Giro chainsaw massacre: Egan Bernal chased up Passo Giau by superfan lumberjacks; Reaction to Gwent Police warning swearing cyclists; Gravel bike interest soars since start of pandemic; On the beers; Froome talks 2020 regrets + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
"I am sorry for swearing at somebody that nearly killed me": Reaction to Gwent Police warning swearing cyclists submitting close pass clips
For fuck’s sake. https://t.co/95uCQb4HXP
— Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) May 24, 2021
Gwent Police confirmed to us that cyclists who submit videos of dangerous driving may find themselves being prosecuted for their own behaviour, including swearing. This came after we were sent a close pass by a reader in which the cyclist can be heard dropping a few shocked expletives at the driver overtaking him as they roll up to a give way sign.
We could have filled the live blog for the entire day with all the exasperated effing and blinding replies our story received on social media. Here is the best of the reaction…
On Twitter, Dave said: “I am sorry officer for swearing at somebody that nearly killed me. I am certain that in that instant the most important aspect is to not outrage public decency.”
Kev made us laugh…
Since when is swearing a crime?
If that’s true then I’m fucked
— Kev (@Super_Kev81) May 24, 2021
HoarseMann suggested the enforcement of some driving offences be taken away from the police: “The solution to this problem does not lie with the police. They need enforcement of these sort of driving offences to be taken off them and given to a civil prosecution body – similar to council enforcement officers. It would be self-funding via fines, create jobs, free up police time and most importantly, make roads safer as the chance of getting caught would increase dramatically.”
Sriracha commented: “This should not be complicated. Cause and effect – the effect can not occur first. If the motorist can be shown to have been goaded into intemperate action due to the pre-emptive swearing from the cyclist, maybe there is a case to prosecute the cyclist. I’m thinking here along the lines of, “come on then, you wouldn’t dare, bring it on” peppered with swearing. But given that cause and effect are the other way around, the threat to the cyclist comes first and prompts the outburst of language, the police are simply displaying their prejudice.”
Giro chainsaw massacre: Egan Bernal chased up Passo Giau by superfan lumberjacks
@OutOfCycling Sound on pic.twitter.com/0IFzNcu0VA
— Josh Warburg (@jcwarburg) May 24, 2021
No wonder Egan Bernal made it up Passo Giau sharpish…I think anyone would if being chased by a pair of chainsaw-wielding lumberjacks. That’s definitely one chain gang to avoid… Lance Armstrong was famously once chased by a fan carrying an oversized syringe, while in 2018 Chris Froome was pursued up Colle Delle Finestre by a ‘fan’ dressed as an inhaler…what has Egan done to deserve the chainsaw treatment?
Pro cycling journalist Richard Moore pointed out the irony of the stage being shortened due to rain making the high-altitude route too dangerous, yet a pair of fans revving their tree-cutting machinery next to the race leader is good to go…
I’m loving the possible conversation back at home that morning…”Keys, wallet, phone, warm clothes…are we forgetting something? Yes! The chainsaws, of course.”
Gianni Mosc-on the beers
Si vola altissimo 🍻😍#giro #raigiro pic.twitter.com/EXfJfiKDAC
— Ciclismo Ignorante (@Ciclignorante) May 24, 2021
2021 UNITY Project: New Velocio jerseys available for pre-order with 100 per cent of profits going to climate-focused charities
Velocio’s annual project raising money for good causes has been launched today, with the new jerseys available for pre-order until May 31. In 2020, the project raised more than $100,000 for COVID-19-related charities and this year is helping climate-focused non-profit partners: The Environmental Justice Foundation, 350.org and Protect Our Winters.
Customers get to choose which charity to support when they order one of the new jerseys that are expected to ship by mid-August. However, the manufacturer is also conscious that some people might want to support the project without the associated energy and materials required to make another jersey, so there is also the option just to donate on its website.
