Father and son cycle round town dressed as Batman + Robin to cheer people up; 72% of bike businesses report losses; RAB postponed until 2021;De Gendt hopes Bkool can handle huge power; Mikel Landa shows what he thinks of the turbo + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Pedal Me put 21st century logistics into action
— Chris Boardman (@Chris_Boardman) April 3, 2020
The e-cargo courier and taxi firm have been putting their load-carrying ability to good use during the coronavirus pandemic, delivering food parcels to those who are self-isolating. The bikes can pretty much carry a car’s worth of goods…
Solid loading effort from Ana earlier, to help us deliver food to shielded individuals in the most cost effective manner possible. pic.twitter.com/NwSjhU42uJ
— Pedal Me (@pedalmeapp) April 1, 2020
Man riding from Sheffield to London and back (virtually) to raise money for the homeless during pandemic
Richard Walker will ‘set off’ on his 320 mile trip on Sunday morning, and hopes to complete his virtual journey from Sheffield to London and back in under 24 hours.
He’s fundraising for Crisis to raise vital funds for the homeless, who he says are more likely to suffer from respiratory conditions, are unable to wash their hands thoroughly and unable to self-isolate. If you want to donate to the cause, head over to Mr Walker’s JustGiving page.
Breaking news: Tour de Suisse ONLY JUST CANCELLED
Due to the Corona pandemic the Tour de Suisse will be cancelled.
All Informations:https://t.co/nLzDCn0r4w— Tour de Suisse (@tds) April 3, 2020
A month ago, the cancellation of a major event on the UCI calendar would have been big and shocking news… nowadays in this strange news world, the big event news of the day is that the Tour de Suisse has only just been officially cancelled. A statement from the Tour de Suisse Co-Managing Director Olivier Senn says:
“It was with a heavy heart that we have made this decision due to the Corona pandemic. We are however convinced that it is the best solution to provide certainty and thus planning security for participants, fans and partners. For the Tour de Suisse, it is also an important step to ensure the continuation of this event in the future.”
The only significant thing we can pick out is that this definitely puts another nail in the coffin of the also yet-to-be-officially cancelled Tour de France. As the Tour de Suisse is a major build-up race, this means there’s even less chance for riders to be in any way prepare for a three week Grand Tour, and the Tour de France cancellation is almost becoming inevitable.
Does this mean our little April Fool’s joke is another step closer to becoming a reality? Tour du Zwift here we come…
Mikel Landa really doesn't like the turbo trainer
— Landa Meana (@MikelLandaMeana) April 2, 2020
In this somewhat disturbing 26 seconds of europop-soundtracked madness, we witness Bahrain–McLaren’s Spanish superstar destroying (or about to destroy) an old-school turbo trainer, interspersed with rather distasteful footage from a funeral.
Clearly Landa isn’t a fan of being confined to his household, but was there any need for this weird clip? Hopefully he didn’t actually destroy the trainer, as most bke shops are clean out and someone could probably make use of it…
Brompton's crowdfunder to deliver free bikes for NHS staff nears its target
Brompton’s mission to deliver up to 1000 bikes to support NHS staff to travel for free during the COVID-19 pandemic is nearing its £100,000 target, with over £92,000 raised at the time of writing – click here to donate to WheelsForHeroes.
Brentford's new stadium has double-deck bike parking
Championship club Brentford FC’s new stadium by Kew Bridge is nearing completion – and yesterday we spotted that it has double-deck bike parking. Handy for anyone who will be travelling there next season via Cycleway 9, which is currently under construction …
Just the dog surveying the works for London's Cycleway 9
London’s Cycleway 9, which will run from Kew Bridge to Olympia, is starting to take shape … although work is currently suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s the dog casting an eye over the protected lanes being put in at the junction at the north end of Kew Bridge …
Multitasking during lockdown
Human exercise done? Check.
Canine exercise done? Check.
Essential shopping bought? Check.
Maintaining social distancing? Check.
