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  • News
Christopher Hall
Filippo Zana Jayco AlUla team car (GCN) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Sticky bottle controversy hits the Giro d’Italia as fans question stage winner Filippo Zana’s team car help; Reaction to British Cycling transgender policy update; Giro queen stage; Paris taken over by waves of cycling commuters + more on the live blog

One more mountain day slog before the live blog retires for another glorious three-day weekend, Dan Alexander is on duty this Friday
  • by Dan Alexander
Fri, May 26, 2023 08:09
55

SUMMARY

  • Queen stage mountain showdown — warning for any sprinters left to look away now
  • Hugh Carthy will not start stage 19, leaves the race with stomach issues
  • Incredible scenes of Paris taken over by waves of cycling commuters
  • Madis Mihkels putting the circus in Intermarché-Circus-Wanty
  • WIRELESS Super Record leaked! Is Campagnolo about to shake up the groupset market?
  • BREAKING: British Cycling updates transgender policy, introduces open category
  • Reaction to British Cycling transgender policy update
  • What has British Cycling changed?
  • RideLondon weekend
  • Stopping the sticky bottle... your suggestions
  • AG2R Citroën team car kicked off Giro d'Italia after Carlos Verona collision
  • Charlotte Kool wins opening stage of RideLondon Classique, Lizzie Deignan third
  • Santiago Buitrago wins stage 19 of the Giro d'Italia — Roglič takes three seconds on G
  • Sticky bottle controversy hits the Giro d'Italia as fans question stage winner Filippo Zana's team car help
Christopher Hall
Filippo Zana Jayco AlUla team car (GCN) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
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26 May 2023, 08:09

Queen stage mountain showdown — warning for any sprinters left to look away now

A look ahead to today. Drumroll please…

The admin posting the stage profile on twitter 🔥#Giro #GirodItalia pic.twitter.com/NIF3yhLuhI

— Giro d’Italia (@giroditalia) May 26, 2023

  • Passo Campolongo: 4km at 7%
  • Passo Valparola: 2,194m 13.9km at 5.7%
  • Passo Giau: 2,227m 9.8km at 9.3%
  • Passo Tre Coci: 1,802m 8km at 7.3%
  • Tre Cime di Lavaredo: 2,307m 7.1km at 7.8%

Ridiculous office today pic.twitter.com/3qckTULXBD

— Ned Boulting 🏳️‍⚧️ (@nedboulting) May 26, 2023

26 May 2023, 08:09

Hugh Carthy will not start stage 19, leaves the race with stomach issues

2023 Giro d'Italia Hugh Carthy (SWpix.com/Zac Williams)
Zac Williams) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
2023 Giro d'Italia Hugh Carthy (SWpix.com/Zac Williams)
Zac Williams) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Hugh Carthy’s Giro is over, the climber from Preston abandoning the race ahead of the queen stage, his team citing stomach problems that he has been struggling with for a few days. Carthy, who has twice finished in the top ten of the Italian Grand Tour, lost more than four minutes on maglia rosa Geraint Thomas after being dropped early on the penultimate climb.

2023 Giro d'Italia Hugh Carthy (SWpix.com/Zac Williams)
Zac Williams) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
2023 Giro d'Italia Hugh Carthy (SWpix.com/Zac Williams)
Zac Williams) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

His team announced: “Hugh Carthy won’t be able to start today’s stage of the Giro d’Italia. He has been struggling with stomach issues for a few days so he’ll return home to rest and recover. Great effort, Hugh.”

26 May 2023, 08:09

Incredible scenes of Paris taken over by waves of cycling commuters

Things we like to see…

Paris – 25 mai 2023, 20:43 ☀️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/lPG10cAIJj

— Fouad Khayat (@Khayat_Fouad) May 25, 2023

26 May 2023, 08:09

Madis Mihkels putting the circus in Intermarché-Circus-Wanty

Who needs police escort when you have Madis Mihkels? 🚨 #TourOfNorway pic.twitter.com/c8TA4Ys5yG

— Intermarché-Circus-Wanty (@IntermarcheCW) May 25, 2023

26 May 2023, 08:09

WIRELESS Super Record leaked! Is Campagnolo about to shake up the groupset market?

26 May 2023, 08:09

BREAKING: British Cycling updates transgender policy, introduces open category

Some big news just landed…

British Cycling logo
British Cycling logo (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
British Cycling logo
British Cycling logo (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

> Emily Bridges calls British Cycling “failed organisation”, says trans woman have been “banned” as new “Open” category announced

26 May 2023, 08:09

Reaction to British Cycling transgender policy update

The big news this morning…

“…all you do is take money from petrochemical companies and engage in culture wars”

Emily Bridges calls British Cycling a “failed organisation”, says trans woman have been “banned” as new “Open” category announcedhttps://t.co/fUn7fkBc4i #cycling

— road.cc (@roadcc) May 26, 2023

Bridges’ mother Sandy shared her daughter’s statement, adding that “British Cycling were due to lift their press embargo at 11am this morning. Everybody knew the outcome by close of play yesterday. Except the people this policy impacts the most.”

Obviously we can only speak for ourselves, but we received our press release at 10:31am, prompting some urgent flapping as the 11am embargo neared, but talk of the announcement had been doing the rounds on social media for most of this week.

The news has swept around the UK media, it’s currently the top story on BBC News, and high up on just about every other news outlets’ websites. Something tells us the weekend column writers are sharpening their pencils as we speak.

