“Pretty sickening and frustrating”: Cyclists react to Jim Davidson claiming exceptional hardship for reduced driving ban; Alaphilippe’s top secret Tour training; Reaction to Campag’s (very expensive) new groupset; Courier concerns + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Julian Alaphilippe's TOP SECRET Tour de France intervals — time to add these to your training?
Top secret, but not so top secret that we don’t have live blog coverage… Patrick Lefevere is going to be furious we’ve got access to this…
Alaphilippe treinando com carga 🤣 pic.twitter.com/NbjMK3TAvj
— O País do Ciclismo (@opaisdociclismo) May 30, 2023
Want to get in yellow jersey-taking, stage-winning shape by the start of July? Apparently all you need is a kid and a bike trailer (if starting from scratch the latter plus equivalent weight in non-child items might be an easier solution)…
Add the weight, find a climb, push a big gear, you’ll be flying once the kids are back in school. Alternatively, leave the kid and trailer at home, find a hill, ride up it as hard as you can… à la this mind-boggling Alaphilippe training footage from a few years back…
Directeur sportif blaring horn at start and end of interval is optional… but then again I guess it is good training for those of you riding on British roads…
Your thoughts on Campag's (very expensive) new groupset
You might have heard…
Campagnolo ditches iconic thumb shifter and goes wireless with new Super Record Wireless electronic groupset… and it’ll cost you £4.5khttps://t.co/YLBIkbzoy4
— road.cc (@roadcc) May 30, 2023
Something the vast majority of us will never part with the large wheelbarrow of cash required, but still won’t stop us all having an opinion on…
Sevenfold: “Four and a half grand! For a groupset? Someone’s having a ‘tin bath’. And it weighs more than the wired predecessor too! Ok it’s only 20 grams but it that ‘progess’?”
Destroyer666 reckons the front mech looks like a bobblehead alien. Yep, that’s the front derailleur that’s attracting most of the aesthetics-related heat online…
Such beauty. pic.twitter.com/M547JNdhUy
— Simon Warren (@100Climbs) May 30, 2023
Having said that the infamous grouse “likes the look of the rotors, lots of ventilation/clearing”.
SimoninSpalding: “I do like Campag, but never really wanted to go the whole hog of Super Record, Chorus will do me nicely. I do like the thumb levers, but I am sure I would adapt, and I shall start saving my pennies for when the wireless Chorus arrives…”
a1white: “Let’s be honest, this is a pro-level groupset so the price is largely irrelevant as most of us won’t be buying this. Campag had to bring this out or face extinction on the pro-level peloton. in that respect it is a good move. Only tried the thumb shifer out once before and I can’t reach it from the drops. Hope this will see, at least a partial, resurgence of Campag.”
Off the back: “The price is still very relevant. Campag can’t survive selling groupsets to pro teams alone. There has to be a large enough customer base and it has to be worth it more than just being Italian = cool. It’s no longer a two-horse race with Shimano, Sram are really hurting Campagnolo. Shimano will always be comfortable with the knowledge they produce groupsets for nearly every bike going from world Tour bikes to £300 Halfords specials. That’s not Campagnolo’s game. They need top end sales and is this really over £1k better than Sram Red?
peted76: “It looks very pretty and the shifters look comfy.. Campag does that best IMO.. add in wireless and that’ll be enough for the Campag tifosi to ‘splode over it and I can see why in a money no object kind of way. Me, I’m happy with the famous fishing brand Shimano, widely available and comparatively cheap for parts in relation to SRAM or Campag.”
We’ll finish with some fan mail, it’s a cycling website reports major groupset launch shocker…
“Yet more expensive nonsense tech promoted by road.cc who are only motivated by their cut, not the sport. It lightens the wallets of middle aged fools and puts cycling out of reach for young people. None of this idiocy makes you go faster.”
It's those pesky cycle lanes causing congestion hell again...
