‘Mr Loophole’ says cyclists shouldn’t ride two abreast because they “don’t keep up with traffic”; Jonathan Shubert’s sub-3hr 100 miles Strava; Roglic in red after Vuelta stage 13 win; £11.8m for ‘UK first’ cycling + walking network + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
New LTNs in Leeds
Our new boxes through Hyde Park are starting to be put in! All part of making the area safer and greener! Everything still accessible by car but by preventing rat running we can lower air pollution and encourage cycling and walking. pic.twitter.com/HVlUPNJRO5
— Jonathan Pryor (@Jonathan_Pryor) November 3, 2020
Labour councillor Jonathan Pryor shared these pictures of new LTN infrastructure in the Hyde Park area of Leeds. The green boxes prevent cars from rat running while also allowing cyclists, pedestrians and other forms of active transport priority.
“Our new boxes through Hyde Park are starting to be put in! All part of making the area safer and greener! Everything still accessible by car but by preventing rat running we can lower air pollution and encourage cycling and walking,” Pryor explained.
Jonathan Shubert's Strava data
Riding 100 miles in under three hours is a superhuman sporting achievement. Riding 100 miles in under three hours only to see your activity flagged on Strava is at best cruel. Jonathan Shubert’s new RRA 100-mile straight out record took him from Milton Keynes to Norwich in 2:57:58 at an incredible 54.5km/h average speed.
The Strava activity which can be viewed here, says Shubert reached a top speed of 77km/h and climbed 653m of ascent during his sub-three-hour effort. Unsurprisingly the ride earned Shubert 28 KOMs. One sector from Milton Keynes to Cambridge shows the new record holder covered the opening 29.68km of the effort in a 31:05 at an average speed of 57.6km/h. Unfortunately for Shubert, the effort was too impressive for some to believe it was possible and in true Strava style the activity has been flagged.
Zero positive COVID-19 tests at La Vuelta
The second rest day of the final Grand Tour of the year thankfully passed without any positive tests for COVID-19. All 151 riders will take to the start ramp for today’s stage 13 ITT. The race’s organisation Unipublic has recieved credit from riders and staff during the first two weeks of the race for their strict protocol and thorough approach to protecting rider safety. The praise comes in contrast to the Giro d’Italia where EF Pro Cycling asked for the race to be stopped over concerns the protective bubbles had been compromised.
Bradley Wiggins backs Chris Froome to return to the top
Speaking on The Bradley Wiggins show, he said: “We’ve seen Chris Froome be really active, hurting himself and helping the team.
“I still think he has one big day left in him where he is going to shine. he is getting back to the rider he was with every pedal rev, and he has shown that.
“Every turn he has at the front he is going longer and longer into the race and he is enjoying putting people in the hurt bag again and regaining his confidence.”
Froome has experienced a new role at this Vuelta, with his sole ambition to work for team leader and current race leader Richard Carapaz. The four-time Tour de France winner has steadily improved since losing 11 minutes on the opening stage and as the race enters the third week, Froome will be hoping to play a key part in supporting Carapaz’s bid to win a second Grand Tour after claiming the Giro d’Italia in 2019. the Vuelta is the 35-year-old’s final race for Team Ineos before moving to Israel Start Up Nation next season.
Jonathan Shubert reaction
Jonathan Shubert having his Strava activity flagged is one of the more bizarre things we’ve seen this week. Anything to protect those KOMs I guess… We spoke to the new RRA 100-mile record holder this morning and he was pretty amused by the whole situation: “I think maybe it’s someone just being a bit of a troll! Because of the speeds it might seem a bit unbelievable so I can understand why someone might do that.”
Team NTT Pro Cycling set to fold
NTT team manager Bjarne Riis has admitted it is unlikely the team will attract a new sponsor for 2021 when the current deal expires. Speaking to Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet, Riis said: “As it looks right now, there is not a team with me at the helm next year. That’s the situation. We do not have a sponsor on hand right now and it is getting late so it does not look too good.
“I do not know now [if I sound pessimistic]. I just sound realistic, right? The situation is as it is and there is nothing I can do about it.”
