Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Back to news
news

Kensington High Street cycle lane blocked by vans (again); Harder than the Angliru? Dan Martin finds 34% Andorran climb; Cabs not as covid-safe as cycling shocker; Jesus-approved folder with SRAM eTap and Stages power meter + more on the live blog

We're halfway through the week and Dan Alexander is here for all your live blog needs...
Wed, Nov 25, 2020 09:05
46
Kensington High Street cycle lane blocked by vans (again); Harder than the Angliru? Dan Martin finds 34% Andorran climb; Cabs not as covid-safe as cycling shocker; Jesus-approved folder with SRAM eTap and Stages power meter + more on the live blogKensington High Street cycle lane
25 November 2020, 16:10
More scenes of 'empty' bike lane and 'gridlocked' traffic on Kensington High Street

When its not being blocked by vehicles (see further down the page) the temporary cycle lane on High Street Kensington looks like it has made cycling in the area largely more pleasant recently. Unfortunately though, there's a chance the road won't be transporting more cyclists than motorists any time soon, after the decision to remove the lane when Lockdown 2 ends was strongly suggested earlier today by the local Conservative MP Tony Devenish (details of which are also further down the page). 

25 November 2020, 16:26
Cycling UK express disappointment at government Spending Review
great north trail - via cycling uk

Cycling UK has expressed disappointment at today's Spending Review after cycling and walking projects saw their budget cut by 15%. Cycling UK’s head of campaigns, Duncan Dollimore said: "The Government’s ‘Gear Change’ document released in the summer set out a bold vison for cycling and walking in England, but neither that nor the promised ‘Green Revolution’ can be delivered without substantially increasing investment.

“The £257 million set aside for active travel next year is less than 1% of the £27.4 billion roads budget the Government remains stubbornly wedded to. Reducing next year’s funding by around £45 million makes the delivery of the Government’s own targets to increase levels of cycling and walking almost impossible, without the radical shift in transport spending priorities required to decarbonise transport.

“The Government’s vision and stated ambition for active travel are impressive, but this spending review takes us backwards when it comes to delivery.”

25 November 2020, 17:04
Fife ultracyclist successfully completes challenge to virtual Everest on Zwift every day for two weeks
1522872673158

Aiming to become the first person to complete the climbing challenge on consecutive days (14 of them no less), Ross Duncan now claims he is the new world record holder for the most consecutive Everests, and also for the most elevation gain on Zwift in a week... 62,441 metres, which he says is almost 1.5x the elevation of an average Tour de France route. 

In total Duncan virtually climbed 124,817 meters over the two weeks, burning 95,000 calories and covering 3,031km on his Tacx Neo 2T. He added: "Sleep-wise the minimum I was getting was 3hrs, most probably 5hrs [per night]."

Duncan was raising funds for the Children's Hospices Across Scotland and the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation - if you want to send a donation his way in appreciation of this monumental effort, the Virgin Money Giving page can be found here. 

25 November 2020, 16:59
25 November 2020, 11:51
Kensington cycle lane blocked by parked vehicles... as Tory MP says it's "not an appropriate location for a cycle lane"

I wonder if Nigel Havers went for his morning stroll down 'gridlocked' Kensington High Street this morning... It looked pretty empty from these videos, except for the line of vehicles parked in the cycle lane. 

These scenes come on the same morning Conservative MPs Tony Devenish and Felicity Buchan released a statement saying the temporary cycle lane had 'failed in its objectives' and that they would 'advocate for its removal'.

The statement read: "Now that Phase 1 of the cycle lane is in place and has had a fair chance to operate, it is apparent to most people who use the High Street to travel, whether on a bike or other form of transport, that Kensington High Street is not an appropriate location for a cycle lane, either for cyclists or all other road users."

25 November 2020, 15:21
Harder than Angliru? Dan Martin finds 34% climb in Andorra

Anyone for a Vuelta summit finish up here? Topping out at 2,222m, Pic de Carroi in Andorra is 7km at an average of 14% with a max gradient of 34%. For context Angliru's maximum gradient is 24%, while Muro di Sormano from Il Lombardia peaks just north of 25%. 