Gravel bike and bikepacking interest soaring since the start of the pandemic
Wiggle crunched its numbers to show how interest in gravel bikes has soared since the start of the pandemic. A look into the online retailer’s search data found that searches for gravel bikes are up 133 per cent in the past 12 months. Searches for gravel tyres are up 186 per cent, while gravel wheelset searches jumped the most and are up 256 per cent. Interest in bikepacking bags is up 122 per cent.
Wiggle guesses the interest partly stems from ongoing uncertainty about holidays and foreign travel, meaning that riders are looking for adventures closer to home. “Gravel riding has exploded over the past 12 months,” John Bann-Lavery of Wiggle said. “With many in the UK grounded for some time to come, the idea of packing the bike with camping equipment and heading off to holiday nearby is an attractive one.
“Many people are discovering that adventure can be found on their doorstep when you explore by bike, and gravel bikes can make that possible and more accessible than ever. It’s no wonder that we’ve seen such a huge uptake in interest in this segment over the past year. And, with so many new converts to this style of riding, I’m sure it’s a trend that’s here to stay.”
Have you dipped your toe in the gravel riding ocean this year?
"In hindsight it would have been much better to really take time out and focus on rehab": Chris Froome's 2020 regrets
Chris Froome believes pursuit of race results and rushing back for the Tour de France last year was a mistake. The four-time Tour champion believes he should of focused on rehabilitation from serious injuries sustained at the 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné rather than aiming for quick results.
“In hindsight it would have been much better to really take time out and focus on the rehab side of things rather than chase things on the bike,” he explained. “Getting to the end of last season, seeing the weaknesses I still had, it was clear the focus for the winter and the first part of this season needed to be trying to address those imbalances rather than chasing bike form.
“Having that goal of being ready for the tour meant I wasn’t doing my rehab properly. I was trying to get as fit as possible for July where I should have been engaged in the muscle imbalances.”
Froome has invested in Hammerhead, the company whose Karoo 2 cycling computer is used by Israel Start-Up Nation. The undisclosed amount means the 36-year-old will join the brand’s advisory board.
Primary position
When cycling defensively is there such a thing as “too primary” do you think? pic.twitter.com/tDauBOscfp
— Righttobikeit (@righttobikeit) May 24, 2021
Labour councillor writes to Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood asking him to "stop publishing misinformation" about Birmingham's Clean Air Zone
I have written to Khalid Mahmood MP asking him to stop publishing misinformation to undermine vital efforts to improve air quality across the city. pic.twitter.com/e9pS2vAR2e
— Waseem Zaffar MBE (@WaseemZaffar) May 24, 2021
Labour councillor and Birmingham City Council cabinet member Waseem Zaffar has written to MP Khalid Mahmood asking him to “stop publishing misinformation to undermine vital efforts to improve air quality across the city.” The MP for Perry Barr was last week involved in a bizzare social media argument after a video was shared attributing gridlocked traffic in the south of the city to local LTNs and has been critical of the city’s Clean Air Zone.
More to follow shortly…
Giro chainsaw massacre reaction
Are you really a good MTB fan if you don’t bring your chainsaw to a World Cup?? https://t.co/QTaoboapKe
— Cameron Mason (@camerooney_) May 25, 2021
I guess with nobody seeing any TV pictures of the climb it is nice to find out how Egan Bernal dropped the entire field, even if it is a day late…Plenty of people wagering they could beat their local climb’s KOM with a bit of ‘persuasion’ from a chainsaw-wielding lumberjack.
Gareth Rhys Owen summed up the absurdity of it all: “This is off the chart bonkers. One of the greatest sportsmen in the world, in one the elite events in his sport, being chased/cheered by supporters with chainsaws.” Lionel Messi never had to put up with Barcelona fans with hedge trimmers at the Nou Camp, did he?
Aaron McAllorum recited that famous old saying: “Nothing gets the legs pumping more than being chased by lads with chainsaws.”
