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Councillor pictured celebrating after popular bike lane is ripped up; HIGNFY shares Highway Code news with a cyclists dig; LEJOG record; Liam Gallagher celebrates GB's morning glory; G needs a break; Carapaz's gold Pinarello + more on the live blog

Dan Alexander's here for your final live blog of the week and we're going out how we started - celebrating a GB gold medal...
Fri, Jul 30, 2021 09:05
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Councillor pictured celebrating after popular bike lane is ripped up; HIGNFY shares Highway Code news with a cyclists dig; LEJOG record; Liam Gallagher celebrates GB's morning glory; G needs a break; Carapaz's gold Pinarello + more on the live blogLiberal Party Councillor Steve Radford celebrates as pop-up cycle lane is ripped out (image via Joseph Dunne/Twitter)
30 July 2021, 16:09
Just a joke or another unnecessary cyclist-bashing dig? Have I Got News For You weighs in on Highway Code changes by having a pop at those on two wheels

What do we make of this then? The replies and comments are a bit spicy, but in fairness, many hit back at HIGNFY...

Alexander Wooldridge Smith, for example, said: "All jokes aside many motorists think they have right of way over cyclists in all situations. I predict more death by car from drivers who never read the highway code again after they pass their test."

Richard Skidmore smacked down the 'us vs them' mentality: "Crappy drivers make crappy cyclists, crappy cyclists make crappy drivers. They think they own the road and the rules are optional for them regardless of which mode of transport they are currently using."

It's Friday, I get it, you just want to grab a can and have a laugh, enough of this serious stuff...Allow Kevin Follit to provide that (typos included free of charge): "All car driver's have had to pass a test, therefore are all highly skilled at what they do, they also pay for the privilege of using the UK'S perfect ,well maintained,pot hole free roads.as for cyclist's: well,i rest my case"

10/10. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off for a pint with Kevin to find out where these perfect pothole-free roads are...Happy weekend!

30 July 2021, 15:45
How many Tour de France yellow jerseys will 29-year-old Pog own?
Pogacar, Vingegaard and Carapaz on 2021 Tour de France Stage 17 (picture credit A.S.O./Pauline Ballet)

We asked you lot to look into those handy crystal balls and tell us how many Tour de France yellow jerseys Tadej Pogacar will have by the time his bumper new six-year contract with UAE Team Emirates ends in 2027...27 per cent say four, 26 per cent say five, 12 per cent say three, 10 per cent say two and 12 per cent of you went for the big one...Seven or eight...Check back in 2027 to see if you were right...

Live blog poll result 30/7/2021
30 July 2021, 14:07
Cycling Mikey and Co react to Cllr Steve Radford proudly celebrating his Olympic bike lane-bashing gold medal

It's always good to keep it classy, even when you win. Even when your win is removing infrastructure helping your constituents travel safely by bike. Steve Radford missed that memo. He must have been out parading ripped out wands at that point. If there's one lighter side to this it might be a relieved Ed Davey, leader of the Lib Dems, avoiding getting caught in the crossfire, meant for the Liberal Party involved here. Poor Ed was taking a social media kicking from one user who soon realised he had the wrong liberals...

Here's some more of the reaction going around...

30 July 2021, 14:05
30 July 2021, 13:49
Geraint Thomas weighing up contract offers ahead of Ineos Grenadiers exit
Geraint Thomas (via GCN/Eurosport)

Geraint Thomas says he will listen to any team interested in his services for 2022. The Welshman's current deal with Ineos Grenadiers expires at the end of the season and is unlikely to be extended.

Having won the 2018 Tour de France, Thomas has struggled to repeat the highs of his greatest achievement on the road, crashing out of last year's Giro d'Italia and struggling with crash-induced injuries at this year's Tour. 12th in the Olympic Games TT capped off a disappointing summer for the 35-year-old, who says he is looking forward to taking a short break from the sport.

