“The sludge is what’s holding it together”: Cyclist’s drivetrain from hell that no amount of degreaser can save… and left others questioning if “better and cheaper to get a whole new bike” + more on the live blog

The removal of Linthorpe Road cycle lane in Middlesbrough was approved unanimously at a council meeting on Wednesday, mayor Chris Cooke welcoming the decision and promising to ensure the work is carried out swiftly, The Northern Echo reports.

> Is this the end for Britain’s most controversial bike lane? Mayor calls on council to scrap “hated” cycle lane and end “ridiculous saga once and for all” – costing local authority £3 million

“Cycling and cycle lanes are a key part of our integrated transport strategy – the problem with this one was the design which was seriously flawed,” Cllr Peter Gavigan, the executive member for environment and sustainability said.

Cooke added: “The strength of community feeling around this was very vocal, and it’s clear that when we undertake schemes like this in future we need to ensure that consultation is done in a better way. Active travel, including walking and cycling schemes, is enormously important – the sooner we get this done the better, and that will enable us to start to look at other schemes in other areas.”

The cycle lane’s story has been widely reported on this website, the infrastructure becoming a political football for rival local politicians’ campaigns. While the route was undoubtedly unpopular with sections of the community — business owners, residents and even some cyclists expressing concerns about the design — the scheme was also undermined by consistent parking in it and issues with orca wand dividers causing pedestrian trips and cyclist crashes.

Former world champion Óscar Freire was found safe and well after his family reported him missing this week. Europa Press in Spain reported that the three-time world champion left his house after an argument with family on Monday. He left by car and did not take his phone or wallet, the family reporting him missing having not heard from him for two days. Several hours after the report, the authorities located Freire.

Last week the 48-year-old was a guest at the AlUla Tour in Saudi Arabia. Freire’s legendary career saw him wear the rainbow bands for three seasons, win three editions of Milan-San Remo, seven stage of the Vuelta, four Tour de France stages, Gent-Wevelgem and numerous other races.

Sigma Sports is opening a new store in the Hertfordshire town of Letchworth Garden City, a 3,000 square foot retail space at 48 Station Road that will present “the same exceptional shopping experience” as the brand’s London and Oakham stores.

Sigma Sports’ full product portfolio will be available for customers to click
and collect and the store will host products from brands such as Trek, Pinarello,
Cervélo, Argon18, Colnago, Specialized, Bianchi, Cannondale, Rapha, Castelli, Oakley, Pas Normal Studios and Universal Colours. The premises will also
offer bike repair and workshop servicing, custom bike building and, in the near future, a professional bike fit studio.

In “early 2025” Sustrans will launch the first ever Children’s Walking and Cycling Index, designed “to understand the behaviours, barriers and attitudes affecting children’s cycling in the UK”. Sponsored by Halfords, the report will follow on from the well-established adult Walking and Cycling Index and is “designed to combat rising children’s obesity and mental health issues linked to isolation and lack of independence”.

Sustrans says: “Children are often overlooked by decision-makers and officers in transport, or if they are considered, it’s on the school journey. This leaves out the role that travel plays in their day-to-day lives, supporting development of their independence, socialisation skills, overall mental health and wellbeing, and reducing the family workload.

“Our new report will give a voice to children across the UK, reshaping how we approach children’s journeys with a focus on active travel.”  

More info is available on Sustrans’ website.

DFDS — the ferry company who will take over from Condor Ferries as Jersey’s ferry operator from the end of March — has announced it is scrapping a £25 fee for foot passengers to bring a bike on board.

The company told ITV anyone who had already paid for one will be refunded and said the changes reflect their “promise to review and enhance its services following feedback”.

Last year we reported that Irish Ferries had been accused of “pure discrimination against people on bikes” after a cyclist was refused access and left stranded when staff told her bicycles were not allowed on. Tipperary-based Elaine Baker was heading home to Ireland and had paid for a motorcycle ticket but was denied entry as only motorists and motorcycle riders – not cyclists and foot passengers – were allowed on board.

