Why's there a bike in the road? If cyclists acted like drivers; Egan Bernal targets second yellow jersey; That awful emoji jacket is back; No space for cycle lanes?; Black Friday with a difference; Sea-inspired frame colours + more on the live blog

socks over vs under leg warmers is shit cycling banter honestly. depends on the whole get up. do what looks cutest for u x

— honor elliott (@honorelliott_) November 24, 2021

On those rarest dry days it's (old) white socks over my leg warmers. All other occasions it's black socks under for me. Don't all crucify me at once...sometimes I've just got to try and look 'pro' for motivation. Still, I look forward to the list of comments saying pros don't wear socks over leg warmers...

What looks cutest for you? 

You can tell I'm back from holiday...we've got a local paper letter about those pesky cyclists breaking the rules of the road for your afternoon live blog entertainment.

Today's comes from the York Press. A.P.Cox wrote in to take issue with the news outlet's feature on the most dangerous roads for cyclists in the area. Hardly a bucket list travel guide, I know, but whatever...

The letter in full is here...but a couple of personal highlights..."What it did not say is why these roads are dangerous for those on bicycles. Could it be that the cause is cyclists weaving in and out of traffic to get to the front of the queue when they are unable to get onto the footpath because of pedestrians getting in their way?

"Or perhaps cyclists ignoring red lights and cycling through lines of traffic going in the opposite direction? Another survey should be done listing the most dangerous footpaths for pedestrians caused by cyclists riding on footpaths to avoid red traffic lights."

What a brilliant piece of entertainment that was...

The comments weren't too bad either if you want some more bingo and a local winning 'Guess The Author Before You See The Name'. 

Transport for London has urged shoppers to pick greener transport options on their way home from the Black Friday sales. They've even got a discount of their own to mark the day... CYCLEBF21 will get you 25 per cent off an annual membership online or via the Santander Cycles app.

Alex Williams, TfL’s Director of City Planning said: "We’ve seen an increase in the number of personal deliveries across the capital which is affecting air quality in the capital and the health of many Londoners. 

"Black Friday weekend is one of the busiest shopping events of the year and is highly anticipated for London’s shoppers and retailers. We’re encouraging Londoners to choose greener ways of getting their deliveries such as using click and collect or getting to the shops by public transport, helping to reduce the congestion on the capital’s roads and improving air quality."

Chapter2 is adding a new Blue + Cyan colourway inspired by the colours of Moana (sea, ocean, or large lake in Maori) to its TOA race model; the deep navy blue is subtly offset by the fading cyan colour on the rear of the seat tube and forks.

Designed in New Zealand, the front triangle of the TOA’s Kamm-Tail aero chassis is moulded using a one-piece Latex Mandel which Chapter2 says has increased the headtube stiffness by 34% over its TERE model. All the cables and hoses are tucked away for a clean finish and the aero benefits.

Chapter2 also gives the option to have its aero MANA Bar fitted which is practical too thanks to the brand’s Quick-Fit spacers that permit easy adjustment of the bar height and quick disassembly for travelling. 

Up to 32mm of tyre clearance, vibration dampening seatstays and seatpost should also help when taking the TOA on rougher roads. 

Chapter2 says it expects to start shipping this new colourway at the end of December. Tempted?

This emoji jacket lets cyclists communicate with drivers and hopefully saves lives pic.twitter.com/RmfCQEnr8q

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) November 22, 2021

Oh brilliant, that Ford emoji jacket is doing the rounds again. It was actually first launched as part of the car brand's heavily criticised Share the Road campaign in 2020. At the time, the dismal press release said: "Our roads are busier than ever with drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians all vying for space.

"It’s no wonder that tempers are lost, and conflicts arise as our ability to communicate is locked behind windscreens and inside helmets –  resulting in more than 2,000 cyclists being killed on roads in Europe each year."

But yeah, put a sad face on your back and that'll keep you safe...

Whoop last week announced the establishment of its inaugural Women’s Performance Collective (WPC) that commits to pursuing research and product development initiatives that specifically benefit women, and now it’s rolling out its new coaching feature to help users with natural cycles integrate their cycles into their training plan and sleeping habits. 

The menstrual cycle causes dramatic hormonal shifts throughout the month, producing different physiological responses. “In some phases you may be more able to take on strain, can work out harder and experience higher gains, while in other phases you may need more sleep,” Whoop points out.

The fitness and health tracking brand says its Menstrual Cycle Coaching will provide more accurate Strain and Sleep coaching recommendations and Weekly Performance Assessment’s informed by their menstrual cycle for users who menstruate and are not on hormonal birth control. “These insights will allow members to plan their training, adapt their sleep, and improve their overall performance.”

'Getting a sandwich, be right back!'

If cyclists would act like car drivers
(by @PhilmerPhiI) pic.twitter.com/K1wmKAFGYU

— MonkeyWrenchGang (@M_WrenchGang) November 22, 2021

It's a bit of silliness that we wouldn't recommend making a part of your morning commute but this vid, originally from Minneapolis cycling aficionado Philip Schwartz, does make a decent point about how some motorists treat active travel space...as a car park.

Gary James reckoned all that's missing are the "blinky orange lights of absolution", then it would be fine.

And while some people, seemingly missing the irony of the vehicle parked in the left of the picture, took issue with Schwartz's stunt, most of the replies were fairly positive...

Petekfil commented: "Before you criticise, he could be rushing to a sick relative, just trying to do a day's work, collecting an anvil he can't carry. Why don't cars use car lanes designed for them? Oh, and I saw a car break a red light this morning."

"Just go around!"

— Coney Love (@coneylove) November 23, 2021

Now, I wonder what happens after the video cuts off...that BMW driver seemed pretty keen to keep things moving...