"It’s just been tough, especially mentally. People like to stick in the knife in a bit when things aren’t quite going your way, but you just need to stay positive and try and keep going. It’s been tough but I’m looking forward to getting away from the cycling world now," he said.

"I have a few offers but I’m just waiting to speak to one other person. We’ll try and get that resolved quickly because it’s starting to play on your mind, you just want to get that sorted, but we’ll see. I’m just open to listen to everyone. Once we’ve got everything on the table, we’ll go from there."

30 July 2021, 13:20
First glimpse at Richie Carapaz's bling golden frame

Yes...This right here. This is what we've been waiting six days to see on our screens: Richard Carapaz's gold Pinarello frame looking absolutely majestic. Greg Van Avermaet made the most of his five-year reign, rocking up every week with his famous golden helmet. Stop sniggering...

As pleased as we were for Primoz Roglic, we'd have loved to see Filippo Ganna's glorious Pinarello TT machine decked out in Olympic champ's colours, but I guess Richie C's will have to do...

30 July 2021, 11:22
A hero's welcome greets Olympic champion Primoz Roglic on his return to Slovenia

After his cruel Tour de France heartbreak two years running, we're pretty pleased for Primoz... 

30 July 2021, 11:01
Christina Mackenzie breaks Land's End to John O'Groats record

Christina Mackenzie has done it. 51 hours, five minutes and 27 seconds after leaving Land's End, the Stirling Cycling Club rider reached John O'Groats, smashing the 19-year-old record for the fastest female LEJOG. The provisional time is more than an hour-and-a-half faster than Lynne Taylor's record from 2002.

Mackenzie was up on the schedule since the opening 100 miles and extended her advantage as she passed into Scotland yesterday lunchtime. After a short stop for clothes and to warm up after the punishing Highlands section, she pushed on for the flatter final miles this morning, reaching John O'Groats just after 11am. Chapeau.

30 July 2021, 11:00
30 July 2021, 10:42
Don't mind me starting a petition for the BBC to hire G and LG to host a live show during Olympic track cycling events
30 July 2021, 09:52
Councillor pictured celebrating as popular pop-up bike lane is ripped out

The political cock-ups keep coming...On Wednesday, it was Liverpool's climate emergency chief promising his commitment to cycling infrastructure in front of the cycle lane on West Derby Road which was about to be ripped out. And now yesterday, Liberal Party councillor Steve Radford popped up triumphantly holding two of the removed wands aloft like a beaming athlete celebrating Olympic gold...He even had a medal around his neck...

Some have been quick to point out certain inconsistencies with the front page of the Liberal Party website...

Former Liverpool footballer Jamie Carragher, who once got himself into hot water for spitting at another motorist on a similar stretch of the city's road network, welcomed the news of the bike lane's removal and asked for "the same on Stanley Road in Kirkdale".

Others on Twitter asked if Cllr Radford would be so triumphant the next time the road is congested or if a road user is injured on the stretch.

30 July 2021, 09:49
Poll: How many yellow jerseys will Tadej Pogacar have won by the time his new six-year contract expires
 
How many yellow jerseys will Pog have won by 2027?

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Created with Poll Maker

30 July 2021, 09:37
Tadej Pogacar signs 'longest contract in cycling history' as UAE Team Emirates reward 22-year-old for second yellow jersey
2021 Tour de France Luz Ardiden Pogacar ASO:Charly Lopez - 1

Tadej Pogacar: 22 years old, two Tour de France yellow jerseys, six Tour stage wins, 29 pro wins, two Tour de France KOM jerseys, Olympic Games bronze medal, one Monument and now...a bumper six-year contract with UAE Team Emirates. No wonder young Tadej looks so stress-free.

His team and pro cycling reporters are touting this as one of the longest contracts in the history of professional cycling and so far, nobody can think of anyone who got more than six years. It means Pogacar will be 29 by the time he could leave UAE Team Emirates. 