Here, new British Cycling CEO Jon Dutton spoke with BBC Sport’s Dan Roan…

NEW | British Cycling to ban transgender women from competing in female category of competitive events under new participation policy “predicated on fairness”.
My interview with new CEO Jon Dutton here ⬇️ https://t.co/E7Oh2GDMTf pic.twitter.com/QSWn4Vp7b2

— Dan Roan (@danroan) May 26, 2023

26 May 2023, 08:09

What has British Cycling changed?

British Cycling Kalas Sportswear (image credit SWPix.jpg)
British Cycling Kalas Sportswear (image credit SWPix (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
British Cycling Kalas Sportswear (image credit SWPix.jpg)
British Cycling Kalas Sportswear (image credit SWPix (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

> British Cycling updates transgender policy, introduces new “Open” category

26 May 2023, 08:09

RideLondon weekend

More than 25,000 cyclists are set to take part in RideLondon’s closed-road routes on Sunday, with a similar number expected for the Free Cycle, an eight-mile family bike ride around some of the English capital’s most iconic roads, completely closed to traffic.

There’s the women’s professional race too, taking in two stages in Essex before Sunday’s central London finale. Some unfortunate news from the opening day of the race, former world champion Elisa Balsamo forced to abandon having suffered two crashes in the opening 100km.

Plenty out in the sun enjoying the action…

🎥 They’re rolling!
Stage 1 at #RideLondon is underway!

Follow our liveticker:https://t.co/6JpdfgrFhb pic.twitter.com/fJskQDXU9T

— UCI_WWT (@UCI_WWT) May 26, 2023

Any plans for the weekend? Family getting involved in the Free Cycle? Taking on the sportive? Watching the racing?  

26 May 2023, 08:09

Stopping the sticky bottle... your suggestions

Filippo Zana Jayco AlUla team car (GCN)
Filippo Zana Jayco AlUla team car (GCN) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Filippo Zana Jayco AlUla team car (GCN)
Filippo Zana Jayco AlUla team car (GCN) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Patrick9-32: “They need to implement (if they havent already) strict and specific rules for bottle handover. i.e. ‘Items must be handed end to end with contact for a maximum of one full second. Hands of rider and team car passenger must not touch.’

“They could then implement consistent punishment for violations based on severity of going over the limits set. Leaving it open to interpretation makes the teams push the envelope for the advantage and ends up discrediting the sport.”  

Rendel Harris: “A pedant writes: the second time wasn’t “sticky bottle”, it was “sticky glasses” — I thought it was outrageous when I was watching and it hasn’t improved on the second viewing, the sticky bottle was naughty but not far away from what seems to have become the accepted norm, with the glasses the driver and rider were pretty much holding hands with the glasses between them, the driver then accelerated towards the group and gave Zana a slingshot back to them. Not sure he should be deprived of the win but he’s certainly very lucky to get away with such a low sanction.”

Clem Fandango: “I’m sure I heard Sean Kelly on commentary wonder aloud if maybe an Italian Commissaire had been involved.”

26 May 2023, 08:09

AG2R Citroën team car kicked off Giro d'Italia after Carlos Verona collision

🤕🙈 @Carlos_Verona | #Giro

Seguimos adelante con @jjrojillas y el madrileño. Más de 8’ de margen, menos de 70 km al final.pic.twitter.com/BR7aSo38yi

— Movistar Team (@Movistar_Team) May 26, 2023

One that happened away from the TV cameras, but Italian broadcaster RAI quickly reported that one of the AG2R Citroën team cars had been ejected from the race. The reports suggest the directeur sportif struck the Movistar rider while driving behind the breakaway.

Just one team car left for the French outfit. With riders in the break, and Aurélien Paret-Peintre riding a decent GC, that creates a bit of a headache… although admittedly not quite the pain of Verona’s literal wounds…

26 May 2023, 08:09

Charlotte Kool wins opening stage of RideLondon Classique, Lizzie Deignan third

Top lead-out duties from Georgi Pfeiffer to set up Charlotte Kool for stage one victory in Colchester…

🥵 A tough sprint
😎 A Kool finish@charlotte_kool takes Stage One 🔥#RideLondon pic.twitter.com/jALRUaRwLc

— Ford RideLondon (@RideLondon) May 26, 2023

Got to admit part of me begrudges these pros coming over here and getting to ride British roads with three glorious days of sunshine. Where were they all grim winter? Anyway, ranting aside, Lizzie Deignan took third, just behind Clara Copponi, while Georgi had enough work already done to drift back for 10th. 

Tomorrow, it’s Maldon’s turn…

26 May 2023, 08:09

Santiago Buitrago wins stage 19 of the Giro d'Italia — Roglič takes three seconds on G

One of those Grand Tour days with two battles within the day — for stage victory and then, minutes later, for GC. Santiago Buitrago, the Colombian climber, became the fourth rider of this Giro to beat Derek Gee to a stage as the Canadian finished second again (that’s SIX top fives for Gee)…

Santiago’s MOMENT 🇨🇴

Santiago Buitrago wins Stage 19 of the Giro d’Italia! ☝️@SantiagoBS26 | @BHRVictorious pic.twitter.com/J0fCYhaA3n

— Eurosport (@eurosport) May 26, 2023

Behind, after a day that in many ways summed up this entire Giro — a slow burn, tension building, the promise of action further up the road — Primož Roglič took three seconds back on Thomas.

For a few hundred metres it looked as though it might be the Welshman stealing a further advantage but Roglič, on his changed bike with 1x 10-44t gravel gearing, came past to tighten the maglia rosa battle further, ahead of tomorrow’s decisive TT.