Moment idiotic man parks in the middle of Deansgate to nip to Tesco https://t.co/QOefAMNZov pic.twitter.com/JQpiV57vbn
— Manchester News MEN (@MENnewsdesk) May 30, 2023
Tour of Flanders cycle lane
Riders from across the world flock to Belgium for cobbled cycling pilgrimages, taking in the stone-covered bergs of Flanders. Little did we know you could ‘enjoy’ a fraction of the enjoyment simply by a day trip to Folkestone…
What surface shall we make the cycle lane out of, I know pic.twitter.com/6uDa41fts8
— Will Petty 🌳🌳 (@Microlambert) May 30, 2023
That’s right, save yourself the Channel Tunnel trip, the queues and simply do a lap around the town centre. Admittedly, it’s not quite got the same lure as the Koppenberg, the Muur or Kwaremont but hey, for a second or two you can dream of being in Flanders… until you hit the pedestrian crossing dead end and are reminded you’re still on British soil (cobbles)…
Five cool things for your head, ass and tyres from Trek, Ekoi, Silca, Schwalbe and Ass Magic
> Five cool things for your head, ass and tyres from Trek, Ekoi, Silca, Schwalbe and Ass Magic
"The road design hasn't stopped conflict yet": Cycle courier concerned by "dangerous driving" at notorious roundabout
The Plain roundabout in Oxford has sadly been the centre of plenty of coverage here on road.cc in the past year or so. Last September, Robert Whiting, an unlicensed HGV driver was jailed for eight years for killing cyclist Dr Ling Felce while under the influence of cocaine as he drove his lorry at the roundabout.
Subsequent campaigning has led to a series of safety changes being implemented at The Plain — the council making amendments to road markings and traffic signs and installing light bike lane segregation, road studs, bollards, and cycle stands, as well as banning peak-hour deliveries.
That’s the context for this video from Oxford cycle couriers Pedal & Post, who said while they “do like the new lanes, dangerous driving does highlight the road design hasn’t stopped this conflict yet”…
Watch the @RoyalCarsOxford taxi in this clip
What do you think to this manouver at the plain roundabout?
Almost caused a contact incident if our rider hadn’t used the brakes@cycloxoxford @OxfordCity pic.twitter.com/j2tStOSII2
— Pedal & Post Oxford (@PedalandPost) May 30, 2023
One bus driver from the city said: “The Plain is just a nightmare. The safest thing anyone can do is just don’t overtake or undertake there, that taxi got impatient and how much time did it save them? Maybe a couple of seconds, not worth it.”
Pedal & Post confirmed: “Not even a few seconds. Our courier (who’s speed limited to 15.5mph) was right there with [the] taxi driver until the rider turned off onto East Avenue for deliveries. Do like the new lanes, dangerous driving does highlight the road design hasn’t stopped this conflict yet.”
Thank you it’s appreciated, we know generally most drivers are great however feedback is always key to improving 👍💙📦
— Pedal & Post Oxford (@PedalandPost) May 30, 2023
France to spend €2 BILLION on bike lanes
The French government has unveiled a plan for €2 billion of investment into cycling infrastructure, doubling the nation’s bike lane networks. The money, to be invested until 2027, was announced by transport minister Clément Beaune who noted “half our trips by car are less than 5km”.
“That’s immense potential for bikes,” he said. “With the Plan Velo, we’re mobilising €2 billion to accelerate the deployment of bikes everywhere in France. The state’s bicycle effort is unprecedented and massive.”
France currently has 50,000km of bike lanes, the government aiming for 80,000 by 2027 and 100,000 by 2030.
The dad of the Hayter brothers "can't understand" British Cycling pulling the plug on U23 road programme
> British Cycling to cut U23 road programme, cites “incredibly challenging financial landscape”
Writing on social media today, reacting to the news that the Great Britain Cycling Team will soon no longer be sending U23 riders to some of the biggest age group races, such as the Tour de l’Avenir, Paris-Roubaix Juniors and Nations’ Cup events, Tim Hayter said he “can’t understand” the decision…
“Money must be very very tight at GBCT, otherwise I can’t understand cancelling the men’s road U23 academy to ‘focus on track’. From Thomas, Kennaugh, Cavendish, Doull etc, through to Matt [Walls] and Ethan [Hayter] at Tokyo, the road/track set-up has consistently produced Olympic medallists.”
Back to the future: Raleigh relaunches iconic Chopper
"Pretty sickening and frustrating": Cyclists react to Jim Davidson claiming exceptional hardship for reduced driving ban
Some reaction to this…
Exceptional hardship is felt by crash victims left devastated as a consequence of road crime. A points based system enables drivers to learn, reflect, and improve. I have no sympathy for those who fail to do so and continue endangering others. Frustrating!https://t.co/IOo7NlzcNm
— Andy Cox (@AndyCoxDCS) May 30, 2023
This is the news that comedian Jim Davidson has seen his year-long driving ban, imposed after being caught speeding at 36mph in a 30mph zone last year, cut in half by a judge after the television presenter claimed “exceptional hardship”.
Davidson was fined £333, given three penalty points, plus the 12 month driving ban, however the comic’s team noted his court success on his website, writing: “Jim represented himself in court as his barrister was stuck in another trial and the court refused to adjourn the hearing.