In a team press release, Pogacar said: "I’m really happy to be able to commit my future to the team and stay here for the next years. I feel at home here, it feels like a big family. This team is a really good fit for me and I am fortunate to say that I have not only found colleagues but friends. I’m excited for the years ahead and what they will bring, hopefully more success for me and for the team. I hope we are inspiring lots of kids to ride bikes."

How many yellow jerseys will Pog have by 2027?

30 July 2021, 09:24
Alexei Sayle's Cyclogeography

road.cc Oli sold this to me as "quite entertaining if you're a fan of heavy breathing, 1980s, left-wing alternative comedians pootling around Milton Keynes with a Go Pro (ok, quite niche)". Now, if I know you lot, that's up there with Channel 5 broadcasters schooling aggressive drivers with razor-sharp 360-degree footage, as our favourite live blog genre...Enjoy! 

30 July 2021, 08:49
Find yourself a mate who supports you like Kye Whyte supports Bethany Shriever

Fantastic scenes in Tokyo as Kye Whyte wins Britain's first ever Olympic medal in the BMX race, before teammate Bethany Shriever takes gold a short while later...This was Whyte's home club at 2am this morning. You can't tell me that hasn't inspired the next generation.

30 July 2021, 08:09
30 July 2021, 07:54
"BMX racing is blowing my mind": Liam Gallagher captivated by Team GB's BMX morning glory in Tokyo

Was Liam Gallagher up early or up late for the BMX finals this morning? Who knows. One thing we do know, is that he loved it... 

One gold for Bethany Shriever and a silver for Kye Whyte made it a worthwhile watch for the former Oasis frontman. Some might say, in the BMX you've got to roll with it...Bethany did just that for a famous win that'll live forever for all who were up to see it. The GB athletes are almost certainly far too committed for any cigarettes & alcohol celebrations, but whatever they choose. I'm sure LG will be proud... DA x

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.

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74 comments

Avatar
eburtthebike | 3 years ago
1 like

"The political cockups keep coming....."

Like councillor Steve Radford holding up not one, but two dildos; so that's three in total.

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kingleo | 3 years ago
7 likes

Lines of cars parked by the side of the roads in cities and towns do not cause traffic jams or pollution - cycle lanes that use less space do cause traffic jams and pollution - amazing, I never knew that.

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brooksby replied to kingleo | 3 years ago
1 like

kingleo wrote:

Lines of cars parked by the side of the roads in cities and towns do not cause traffic jams or pollution - cycle lanes that use less space do cause traffic jams and pollution - amazing, I never knew that.

Someone needs to tell that to Kensington & Chelsea.

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Miller | 3 years ago
1 like

HIGNFY, the programme that brought you Johnson and farridge, can fuck right off.

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brooksby replied to Miller | 3 years ago
0 likes

Oh, dammit! (Janet?) I'd always thought that HIGNFY had at least one brain cell...

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Hirsute replied to Miller | 3 years ago
1 like

Who is farridge ?Are they a poster on here ?

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Sniffer replied to Miller | 3 years ago
0 likes

You forgot JRM.

To be fair they relentlessly took the piss out of them.

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Captain Badger replied to Miller | 3 years ago
2 likes

Miller wrote:

HIGNFY, the programme that brought you Johnson and farridge, can fuck right off.

They've got form on this. Victoria Coren Mitchell usually has something gammony to say about people on 2 wheels.

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brooksby | 3 years ago
0 likes

"There'll be no escape for the princess this time..."

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Owd Big 'Ead | 3 years ago
10 likes

Pfft.......

99.9% of mtorists haven't read the HC for decades. While these changes are welcome, they won't affect anything unless you are in an actual collision and insurance is being disputed, where the changes might work in your favour.

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brooksby | 3 years ago
4 likes

Deliveroo unveils plans to pull out of Spain in wake of ‘rider law’

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jul/30/deliveroo-unveils-plans...