Pro rider Nathan Haas replied to Martin's tweet saying: "I’ve done it on my gravel bike. I can attest to it being the stage for the most insane final on cycling history." The Aussie admitted even he had to walk stretches of the punishing ascent.

The climb's max gradient is 34%, according to climbbybike and the profile below, which would make it by far the steepest climb in pro cycling and a ridiculous test, even for the pros. The final 5km average a calf shredding 15.5%...

25 November 2020, 15:00
25 November 2020, 14:44
Rochelle Gilmore has close encounter with Australia's most venomous snake

Rather you than us Rochelle. At least this didn't happen...

25 November 2020, 13:46
25 November 2020, 12:22
Taking a cab not as covid-safe as cycling shocker
Taxi sign (licensed CC BT 2.0 by Ross Davidson on Flickr, image cropped).PNG

A London black cab advert exaggerated how effective the vehicles were in reducing the spread of Covid-19, a watchdog has found. According to the BBC, the radio advert misled listeners saying: "Sat on the back seat, they're over two metres from me. And with contactless payments, it's even safer. I'm a black cab customer and I'm confident I'm safe."

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled the message was "misleading" and "exaggerated the extent to which features of a London black cab would reduce the spread of Covid-19."

The London Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) had said that black cabs were one of the safer modes of transport during the pandemic "particularly when compared to some other forms of public transport - with the partition, plenty of space and contactless payment."

25 November 2020, 11:33
Pro peloton pleased to see Fabio Jakobsen back on the bike
25 November 2020, 11:19
Councils urged not to forget rural communities
Bridleway_in_Ettington,_Warwickshire

Cycling UK has urged councils not to forget about rural communities when planning new cycling infrastructure. Their online tool, 'Missing Links', allows the public to identify missing links such as footpaths suitable for cycling, disused railway lines or other routes that could be made accessible to cyclists to help make active travel safer travel in rural areas.

Cycling UK's off-road campaigns officer, Sophie Gordon, said: "The surge in cycling has largely focussed on towns and cities, with rural opportunities frequently being overlooked. Many rural traffic-free routes don’t join up, requiring riding on stretches of busy road. Having to cycle with fast moving traffic can be intimidating, especially for those who are less confident or new to cycling.

“But there is so much we could do to change this. From upgrading existing rights of way, rejuvenating disused railway lines or introducing traffic calming on some rural lanes, it is possible to create networks of traffic-free trails which everyone can enjoy and use."

25 November 2020, 10:59
25 November 2020, 09:43
The most ridiculous bike you've ever seen?
BMX

On the fifth day God created... a super strange yet alluring custom Bike Friday folder with SRAM eTap, a 55-tooth chainring and Stages power meter. We can't decide if this is genius or a crime against cycling. In the words of the creator it is: "Actually my most ridden bike. I also have a Giant Propel, Kona Jake, and TT bike at home, but they aren’t as fun."

Posted on a Reddit thread under the name e_pilot, the bike packs away into a 33" suitcase and has even collected a few KOMs. Its owner and creator Tom, a pilot from California, explained the work that's been done on the bike: "It’s been a slow moving process over the summer.

"It was a real fixer upper when I got it, it had beat up paint, some surface rust, and an absolutely ancient 8-speed 105 group. Near as I can tell judging from the group it had when I got it, the frame is about 30 years old. 

"I originally rebuilt it with a 1x r7000/GRX mishmash group which was pretty good, but i ended up riding it so much while I travel for work I wanted to make it better, I just put the full 2x eTap group on it this month. It’ll have the carbon Red crank soon I’m still waiting for it to be delivered.

"I’ve dumped 1500w sprint efforts into it (yes it has a Stages power meter) and it handles it with ease. The small wheels actually accelerate really fast. It has a 55/42 chainring and 9-32 cassette, that gives it about the same range as a 50/34 and 11-34 on a normal sized bike. I’m looking forward to things getting back to normal post COVID so I can show up to some random crits and group rides around the country with it."

BMX
BMX

Bike Friday make some of the fanciest folders and collapsible bikes out there, all hand made in the USA since 1992 - check out the range here.   

