“This is not who we are”: locals scrubbed ‘Covidiot’ graffiti off Somerset road; New London Bike Show dates; Italy + Spain lifting exercise restrictions; ‘LaserTour’ Zwift precursor cost $20k; New La Passione jerseys + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Weekend catch-up
Spent the weekend customising your pain cave and lost track of what day it is? Here’s what you missed…
Cyclist spotted on M25 motorway on Surrey – the second one seen there during lockdown
Cyclist suffers broken pelvis in ‘deliberate’ hit and run assault
15 cyclists killed on UK roads in first month of lockdown – here’s what we know so far
‘If you want streets that allow social distancing, tell your council’ – Cycling UK
Hour record holder asks for doping test – but is told he can’t have one
Pierre Latour dematerialises while leading Virtual Tour de Suisse
Think Peloton is expensive? Check out LaserTour, the 1982 version of Zwift that would have set you back 20,000 US dollars
The LaserTour from Perceptronics, available in the 1982 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. Yours for a cool $20,000. pic.twitter.com/rYuVZ5sjeE
— Humanoid History (@HumanoidHistory) April 27, 2020
Even in today’s money, spending close to a grand on a smart trainer set-up and then paying a monthly subscription to link it to a super immersive training app like Zwift might seem like a considerable investment… but if you swear by indoor training through the lockdown then consider yourself lucky that it didn’t all happen in 1982, because you could have ended up paying $20,000 for what looks like a pretty rudimentary spinbike with some ‘pleasant panorama’ blaring out of the TV.
In what would have been the ultimate showpiece in Patrick Bateman’s apartment, the LaserTour from Perceptronics cuts to the chase and does away with showing us any useful training stats; because what we really all need to pass the time on the turbo is fuzzy pictures of rollercoasters, right? We’re boxing up the trainer and going to spend the morning search the darkest corners of eBay!
Lockdowns are being eased in Italy and Spain, and cyclists will soon be allowed to ride outside again
While those of us in the UK have been allowed out for daily exercise, the French, Italians and Spaniards have all been in complete lockdown apart from trips to buy essential supplies for over a month; but now both countries are set to lift some restrictions.
In Spain the government are expected to allow outdoor exercise from 2nd May, while in Italy, Prime Minister Guiseppe Conte announced that Phase Two of their lockdown strategy would include the resumption of individual training for athletes, and exercise being permitted in wider areas. Nothing has been confirmed in France, but the Prime Minister will present a national exit strategy tomorrow.
Are cyclists taking unnecessary flak during the lockdown?
Coronavirus: Are cyclists being wrongly targeted during lockdown?https://t.co/l2JpDEAy5m
— TransportXtra (@TransportXtra) April 26, 2020
Further to the post above, the BBC have asked this question in an article published yesterday, citing coverage on road.cc of the signs in Little Bollington, Cheshire telling cyclists to stay away – the signs have since being removed, with a Parish Councillor apologising and admitting they “got it wrong”.
The article quotes an intensive care consultant who says: “If you’re dressed in Lycra, there’s this notion that you’ve been out for hours and hours, but in fact I just use the bike and the Lycra to cycle to another hospital.”
The consultant continues by claiming that there is no evidence of cycling having an impact on “local spread”, and that walking or jogging through a village “is likely to have a far greater impact, as you’re interacting with surfaces more than you would on a bike.”
When road.cc staff discussed the perceived issue, our personal experiences are that anti-cycling sentiment doesn’t appear to have visibly increased noticeably on the roads we ride, but those who previously expressed such views may feel that the lockdown has empowered them to be more vocal with their negative attitude towards cyclists. We’ve also noticed considerable numbers of those who wouldn’t have previously considered themselves ‘cyclists’ are getting back on the bike to get their daily exercise.
While government advice still doesn’t specify a time or distance limit on permitted daily exercise, it’s considered good practice to stay reasonably local. Cycling UK have advised people to consider “a circular route close to home” in case there is a “mechanical mishap you can’t fix yourself” – for our advice in line with the latest government guidance, check out our dos and don’ts guide.