Thomas De Gendt hopes Bkool can handle his huge power for virtual Tour of Flanders after 'breaking Zwift' earlier this week
We will be present. @Lotto_Soudal https://t.co/y9QOmrHtD0 pic.twitter.com/0TX6dcWxsN
— Thomas De Gendt (@DeGendtThomas) April 2, 2020
In a boxing-style trashtalk during a live video ‘press conference’ held by Sporza, De Gendt referenced his Zwift ride earlier this week that was flagged as suspicious due to his monstrous power output, and hopes that Bkool’s system can handle him a little better.
De Gendt boasted in front of his virtual rivals Wout van Aert, Jasper Stuyven, Remco Evenepoel and Ruben Van Gucht: “I will test again today or tomorrow whether this system BKool can handle my values.”
The Lockdown Edition of the Tour of Flanders will take place over the final hour/last 32km of the race at 3.30pm on Sunday 5th April, with 13 pros taking part. Organisers promise a special event, with radio coverage via cyclinginflanders.cc and the race live on Bkool’s training platform.
"Don't go to the bakery hungry" says G
At least you did brush your hair before
— Steven Kruijswijk (@s_kruijswijk) April 3, 2020
Eagle-eyed Steven Kruijswijk also spotted the hairbrush at the rear of this mouthwatering photograph of baked goods.
The life of a cyclist in lockdown
When it rains in quarantine
The folks at Dafne Fixed are feeding us plenty of mental lockdown-related content, such as simulating a downpour and heading to bed on the turbo…
Zipp launch new Vuka range for TT bikes
Front-end integration is nothing new on TT bikes. Hiding more things from the wind helps with aerodynamics and that’s precisely what Zipp is attempting this their new range of TT bars.
Eating for cycling: time trials — get the best fuel to beat the clock
Most notably, Zipp has designed a set of extensions that can house the brains of a Sram eTap AXS groupset. The carbon extensions come complete with a set of Sram Clics extension-end shifters as well as Sram Clics buttons for shifting at the brake lever. They have a 90mm rise and an integrated computer mount.
They cost £750 and Zipp says that they’ll work with 90% of the integrated aerobar systems currently on the market. Crucially, Zipp say, this removes the need for a Blip box.
Marcin Bialoblocki rides 100 mile time trial in 3:13:37, smashing the British competition record
The new Vuka Aero base bar is also carbon and designed to hide your Sram Blip box inside the centre cap nose cone. According to Zipp, “the Center Cap smooths the center of the bar into the CFD proven wingshape of the bar”. You also get “market-leading adjustability in pad fore-aft, width, height and angle” for your £895.
While those rather pricey options are rather eye-catching, Zipp has also released a new aero aluminium base bar, carbon and aluminium extensions without the eTap AXS integration, and a new Vuka aluminium set of clip-on extensions.
Strava launch NHS Active challenge and fundraising page to suppport NHS workers
Strava in the UK are asking us to commit to at least 10 minutes a day of responsible, socially-distanced exercise and donate £5 to show support for NHS workers during the pandemic.
The challenge runs for 12 days, and all you have to do to join is upload an activity – more info via Strava here and the fundraising page is here.
Jeremy Corbyn stands down
Corbyn is on his bike after nearly five years as Leader of the Opposition… wonder if he’ll treat himself to a nice new shiny carbon number now he may have more time on his hands?
"The Race that Never Was": Rapha release Cape Epic documentary... even though it never happened
Considering the race was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, Rapha’s latest Gone Racing episode isn’t a bad watch – we’re treated to Lachlan Morton and Alex Howes’ prep for the off-road ultra race, before being abruptly told it’s not going ahead… 2021?
72% of cycling businesses showing decline in revenue, finds survey... but 95% are confident of survival
While some corners of the bike industry were reporting a lift in sales of indoor trainers after lockdown measures were enforced, it’s not all good news as a survey by Cycling Industries Europe found that 72% had seen a decline in revenue.