Quote:

Deliveroo has announced plans to pull out of Spain only months after the government promised a law to give gig economy workers greater employment rights.

Deliveroo, which is headquartered and listed in London, said remaining in Spain would require too much investment compared with its other markets, given the scale of its operations in the country.

...

 

A spokesman for Deliveroo said Spain’s employment rights law was not the determining factor, but added that it had resulted in an earlier withdrawal from the country.

The Spanish government announced plans in March to legislate to give workers at food delivery companies and other online platforms more employment rights after a landmark legal ruling, as the first EU country to do so.

Known as the “rider law”, the changes will mean a worker is presumed to be an employee rather than self-employed contractor. The changes will also force food digital platforms to inform delivery riders about how computer algorithms and artificial intelligence affect their working conditions.

Avatar
eburtthebike | 3 years ago
10 likes

Liberal party councillor Steve Radford; I hope the local cyclists and green campaigners will be getting together to award him a proper medal at the next council meeting, for climate sabotage and stupidity.  Maybe two, one for each category.

It's like climate change isn't happening, that there aren't unprecedented floods, fires, droughts, temperatures etc, etc.  I've no idea what the Liberal party's stance on transport and the climate emergency are, but if this councillor is following them, we're doomed.

EDIT: just google the lib-dems policies on transport and cycling, and to call them lukewarm would be a compliment.

2nd EDIT: I've just sent the LibDems a message, asking for their views on this councillor, and does he reflect their policies.

3rd EDIT; having been informed that the Liberal party still exists (who knew?) I've just checked their cycling policy; this is it:

"Bicycles do not pollute or require much space for parking or passage.  Liberals support the increased use of cycles and seek ensure better cycleway provision in built up areas.  Rail travel and cycling are complementary and so we call on the rail companies to draw up a positive cycling policy for the carriage of cycles on all passenger trains."

At least it's mercifully brief.

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brooksby replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
4 likes

Central casting?  Central casting?  Yeah, hi, look, we need someone who looks like a White Van Man but we're going to pretend he's a genuine politician...

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eburtthebike replied to brooksby | 3 years ago
6 likes

brooksby wrote:

Central casting?  Central casting?  Yeah, hi, look, we need someone who looks like a White Van Man but we're going to pretend he's a genuine politician...

and must be well on the way to extreme gammon.

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brooksby replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
3 likes

eburtthebike wrote:

brooksby wrote:

Central casting?  Central casting?  Yeah, hi, look, we need someone who looks like a White Van Man but we're going to pretend he's a genuine politician...

and must be well on the way to extreme gammon.

I can smell the pineapple ring from here... 3

Avatar
Tom_77 replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
1 like

eburtthebike wrote:

EDIT: just google the lib-dems policies on transport and cycling, and to call them lukewarm would be a compliment.

 

2nd EDIT: I've just sent the LibDems a message, asking for their views on this councillor, and does he reflect their policies.

The Liberal Party and The Liberal Democrats are 2 different parties...

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eburtthebike replied to Tom_77 | 3 years ago
0 likes

Tom_77 wrote:

eburtthebike wrote:

EDIT: just google the lib-dems policies on transport and cycling, and to call them lukewarm would be a compliment.

 

2nd EDIT: I've just sent the LibDems a message, asking for their views on this councillor, and does he reflect their policies.

The Liberal Party and The Liberal Democrats are 2 different parties...

Thanks, I thought the Libs had given up the ghost; I'll ask them what they think of their councillor.

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Sniffer replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
1 like

I suspect that 1 Councillor is about 50% of the Liberal Party.

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brooksby replied to Sniffer | 3 years ago
1 like

Sniffer wrote:

I suspect that 1 Councillor is about 50% of the Liberal Party.

So is calling the Liberal Party "the liberal party" not entirely accurate?

