockdown required! Lots of big smiles on all the many cyclist who had the same idea 🤗 @100Climbs pic.twitter.com/zRUl34vTb7

— Neil Anderson (@Mr_Andrrson) March 2, 2022

Glorious, empty roads...

> Snake Pass now “belongs to cyclists” as Peak District climb closed to motorists for at least a month 

We ride in times of peace and we ride in times of conflict. We always ride, cause cycling is #peace. pic.twitter.com/AG5W90tkFX

— ⓑιcιcletⓞ (@Bicicleto_ZGZ) March 1, 2022

"Yeah, f*** that, back we go..."

The notorious party bikes have landed in London...

Time for a reader email:

"Back on my bike again as the office is opening up. No NMOTD as yet, although Tooting remains a delight. The wands on CS7 that appeared during the pandemic —  I think they keep the traffic a bit further away, but they are a hazard in their own right, being built to the left of the magic white line. No idea why they were not installed on the line.

"Anyway, the traffic going over Tower Bridge was very slow on Friday night, because of this party bike. The music it was generating is fortunately not audible on the video — let’s be generous and say it’s an acquired taste (and hell will freeze over before etc), but they were having a good time and the weather was nice. The motorists were happy sitting in their cars, unaware of why they were going so slowly. Nothing wrong with a bit of Schadenfreude – it brightens up a commute..."

Brit Nima Javaheri is taking on "one of cycling's toughest challenges" this weekend, aiming to ascend (and descend) La Croisette over 50 times to set a new world record. Aiming for at least four Everestings, Nima will become the fourth if he completes 35,396 metres of ascent, but is aiming for 50,000m (equivalent to nine and a bit Everestings...)

> Suffolk cyclist completes Everesting challenge – by riding 1,104 laps of a car park

Nima will be undertaking this world record attempt in aid of Blood Cancer UK, inspired by his friend and former colleague David Rogers who has been living with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) since 2013.

The brave climber said: "During my training when things have been tough, the thought of David facing his daily chemo is what has kept me going and I know the difference this fundraising will make to others battling with blood cancer is what will keep me pushing during the record attempt itself."

Hindsight has updated its rear-view cycling glasses with the original patented rear-view technology now appearing in new modern-looking frames — there’s now the circle-based Morpheus and the square-based Artemis.

The updated models were launched on Kickstarter today and have impressively already reached the £10,000 crowdfunding goal, mainly thanks to two backers pledging £4,500 for the wholesale package which includes 50 sunnies. 

The glasses incorporate a mirror into the outer edge of each lens and aim to allow riders to stay informed without having to look over their shoulder to see traffic approaching from behind.

"Cyclists need to be aware of what is happening around them. Looking back 'classically', i.e. over the shoulder, creates a dangerous area of what we call negative awareness," says Hindsight. 

"Every second you spend glancing back while travelling at 25kmph means you travel 7 meters without any ability to identify changes on the road ahead of you - that is 7 meters of space into which a pedestrian can step or a car door can open in front of you."

We reviewed the first iteration, but found they were a long way off being a viable alternative to a good old shoulder check, with Stu concluding "they can work well, if the planets are aligned and the wind is blowing in the right direction…". Unwanted reflection on sunny days and a very narrow viewing angle were amongst the cons.

Has the new model improved on this? We’ll have to wait to see when we can test the updated model, but the new collection has certainly improved the looks, aiming to match the functionality with style. Both of the new models come with black, tortoiseshell and clear frames and different colour lens options.

By pledging £100 or more, you can get 50% off either the Morpheus or Artemis model. Estimated delivery is expected to be April 2023. 

All the usual Kickstarter rules and regulations apply which can be found here. 

Toute l’équipe du Champion d’Ukraine Andrii Ponomar qui se présente sur le podium protocolaire avec son maillot aux couleurs de l’Ukraine. Ça réchauffe des cœurs 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/8V8cKIsvck

— Justin Nadot (@justin_nadot) March 2, 2022

Gianni Savio's team is sending its support to Ukranian teammate Andrii Ponomar and the people of his country, sporting this kit at Trofeo Laigueglia today...

Trek-Segafredo sports director Yaroslav Popovych, who won a stage of the 2006 Tour de France and finished on the podium at the Giro d'Italia in 2003, has suggested he could return home to fight the Russian invasion.

Speaking on Instagram, an emotional Popovych said: "Our soldiers defend not only Ukraine but also Europe."

Then, in an interview with L'Equipe, he said: "All I think about is going to my country and taking up arms. I hesitated a lot in 2014, when I was still a rider. I told my wife Friday night and she is very upset. 

"Yet I feel it inside of me, I can't do nothing. Yeah, I'm scared of course, but in 2014 people were under bombs every day, even though a lot less people were talking about it, and I didn't go there. Today, I don't want to hide anymore"

My honest advise to these folks sitting stationary in their cars:

Tube strike or not, you’ll always get there much faster, and happier, by bike ✅ pic.twitter.com/uGcQdUxjFK

— Peter Stuart (@PeterStuart3) March 1, 2022

MAAP has added sleeves to its lightweight vest with the new £130 Draft Team Jacket now available - the brand says this stowable jacket is its lightest yet.  

Crafted with mechanical stretch for comfort this is paired with durable water repellent and windproof fabrics for added protection.

Laser cut perforations are said to provide additional airflow in high-sweat areas while 360 degree reflective print graphics should help with visibility in low light. 

"Fully stowable, the Draft Team Jacket packs away into its own internal pocket to always take protection with you, no matter the weather," MAAP says. 

The internet's a weird place...

Turns out there's someone willing to fake a Strava activity in a warzone for some online credit...no wonder the activity got flagged!

That's the last of that particular 'athlete's' profile on this live blog...instead here's some genuine Kyiv cyclists still getting out on the bike...

Сергей Пономаренко, first up, as we shared on Monday's live blog, has racked up more than 200 kudos and plenty of well-wishes from admiring athletes around the world...

"Greetings and best wishes from New Zealand, please keep safe."

"Kudos from Ireland. Stay safe."

"Kudos from Gloucestershire in the Uk. Stay safe 😘"

"Kudos from Houston, Texas. I love that you’re still riding."

Volodymyr Dehtyarov too got out on the bike on Monday, crossing the city in a 17km ride, before returning for the homeward leg later that day.

Chapeau...

Bucha. Near Kyiv now pic.twitter.com/kXL7KEeg8X

— Serhii Sternenko (@sternenko) March 2, 2022

On Monday, we shared the photo of the Kyiv cyclist out training while military vehicles sat guard in the road ahead...

> Kyiv cyclist spotted training "surrounded by tanks" 

Here's another powerful photo, this time from Bucha, around 20 miles west of the capital.

Last night the UCI decided to ban Russian and Belarusian national teams in response to the invasion. Events in both countries were also banned but riders from those countries with teams registered elsewhere, such as Ineos Grenadiers' Pavel Sivakov who denounced the conflict over the weekend, can keep racing.

This needs recognition. Thank you @UCI_cycling for doing the right thing.#SlavaUkraini 🇺🇦 https://t.co/eGR6KzpbjL

— Toms Skujiņš (@Tomashuuns) March 1, 2022