Giro stage 20 2023
Giro stage 20 2023 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Giro stage 20 2023
Giro stage 20 2023 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

26 seconds between G and Roglič, Almeida at 59 seconds. Who will be wearing pink in Rome?

26 May 2023, 08:09

Sticky bottle controversy hits the Giro d'Italia as fans question stage winner Filippo Zana's team car help

There’s been a bit of discussion about this since yesterday’s stage…

I love the aspect of a national champion winning on his home roads, whether it’s ahead of Thibaut or not.

But at some point, you may wonder if the team car should get the win too, after all it helped Zana massively, especially the second time round… @UCI_cycling#Giro pic.twitter.com/NWLbh1IoqZ

— Guillaume (@GuillaumeWatt) May 25, 2023

The two incidents showing, an admittedly pretty normal sight in professional bike racing — a rider, having dropped back to the team car, holding onto a bottle while the driver of said car accelerates, bringing them back to breakaway with minimal effort — the famous sticky bottle… (or in the second case ‘sticky glasses’ as pointed out by one eagle-eyed commenter)…

I dare say you could go back and find a similar incident from every single stage of the Giro so far however, naturally, when the rider involved goes on to win the stage, beating a very popular rider looking for their final Grand Tour stage win before retirement, the scrutiny is always going to be a touch more intense.

But did Zana/Jaco AlUla do anything wrong?

The commissaires thought so, Zana and his team director David McPartland appearing on the jury’s end-of-stage fines list for “Irregular feeding (sticky bottle for short distance)” and will pay 200 CHF (£179) each…

Giro fines
Giro fines (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Giro fines
Giro fines (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Some have suggested the punishment doesn’t go far enough, arguing Zana should lose his stage win, the claim being that in the second video he was being dropped, although the languid nature of his dropping back to the team car, plus the fact that once back on the Italian champion stuck with Pinot’s attacks on the remaining two climbs before beating him in the sprint, suggests this was hardly a rider pedalling squares…

Anyway, you didn’t come here to hear my ramblings, here’s what the fans made of it…

He was dropped with Pronskiy and calls his car

I wouldn’t tweet this if it was just a case of going back to the car, otherwise I’d make 1000 of them each race

— Guillaume (@GuillaumeWatt) May 25, 2023

Well yeah but strategically cheating, is still cheating

If you do it because you’ve gone to your car to get water, that’s fine

But he was dropped. That’s my issue here

— Guillaume (@GuillaumeWatt) May 25, 2023

At this point Zana’s teammate, and fellow breakaway extraordinaire, Alessandro De Marchi got involved… “How could he be dropped and then be one of the strongest with Pinot? I went back to the car intentionally. Please! This are not the bidoncollè that make you win a stage, believe me! 

Of course it helps but it’s not changing anything of the race guys! Not in this way and this moment of the race. This comments just show that (probably) you never experienced proper bike racing. And I’m saying this without criticism or offensively

— Alessandro De Marchi (@ADM_RossodiBuja) May 26, 2023

26 May 2023, 08:09

“They’re essentially locking down”: Residents angry at “ridiculous” traffic restrictions ahead of UCI Cycling World Championships

“They’re essentially locking down”: Residents angry at “ridiculous” traffic restrictions ahead of UCI Cycling World Championships

Concerns about gridlock and other disruption have been raised as Dumfries hosts the Para-Cycling event in August

26 May 2023, 08:09

Jeremy Vine called a “terrible person” by London bus driver for not cycling on the left and giving way

Jeremy Vine called a “terrible person” by London bus driver for not cycling on the left and giving way

“You guys are very provoking human beings and I don’t know why you do it”, the London bus driver told Vine…

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  • cycling live blog, live blog, road.cc live blog
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.  

55 Comments

55 thoughts on “Sticky bottle controversy hits the Giro d’Italia as fans question stage winner Filippo Zana’s team car help; Reaction to British Cycling transgender policy update; Giro queen stage; Paris taken over by waves of cycling commuters + more on the live blog”

  1. Rendel Harris
    May 26, 2023 at 8:26 am
    0

    A pedant writes: the second

    A pedant writes: the second time wasn’t “sticky bottle”, it was “sticky glasses” – I thought it was outrageous when I was watching and it hasn’t improved on the second viewing, the sticky bottle was naughty but not far away from what seems to have become the accepted norm, with the glasses the driver and rider were pretty much holding hands with the glasses between them, the driver then accelerated towards the group and gave Zana a slingshot back to them. Not sure he should be deprived of the win but he’s certainly very lucky to get away with such a low sanction.

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    • bobbinogs
      May 26, 2023 at 8:43 am
      0

      mmm, an Italian champion wins

      mmm, an Italian champion wins prestigious stage in the Giro…he’s never gonna get anything more than a minor sanction for the sticky bottle incidents.

      Log In or Register to post comments
      • Clem Fandango
        May 26, 2023 at 10:11 am
        0

        I’m sure I heard Sean Kelly

        I’m sure I heard Sean Kelly on commentary wonder aloud if maybe an Italian Commissaire had been involved

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  2. Patrick9-32
    May 26, 2023 at 9:15 am
    0

    They need to implement (if

    They need to implement (if they havent already) strict and specific rules for bottle handover. i.e. “Items must be handed end to end with contact for a maximum of one full second. Hands of rider and team car passenger must not touch.”

    They could then implement consistent punishment for violations based on severity of going over the limits set. 

    Leaving it open to interpretation makes the teams push the envelope for the advantage and ends up discrediting the sport.  