Chainsaws are the new cow bell. https://t.co/tEbVoQQ6hS
— Partridge Thornton (@PartridgeToffee) May 25, 2021
Bunny-hopping mad: Meet the Canberra man who takes his pet rabbits for a ride
A Canberra man has trained his pet rabbit to sit on his back while he rides around the city thanks to some custom-made helmet handlebars. Chris Schlegel told the Canberra Times he has been training rabbits to hitch a lift as he rides his bike since 2017…and Max Bugden is one of his several pet bunnies he takes out on the road.
Apparently Max is unique in the way he props himself up on his hind legs…so to make the journey more comfortable Chris has built some handlebars from sticks and skewers so he has something to hold onto…
“They make great pets because they’re just as unique as humans, they have interests, they have hobbies,” Schlegel told the news website. “I take them out because I want to rabbits to live a life outside of the confines they usually live. Their personalities become more complex as a result.”
There's always one...
Where’s your helmet, Kermit? #helmetsafety #wearahelmet
— Sean Quinn (@SeanHQuinn) May 20, 2021
Giro queen stage Strava data: Damiano Caruso takes Passo Giau KOM and Romain Bardet masters the descent
As it’s the rest day and the riders are selfishly lounging about their hotel rooms rather than entertaining us we thought we’d take a look at yesterday’s epic queen stage on Strava. Egan Bernal did not upload his ride, sorry Egan, you know the rules…if it’s not on Strava…
Damiano Caruso clocked a new KOM on the Passo Giau 21km segment, summiting the climb in 56:39 at an average speed of 22.3km/h…On the shorter, more accurate segment, Caruso matched the time set by stage four winner Joe Dombrowski’s time from 2016 by holding 17km/h up the 9.5km climb averaging 9.5 per cent…
On the descent, Romain Bardet comfortably took the KOM and hit top speeds of 80km/h+ in miserable conditions…nerves of steel.
A quick bit of rest day news…Egan Bernal has confirmed he will not be tempted to take on the Tour de France this summer. In his rest day press conference the maglia rosa hinted at a Vuelta a España tilt in August and said any hope of going to the Olympics will depend on how his back holds up in the final week of the Giro.
Why kids like Active Neighbourhoods
Active Neighbourhoods help kids make their way to school safely without having to worry about cars or other traffic. 🚲 🚶
It means they can enjoy the fresh air, chat to friends and it wakes them up in the morning!
👉 https://t.co/bzh2IGPjpb pic.twitter.com/nXyv24AQP7
— Transport for Greater Manchester 🚲🚶🏾♀️ (@OfficialTfGM) May 25, 2021
Jeremy Vine and Brian Moore chip in on Gwent Police swearing warning
Hey @gwentpolice please don’t prosecute the cyclist! He was scared of the bad driver https://t.co/TZNxrjPkdN
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) May 25, 2021
Our story about Gwent Police has rumbled on into the afternoon…yesterday, the South Wales force confirmed to us that cyclists’ behaviour in close pass footage could lead to them being prosecuted…
Earlier on the live blog we shared some of the reaction to the story and now even Jeremy Vine and ex-England rugby player Brian Moore have got involved…
I’d like several similar offences taken into consideration. https://t.co/rRdH09UTHO
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) May 25, 2021
25 May 2021, 08:06
25 May 2021, 08:06
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With so many people using and looking at mobie phones whilst driving and other distractions, may I suggest you always wear Hi viz and stay at home.
The design of the "car" has played a role in this. SUVs and what the Americans call "trucks" are exempt from the pedestrian safety regulations which apply to passenger cars. Had the victim been hit by a car designed in the past twenty years he would have been "scooped" onto the bonnet and either over the roof or off to one side. Still a serious injury risk and potentially fatal but they have the benefit of those passive safety systems to improve their chances. With vehicles with such a high bonnet line as this Volvo has what tends to happen is the person bounces off the bonnet and falls on the road in front of the vehicle where they're then run over. This has happened time and time again and is becoming more of an issue as the numbers of vehicles exempt from the safety standards grows.