“Judge Peter Henry praised Jim for his presentation and accepted that there was some exceptional hardship but not enough to overturn the ban completely. Following the decision, Jim had to leave his car outside the court and walk two miles in blistering heat… and is now downing his third pint of lager.”
“Not a road user I want anywhere near me”
CyclingMikey called it “pretty sickening and frustrating”, adding that “I seem to remember he was virulently hating on cyclists some time ago. Not a road user I want anywhere near me on the public highway.”
Davidson has criticised London’s CycleSuperhighways in the past, among many other things and, in 2019, claimed he’s never coming to London again (due to Sadiq Khan who has apparently “f***** my home town up”)… only to be reminded of the fact he was due to appear at the Dorchester to ‘entertain’ people literally that evening.
Back to the reaction to the exceptional hardship claim…
Safe cycling campaigner Ruth Mayorcas called the reduced ban “utterly disgusting”, FamilyByCycle adding: “Pray, what was the exceptional hardship, and why did it only cover the second six months of a ban?”
It would be nice to know what his exceptional hardship was. Doesn’t say in this or other articles.
He has been banned before. He should know better.— Daniel Fox (@Renard67) May 31, 2023
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I did a multi-day ride many years ago with someone who was a better cyclist than me by every conceivable measure but this one. I remember watching them up ahead on a quiet road trying to teach themselves - snatching brief seconds with their hands off the bars before losing balance and grabbing on again. 'Watch this' I said to the rest of my group, before I accelerated to catch them, then nonchalantly sailed past them uphill riding no hands. Very satisfying. I've been able to ride most of mine hands-free, but had a Specialized Allez that really didn't cooperate. Haven't been brave enough to try it on a Brompton or cargo bike though. And still can't do a wheelie, or any of the other things on Jo's palmares.
@Hamster now that is an exciting development. I do remove/amend signs but reporting them for flyposting is much more satisfying.
@Slartibartfast If the sign-maker can be caught in the act then the council Environmental Health can get a report for littering/fly-tipping. Hours of endless fun for that person trying to explain away a conviction. Don't report unless you're prepared to go to court though. Or remove the litter and put in the nearest bin with a sticker explaining how littering is a crime.
What would make driving safer for motorists is if they stopped driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and driving faster than the speed limit.
Some good ideas there. One point tho. Whilst I love those Wera Allen keys for steel bolt heads, they can be risky on alloy socket screws. Not ideal, IMO, for Rochshox fork axles as they eat into the alloy and lock into the socket. Play soon results. The hex+ system seems to be based on an inside out adaptation of the Snap On “Flank Drive” spanner or socket - and that’s a great idea, but sadly the design seems to overstress alloy socket head screws. Could it be that the profiled section on the end of the tool doesn’t have enough penetration on a fork axle? Maybe. All I can say is my axles last a lot longer using a regular Allen hex key. (Ideally on a torque wrench I guess). Ooh and ChrisA is right - a “Vernier Caliper” relies an a sliding scale more like a slide tile. Digital is way easier, but battery dependent.
@Rendel Harris - ginger ale can be alcoholic when it's traditionally brewed. Not nearly as strong as mead, though.
@tomlew Don't disagree. That makes me at a system weight of 85kg more dangerous at 20mph than a 100kg rider on a 20kg eapc at 15.5mph! Except that I'm in control and only do that sort of speed on the road, not shared used paths etc
@Smoggysteve - I got a similar one from AliExpress advertised as a Xiaomi brand (I have my doubts) for under £30. It's great for drying my bike chain and also getting rid of coffee bean chaff from my roaster.
It can't provide any insights about things to follow up on as regards policy in the area of ebike usage, though, since it didn't study that. And yet it claims to do so. It might, as you suggested, provide insight that helps guide trauma response in a clinical setting, but it doesn't mention that at all. Generally, the way science works is you use a study to inform the thing that was actually studied.
@SecretSam I use the blower nozzle connected to my air compressor, but only to dry the chain so that I can lube it immediately.
22 thoughts on ““Pretty sickening and frustrating”: Cyclists react to Jim Davidson claiming exceptional hardship for reduced driving ban; Alaphilippe’s top secret Tour training; Reaction to Campag’s (very expensive) new groupset; Courier concerns + more on the live blog”
Can we get rid of these
Can we get rid of these floating videos please? They’re very annoying.
Especially on mobile devices
Especially on mobile devices when they take up the whole screen. I know advertising revenue is critical but it makes me go elsewhere…
Yeah. This site is unusable
Yeah. This site is unusable on mobile and pretty unpleasant on desktop without adblockers.