It had been hoped that Ben O’Connor’s impressive performance at the Giro d’Italia, winning the team their first Grand Tour stage win since 2018, would help attract investment. however, this has not been the case and Riis now appears resigned to the team not attracting a sponsor.
Alan Colville breaks world record for most vertical elevation cycled in 48 hours
Officially amazing! Most elevation cycled in 48 hours –
30,321.18 metres! Full story – https://t.co/W8lA4H0FvW @GWR @Team_JMC @Half_arsedRacer pic.twitter.com/1VlwCZTRQY— Alan Colville (@alancolville) October 19, 2020
Back in September we covered some of the most impressive and maddest cycling world records. Now Alan Colville has added his name to the roll of honour by besting the previous record of 29,623m of vertical ascent in 48 hours. Remarkably Alan beat the previous mark by more than 500 vertical metres to set a new Guinness World Record of 30,321.18 m (99,478 ft 9.3 in). To put that in perspective, it is the equivalent of completing three and a half Everests or climbing Alpe d’Huez 27 times.
Vuelta pain faces
Now that’s a pain face #LaVuelta pic.twitter.com/FtwnTICMSL
— Simon MacMichael (@simonmacmichael) November 3, 2020
Another tough day for poor Harry Tanfield… Having said that the Brit is provisionaly third-fastest in today’s stage 13 ITT. A strong rider against the clock, Tanfield seemed to enjoy the early flat roads more than the punishing 30% ramps to the finish.
£11.8 million boost for Manchester cycling and walking network
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) have approved £11.8 million to improve five cycling schemes in Manchester, Salford and Stockport. The ‘Bee Network’ will offer the “UK’s first” joined-up cycling and walking network with construction set to begin before the end of the year. Cycling and walking commissioner Chris Boardman said: “During the lockdown, while a huge number of people took to their bikes and enjoyed the quieter roads, GM’s councils were working hard behind the scenes to get their cycling and walking proposals ready for delivery.
“These five schemes signify further progress on our commitment to providing safe spaces for the people of Greater Manchester, enabling them to rethink how they make their journeys.
“Many significant schemes will be completed during 2021 and these latest additions will add even more mileage to our Bee Network, enabling an ever-increasing number of Greater Manchester residents to leave the car at home if they choose.”
Sean Yates joins Alberto Contador's Kometa team as a coach
Made up to be involved in this Proyecto. It’s going to be a fun journey. Can’t wait to get stuck in #onwardsandupwards https://t.co/F2EV1BJZNy
— Sean Yates (@SeanYatesCoach) November 2, 2020
The former Team Sky directeur sportif has joined forces with Alberto Contador’s Kometa team to take a leading coaching role. The team’s step up to the professional ranks in 2021 will be overseen by Yates and Ivan Basso, who is sporting manager.
All the favourites are on the road...
Richard Carapaz is the last rider off the start ramp..all the GC favourites are on the course, let’s see how things stand in 45 minutes time.
TT insight from EF Pro Cycling's Jonathan Vaughters
Ok, so now that Hugh has started: Most of our predictive modeling puts Hugh about 1:30 behind Roglic at the base of the climb. Of course, my hope is that the data variables we used will be proven wrong and that gap will be less. So…..🤞
— Jonathan Vaughters (@Vaughters) November 3, 2020
Roglic wins Stage 13
Primoz Roglic banished the demons of his Tour de France time trial defeat to win his fourth stage of La Vuelta, reclaiming the race lead in the process. Roglic won the stage by one second ahead of CCC’s Will Barta. Hugh Carthy was the next best out of the GC favourites, finishing 25 seconds behind the Slovenian. Richard Carapaz dropped 49 seconds but still took seventh on the day.
Cyclists shouldn't ride two abreast because they "don't keep up with traffic", says Mr Loophole
Exactly.Two cyclists abreast equals width of a car-but they`re not a car.They don`t keep up with traffic.And they prevent other cars from keeping up with traffic.Ergo single file as per Highway Code is the safe & sensible way for traffic to run smoothly.And keep cyclists safe
— Nick Freeman (@TheMrLoophole) November 2, 2020
After saying that Highway Code rules allowing cyclists to ride two abreast are currently “being abused” last week, the lawyer Nick Freeman, who calls himself ‘Mr Loophole’, has now added to that by claiming cyclists shouldn’t ride two abreast because they “don`t keep up with traffic”.