@Accessibility for all Reducing the speeds wouldn't have helped in this case as the driver was reported doing 65 in a 40 zone on the approach to the junction, his driving described by the witnesses as erratic and evidently had no intention to stop to give way even though he had been warned by the passenger who apparently shouted "bike" three times just before the collision. He would have likely flown through that junction even if it was traffic light controlled with a red light for him at the time. In my own experience the entire area i.e. east of Lymm towards Warburton and along Dunham Road all the way up to Altrincham and past into Hale Barns, all those wealthy, posh settlements around Manchester Airport are best avoided by road cyclists. A disproportionally high number of psycho drivers must for some reason live in that area because every single time I went there on my road bike in the past, I either got harassed myself or witnessed proper dickhead driving - speeding, close passes, overtaking into oncoming traffic or round a blind bend, accelerating towards pedestrians already crossing the road, you name it. I gave up road cycling in that area years ago and only use the local TPT these days.
In respect of the murder charge: based on him hitting Mr Mullins and making no attempt to help him (this killing him), how would the case compare to a hit and run driver who seriously injures or kills a cyclist, knowingly, and flees the scene without helping? Would this make the cut for a murder charge? Or is there something very different going on here that I’m missing? Genuinely curious because I don’t recall there being a murder charge before for this kind of thing unless it was premeditated. In fact, in my experience most cases like this seem to go the opposite way - where the driver can merely say the sun was in their eyes and get away with a slap on the hands.
@Rendel Harris...and there was me dishing out the praise!
@polainm He must also be an already hardened criminal. It wasn't mentioned during the court proceedings to avoid influencing the jurors and ensuring he had a fair trial, but he had been released from prison shortly before this incident and was couch surfing at his cousin's house days before. Just look at his face, he's only 35, but looks older than his victim who was 56. Must have spent half his adult life in prison.
@jaymack They did offer him manslaughter though but he declined to plead guilty. Without wanting to seem curmudgeonly, yes great that they preferred the most serious charges but hard to see how they could have done differently considering that Richardson got out of the car, saw Mr Mullins was stuck underneath and then got back in and carried on. That clearly moved it above anything that falls under death by dangerous driving.
@thrawed Agree - the UK winters are utterly grim; grey, wet & windy. Not the type of weather you really want to go out and ride. Everything get covered in filth, and takes time to clean it after a ride. Oh for colder, drier & crisper days which can be enjoyable to be out in.
@ymm In my view, lax sentencing of dangerous drivers, especially where cyclists are involved, makes the judge, jury and CPS complicit in UK driver culture. This driver is a sociopath.
@Mr Blackbird i reckon the libido is a bit overrated. I'd let that go rather than a limb or a nice bike.
22 thoughts on “Giro chainsaw massacre: Egan Bernal chased up Passo Giau by superfan lumberjacks; Reaction to Gwent Police warning swearing cyclists; Gravel bike interest soars since start of pandemic; On the beers; Froome talks 2020 regrets + more on the live blog”
HoarseMann hit the nail on
HoarseMann hit the nail on the head. I’ve no issue with the police warning riders about their language, but let’s get to the root cause here; dangerous/careless driving and the impact on vulnerable road users.
I think the root cause is a
I think the root cause is a broken justice system and weak sentencing when it comes to killing and injuring vulnerable road users with huge motorised weapons.
The useless fuckers in uniform not doing their jobs is their interpretation of what they feel would be the chances of a successful outcome if it went to court.
I know a couple of them and their complete lack of empathy, enthusiasm and energy is astounding.
sparrowlegs wrote:
I have a lot of sympathy with many of the useless fuckers in uniform actually, while also as a cyclist, having a lot of sympathy with the victims of close-passing and poor driving. Having also worked in an organisation which didn’t give a shit about it’s employees, I can also vouch for how demotivating it can be.
Subsequent governments since 2010 have slashed police numbers by around 20,000 and increased pressure to reduce crime (interesting logic), so the pressure on the average copper has probably quadrupled. If they can categorise something as ‘not a crime’ or stick a label on it that says ‘solved’ then they’re going to.