Cycling club chairman in Somerset reports stream of anti-cycling abuse, including tacks left on the road and 'Covidiot cyclists' rant sprayed on the B3114
Mark Jerzak – Chairman of Chew Valley Cycling Club – originally posted a statement on his club’s Facebook page on April 13th reporting ‘a number of attacks’ on cyclists in the area around North Somerset, including a woman suffering punctures due to pins being deliberately left on the road and numerous cyclists receiving verbal abuse from passing cars.
Yesterday Somerset Live reported that Mr Jerzak spotted the words ‘Covidiot cyclists stay at home protect the NHS’ scrawled across the B3114 in Litton. The phrase ‘covidiot’ has been adopted by some UK tabloid newspapers to shame those considered to be breaking the lockdown rules, with the person(s) responsible presumably misinterpreting the government’s guidance to justify the inflammatory graffiti.
Mr Jerzak told road.cc this morning that locals were helping to wash the graffiti off the road.
Councils vs government temporary cycling space row: Cycling UK say new DfT guidance DOES make it easier for councils
On our live blog last wednesday and again on Saturday, we reported that Hackney councillor Jon Burke furiously claimed that new Department for Transport guidance to reportedly aid the building of emergency cycling and walking space was simply a case of “gaslighting us”; however, Cycling UK’s Head of Campaigns Duncan Dollimore says that the guidance does make life easier for councils. He told road.cc:
“The new DfT guidance does make it easier for councils to satisfy the rules for advertising proposed traffic orders, which is sensible and we welcome, but it doesn’t give councils any other new powers.
“That doesn’t mean councils have an excuse to do nothing. As shown by Cycling UK’s guide for councils, there’s plenty they can do to create space now to make social distancing easier and relieve pressure on public transport for when lockdown is relaxed, either without any order or through an experimental traffic order made after seven days’ notice.
“Cycling UK would urge everyone who wants to see more space for social distancing, whether you’re walking, cycling or taking public transport to speak up now and get in touch with their council via our online tool.”
That online tool is here. Mr Burke retweeted our article at the weekend, suggesting he suports the idea of lobbying councils for safer streets – he also written to Grant Shapps on 24th April asking for clarification over the new powers councils have to introduce emergency road safety measures.
Today, @mayorofhackney & I wrote to @grantshapps requesting clarification of the powers available to local authorities for the introduction of emergency road safety measures, given the serious deterioration in driver behaviour since the introduction of social distancing guidance. pic.twitter.com/BgbniRZKxb
— Cllr Jon Burke (@jonburkeUK) April 24, 2020
Man completes 2.6 challenge... by riding 26km on rollers, on a Raleigh Chopper
Matt Richardson got involved in the challenge – which saw many runners and cyclists take on endurance feats ranging from 2.6 miles and upwards on what would have been London Marathon day – by completing 26.7km on rollers aboard his Mk1 Chopper. If you watch some of the video above you’ll see that it certainly wasn’t all plain sailing/rolling, with Mr Richardson telling road.cc:
“I used the Tacx software mountain bike settings with the actual Chopper wheel measurement. The rollers were on the shortest setting but the wheel base of the Chopper is so short, balance was a nightmare and I fell off a couple of times!”
He completed the challenge in 58 minutes, raising funds for Blood Cancer UK – you can donate to your chosen 2.6 Challenge charity here.
A colourful description of "anyone using the term #covidiot"
Anyone using the term #covidiot doesn’t really care about the NHS or people’s health; they’re just having an authoritarian rage wank. https://t.co/uoPMacarm1
— Cobble King of Calderdale (@JohnBaker1975) April 27, 2020
We wonn’t comment but there it is.
La Passione release two new jersey designs
The new Duo and Vibes jerseys are designed to “bring colour to your rides, with the new effervescent palette created by La Passione Cycling Couture” helping you to “make every mile a work of art”. How very Italian.
La Passione has expended its range of clothing since we last reviewed their stuff back in 2016 and they’ve just released another two jerseys, the Vibes and the Duo to complement the ranges of accessories that both lines already have.
