Magic roundabout or tragic roundabout? New "novelty" cycling roundabout hasn't gone down well; Cyclist maps 109-mile Father Christmas Strava art across Paris; New bike day; Ride with Remco (virtually) + more on the live blog

(Harry Gray)

The court of public opinion hasn't been too kind to Manchester's new cycling roundabout since we first saw it last night. Has that changed? To cut a long story short: na, not really. 

HLaB said: "With that cycleabout or whatever they want to call it, do they honestly think abled bodied Folks won't follow their desire lines and cross to the middle or go round it clockwise? All the design does successfully is to inconvenience the less abled bodied." 

hawkinspeter added: "That roundabout does look unnecessary. The large space in the middle seems unnecessary unless they want to turn it into a mini park with a bench or something. The route round is quite narrow in places - I wonder if that'll cause issues with trikes?" 

Car Delenda Est says: "I'm thinking it's there to allow push and wheelchairs a direct route across rather than making them go around. That said I feel that it would probably be an improvement for everyone if the island had a dropped curb the whole way round."

Any cycle roundabout fans care to add some balance? Keep your comments coming in as always... 

Not an illustration of actual training session

Of course we mean virtually unless you happen to live with the prodigious Belgian, and if you're a current Bkool user or want to hastily sign up to it on a 30-day free trial then the ride will start at 5pm UK time/6pm CET. 

We're told that Remco, who is so talented that he made our prestigious list of footballers who cycle ahead of the World Cup starting last month, will be on his team issue Specialized Tarmac SL7 in 3D during the group training ride, and those joining will also be able to kit themselves out with the same bike and gear using Bkool's new virtual store. 

In one of those polished press statements that we doubt he actually said at all, Remco said': "I am really looking forward to joining my fans on the virtual road on Monday.

"I train a lot of my rollers, and to be able to ride with my fans, who have shown me so much love and support, will be a lot of fun. BKOOL have really taken care of the details, by making my virtual kit and bike available, and I hope everybody is looking forward to riding as much as I am." 

The ride will take place on a virtual version of the Verona time trial at last year's Giro, and you can head over to Bkool to find out more if you fancy it. 

Drumroll please...

The UK's first cycling roundabout is complete

What do you think of it? pic.twitter.com/EDKJN8nQXR

— Harry Gray (@HarryHamishGray) December 4, 2022

Harry said this interesting infra has popped up in Salford, Greater Manchester, and while "really happy with the rest of the scheme on Trafford Road" he told us the "cycling roundabout seems a bit overkill"...

Here's a turn on it with a cargo bike pic.twitter.com/RRhdgS5lxw

— Harry Gray (@HarryHamishGray) December 4, 2022

Some suggested the roundabout aspect seems a bit unnecessary...

OK, I've not added markings or tactiles, but why not just a crossroads? pic.twitter.com/29p93Qnwgz

— The Ranty Highwayman (@RantyHighwayman) December 4, 2022

Another going as far to say it "has clearly been designed by people who don't know much about bike infrastructure".

Why did that space need that?

— Gazza Biker (@gazzabiker) December 4, 2022

Cue the Photoshop...

At best, a comedy novelty thingy. pic.twitter.com/uysEGmpXmU

— OneAdultSwim (@OneAdultSwim1) December 4, 2022

is that what happens when car-centric with no cycling experience have to make some cycleways?
Over complicated and unnecessary waste of money. Just let people freestyle it

— Real Gaz on a proper bike: gazza_d [at] toot.bike (@gazza_d) December 4, 2022

Thoughts? 

> Beat the wind on your bike: 7 route planning hacks to increase average speed and make windy rides more enjoyable

Ah Monday...

If you switched off your devices all weekend in favour of I don't know, God forbid, actually going for a bike ride, here's what you might have missed...

> "Lock it, still lose it": TikTok account gloats about stealing bikes from school

Back on Cavwatch and things don't look great, with sources this weekend saying the Manx Missile "100 per cent" won't ride for Jérôme Pineau's controversial B&B Hôtels project, which appears to be on the brink of implosion due to lack of funding...

> REVIEW: Wahoo Kickr Smart Trainer v6

Two MPs have urged their fellow politicians at Westminster who support active travel to "practise what they preach" by calling for the UK to emulate the likes of Germany and Denmark by installing more "secure, accessible and sufficient" cycle parking on the parliamentary estate.

> Following huge investment, is Classified's front mech-killing Powershift system really going to take over? Plus the £15,000 3T/Lamborghini collab and more from Rapha, Zéfal, GripGrab...