It doesn’t solve the issue, but it may go some way toward explaining it!
I’d agree with this sentiment
I’d agree with this sentiment if it wasn’t for the fact the police have been pretty consistently useless for at least the last three decades. The actual numbers are a bit of a red herring – the real issue is culture, leadership and productivity in the police and a completely failed prosecution / court system.
Yes, but police indifference
Yes, but police indifference is not the root cause of bad driving.
zero_trooper wrote:
I disagree, the roads are like the wild west with aggressive drivers treating others in a way they would never dare to in any other situation because they have no fear of retribution.
ChasP wrote:
Yes, but police indifference is not the root cause of bad driving.
— ChasP I disagree, the roads are like the wild west with aggressive drivers treating others in a way they would never dare to in any other situation because they have no fear of retribution.— zero_trooper
Well, police indifference is more of a failed mitigation than the root cause. The root cause is human laziness/carelessness/aggression which should be mitigated by the likelihood of getting caught (and facing consequences of their actions).
When you watch what I can
When you watch what I can only suppose is a semblance of reality on USA TV, it seems so out of odds with our own. They actually (police racism, brutality and corruption aside, yes a big aside) in the main seem to have a motivated, sensible system.
I can think of no other
I can think of no other situation civilians face where their fellow man is cold-bloodedly using their vehicle to make you feel threatened in the space of several seconds.
We’ve heard the stuff about the near-death swearing, e.g. linked to the CPS. The police seem a bit confused about this issue and I also wonder if it’s getting slightly over-blown in the reporting and reaction?
What is grinding my 105 gears is what police keep describing as the “polarised” response they get to road safety promotion and enforcement. I never knew the likes of shop lifters, drug dealers and burglars were given any air-time: “leave it out, squire, I’ve got a family to feed”.
I reckon I’d set a few strava
I reckon I’d set a few strava PBs if you chased me with a chainsaw.
It’s a good job most violent
It’s a good job most violent crimes aren’t filmed otherwise there would be a lot of victims being prosecuted. I couldn’t imagine being hit, stabbed, shot at, etc., without letting out the odd expletive.
Chainsaws are a common sight
Chainsaws are a common sight and sound at most MTB World Cup rounds – that supposed cycling journalists don’t know this, says more about their lack of knowledge of the sport. Pro cycling isn’t just about road……
They have a secondary channel
They have a secondary channel covering MTB etc, (although not much on the racing).
I thought they were those fake ones used during Halloween Mazes in America.
Velophaart_95 wrote:
Road CC, clue’s in the name, this is a roadbike website.
Though you could often be
Though you could often be forgiven for thinking that it is a gravel bike website.
Velophaart_95 wrote:
The other thing people fail to understand is that they aren’t really “chain” saws, because the chains are removed, they are just noise-making machines no without the threat of cutting anything.
I laughed at the BBC article aswell which said about George Bennett arriving at the finish still with his musette on the back “inexplicably still carrying his musette feed bag that riders usually discard a few minutes after they receive them about halfway through the stage.”
They clearly haven’t a clue about the rules now, Although it’s Matt Warwick, he’s no clue on cycling full stop.
I’d hope nobody thinks they
I’d hope nobody thinks they are fully working chainsaws – imagine how reckless that would be waving them around in crowds.
fenix wrote:
Aaw. You and GK are just spoilsports….
On “Too much primary”: Oh.
On “Too much primary”: Oh. Good. Grief. <face/palm>
There is a cycling gaz video
There is a cycling gaz video where with multiple lanes you get cut up from undertaking. There was also a nmotd where the driver decided to squeeze by on the left before a parked car the cyclist was positioned to overtake !
The swearing thing is
The swearing thing is primarily a means to to an end – that end being finding a quick way to justify taking no action.
You’ll note how uninterested the same police forces are about drivers who swear at cyclists.
When you watch what I can
<replied to>