The new designs extend the number of prints available on a jersey template that La Passione seems to be pretty happy with. Both feature a close-fitting ‘pro cut’ with laser cut sleeves and collar, a full-length zip with a cam-lock puller, and a dropped collar that point to a race focus.
The jerseys are made in Italy, using four different Italian fabrics. The front panel is stretchy to help with the close fit, while a perforated fabric is used for the back. Mesh side panels are used for breathability.
Both designs cost £80 and come in a range of colours. We’ll hopefully have some in for a proper look soon.
'Covidiot' graffiti: your thoughts and opinions
He queued for 2 hours at B & Q for that spray paint !!
— simon (@NeathamSimon) April 27, 2020
Ironic of course that the vandal creating this message left their home to write the words “stay home”
— Will Nick 🏃🚴 (@Nick88Will) April 27, 2020
Further down the page you’ll find that the words ‘Covidiot cyclists stay at home protect the NHS’ were painted on a road in North Somerset over the weekend, with the chairman of Chew Valley Cycling Club telling road.cc that locals were making efforts to remove it. As you’ll see above some have spotted a certain irony in a person/people leaving their home to paint a road with graffiti that berates people for leaving their homes.
For what it’s worth, I’ve mostly had better experiences when out and about. A small number dog walkers who get annoyed at having to control their dogs on bike routes, but drivers are generally overtaking better and more people are saying hello and/or waving.
— Will Nick 🏃🚴 (@Nick88Will) April 27, 2020
Others are more positive, with James Harrison claiming that the graffiti has already been removed, and most locals in the area are generally friendly and welcoming.
"This is not who we are" Chew Valley graffiti was scrubbed off road by locals last night
— neil seymour (@ncseymour) April 26, 2020
It’s just been brought to our attention that the ‘Covidiot’ graffiti in the Chew Valley was removed by locals late last night. Neil Seymour succinctly said on Twitter:
“This is not who we are. Once we knew this had been done outside our village a small workforce turned up to scrub this off the road. The irony being that in targeting cyclists doing nothing wrong you made a bunch of us have to get together to scrub this hate off the road.”
— neil seymour (@ncseymour) April 26, 2020
"Dreadful": Jeremy Vine on 'Covidiot' paint
Well this is dreadful. This is actually the moment for us all to embrace the cycle-trip. Clean air, good exercise, obeying the rules. https://t.co/hioaXDFrtn
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) April 27, 2020
The broadcaster was not impressed by the news of the rogue graffiti, since removed by residents of Litten in the Mendip Hills.
Bike thief gets six months' prison for latest bike theft
Bicycle thief locked up for six months https://t.co/yCqSSpUdrt
— CourtNewsUK (@CourtNewsUK) April 27, 2020
46-year-old Danny McKeon was caught stealing a bike in Covent Garden reported to be worth £350 (though we suspect he’d have commanded much less when attempting to sell it on) and for his troubles McKeon was landed with a six month jail term.
Court News report that McKeon was handed a 12 week prison sentence suspended for two years for another bike theft in October 2019, but after his latest crime District Judge Angus Hamilton doubled the suspended jail term and activated it. McKeon claimed that he had been rehabilitated, but the judge concluded that by stealing another bicycle on 23rd April, this was not the case.
London Bike Show's new 10th anniversary dates are 5th-7th March 2021
A statement from organisers said: “Since making the initial announcement on 12th March that the shows would be delayed until July 2020, the UK has undergone a huge change. Due to large restrictions placed on life in general, and the impact these are having on business the revised July date is no longer an option.
“Following discussions with the venue (which is currently in use as NHS Nightingale) we are pleased to announce that the show will now take place from 5-7 March 2021. By delaying until then, we feel that this will give businesses involved in the show (both exhibitors and our contractors) a much better chance to make a full recovery from this difficult period.”
Those who bought tickets for 2020 will have them automatically transferred to the new 2021 dates.
Cycling UK appoint former London Sport CEO Pete Fitzboydon as interim Chief Executive
Fitzboydon takes over from Paul Tuohy – who is stepping down after a six-year tenure in the role – and will serve as interim Chief Executive until a permanent replacement for Tuohy is appointed in Autumn.