Like meeting a no-good lying liar named "Honour", or a devil-worshipping Goth called "Sweetness"?

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Sniffer replied to brooksby | 3 years ago
1 like

Last time i heard about them was this story.  Excerpt from Wiki

In May 2021 the party's only candidate at the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, Derek Jackson in the Glasgow Southside constituency was escorted from the count after arriving wearing arm-bands, yellow stars, and harassing Humza Yousaf, a candidate in the nearby Pollok constituency.[26] Upon ejection from the count the candidate and his supporters were photographed appearing to give Nazi salutes.[27] The Liberal Party immediately suspended Jackson and issued a statement distancing itself from his comments and actions and apologising for any offence he may have caused;[28] Jackson was expelled from the party on 9 May.[29]

So, not very liberal by any normal definition, though he was expelled.

They currently have 8 Councillors spread across two English Councils.  So my guess at 50% wasn't entirley accurate, but near enough.

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jh2727 replied to Sniffer | 3 years ago
0 likes

Sniffer wrote:

I suspect that 1 Councillor is about 50% of the Liberal Party.

Not quite. They have 8 city/district/borough councillors nationwide, so closer to 12.5%

Not so much a party, as a quiet get together - "The Not-So Liberal Quiet Get Together", not very catchy but LGBTQIA+ seems to have done very well, so they could make it in to an unpronouncable abbreviation.

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Sniffer replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
1 like

[/quote]Thanks, I thought the Libs had given up the ghost; I'll ask them what they think of their councillor.

[/quote]

Good luck, I thimk Radford is Party President.

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jh2727 replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
0 likes

eburtthebike wrote:

Liberal party councillor Steve Radford; I hope the local cyclists and green campaigners will be getting together to award him a proper medal at the next council meeting, for climate sabotage and stupidity.  Maybe two, one for each category.

The "medal" BTW, in case you hadn't noticed, is a car key - seems fitting.

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Gimpl | 3 years ago
1 like

Such a shame that Alexei Sayle went the wrong way from CMK station. Right at the beginning he mentions he forgot his Redway map and wasn't sure where they were - I was shouting at him all panto like 'Behind you!'. Could have got out to Loughton and had much nicer scenery than around Conniburrow and Downs Barn!

Also - we have probably one of the better segregated cycling infrastructures in the country and you could still see that he had to stop all the time to cross the road and some of the Redways looked like they had just been bombed! Very little upkeep from the council. 

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cbrndc | 3 years ago
8 likes

BMX, proof that you don't need a bike fit??

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Pyro Tim replied to cbrndc | 3 years ago
1 like

You'd be surprised, but sizing is still important, even when riding kids bikes

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OldRidgeback replied to cbrndc | 3 years ago
1 like

You size a BMX by the length of the top tube, to make sure your knees don't hit the bars basically. If you're say 180 tall you can ride a Pro XL (like mine) which will have a top tube of 21" or 21.25".

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OldRidgeback replied to OldRidgeback | 3 years ago
1 like

Kye when he started training in 2005. This is where training for an Olympic medal started from.

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OldRidgeback | 3 years ago
13 likes

That's a hugely impressive effort for Beth and Kye. They'll give a tremendous boost for BMX as a sport in the UK. They're both role models for younger riders and I know they'll both bring more riders to the sport. I've met Beth a few times and Kye a few more times and they're both really positive people. I know Kye's dad very well and he's played a big role in getting his son on the podium, so I am sure he'll be absolutely over the moon. I messaged Kye's dad earlier but I've not heard back yet and he's probably sleeping it off after being up all night. Everybody involved in BMX in South London is delighted for the pair of them as FB has absolutely lit up.

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AlsoSomniloquism replied to OldRidgeback | 3 years ago
1 like

Pass on the best from all of us. 

Didn't somone post on here a few months ago that they thought the picks for the BMX had gone to the wrong person / people and politics was in play?

Hasn't aged well if they did.

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