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    • Rendel Harris
      May 26, 2023 at 10:18 am
      0

      Probably wouldn’t be

      Probably wouldn’t be practical but I have sometimes wondered if it would be possible for the team car to have a tray fitted over the window, rather like the ones people put their food on at drive-in cinemas, so anything the rider wants is placed on there and then they ride up and take it off without any chance of getting a tow.

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      • Matthew Acton-Varian
        May 26, 2023 at 11:01 am
        0

        Good idea in principle

        Good idea in principle however considering that a race service vehicle is travelling at speed, and the driver may need to react quickly in the event of an incident (harsh braking/direction change) it might not be feasable in practice.

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  3. Owd Big 'Ead
    May 26, 2023 at 9:28 am
    0

    Paris looks fantastic.
    Paris looks fantastic.
    Noteworthy that there’s no lycra on show, take note UK cyclists.

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    • TheBillder
      May 26, 2023 at 10:10 am
      0

      Owd Big 'Ead wrote:

      Paris looks fantastic.
      Noteworthy that there’s no lycra on show, take note UK cyclists.

      — Owd Big 'Ead

      Wear lycra if you want, it’s your commute and (I hope) your clothes.

      Just follow your arrow wherever it points* as long as it adversely affects no one.

      *There’s a song about this.

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    • HoldingOn
      May 26, 2023 at 10:16 am
      0

      I’ve seen a few comments

      I’ve seen a few comments about wearing lycra – I feel like I have missed something?

      I wear lycra shorts/leggings under some running shorts. My work clothes would end up soaked in sweat if I wore them and tracksuit bottoms end up falling down cause they are wet or getting caught in the gears.
      Am I making a cycling faux pas?

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      • NotNigel
        May 26, 2023 at 10:49 am
        0

        Wear what ever makes the ride

        Wear what ever makes the ride comfortable and enjoyable and f**k what anyone thinks.

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        • HoldingOn
          May 26, 2023 at 11:21 am
          0

          That’s a shame – I was really

          That’s a shame – I was really hoping someone would have come on with
          “well actually, if you do x,y,z your cycling life will be much better”

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    • EddyBerckx
      May 26, 2023 at 10:22 am
      0

      Owd Big ‘Ead wrote:

      Paris looks fantastic. Noteworthy that there’s no lycra on show, take note UK cyclists.

      — Owd Big 'Ead

      Give me a million to move back to where I was born and brought up and gentrified out of and yes, I will ditch the lycra on my commute…in the meantime I will wear lycra on my almost 40 mile round trip.

      I understand what you are trying to say but honestly, very few people choose to go through all the faff on putting on cycle specific clothes that society often mocks unless there is a valid reason and/or need. In the 11 years I’ve been cycling / commuting very few utility cyclist champions have ever actually thought about this. They have just moaned and mocked. Not helpful.

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      • Clem Fandango
        May 26, 2023 at 11:06 am
        0

        I too have a relatively

        I too have a relatively significant commute round trip(can’t top yours – mine only comes in at 35 miles).  There’s no f*cking way I’m doing it in work clothes (and getting there in a reasonable amount of time).  I might turn up to a Board meeting having tried it one day though, I’m sure it’d be a good look 

        I do wear baggy MTB shorts on occasion, but then again usually paired with bibshorts – is stealth lycra acceptable to the fashion police do you think?

         

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        • HoldingOn
          May 26, 2023 at 11:57 am
          0

          Wow! Those are amazing

          Wow! Those are amazing distances! People are surprised when I tell them I cycle 14 miles round trip – they won’t believe me when I tell them people cycle 35+ miles!

          I remember reading about a person walking down the street, minding their own business, when suddenly – BAM – dressed head to toe in skin tight clothing. Another victim of Stealth Lycra.

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      • brooksby
        May 26, 2023 at 11:21 am
        0

        EddyBerckx wrote:

        in the meantime I will wear lycra on my almost 40 mile round trip.

        — EddyBerckx

        Isn’t that the point:?  Nobody is expecting you to wear your normal clothes on a forty mile round trip.  They’re just saying that you don’t need to wear lycra for a two mile trip to the shops and back.  I think.

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    • hawkinspeter
      May 26, 2023 at 10:27 am
      0

      Owd Big ‘Ead wrote:

      Paris looks fantastic. Noteworthy that there’s no lycra on show, take note UK cyclists.

      — Owd Big 'Ead

      So we have to wear lycra or we’ll be shipped over to France?

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      • chrisonabike
        May 26, 2023 at 11:12 am
        0

        hawkinspeter wrote:

        Paris looks fantastic. Noteworthy that there’s no lycra on show, take note UK cyclists.

        — hawkinspeter

        So we have to wear lycra or we’ll be shipped over to France?— Owd Big 'Ead
        Wait – is this the latest measure to deter migrants on boats?

        Or is this while thing a bit “no true Scotsman…”?

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        • hawkinspeter
          May 26, 2023 at 12:07 pm
          0

          chrisonatrike wrote:

          Wait – is this the latest measure to deter migrants on boats? Or is this while thing a bit “no true Scotsman…”?

          — chrisonatrike

          Lycra kilts? Surely they’re not going to be comfortable for cycling in.

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      • Kapelmuur
        May 26, 2023 at 12:06 pm
        0

        I wear Lycra because I look

        I wear Lycra because I look so good in it.

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        • brooksby
          May 26, 2023 at 1:33 pm
          0

          Kapelmuur wrote:

          I wear Lycra because I look so good in it.

