Cyclists react to "clumsily worded" police campaign targeting dangerous riding; Warning over speeding drivers using Cycle Show venue as race track; Very shiny (and likely very pricey) aero derailleur cage; Cookson's cojones + more on the live blog

A bit of context... we first came across the campaign announcement from Derbyshire Police last week — covered in our story earlier today — and had to reread it a few times to get it straight in our own minds. "Patrols to protect bikers and cyclists" but the lines between action specifically aimed at motorcyclists and those riding bicycles seemed unclear at best...

> Police to "protect" cyclists with speed limit checks to tackle "dangerous and careless" riding

In particular...

So, over the next few weeks we'll be focusing on bikes and motorbikes, as we're sure the brighter weather will bring more riders out and about into Derbyshire.

We'll be spending more time on our most rural roads, to ensure riders are keeping to speed limits and riding with care. 

We all have a responsibility to keep ourselves and others safe when we take to the roads. As a driver you should always be considerate of those who are more at risk, by driving and overtaking responsibly. As a motorbike rider or cyclist, it's really important you know the dangers and ride safely, reading the conditions and being aware of your surroundings.

And then there was Adam Titterton, sergeant on the roads policing unit's quote: "Over the next few weeks, we'll be spending more time on the roads where we have seen the most incidents involving bikes and motorbikes. These areas include Snake Pass and many of our peak district routes, where we more frequently see people speeding and riding both dangerously and carelessly."

So we got in touch with Derbyshire Police in search of clarification, specifically asking about the confusion and were told that the operation "aims to reduce the number of collisions involving motorcycles and bicycles"... but nothing about our concerns, so here we are...

As some of you have suggested, we'd hope Derbyshire Constabulary is aware speed limits don't apply to cyclists... but anyway, here are some more of your thoughts...

HarrogateSpa said: "I would rather see police in urban areas, dealing with bad driving that puts people on bikes and others at risk. Instead towns and cities are wild west zones were drivers do as they please. I suggest the police are concentrating on rural areas because it's easier for them.

"Stopping people on bikes and saying 'ooh, you seem to be going a bit fast' will achieve precisely nothing. Mixing up motorbikes and bikes is unhelpful — the issues are completely different."

On Twitter, Graeme agreed, calling the statement "badly worded" and said the "lumping together motorbikes and cyclists doesn't help". Tobster suggested "the speed limit bit is obviously clumsily worded and only applies to the motorcyclists".

HoldingOn commented: "I've read this a few times now. Must still be reading it wrong. It reads like a police force are saying cyclists cause accidents by cycling too fast. That can't be right. Reading it again."

Some with experience of riding in the area did however express gratitude for the efforts on the motorcyclist front, S13SFC saying: "I ride in The Peaks a lot and well done to Derbyshire OB for doing something about the motorbikes. The speed cameras over the Cat and Fiddle have certainly made a difference but on a nice weekend some roads are like the Isle Of Man TTs."

I ride in The Peaks an awful lot and anything that helps reign in the motorbikes is welcome.

— Staffordshire Rouleur (@Flahute66) April 20, 2023

A day for the attackers in the Alps...

That's how you boss a three-way finish 🚴🏻‍♂️💨@Movistar_Team rider @muehlberger_94 wins Stage 4 of the Tour of the Alps 🚵

___
🇮🇹 #TotA pic.twitter.com/dj60byfhYL

— Velon CC (@VelonCC) April 20, 2023

Behind in the battle of the Brits, Tao Geoghegan Hart and Hugh Carthy remain first and second on GC, the Ineos Grenadiers rider 22 seconds ahead of his EF counterpart. Tomorrow's final stage takes in two more big climbs, giving Carthy one last shot at taking the leader's jersey... then, it's Giro time... 

> Miguel Induráin’s Tour de France-winning bike to go to auction

> The renaissance of Reynolds steel — the British framemaking specialists creating a new generation of classic bike afficionados

Returning to racing at Flèche Wallonne yesterday having given birth in September, Lizzie Deignan told BBC Sport she is "surprised" the Women's Tour was cancelled. "I have the same objectives, but I'm surprised they can't sustain more races in the UK," she said.

> Women's Tour cancelled for 2023, organisers cite lack of financial backing

"My role is to be the best athlete, but I'm disappointed and can also say I don't quite understand how it has happened. From my perspective, when I'm out in the UK training on British roads, participation levels are higher than I've ever seen before.

"At grassroots level, more and more clubs are busy. It seems like there's this massive influx of participation that hasn't translated into domestic racing competition — and whether that's because of red tape, whether that's because of sponsorship, post-pandemic people are struggling, or a financial crisis going on... I don't know."

Twitter's weird, isn't it?

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Gustav Gullholm (@dangerholm)

The latest step in the endless search for aero...

Created by Kogel Bearings for Gustav Gullholm's "quite special aero road bike" this derailleur cage saves a grand total of... well, we've got no idea nor does Gustav how much faster this is... 

"Do we know for a fact that it's a lot faster and more aero? No. Does it look absolutely incredible? Yes," he told his Insta followers. "Kogel stepped up big time and custom made two of these beauties. No wind tunnel testing done, so no data to be had but I mean… just look at it!?"

Just look at what? It's shininess or the amount of money you or I would need to rid our bank accounts of to get one? You'll remember last year CeramicSpeed's aero version of the oversized pulley wheel system (that can apparently save you 2.5 seconds over a 25km time trial) was officially launched with a €739 price tag...

Perhaps Kogel's is just the Diet Coke version of Simon Warren's Coca-Cola can pulley wheel system?

> How many watts could a Coca-Cola can pulley wheel system save you?

Anyway, the Insta comments didn't disappoint, the most liked reply suggesting Kogel had just grabbed "one of them things they use to close up ravioli"...

Close enough.