The survey found that most businesses including shops and brands had evolved to survive the crisis, but workforces, marketing activity and investment are expected to be hit longer term. CIF say most companies are in their “survival” stage of the crisis, and worldwide the industry has been lifted by classing bike shops as essential; some in the UK even reported being busier than ever as the isolated public turn to two wheels to get their once-daily permitted exercise fix, and more key workers are cycling to avoid public transport.
67% of companies surveyed had applied for state aid to weather the storm, and 41% had reduced their workforce. 13% reported been down in revenue by as much as 80%. bikeshare has been heavily affected with 79% of companies reducing staff, and up to 400,000 cycling tourism jobs are at risk across Europe.
It’s not all doom and gloom, with 95% of cycling businesses confident they can pull through the crisis. CIE Chief Executive Kevin Mayne said: “Thanks to CIE’s members we can publish the first report that shows the impact of COVID-19 right across European cycling businesses. Their leadership means that we can understand the scale of the challenge and direct our resources to where they can most help businesses to survive and recover. Our industry needs this information now.”
Deloitte Ride Across Britain postponed until 2021
Suspending all their six events with five of those now not set to take place until next year, Threshold Sports have postponed the Ride Across Britain until 4th-12th September 2021.
In a statement they said: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but after detailed discussion and listening to feedback from you the participants, we believe it is the best option to protect the interests of everyone involved, including the general public. We strongly believe we all have a responsibility to tackle this challenge together. The pressure on the core Threshold team and our wider network of incredible suppliers has never been greater as we look to respond to a rapidly changing situation.
“Our aim remains to make our 2021 events the best yet, just a little later than we all hoped.”
Father and son cycling around Trowbridge dressed as Batman and Robin "to cheer people up"
Steve Smart and his son are hoping to make a difference in their community during the coronavirus crisis, by cycling around the Somerset town of Trowbridge dressed as Batman and Robin with music blaring to put a smile on the faces of locked down residents.
He told Somerset Live: “I’ve been taking my boy out on our bike and he loves all superheroes and is always dressing up; so I thought why not try cheering people up by being Batman and Robin, and putting on a little theme music to go along with it. A lot of kids I’m sure will love seeing us come up and down their street.
“Times are hard on a lot of people so something small can help make somebody’s day.”
Steve has also said he and his son will continue taking their trips in costume around the local area, using an hour every day to ride around various Trowbridge estates.
3 April 2020, 08:02
Hunt says an aero wheel is worth over 6 minutes in the 200-mile Dirty Kansa Gravel Race
Is aero the next big thing in gravel? Hunt says so, and here's why
Wheel brand has been to the wind tunnel to find out how much time you can gain on gravel by reducing drag, and the results might surprise you
3 April 2020, 08:02
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@robgodd The poor guy himself suffered a traumatic brain injury and his skull was so badly shattered a significant portion of it had to be removed - do me a favour, have a look around cycling helmet manufacturers and see if any of them claim the foam hats they produce will protect against or even mitigate that level of injury. I'll wait if you like, but I can save us both the time and tell you what you'll find: none of them. Not a single one of them will. Because they don't, and they *can't* based on simple physics. Once the point of failure in a material is reached all(or as near as makes no odds) of the additional force beyond that necessary threshhold transfers through to the object beneath. Since bicycle helmets are rated for forces roughly equivalent to being dropped straight down from a stationary start 1.5m above a hard surface. Now, I'm not an expert in vehicle crash investigation, but I'm *fairly* sure that any impact or series of impacts powerful enough to render a quarder of your skull into gravel, put you in a weeks-long coma, give you massive amnesia, and leave you with ongoing symptoms of traumatic brain injury are a little bit, a teeny-weeny amount, a little smidgeon-widgeon more than what bike helmets are rated for. That's why none of the companies that make them claim they will help in such circumstances: because they know it would be a lie, and that unlike uninformed punters, carbrained journalists, or "medical professionals" who think wearing a helmet would save you from a broken arm(an actual scenario encountered by a mate, who's nurse at the A&E tutted and harrumphed her way through his whole treatment due to his lack of helmet despite his bonce having come through *being hit by a car* - another scenario bike helmets are worthless in - completely unscathed), the lawyers for those companies know their business and understand that if you lie in advertising you will get sued into the ground.