25 November 2020, 09:14
That first bike ride feeling
25 November 2020, 08:55
Royal Parks Police apologise for driving in cycle lane

The phrase 'do as we say, not as we do' comes to mind with this one. Cyclists in Regent's Park found their progress halted by a van using the cycle lane. Worse still a Royal Parks Police van. Michael, who shared the picture on Twitter, wrote: "What hope is there? This Royal Parks Police van uses the mandatory cycle lane to avoid the motor queue. Demonstrating to other drivers that solid lines no longer mean what you thought they meant. We are grateful for the morning ticketing of parked cars but this is very poor."

The Royal Parks Police Twitter account responded: "Thank you for bringing this to our attention. This will be looked into by a supervising officer. We are all accountable for our driving."

In October the same police force were criticised for 'targeting' cyclists in Regent's Park.

Dan Alexander

Dan is the road.cc news editor and joined in 2020 having previously written about nearly every other sport under the sun for the Express, and the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for The Non-League Paper. Dan has been at road.cc for four years and mainly writes news and tech articles as well as the occasional feature. He has hopefully kept you entertained on the live blog too.

Never fast enough to take things on the bike too seriously, when he's not working you'll find him exploring the south of England by two wheels at a leisurely weekend pace, or enjoying his favourite Scottish roads when visiting family. Sometimes he'll even load up the bags and ride up the whole way, he's a bit strange like that.

Add new comment

42 comments

Avatar
RoubaixCube | 4 years ago
0 likes

If Tony Devenish and MP Felicity Buchan want the cycle lane torn out so badly. Id say they can go for it, Providing they foot the entire bill for the work and disruption to local businesses to the last penny of it out of their own pockets rather than have it charged to the taxpayer.

Lets see how quickly vanish back into the woodwork without as much of a sound when faced with a shared £700k-1mil bill.

Avatar
Simon E | 4 years ago
1 like

Better Streets Kensington & Chelsea has tweeted a great letter from Imperial College in support of the cycling infrastructure:

https://twitter.com/betterstreetskc/status/1331632303962001414

And in a reply to Peter Walker's comment/RT of Devenish (here) someone has said that "The letter was ultimately triggered by a petition organised, meetings undertaken & mailbox-stuffing encouraged by just one person - Georges Assi, a former Lehman Bros director."

Hmmm.

Avatar
NZ Vegan Rider | 4 years ago
1 like

That first bike ride feeling

​"Big hands I know you're the one"

Avatar
ChrisB200SX | 4 years ago
1 like


road.cc wrote:

Fife ultracyclist successfully completes challenge to virtual Everest on Zwift every day for two weeks

And he still didn't win the Mielensteins!

Avatar
brooksby | 4 years ago
10 likes

About as off topic as you can get, but one for hawkinspeter:

Spirit animal: Minnesota squirrel gets drunk after eating fermented pears | Minnesota | The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/25/minnesota-squirrel-drunk...

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to brooksby | 4 years ago
7 likes

brooksby wrote:

About as off topic as you can get, but one for hawkinspeter:

Spirit animal: Minnesota squirrel gets drunk after eating fermented pears | Minnesota | The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/25/minnesota-squirrel-drunk...

I did see that one. It's not unknown for them to enjoy a tipple

Avatar
Captain Badger | 4 years ago
9 likes

The London Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) had said that black cabs were one of the safer modes of transport during the pandemic "particularly when compared to some other forms of public transport ..."

Lol, in other words, "One of the safest modes of transport when compared to modes that are less safe"

I'm convinced.....

 

Avatar
brooksby | 4 years ago
9 likes

Bristol has a lot of that pop-up protected parking, too.

(I've just emailed the council to politely suggest that if they're going to put a row of wands over cancelled parking spaces then they need to follow it up with a bloke checking that nobody has decided to continue using said parking spaces...).

Avatar
peted76 | 4 years ago
5 likes

That folder is awesome, how could it not be, it allows a travelling person to ride as he wants wherever he goes 1

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to peted76 | 4 years ago
0 likes

peted76 wrote:

That folder is awesome, how could it not be, it allows a travelling person to ride as he wants wherever he goes 1

I'd love to see more performance-oriented small wheel bikes (folding or not). Small wheels are much better aerodynamically, though they probably suffer a bit with our pot-hole infested roads.