          — Kapelmuur

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    • chrisonabike
      May 26, 2023 at 11:31 am
      0

      Owd Big 'Ead wrote:

      Paris looks fantastic.
      Noteworthy that there’s no lycra on show, take note UK cyclists.

      — Owd Big 'Ead

      Wear what works for you – anything’s good if it helps you get cycling. Well, maybe not mankinis.

      I think it’s more an observation that where mass cycling *does* exist (cycling as transport, for anyone) most people appear to dress for the destination. And a push-back against a stereotype (MAMILS / sporty lycra louts etc).

      Probably at least as much lycra in eg. NL (and still a fair bit of PPE-wearing in Scandinavia) but it’s less noticeable in the mass of humanity on bikes wearing “normal” clothes.

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      • andystow
        May 26, 2023 at 3:34 pm
        0

        My commute is 9 miles each

        My commute is 9 miles each way. I never wear lycra/spandex. I have a selection of synthetic trousers, some cycling specific but some not, which are passable in the “business casual” environment I work in. Some can be pulled up above the calf to use like knickerbockers. In warm weather, I’m wearing just a base layer like this Pearl Izumi one on top. When I get to work, once I’m cooled off (sometimes using a small desk fan) I put a collared shirt on top of the base layer. No shower, no need to go somewhere private to change.

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    • Oldfatgit
      May 26, 2023 at 12:38 pm
      0

      My commute is around 52 miles
      My commute is around 52 miles, with 12 miles in the morning shared between train and bike, and the 40 miles home in the evening.

      I’ve experimented with trousers, chinos, and jeans all with and without additional pads on the morning leg … and it’s just not comfortable.
      The trousers move wrong on the leg – not to mention the rather uncomfortable seam that is right where you don’t want it to be; shirts are horrible to cycle any distance in as they offer zero protection from anything.

      So, for both the 12 mile leg and the 40 mile leg, I wear cycling bibs with a part of MTB shorts on over the top, and a proper jersey with pockets in the back and everything.

      I get to work, get changed in the disabled loo (which being disabled I can use anyway), and repeat the process home.

      I wear what I want to wear to be comfortable and safe

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      • Paul J
        May 26, 2023 at 1:19 pm
        0

        Vulpine have (least use to
        Vulpine have (least use to have – hopefully still do) jeans and shorts with diamond gussets, specifically so that you weren’t sitting on a middle seam on your saddle.

        One problem is that any kind of serious cycling will cause wear, especially on looser clothing.

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        • Oldfatgit
          May 26, 2023 at 3:21 pm
          0

          In an ideal world, I’d do the
          In an ideal world, I’d do the 9 miles from the station to the office in office clothes and then change for the 40miles home.

          But … I quickly found that a shirt is useless, so I wore a jersey… which still meant having to get changed.
          It doesn’t take many seconds longer to strip off and do a full change as to just change half… so I bit the bullet and went back to cycling shorts.

          One of these days, I’m going to find out that I’ve not fully locked the cubicle door, and someone is going to walk in at exactly the wrong moment … should that happen, hopefully HR will be understanding …???

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  4. HoldingOn
    May 26, 2023 at 9:35 am
    0

    I could do with a car helping

    I could do with a car helping me up some hills.
    You know, instead of trying to kill me….

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  5. Legin
    May 26, 2023 at 10:10 am
    0

    I await all the clap trap

    I await all the clap trap (some arrived already) about the “sticky bottle”. Yes this was a minor offence hence the fine.

    • Did it give him some huge advantage over others; no.
    • Was it an obvious attempt at cheating: no.
    • Did it affect the outcome of the race: no

    It was a team car giving the rider a short tow to get him back to the group after he’d picked up a bottle.

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    • Rendel Harris
      May 26, 2023 at 10:16 am
      0

      Legin wrote:

      • Was it an obvious attempt at cheating: no.

      It was a team car giving the rider a short tow to get him back to the group after he’d picked up a bottle.

      — Legin

      Which is, um, obviously cheating.

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      • Legin
        May 26, 2023 at 2:19 pm
        0

        Rendel Harris wrote:

        • Was it an obvious attempt at cheating: no.

        It was a team car giving the rider a short tow to get him back to the group after he’d picked up a bottle.

        — Rendel Harris

        Which is, um, obviously cheating.

        — Legin

        As you wish…..

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        • Flintshire Boy
          May 26, 2023 at 4:42 pm
          0

          .

          .

          No, no – as the LAWS wish.

          .

          No need to personalise things.

          .

           

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    • Patrick9-32
      May 26, 2023 at 3:23 pm
      0

      Did it give him some huge

      Did it give him some huge advantage over others; yes, none of them got pulled along completely free of effort for 5 seconds.
      Was it an obvious attempt at cheating: yes.
      Did it affect the outcome of the race: Impossible to know for sure butits possible.

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  6. hawkinspeter
    May 26, 2023 at 10:21 am
    0

    I propose a new rule to foil

    I propose a new rule to foil the sticky bottlers.

    Don’t allow the bottle provider to hold the bottle directly, but uses a weak stick that will break when too much force is applied (e.g. Ultegra cranks).

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    • Matthew Acton-Varian
      May 26, 2023 at 10:50 am
      0

       would be a good usage for

       would be a good usage for all the cranks left in circulation.

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  7. NickSprink
    May 26, 2023 at 12:07 pm
    0

    For all you lycrist

    For all you lycrist infiltraitors with you LTNs, protected bike lanes and 15 minute cities, this is what you are missing https://youtu.be/8nZh7A7qTPo

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    • andystow
      May 26, 2023 at 3:15 pm
      0

      Seriously, watch this. This

      Seriously, watch this. This is probably the channel’s second best video!