The Battle of Ypres April 1915. The German infantry division advanced using das Brumptstadt Fahrarden. The slow speed kept them behind the cloud of chlorine gas as it drifted towards the Commonwealth trenches. The offensive cleaved a two mile gap in the Western Front. The use of cycles was copied by the Japanese as they invaded Singapore and Burmah. By then war technology had embraced wider low pressure tyres, carbon frames and hydration gels. The German forces decided not to incorporate cycling as part of Operation Session, as bike theft in London and the South East was rife and would have caused huge casualties. Ironically superior advancement of tyre technology led to a British victory at El Alamein. This technology played a key part in the US Marines victory at Iwo Jima.
The appropriate response to Google pissing on your cereal is not a fancy new sugar that removes the taste of urine. Stop using Google products where you can. Firefox browser and DuckDuckGo search engine have had noticeable upticks in market share by explicitly NOT pushing AI.
my thoughts exactly...I wonder how that approach is working, with motor vehicle drivers...🤔
I do not wish to diminish the personal tragedy, but one never hear calls for pedestrians or even hikers to wear clothing with integrated lightening rods.
RE Andy Burnam / Heidi Alexander - this is the best thing in many ways - set an example (even if currently it leads to lots of online name-calling). And imagine some of the political alternatives! The folks in the apparently second-placed party seem incredibly unlikely to be doing so. And even the current "new Greens" seem less interested in ... y'know, environmental things. OTOH I wish Heidi could be bolder. And I fear that like anyone ambitious enough to get to the top (exception B Johnson - well, I guess there was the Corbyn bicycle...) Burnam will be trimming his transport policy sails to fit the wind (should that be "bunker-fuel-burning engines"?)
@mattsccm Bull bars aren't banned, they just have to conform to regulations so they are deformable or have plates that allow crumple give on contact, rather than rigid steel bars that can smash into pedestrians and cyclists with no give at all, catch them and drag them under the wheels. If you think that's a problem, do one. Why should who is responsible for a collision remove the responsibility of people driving a tonne of machinery on the road from having safety features to at least mitigate some of the effects of a collision?
I'd be willing to bet that's lazy use of stock photography rather than deliberate misinformation, but the result is still the same.
@smallbeer You obviously don't realise how many bulls there are wandering around Chelsea, in and out of the china shops, that he needs to protect his Range Rover from.
I agree, it's bloody 'elf and safety overreach, can't help some people, I put some meat, sorry, neat decoration on the front of mine and the polis were round poking their noses in like that (mind you, that was a mistake...) (etc)
3 thoughts on “Father and son cycle round town dressed as Batman + Robin to cheer people up; 72% of bike businesses report losses; RAB postponed until 2021;De Gendt hopes Bkool can handle huge power; Mikel Landa shows what he thinks of the turbo + more on the live blog”
Re. the Strava £5 – I’d like
Re. the Strava £5 – I’d like to see these crowdfunders ask people to give a proportion of their income so that the well-heeled can chip in a decent amount more than people on the minimum wage (who are often also the key workers we now value).
And how much is Strava UK putting into the NHS? Do they pay any taxes?
Alternatively you could just
Alternatively you could just join the Strava challenge, and then jump over to NHS Charities Together’s website to donate direct, without JustGiving’s commission being taken off the top: https://www.nhscharitiestogether.co.uk/donate/
Regarding that bizarre Mikel
Regarding that bizarre Mikel Landa video, you never know what pop cultural references might be current in different linguistic spheres. Doubtless as some would struggle to understand this clip.