Fitzboydon said: “I am delighted to take on the challenge of leading Cycling UK at a time when it has never been more important to get more people active.
“I have long been an admirer of Cycling UK’s work and I am looking forward to getting started and exploring how we can encourage more people onto their bikes, while working with governments on how they can play their part too.”
'Keyworker's corridor' created in Leicester to help commuters ride safely
We’re creating a Keyworkers’ Corridor, close to @Leic_hospital #LRI – helping new and returning keyworker cyclists get to where they need to be quickly and safely #tacticalurbanism #leicbikeaid 🚲 #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/gaWTReRtFq
— Cllr Adam Clarke (@OweniteAdam) April 27, 2020
The temporary infra has already received high praise on social media – let’s hope it gets made permanent and it inspires other UK cities.
27 April 2020, 08:33
Featuring our friend Choppering on rollers and many more
From cycling stormtroopers to MPs in bunny costumes - riders saddle up for 2.6 Challenge
With London Marathon cancelled, people across the UK and beyond joined in charity fundraising drive
27 April 2020, 08:33
Roll up roll up for our latest mega comp... over a grand's worth of sexy Reynolds carbon!
Reynolds Wheelset Competition worth £1100 is closed and we have a Winner!
Have you been lucky and won a pair of Reynolds AR58/62 disc wheels? Check below and see if you are the winner!
27 April 2020, 08:33
This one goes beyond the NMOTD description, as the cyclist was knocked off due to a driver pulling out of a side road suddenly
Not-so Near Miss of the Day 401: Driver pulls out on Guernsey cyclist who has no chance to brake
Our regular series featuring close passes from around the country and beyond - today it's Guernsey
27 April 2020, 08:33
The new guidance could deter people from riding bikes during the lockdown, say Cycling UK
Cycling UK fears Welsh Government guidance to only ride within walking distance of home may deter people from cycling
Charity is seeking further clarification of last week’s updated guidance
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@Mr Blackbird motorists who drink alcohol should be required to pass the test twice, once sober and once after three drinks in two hours. Then they can get an endorsement on their licence for driving home from the pub after a few pints.
In France, the closer the cyclist gets to the Mediterranean Sea, the weirder car drivers behave. Some of them being repeat road deliquents. Encounters with 13, 31, 34 and 84 may prove hairy. Drivers with plates showing 84 (Vaucluse) think light signalling is no longer necessary before making a turn or exiting a roundabout. Pity UAE Team came to the decision not to press charges.
@MaxiMinimalist We can fear such a ban to varying degrees. But I'd be surprised if it happens. Even if it does the police don't have the resource and time to deal with dangerous drivers. So I guess they will ignore it anway.
Sooner or later, there will be public calls for cycling ban on specific roads and / or at specific times of the day. The great divide that separates cyclists from drivers of motorized vehicles with 4-plus wheels isn't going to narrow anytime soon. In spite of the net-zero madness, there is zip political ambition to allocate massive funds to cycling, build proper infrastructure, elaborate a nationwide integrated cycling network, educate all road users. Why? Because motorists of all kinds are voters and taxpayers.
@Smoggysteve Right - as I say, though - that's a separate debate, that I'll leave to others.
AS I read this, I was wondering hao many other legal e-bikes may have been seized and crushed as a result of this bogus test? As I pointed out recently in a reply to a Facebook post that stated that e-bikes are limited to 25kph/15.5mph any bike, whether a pure pedal cycle or an e-bike, can exceed this speed if the rider can pedal hard enough, or when going downhill. The regulation just states that the motor must switch off at higher speeds. If the rider can achieve higher speeds unaided, that is legal. The test that the police used just demonstrated the maximum "speed" achieved by pedal power alone with no or little resistance can be much higher than the motor cut-off speed.
@ROOTminus1 Unfortunately, people will still do all they can to get past. the MGIFs can't help themselves and are a danger to everyone not only the cyclist.
It was going to weigh them up, but they were below the limit.