I’d strongly encourage whoever makes the design choices around here to look up Jakob Nielsen’s (the guy who wrote the book on web interaction design) 10 Usability Heuristics, specifically #3 and #8.
Presenting mobile users with an autoplay video that takes up the top third of the screen, and a banner ad with broken CSS (making it really hard to close) that takes up the bottom half of the screen is not really putting the user-experience first…
BalladOfStruth wrote:
Amen! The mobile-degrading experience with ads was part of why I signed up.
Also plus points for the Nielsen reference!
I used to struggle with the
I used to struggle with the ads, then I subscribed and they all went away.
It’s not an ad, though, it’s
It’s not an ad, though, it’s road.cc’s own video reel.
Plain roundabout: Taxi driver
Plain roundabout: Taxi driver is clearly a professional racing driver – he takes the apex of the corner. Nice smooth application of speed.
I assume the video was slowed down and they were actually doing close to 70mph?
Absolutely no reasonable excuse for it. Slowing down doesn’t seem to be an option. As has been said, a few seconds and the cyclist would have been off the roundabout and round the corner.
I was cycling home for lunch
I was cycling home for lunch yesterday cruising past the local school and fire station and a number of residences with driveways on a downhill section doing about 20-25 in a 30 limit. A large white van overtook me in a completely stupid way straight towards a clearly visible oncoming car having to pull in close in front of me and forcing me and the other driver to brake to avoid a collision. They then turned into my street, got stuck as another car was coming through a parked car constriction, so I had to wait behind them, then they continued on and parked…outside my neighbours house.
I had to just go inside without saying anything to preserve neighbourly peace as I wouldn’t have been polite but firm and rational… but in overtaking me he didnt gain himself any time, cost me time and put my life, his life and the life of the driver coming the other way at risk.
I think it was my neighbour’s son, I may have to have a chat with her and ask her to pass on how stupid and dangerous that move was now that I have calmed down…
Patrick9-32 wrote:
I think you HAVE to talk to people, otherwise they just continue on doing this kind of stupid stuff. It doesn’t have to be aggressive or degenerate into a slanging match, but if you don’t at least try to explain why this behaviour is bad, they will never know, and they will carry on doing the same or worse.
I agree, but just after being
I agree, but just after being put in a life threatening situation by somone for literally no reason isn’t the time to have a sensible conversation which will lead to a positive outcome.
Last week there were a lot of
Last week there were a lot of complaints on road.cc about Private Eye criticising LTN schemes (edit: and letters in today’s issue of PE calling them out on it, including from one Carlton Reid).
The following piece was in today’s (issue 1599):
“Exceptional hardship” is not
“Exceptional hardship” is not the same as “mild inconvenience”.
brooksby wrote:
True enough. Was he already on 9 points because a 12 month ban for 36 in a 30 is pretty harsh.
Jim Davidson? Hello!
Jim Davidson? Hello!
Could have left it at:
Could have left it at:
“Pretty sickening and frustrating”: Cyclists react to Jim Davidson
What hardship is Jim Davidson
What hardship is Jim Davidson facing?
The realisation that he’s an outdated washed up celebrity who has been firmly told that he is not above the law?
Bit divided on the Jim
Bit divided on the Jim Davidson thing; on the one hand it’s an absolute disgrace that he’s managed to dodge half his ban on such a flimsy pretext, on the other hand the sooner he gets his licence back the lower the chance that one might end up sitting next to him on public transport. Six and two threes, really.
It might be an urban myth but
It might be an urban myth but I heard years ago that Boris Johnson was converted to utility cycling following a driving ban. Maybe we can hope for the same from this chancer?
Bill H wrote:
Don’t think he’s ever been banned from driving, I’m guessing so drunk most nights he gets a taxi home on someone else’s account. I do know that when he was GQ’s motoring correspondent (sample line in review of a Ferrari F430: “It was as though the whole county of Hampshire was lying back and opening her well-bred legs to be ravished by the Italian stallion”) he ran up £4500 of parking tickets for the magazine to pay due to his habit of leaving review cars on yellows outside whichever Mayfair restaurant in which he was dining then getting a cab home when pissed, which tells one quite a lot about his attitude to social responsibility.
One reason to explain why he
One reason to explain why he perhaps didn’t get banned from driving, or indeed rack up many speeding tickets during his time at GQ, is that when review cars were dropped off at his (then) home in Islington, the delivery agent would check the mileage. After the review and/or column had been submitted, the car was collected and the mileage on checking was inexplicably the same.
That would not surprise me in
That would not surprise me in the least!
Heresy! Boris would never
Heresy! Boris would never lie to anyone. Ever.