Avatar
Drinfinity replied to hawkinspeter | 4 years ago
3 likes

Small wheels were spectacularly good in the velodrome, till they were banned for being too fast. Moulton did a custom track bike a while ago.

https://www.bikebiz.com/moulton-track-bike-gets-olympic-velodrome-try-out/amp/

 

Avatar
EddyBerckx replied to Drinfinity | 4 years ago
0 likes
Drinfinity wrote:

Small wheels were spectacularly good in the velodrome, till they were banned for being too fast. Moulton did a custom track bike a while ago.

https://www.bikebiz.com/moulton-track-bike-gets-olympic-velodrome-try-out/amp/

 

Be interested to know exactly why they are that much faster?

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to EddyBerckx | 4 years ago
2 likes

EddyBerckx wrote:
Drinfinity wrote:

Small wheels were spectacularly good in the velodrome, till they were banned for being too fast. Moulton did a custom track bike a while ago.

https://www.bikebiz.com/moulton-track-bike-gets-olympic-velodrome-try-out/amp/

 

Be interested to know exactly why they are that much faster?

Cos they are smaller

Avatar
peted76 replied to hawkinspeter | 4 years ago
1 like

hawkinspeter wrote:

peted76 wrote:

That folder is awesome, how could it not be, it allows a travelling person to ride as he wants wherever he goes 1

I'd love to see more performance-oriented small wheel bikes (folding or not). Small wheels are much better aerodynamically, though they probably suffer a bit with our pot-hole infested roads.

That's a bit size'ist.. you're all the same you squirrels.. always the aerodynamics this and that..where do I put my nuts...  well what about big wheeled bikes? 

 

Avatar
ChrisB200SX replied to hawkinspeter | 4 years ago
0 likes

hawkinspeter wrote:

peted76 wrote:

That folder is awesome, how could it not be, it allows a travelling person to ride as he wants wherever he goes 1

I'd love to see more performance-oriented small wheel bikes (folding or not). Small wheels are much better aerodynamically, though they probably suffer a bit with our pot-hole infested roads.

Is the rolling resistance higher though due to wider contact patch? Or is that actually better?

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to ChrisB200SX | 4 years ago
1 like

ChrisB200SX wrote:

hawkinspeter wrote:

peted76 wrote:

That folder is awesome, how could it not be, it allows a travelling person to ride as he wants wherever he goes 1

I'd love to see more performance-oriented small wheel bikes (folding or not). Small wheels are much better aerodynamically, though they probably suffer a bit with our pot-hole infested roads.

Is the rolling resistance higher though due to wider contact patch? Or is that actually better?

The area of the contact patch depends on the tyre pressure (and weight of bike+rider) so a smaller wheel won't make much difference to that. As the tyre would have a bigger curvature lengthways, the contact patch would probably be slightly wider but I doubt if it's a big effect.

Rolling resistance is going to be almost irrelevant compared to the aerodynamics at speed, so small wheels are a clear winner there.

Avatar
fukawitribe replied to hawkinspeter | 4 years ago
0 likes

If your rolling resistance is dominated by side-wall losses (e.g. hysteresis) then a wider, rather than longer, contact patch is most likely going to be 'better' in that sense. Quite how much that actually effects the ride - or the aerodynamics of a shorter but fatter tyre - is a trickier question...

Avatar
andystow replied to peted76 | 4 years ago
4 likes

This is mine. I bought it in a Trek Store for about $250 in the middle of a three week business trip to Wuxi, China. I changed the front 46 tooth to a 58 and still spin out often, due to the 6-speed 14-28 on the back. It's a threaded freewheel, so can't go any smaller. I pretty much just start in 4th and immediately shift to 6th. Gear inches went from 25-50 to a more reasonable 31-63.

This bike has since flown to Islay and Glasgow with me, and did great. I've put 1600 miles on it so far. Very useful for riding somewhere local, meeting my wife there, then going home with her in the car after. Or riding 60+ miles to a wine festival and then riding back with friends in a van.