Replying to Jeremy Vine on Twitter, who pointed out that two cyclists abreast were similar in width to a car, Freeman added: “And they prevent other cars from keeping up with traffic. Ergo single file as per Highway Code is the safe & sensible way for traffic to run smoothly. And keep cyclists safe”.
Nick, you’re a bad driver. You’re supposed to change lanes to pass even a single cyclist. Grouping up is more considerate because it makes your overtake shorter and more likely, and it’s safer for the cyclists. Here’s what happens when we ride single file:https://t.co/q4a7S7IvSY
— ⚫ CyclingMikey #BlackLivesMatter 🇪🇺🇳🇱🇿🇼 (@MikeyCycling) November 3, 2020
Highway code rule 163 is clear that if you can’t pass two cyclists abreast, then you shouldn’t be attempting to pass a single cyclist, either.
— JT (@HootsyJT) November 3, 2020
Cyclist are traffic. You really should know this.
— Freddie Jackson (@John_Clarke_79) November 3, 2020
It’s fair to say not everyone agreed with Freeman, with some pointing out that according to Rule 163 of the Highway Code, motorists are supposed to “give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car”.
The ‘two abreast’ subject has surfaced numerous times recently due to a Department for Transport (DfT) consultation on proposed changes to the Highway Code, which has just closed. In it, the wording on riding two abreast would change from “You should … never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends”, to “You should … ride in single file when drivers wish to overtake and it is safe to let them do so. When riding in larger groups on narrow lanes, it is sometimes safer to ride two abreast.”
Dame Sarah Storey, British Cycling and others have recently urged people to respond to the consultation, asking for it be made clearer that cyclists are allowed to ride two abreast – and to emphasise that they often should for safety reasons.
3 November 2020, 09:11
3 November 2020, 09:11
3 November 2020, 09:11
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Latest Comments
@Mmitb Pedestrians already have their own segregated infrastructure to use, they're called pavements. And if you try and take even a couple of feet away from them to put in a cycle lane, listen for the complaints.
@stulemanski Or to put it in less pejorative terms rather than trying to make active travel activists sound like spoiled children, they are upset about the fact that a golden opportunity to introduce more than a kilometre of completely off-road cycle track through the heart of London has been missed, an opportunity that could easily have been taken up on a 25 m wide highway. It may be "really easy to avoid with minimal inconvenience" for you, and it is for me to be fair, but cycle infrastructure isn't primarily designed for fast, experienced and confident cyclists but to encourage those with less confidence and experience to take up cycling; a cycle lane down Oxford Street would have served this cohort very well. So the objections, whether you agree with them or not, are well-founded, not mere petulance because "pedestrians have been given something and they've not".
All the side streets where I live are blocked by cars parked on either side of the road so that they are too narrow to cycle in if there is a car or van coming the other way. It makes it really difficult and dangerous to cycle on my local roads. I used to cycle to the shops but now I walk because I could no longer face the regular unyielding motorists when I was already in sections too narrow for them to enter. How is this any different to Lime bikes blocking street corners?
@Sniffer well apparently he's a keen motorcyclist, so perhaps he's projecting...
Surprised this review didn't mention the Magicshine EVO 1300. It was reviewed very favourably on this site a while back and is much the same concept. I have been using it on my commuter for the last year or so.
@chrisonabike I heard this too. Very disappointed in Evan Davis ill informed comments, but I thought Alexander responded appropriately, explaining the law. Considering how many politicians spout falsehoods in this area, at least she clearly understood the rules.
Yes, @jonhall it's really easy to avoid Ox St and use the roads running either side. In fact, as a cyclist myself, pre and post pedestrianisation, it's more pleasant to use the roads running either side - who wants to try and meander through thousands of pedestrians? So, I can't help feeling this is a bit of a fuss over nothing.