> “What the f*** are you doing telling me to slow down?” Road rage driver assaulted cyclist after pensioner waved at him to slow down, handed suspended sentence

Good to know some things haven’t changed, Lorena Wiebes getting her 2025 up and running with a trademark fast-finishing stage win. Elsewhere today there’s a lumpy Étoile de Bessèges stage and a summit finish at Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. Four kilometres averaging nearly 10 per cent. That sounds like it should be illegal in February.

That drivetrain has been the subject of a few comments…

360cycling is hosting a remembrance ride on Zwift this evening in memory of their rider Aidan Worden, the popular young rider and national junior 25-mile TT champion, who was killed in a collision while training on Saturday. 

It starts at 6.30pm GMT and all the details are available here. 

“The lad rode this session most Thursdays over winter for the last three years, so tonight we honour him,” the event page states. “He liked to attack in the last 10min so feel free go nuts!”

Speaking to Eurosport about his goals for 2025, Wout van Aert highlighted the perennial importance of the two big cobbled Monuments in his season. Calling the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix his “biggest goals” for the spring, Van Aert even jokingly promised to “take the rest of the year off” if he wins both.

“In 2020 I was just too late in a sprint with Van der Poel,” Van Aert explained. “I told myself then that there were still plenty of chances, but five years later… I didn’t go for the win in the other editions. I have to stay focused now.

“I weigh eighty kilos now, so it is normal that I would like to win Paris-Roubaix. But that atmosphere at the Tour of Flanders is unmatchable. There is no other race like it. Roubaix is ​​of course special, but as a Belgian the Tour of Flanders is really not normal.”

After the classics Van Aert will head to the Giro where the tricky opening stages in Albania look “right up my alley”, the 30-year-old hoping to take the maglia rosa before losing it again “to have a chance of winning more stages”.

Of course, that’s all dependent on his spring… “If I win Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders? Then I’ll take the rest of the year off.” Sure you will, Wout…

At Étoile de Bessèges it was Søren Wærenskjold who took the victory following a messy sprint that also saw a heavy crash in the final 200m. That was a bit of a theme for the day as a whole, this incident earlier in the stage the biggest talking point.

> “There’s always someone who thinks the roads belong to them”: Oblivious motorist forced to reverse off road after driving towards charging pro peloton at Étoile de Bessèges stage race, causing crash

Completing a triple-header of early-season racing action…

> How to customise your road or gravel bike to make it uniquely yours

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING BLOG POST CONTAINS IMAGES OF SEVERE BIKE NEGLECT

It’s enough to send shivers down your spine, the mechanic who shared pictures on Reddit likely going to be waking up in cold sweats for weeks after seeing this. Maybe, one day, once the dust (gunk) has settled, Netflix will be in touch about a three-part docuseries.

Genuinely impressive when you struggle to make out what’s a jockey wheel, what’s a chain and what’s muck, as the Reddit user who shared the pictures online joked: “The sludge is what’s holding it together.”

Reddit user The Real Failtester broke down the full diagnosis: “Needs: Basically almost an entire drivetrain overhaul — crank w/chainrings, freewheel, chain, rear derailleur, freewheel, rear hub w/bearings and axle. Front derailleur, and bottom bracket crank axle (its bearings are still good and can be kept somehow). Also needs tyres and tubes, also has one broken spoke on the rear and more are likely to break while disassembling and assembling with new hub, and needs a heck of a de-grease of the frame. Set of brakes would probably be a good idea too.”

They later came back to add a cassette to the list, thankfully the job sounding like more of a salvage mission than a ‘simple fix’ somebody had brought into a bike shop to be repaired.

“Holy shark teeth, Batman!” another commented on the pics, pointing out the sludge is “kinda sparkly and shiny” and possibly has metal shavings from the worn drivetrain. “Honestly it’s probably better and cheaper to get a whole new bike, no?” they asked.

“A smidge bit cheaper to restore the old one where I live, though more time consuming,” the rider with the unenviable task of repairing it replied, before responding to another question about why they are replacing the hubs and not just starting again.

Well, if nothing else it’s a great reminder to clean your bike.