Clearly driver training and the driving test need to change to meet modern time poor driving conditions. I suggest the following need to be added to the practical test : 1) Undertaking on pavements. 2) Close passing cyclists or horses at 50mph.(It is clear from the comments on this website that cyclists do not appreciate how difficult a skill this is to master). 3) Threading between bollards to park on pavements near fast food outlets. 4) Steering with the knees while using a mobile phone and eating a burger or sushi, depending on the area. 5) Fighting with cyclists at roundabouts. For the advanced driving test the fighting will be with gangs of Hell's Angels or Mods. 6) Handbrake turns. 7) Driving at speed after all night parties. 8) Selecting the wrong gear and smashing into somebody's living room. The theory test could be shortened to make room for these practical additions. Maybe it could just be distilled down to learning crucial phrases like : "The cyclist came out of nowhere!" "I had the children in the car." "I had hunger knock and urgently needed an egg Mcmuffin." "I didn't see them." "I had been to a party and was wearing different shoes."
The headline states the article will "weigh up the pros and cons" but doesn't really provide any argument for keeping the limit. Or maybe it's to "weigh up the pros (of lowering the limit) and cons (of keeping the limit)"? Beyond having a different limit for either/or women's races/smaller riders, which I can see a strong argument for, I don't really see the point of just lowering the absolute limit. What will it achieve? We'll end up with aero bikes at the new limit but instead of costing £10-15k, it'll be £15-20k and we'll still hear more complaining about everything in the bike industry being so expensive. Sure, no one's forced to buy the TdF bike, but it does anchor the price ceiling, which will have an effect on every other model. There's a focus in the article on companies being able to make lightweight bikes again, or for pros to race on them. Well, they already exist for those that want them. And the pros? We might have a few years of bike choice, but we'll still end up with everyone using the aero bike at the new weight limit but with lots of expensive R&D and new materials that need to be paid for. Especially lightweight bikes don't have a right to exist. A 7kg bike from 20 years ago is the same weight as a 7kg bike today. I think what's more interesting is the suggestion of scaling the weight limit with rider weight. That feels fairer. But could it remove an advantage that a bigger sprinter might have over their colleagues, for example? We could end up with just the same style of rider across a whole race. It also feels like it doesnt make much sense to just map the men's limit onto the women's field. But then if it's an arbitrary limit, does that matter either?
19 thoughts on ““This is not who we are”: locals scrubbed ‘Covidiot’ graffiti off Somerset road; New London Bike Show dates; Italy + Spain lifting exercise restrictions; ‘LaserTour’ Zwift precursor cost $20k; New La Passione jerseys + more on the live blog”
As an ex-resident of Bristol,
As an ex-resident of Bristol, and a regular rider around the Chew Valley area, I can remember quite a few incidents going way back, of drivers deliberately close passing, and abusing cyclists who didn’t use the dangerous inconvenient cycle paths, so this isn’t new. What is new is that these cyclist-haters now think they have a way to use the current crisis to justify their hatred.
I hope the police will be taking this seriously, as one person at least has already been injured, and it’s only a matter of time before others are. Surely it’s time that behaviour like this is acknowledged as a hate crime?
I’m sure this will be addressed in the review of road crime. Eventually.
This is nothing less than an
This is nothing less than an outlet for the “[outgroup] go home” brigade. No longer legally able to vent their traditional hatreds, they find solace through substitution.
The Guardian used this as
The Guardian used this as their Covid Live image yesterday.
A man rides a bicycle with a child on a seaside promenade in Barcelona as children under the age of 14 are allowed to leave their homes for the first time in weeks.
A brompton rider in the sun, by the sea, in Spain with a kiddie seat. Joy.
And I liked this one too.
And I liked this one too.
Police patrolling Victoria Park, east London on Saturday.
Notice the lack of helmet, and mask on the left hand grip.
ktache wrote:
I’ve long felt thats the REAL problem isn’t it.
Joy
If we cycled around with scowles on our faces, and wineing and complaning loudly about everything, we would be accepted without question.
That is fantastic! Nice find.