It fits in a suitcase to fly, no extra charges, and also fits in the boot of my convertible MINI (barely) if I fold it and pull the seatpost out.

Avatar
ChasP replied to andystow | 4 years ago
1 like

You can get 11t freewheels for ebikes now, probably need a 7s shifter as well.

Avatar
andystow replied to ChasP | 4 years ago
0 likes

ChasP wrote:

You can get 11t freewheels for ebikes now, probably need a 7s shifter as well.

Still having no luck, maybe my Google-fu is weak.

This one has been around for a while, but has a solid reputation for being solid crap, unfortunately.

https://www.amazon.com/DNP-Epoch-Freewheel-Nickel-Plated/dp/B007A8RPUS

Avatar
OnYerBike | 4 years ago
13 likes

Royal Parks Police apologise for driving in cycle lane

The Royal Parks Police Twitter account responded: "Thank you for bringing this to our attention. This will be looked into by a supervising officer. We are all accountable for our driving."

Is it just me who can't spot an apology there?

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to OnYerBike | 4 years ago
5 likes

OnYerBike wrote:

Is it just me who can't spot an apology there?

They're just following the lead of their boss, Priti Vacant - sorry if I've upset you snowflake...

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 4 years ago
10 likes

Nigel Garrage wrote:

Didn't upset me, of course if you'd come up with similar childish abuse against a left-leaning successful woman of colour you'd have rightly been called out for racism.

Not sure that the comment was because she is a right-leaning successful woman of colour. I think it's cos she's a bullying fascist crook....

Avatar
ChrisB200SX replied to Captain Badger | 4 years ago
10 likes

Captain Badger wrote:

Nigel Garrage wrote:

Didn't upset me, of course if you'd come up with similar childish abuse against a left-leaning successful woman of colour you'd have rightly been called out for racism.

Not sure that the comment was because she is a right-leaning successful woman of colour. I think it's cos she's a bullying fascist crook....

Ah, but she's a right-leaning bullying fascist crook, so you're not allowed to call her Priti Vacant.
I find it hilarious when right-wingers deploy false "wokery" as whataboutery. Astounding cognitive dissonance.

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 4 years ago
6 likes

Nigel Garrage wrote:

Hahaha, I'm visualising your eyes bulging out of their sockets with incandescent rage at the audacity of Priti Patel pushing ahead with bold, brave and entirely correct policies against the poor advice of dusty old white male civil servants. "Ugh fascists, priti vacant, bully, crook", lol!

Almost had me, thought you might actually be taking a principled stand. But no, just Pritti fan-boi...

Word to the wise, think you might be aiming a  bit high....

 

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 4 years ago
6 likes

Nigel Garrage wrote:

Yep, she's Priti AWESOME! And - as far as I'm aware - hasn't run over a cyclist in a 4x4 performing a U-turn, on her way to the tailor! Woman of the people, a shining beacon for all young women to aspire to.

Avatar
ktache replied to Captain Badger | 4 years ago
7 likes

Apart from the bullying.

And the getting sacked, sorry, forced to resighn, for breaking the ministerial code previously, for lying to the Prime Minister. 

Arsepirational...?

Avatar
Rome73 replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 4 years ago
1 like

Ughh. 

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to Captain Badger | 4 years ago
6 likes

Captain Badger wrote:

Nigel Garrage wrote:

Didn't upset me, of course if you'd come up with similar childish abuse against a left-leaning successful woman of colour you'd have rightly been called out for racism.

Not sure that the comment was because she is a right-leaning successful woman of colour. I think it's cos she's a bullying fascist crook....

Spot on sir, it's hilarous to watch these rightist bigots suddenly becoming PC to attempt to stifle any criticism of Patel, Sunak et al. I'm sure they were all rushing to the defence of Dianne Abbott of course...

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to Rendel Harris | 4 years ago
4 likes

Rendel Harris wrote:

...

Spot on sir, it's hilarous to watch these rightist bigots suddenly becoming PC to attempt to stifle any criticism of Patel, Sunak et al. I'm sure they were all rushing to the defence of Dianne Abbott of course...

Oh didn't they just, I remember it clearly....

Pages

Latest Comments