Ah - "pm" on radio 4 on the Beeb coming with "ebikes can often go at 30 or 35mph"... Even Heidi Alexander (not always the most vocal supporter, though she really is a rider herself) was pushing back on that, a bit... Alas not enough on the "get the suppliers in order" eg. the shared dockless bike companies, sales etc.
Probably the coolest thing about this lamp is that it can be sandwiched between the mount and a Garmin, which means it uses net zero mounts. How cool it would be if lamps like Magicshine Hori did the same and provided a Garmin mount at the bottom for another piece of kit! BTW I wouldn't judge it too harshly about its battery life. I take this lamp primarily as a compact DRL, which uses flash mode and offers decent battery life. The way I see it, the full mode is for emergency limp home only.
Nothing necessarily wrong with enforcing against people cycling under the influence, but it's the performative song and dance about it and the implication that new rules and punishments are needed because 'they can get away with anything at the moment' - when actually the powers already exist and they could just quietly get on with using them if they wanted to.
16 thoughts on “‘Mr Loophole’ says cyclists shouldn’t ride two abreast because they “don’t keep up with traffic”; Jonathan Shubert’s sub-3hr 100 miles Strava; Roglic in red after Vuelta stage 13 win; £11.8m for ‘UK first’ cycling + walking network + more on the live blog”
That TT flagging is some
That TT flagging is some nasty begrudgery on someones part. Many of the segments near me including a couple of official hill climb course ( eg Streatley) have redonculous (but valid) KOM’s but thats just a fact of Strava life. Go get a Local Legend flag on the segment if it upsets you.
To be fair to the flagg’er (?
To be fair to the flagg’er (?) if I’d seen someone crop up on Strava doing 33mph on the main dual carriageway in busy traffic time for 100miles.. I’d probably think it was someone in a car too.
peted76 wrote:
But is that justification for flagging a ride?
And when did you last see anyone driving at 33 mph on a DC for that long?
Anybody who knows Jonathan Shubert’s name could easily guess what was happening. And if they don’t then perhaps they should avoid being a presumptious wanker.
peted76 wrote:
I’ve flagged a few rides where the rider clearly left the GPS on at the end of the ride and then drove home (we’ve all done it), spoiling all the segments along that route.
But for someone to flag one less than a day after the event – that’s deliberate I reckon and not really on.
At least when he responds to
At least when he responds to Strava he can just send them a link to a news article.
Well, last night’s “Blocking
Well, last night’s “Blocking the pop-up cycle lane” here in Bristol was a spectacularly well parked black Land Rover JAZ 8148. They looked to have moved several wands, so they could very neatly park right in the cycle lane, very carefully up against the kerb
(Last week’s was an Enterprise Car Club car in the same place…).
Did you find the wands? And
Did you find the wands?
Laying against the kerb.
Laying against the kerb. Their bases were still attached to the tarmac, but the vehicle was so wide that they were under its body.
Allow me to register my
Allow me to register my complete lack of surprise that the prat had a vanity plate.
On the plus side, they’re
On the plus side, they’re usually more memorable.
why anything 666 or H8 is allowed to circulate is beyond me though.
On that Manchester cycleways
On that Manchester cycleways visual, what is the CGI woman in the middle of the picture meant to be doing? Just standing there, no oncoming motor or cycling traffic…?
brooksby wrote:
It’s the couple on the far right salsa dancing that I’m concerned about.
Difficult to be sure, with it
Difficult to be sure, with it being a still image, but given that is a crossing and she’s got one foot (atleast partially) off the floor – I’m going to hazard a guess and say she’s crossing the road. But what sort of crossing is that – it has the textured pavement, but I don’t see any lights or zebra markings.
Oh, yeah! I hadn’t even
Oh, yeah! I hadn’t even noticed that her foot was off the ground. Agree that it’s rather a non-standard crossing, though.
Best of Luck, Manchester.
Best of Luck, Manchester.
Who’s next for Contadors team
Who’s next for Contadors team? Dr Ferrari and Dr Fuentes??