       

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  8. Ashadi
    May 26, 2023 at 1:34 pm
    0

    Just to be clear those are
    Just to be clear those are not commuters in Paris but there is a bike ride event every thursday evening. The event name is Okami. Here is the link of the event 😉
    https://instagram.com/okami.riding?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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  9. brooksby
    May 26, 2023 at 1:54 pm
    0

    https://metro.co.uk/2023/05

    Jeremy Vine branded ‘terrible person’ for ‘provoking human beings’ by bus driver over his cycling

    Stopping at a red light, he [Jeremy Vine] signals to the driver [of a bus], unclear of why they hooted.

    According to him, she signalled back that he ‘should have been further over to the left’.

    ‘What did I do wrong? Am I supposed to be over here?’ he questions, before taking the opportunity to approach the driver.

    ‘I’m so sorry, I couldn’t hear you,’ Vine begins, before she replies: ‘I said, you’re a terrible person.’

    ‘Why?’ a baffled Vine replies.

    She says: ‘You knew what you was doing. You guys are very provoking human beings. and I don’t know why you do it.’

    “very provoking human beings” – so: is that a new version of bl00dy cyclists?

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    • hawkinspeter
      May 26, 2023 at 2:19 pm
      0

      brooksby wrote:

      https://metro.co.uk/2023/05/25/jeremy-vine-called-terrible-person-by-bus-driver-over-his-cycling-18845692/

      “very provoking human beings” – so: is that a new version of bl00dy cyclists?

      — brooksby

      The cognitive dissonance is amazing with this kind of drivist.

      They use their horn to tell a cyclist that they obviously know better than the cyclist how to cycle, and when the cyclist is puzzled and asks as to the meaning of the horn, they accuse the cyclist of being provocative. Why don’t they just follow at a safe distance or overtake when safe – there’s literally no benefit in using their horn to indicate some disagreement and it’s probably not even legal.

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      • chrisonabike
        May 26, 2023 at 2:28 pm
        0

        I’d embrace the opportunity.
        I’d embrace the opportunity. Someone’s taking time out of their busy life / working day to engage in some discussion of the appropriate use of the road – what’s not to like? And a “friendly toot” also!

        Devil’s advocate here, but it’s possible the driver was correct about some issue and was genuinely horning correctly (to let Vine know they were there). (I know…) How’s that different from if the roles were reversed?

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        • hawkinspeter
          May 26, 2023 at 2:48 pm
          0

          chrisonatrike wrote:

          I’d embrace the opportunity. Someone’s taking time out of their busy life / working day to engage in some discussion of the appropriate use of the road – what’s not to like? And a “friendly toot” also! Devil’s advocate here, but it’s possible the driver was correct about some issue and was genuinely horning correctly (to let Vine know they were there). (I know…) How’s that different from if the roles were reversed?

          — chrisonatrike

          We’re back in the territory of needing two different horns. One for the official use of warning other road users of your presence (seems unnecessary if you’re in a big bus just following another road user) and maybe a softer sound (tambourine?) to indicate that you’d like a friendly discussion with someone or you’ve seen a friend walking along the pavement etc.

          It’s technically possible for a driver to use their horn to get the attention of a cyclist to then impart some sage advice, but it seems about as likely as Rishi using public transport to go visit his millionaire buddies.

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          • chrisonabike
            May 26, 2023 at 2:49 pm
            0

            hawkinspeter wrote:

            ….and maybe a softer sound (tambourine?) to indicate that you’d like a friendly discussion with someone or you’ve seen a friend walking along the pavement etc.

            — hawkinspeter

            A tambourine is a bit harsh – more of a noise. Possibly some kind of metallic tuned idiophone though? Hmm…

          • mark1a
            May 26, 2023 at 2:58 pm
            0

            I’ve been toying with the

            I’ve been toying with the idea of putting a Fiamm Tour Horn as an additional horn in my van for greeting purposes. 

          • chrisonabike
            May 26, 2023 at 3:37 pm
            0

            Would the Orthodox position
            Would the Orthodox position be to use a shofar?

          • hawkinspeter
            May 26, 2023 at 3:02 pm
            0

            chrisonatrike wrote:

            A tambourine is a bit harsh – more of a noise. Possibly some kind of metallic tuned idiophone though? Hmm…

            — chrisonatrike

            Now that Rolf Harris has passed away, maybe it’s time for a resurgence of the Stylophone?

          • chrisonabike
            May 26, 2023 at 3:38 pm
            0

            Thank goodness! Thought that
            Thank goodness! Thought that was going to be “my other horn is a didgeridoo”.

          • hawkinspeter
            May 26, 2023 at 5:09 pm
            0

            chrisonatrike wrote:

            Thank goodness! Thought that was going to be “my other horn is a didgeridoo”.

            — chrisonatrike

            I once saw a busker playing Dancing Queen on a didgeridoo.

            I thought that’s aboriginal

          • HoldingOn
            May 26, 2023 at 2:51 pm
            0

            I always thought a short

            I always thought a short “toot” of the horn was a “thanks/take care” and a double toot being “hello my friend”
            a longer “blast” of the horn was “watch out for my death machine”

            I would say the bus does a short “toot” – so not aggressive, but then the driver doesn’t help by refusing to talk with Mr Vine. They may have been taken aback by the cameras (I think he uses several?) but “you know what you did” isn’t helpful – clearly he doesn’t or he wouldn’t, politely, ask.