That is fantastic! Nice find. Taken on the front in Barcelona, apparently (Brompton is very big there…apartment life). Full size image here.
this crisis seems to have
this crisis seems to have brought more of the real idiots out of the cracks
there’s been three serious RTA’s in our small town in the last couple of weeks
I went out last night for a walk (driving 5 mins to get to the fields) and encountered a car in a ditch with police attending
plus plenty of spurious social media posts spouting opinions about glove wearing, parents cycling with kids on the pavement, joggers breathing heavily, etc. etc.
Our local FB group has a
Our local FB group has a thread full of whataboutery comments such as being “showered in sweat” from passing cyclists on the trans-pennine trail, on a post where somebody shared a BBC article on cyclists being abused (which links to road.cc’s Little Bollington story). I’m deliberately avoiding getting sucked in to the comments.
Same here, several Village
Same here, several Village Idiot FB groups have appeared out of the woodwork, each desperate to prove their higher levels of idiocy compared to the next village. It’s like a Flowers in Bloom competition between villages but with idiots instead of flowers.
crazy-legs wrote:
Wtf is it with the English?
Wtf is it with the English? Where does all this irrational hate come from? Why is it so difficult for people to grasp that people CAN move around outdoors and as long as they keep their distance there is no risk. Here in the good old Fatherland I’ve been out 3 times a week with my daughter for 2 to 4 hour rides and no verbal aggro, no close passes but lots of people out there walking, running, skating and just getting on with the situation.
Dingaling wrote:
This probably explains it better then I could
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meF7NmfnXZ0
To be fair, over here in the
To be fair, over here in the Motherland I have been out cycling almost every day and encountered nothing but smiles and cheerful greetings from others out on foot, hoof or wheel (spoked variety). Even most vehicle drivers are ok and give room, although still a few nobs who think 2m only applies to the risk of death by covid, but risk of death by heavy metal needs no such margin.
Someone needs to add a little
Someone needs to add a little more paint to that road to make it read:
Covidiots = Cyclists who stay at home to protect the NHS.
Cycling isn’t inherently dangerous. People need to stop being obsessed with this idea, or nobody will ever ride their bikes again.
Imagine if the halfwit with
Imagine if the halfwit with the white paint had ended up in hospital, hit by a car that had come round the blind bend at speed while they were painting their stupid message on the road.
Had an argument with a guy on
Had an argument with a guy on another forum today as he was going on about cyclists ‘puffing’ away as they ride past pedestrians. Well,
a)the prof in the BBC article seems to think it’s hard to pass it on through respiration , you basically have to be symptomatic to get the larger droplets in which case I assume you won’t be riding.
b)why are the pedestrians out? If they can be out so can cyclists. This idea that if you’re cycling you’re going for a Strava sprint section is a bit like saying you’re doing a Bolt if you go for a walk. I’ve seen a couple of guys going for it but most people are just ‘cycling’
So we’re basically back to
So we’re basically back to the “panting viruses” thing?
AFAIK there has never been anything to suggest the virus comes out on your breath like some kind of dust on the wind. If it does, well we all need to stop breathing – unless we are at home.
Saliva, yes, I understand there is virus in there, so if you are expelling small droplets of saliva, such as happens when you talk, well that is the basis of the 2m rule; chances are the droplets succumb to gravity within 2m.
But panting pretty much stops you talking anyway.
Well done to the thoughtful
Well done to the thoughtful locals of the Chew Valley, cleaning up an irresponsible persons rubbish. Chapeau!
Just received this email from
Just received this email from the local Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) I wonder if the tabloid press wish to pick up on it?
Dear Ward Members,
Ward Update
Due to recent concerns highlighted to our team regarding vehicles driving without consideration in and around Alexandra Palace, our team have conducted a few Traffic related operations resulting in Arrests for Driving Whilst Disqualified and numerous drivers processed for offences ranging from Driving Not in Accordance with License and No Insurance. We have also issued Warning Notices to drivers in relation driving without reasonable consideration, this gives us the power to seize the vehicle if they commit a similar offence within 12 months.
Regards,
Alexandra SNT
Report crime by calling 101 or in an emergency call 999.
Remember, you can also report crime online on our website: https://www.met.police.uk/