            I don’t think he comes off as rude or aggressive. If the driver felt threatened in any way, they could simply close their window. They are in a box designed to protect them, after all.

          • Sriracha
            May 26, 2023 at 2:59 pm
            0

            hawkinspeter wrote:

            We’re back in the territory of needing two different horns…

            — hawkinspeter

            So that presents a dilemma of the horns.

          • eburtthebike
            May 26, 2023 at 5:45 pm
            0

            hawkinspeter wrote:

            but it seems about as likely as Rishi using public transport to go visit his millionaire buddies.

            — hawkinspeterAccording to Conservative HQ, helicopters are public transport.

          • marmotte27
            May 27, 2023 at 5:39 am
            0

            French buses have a bell.
            French buses have a bell.

  10. brooksby
    May 26, 2023 at 3:36 pm
    0

    Nothing at all to do with

    Nothing at all to do with cycling, but it made me laugh:

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/may/26/jeff-bezos-money-lauren-sanchez-europe

    Giving money away is hard, says Lauren Sanchez, who is currently touring Europe with Bezos on his 417ft yacht

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  11. andystow
    May 26, 2023 at 4:17 pm
    0

    Caught on video in Tunbridge

    Caught on video in Tunbridge Wells, cyclist thrown off by pot hole.

    Log In or Register to post comments
    • quiff
      May 26, 2023 at 4:56 pm
      0

      Driver did well to stop and

      Driver did well to stop and check on him, but not the most sympathetic treatment of the bike! 

      Log In or Register to post comments
    • chrisonabike
      May 26, 2023 at 5:27 pm
      0

      “Upended of Tunbridge Wells”
      “Upended of Tunbridge Wells” – looks unpleasant but good response by driver!

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    • eburtthebike
      May 26, 2023 at 5:43 pm
      0

      Glad he is recovering, but

      Glad he is recovering, but why didn’t he see the pothole?

      Usual claims of helmet saving his life.

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The revolution and evolution of XC: How cross-country racing has changed in the UK and beyond
feature
5
Revel Rascal SRAM XO mountain bike
Revel Rascal SRAM XO mountain bike
A fast, agile and lively bike which is a hoot to ride but watch out for the steeps
review
0
Do mountain bikes get more adjustable than this? Rocky Mountain’s Instinct and more from Giant, Tailfin, Insta360 and Cast
Do mountain bikes get more adjustable than this? Rocky Mountain’s Instinct and more from Giant, Tailfin, Insta360 and Cast
This week's Five Cool Things plus the best stories of the week
feature
0
Coaching is the best money you’ll ever spend on your mountain bike
Coaching is the best money you’ll ever spend on your mountain bike
New bikes are cool and all... but have you thought about investing in the engine that runs them?
blog
2
USWE Race 2.0 2L hydration pack
USWE Race 2.0 2L hydration pack
Superb hydration pack with excellent comfort and a brilliantly designed central clasp closure
review
1
Dunne, not dusted: 2025 world downhill bronze medallist Rónán Dunne on his comeback from big injury
Dunne, not dusted: 2025 world downhill bronze medallist Rónán Dunne on his comeback from big injury
The Irishman had a superb season last year, winning the Les Gets World Cup and taking third in the UCI Downhill World Championships. Things haven’t gone to plan in recent months but he’s back racing and he’s targeting a big end of season
feature
0
Alpinestars’ MotoGP-style airbag technology comes to mountain biking
Alpinestars’ MotoGP-style airbag technology comes to mountain biking
New airbag system claims to provide four-times the protection of standard inserts
tech news
0
British Cycling has finally embraced gravel but is it too late?
British Cycling has finally embraced gravel but is it too late?
Last weekend British Cycling held its first Gravel National Championships but with so many big events already on the calendar, is BC too late to the party?
feature
6

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“County lines on wheels?” Ipswich abandons hire e-bikes after ‘safety’ concerns, Bafang launches powerful new motor, 16m micromobility trips in west of England plus more
“County lines on wheels?” Ipswich abandons hire e-bikes after ‘safety’ concerns, Bafang launches powerful new motor, 16m micromobility trips in west of England plus more
feature
7
E-bike confusion harming shops, as owner claims illegal bike owners “aggressive” when refused service
E-bike confusion harming shops, as owner claims illegal bike owners “aggressive” when refused service
news
26
Blanket e-bike ban from trains and stations will have “devastating impact”, say cycling campaigners – as rail operator refuses to meet with cyclists and share evidence behind “huge backward step”
Blanket e-bike ban from trains and stations will have “devastating impact”, say cycling campaigners – as rail operator refuses to meet with cyclists and share evidence behind “huge backward step”
Cycling UK launches formal complaint over operator's upcoming ban, citing complaints of riders who rely on e-bikes as mobility aids
news
53
Ahooga E-Max Alfine
Ahooga E-Max Alfine
Innovative and functional folder performs very well and should garner a strong following
review
0
Lime disabled in London district after blind resident claimed pavement-blocking e-bikes ‘forced him onto busy road’
Lime disabled in London district after blind resident claimed pavement-blocking e-bikes ‘forced him onto busy road’
Lime apologises and disables e-bikes in Penge after partially sighted residents highlight issues with poor e-bike parking
news
7
FLIT M2i folding e-bike weighs less than a Brompton Electric T Line – and costs half the price
FLIT M2i folding e-bike weighs less than a Brompton Electric T Line – and costs half the price
The 13.3kg Cambridge-built FLIT M2i is “the lightest fully folding premium e-bike” and is priced at £2,999
tech news
1
Gtechniq has Gore-Tex set in its sights as brand unveils ‘next-generation’ PFAS-free Fabric Proof
Gtechniq has Gore-Tex set in its sights as brand unveils ‘next-generation’ PFAS-free Fabric Proof
Fresh DWR spray promises high abrasion resistance, greater longevity and easy installation without forever chemicals
tech news
1
Police sergeant claims “under current legislation e-bikes are deemed to be motor vehicles” after targeted crackdown on illegal “nuisance” vehicles
Police sergeant claims “under current legislation e-bikes are deemed to be motor vehicles” after targeted crackdown on illegal “nuisance” vehicles
When approached by road.cc for comment, the sergeant clarified that “some e-bikes should be regarded as motor vehicles and hence require insurance and tax”
news
22

Latest Comments

Rendel Harris 25 minutes ago

As I recall it made cycling more popular rather than doing for it...honestly, this article is an absolute dumpster fire of factual errors (Orson Welles did not write 1984 and Warner Bros do not organise MTB races) and grammatical and syntactical mistakes ("TV coverage is also, in no short order, what rings in the lion’s share of sponsorship money" - what?). What on earth happened?

in: The revolution and evolution of XC: How cross-country racing has changed in the UK and beyond
Rendel Harris 45 minutes ago

@Sriracha It is indeed ridiculous that one can buy these illegal machines just on a promise that one won't use it on public roads; almost as ludicrous as being able to buy a motor car that can do 230mph with a promise that one won't ever do more than 70mph. By all means let's have a crackdown on illegal electric motorcycles, but there should be simultaneous legislation restricting all cars to 70mph maximum with severe confiscate/crush penalties for any vehicle that has been modified to circumvent the restrictor.

in: E-bike confusion harming shops, as owner claims illegal bike owners “aggressive” when refused service
Rendel Harris 56 minutes ago

Yes, let's send in the army to go after the group that kills 1750 people a year and seriously injures 25,000 more, 85% of whom admit to breaking the law when it suits them. Shocking that these thugs have been allowed to get away with their illegal behaviours for so long and at such devastating cost to their victims and their families.

in: E-bike confusion harming shops, as owner claims illegal bike owners “aggressive” when refused service
Rendel Harris 1 hour ago

@Steve K Yep, at the time I had a back wheel conversion ebike, fully legal kit from a reputable UK supplier, all three of my LBSs refused to do a front brake fluid replacement for me; they were very polite and apologetic but they all had a policy of only working on purpose-built ebikes from well-known manufacturers. One explained that there were plenty of falsely-badged dodgy kits around with 750W motors masquerading as 250W and they didn't want to risk any potential legal issues if they were found to have facilitated getting an illegal machine back on the road.

in: E-bike confusion harming shops, as owner claims illegal bike owners “aggressive” when refused service
Ollie Smith 1 hour ago

@leedorney Nowt wrong with inner tubes, but if you'd have spent £100 buying tyres to use them tubeless I bet you'd be at least marginally annoyed.

in: Challenge Elite Pro – Handmade TLR 700×30
ktache 2 hours ago

The cheery face of occupation...

in: E-bike confusion harming shops, as owner claims illegal bike owners “aggressive” when refused service
ktache 2 hours ago

Much as you cannot outrun a polar bear, but you might be able to outrun the bloke next to you, it's about persuading the scrote that the bike next to yours is easier to steal, though of course not as nice. And mine will always be grubbier. And it helps with the insurance payout. I like my hip lock DX1000, at the time of purchase it was the only lock that would fit around the rim and tyre, securing the rohloff to the frame and secure object. And it definitely looks the part. Yet to see the LPL attack the locking mech, the key, to my untrained eye looks better than my many kryptonites. As the above has it, these diamond sold secure locks are getting cheaper and that is no bad thing.

in: “The last lock you’ll ever need”: check out the £180 U-lock that’ll survive 10 angle grinder discs – plus the gravel bike that fits in a suitcase, the bike shoe brand now selling scent and loads more
60somethingcyclist 2 hours ago

It's good to see that there are bike shop owners with principles. I was in a bike shop recently when some of the Deliveroo fraternity brought their bikes in. The staff saw that the bikes were illegal and refused to touch them. Fortunately the riders didn't cause any trouble, although this might have been because there were another 4 guys in the repair shop, with a lot of spanners and wrenches in easy reach! Illegal bike are a real problem, whether they're modified e-bikes or electric motorbikes. The Police and councils to occasionally run operations to try and catch them but they won't chase them. In my area they're being used for drug dealing.

in: E-bike confusion harming shops, as owner claims illegal bike owners “aggressive” when refused service
60somethingcyclist 3 hours ago

Perhaps the friendly approach might work?

in: E-bike confusion harming shops, as owner claims illegal bike owners “aggressive” when refused service
Xenophon2 3 hours ago

I don't believe tall stories about invincible bike locks, period. Even IF it could withstand an angle grinder, what happens if the thief doesn't use a grinder but another means? Say he douses that hard but brittle lock with refrigerant spray and gives it a good whack with a hammer? Or -what happened to me but fortunately with a low value bike- they don't manage to cut the lock and out of spite they attack the frame and cut through it?

in: “The last lock you’ll ever need”: check out the £180 U-lock that’ll survive 10 angle grinder discs – plus the gravel bike that fits in a suitcase, the bike shoe brand now selling scent and loads more

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