Can it be real? Mechanic shares double cleat horror set up; Cav: I can get better; Wheelie-popping kid outshines Tour of Britain; Dan Martin announces retirement; Local paper positivity; Pro bike-handling skills; Charity rides + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
"Give him a pro contract now": Wheelie-popping kid outshines Tour of Britain peloton
Give him a pro contract now… 🚲#TourOfBritain ⚫⚪⚫ pic.twitter.com/5mi2IUzcuj
— AJ Bell Tour of Britain 🇬🇧 (@TourofBritain) September 5, 2021
Bryn Appleton stole the show on day one of the 2021 Tour of Britain in Cornwall, wheelieing his way to TV fame as the race passed on some of his local roads. Luckily for us, the 15-year-old has the top-notch bike-handling skills to avoid an embarrassing crash with the two pensioner types strolling towards him…we dread to think what the Mail Online’s headline would have been for that…
As the breakaway rolled through near the Wilson Way Industrial Estate in Pool, Bryn hopped up onto one wheel and took the acclaim of commentator and ex-pro Adam Blythe…”That’s wheelie impressive.”
BBC Radio Cornwall chipped in on social media to ask if anyone knew who the wheelie wonderkid was before Bryn came forward to claim his praise…let’s hope the UCI don’t get too heavy-handed and pop at roadside DQ through his letterbox…
Nothing gives me more joy than seeing a kid pull a wheelie.
— Iain Macintosh (@IainMacAndDog) September 6, 2021
Didn’t realise Peter Sagan was riding in this year’s race!!!
😂😂😂— Dave Mills (@Davyboymills) September 5, 2021
Sir Chris Hoy leads Glasgow to Edinburgh charity ride raising money for new Social Bite villages
What a day! £700k raised for @SocialBite_ with our ‘Break the Cycle’ charity ride from Glasgow velodrome to Edinburgh, amazing fundraising and cycling effort from the 500+ riders!! 👏🏻👏🏻 https://t.co/sTjEfGcIAX
— Chris Hoy (@chrishoy) September 5, 2021
Sir Chris Hoy and around 500 charity cyclists pedalled from Glasgow to Edinburgh yesterday to support Social Bite’s Break the Cycle campaign, which has so far raised more than £700,000 towards the creation of Social Bite villages in Glasgow and London.
The villages have helped 43 homeless people so far, with 100 per cent of Edinburgh village residents polled saying they preferred living at the Social Bite Village over hostels or B&Bs.
Hoy was joined by former Scottish rugby player John Barclay as well as residents and staff from the Edinburgh Social Bite Village, where the ride finished close to.
“I’ve been a huge supporter of Social Bite and the incredible work it does for a number of years now,” Hoy told The Scotsman. “I’ve seen the positive impact the charity has on so many people’s lives and I’m really thankful to everyone who has been able to support the Break the Cycle campaign so far.”
Local paper positivity...Cornwall Live celebrates the Tour of Britain visiting
Woah, we’re half way there……except there are 7 more stages and hundreds of kilometres to Aberdeen. Do enjoy the bands optimism at @TourofBritain in Bodmin. pic.twitter.com/bqbzg6klxU
— Tom Collier (@GCPChair) September 5, 2021
Local press talking about cycling usually doesn’t end well — we’ve more than enough examples in our live blog archives. However, not CornwallLive yesterday…it was more than happy to see Bodmin get a big day out.
In a story headlined ‘The Tour of Britain breathed life back into the sleepy town of Bodmin’ (although one local objected to his patch being sleepy) reporter Aaron Greenway celebrated the race’s visit.
He wrote: “The event turned Bodmin into a carnival atmosphere as locals and visitors alike explored the shows, the sights, the sounds and the smells of the various stalls and attractions on offer across the weekend, with the majority organised by Bodmin Town Council.
“The last time something this big came to Bodmin, no one’s really sure – of those we asked, they thought it could either be when the Queen came down during her Jubilee or when there was the Total Eclipse of 1999. Whatever it was, this was on a different scale.”
Even the comments were free of ‘road tax’ ramblings, or people demanding Ineos switch out their kit for something more visible…and stop jumping red lights.
Matej Mohorič showed off his bike-handling skills in Belgium yesterday
This man, Matej Mohoric, knows how to steer 😱 #BeneluxTour pic.twitter.com/aZUDp2fwul
— Benelux Tour (@BeneluxTour) September 5, 2021
But could he pop a wheelie outside the Wilson Way Industrial Estate as the Tour of Britain passes? It’s like cycling’s version of could he do it on a cold Tuesday in Stoke?
Mohorič has turned heads with his bike-handling before…the rumour is that it was the Slovenian who was the first pro to adopt the now-banned ‘supertuck’, on his way to winning the junior world champs road race in 2012…
Delightful Devon
Oh, Dartmouth, you’ve spoiled us 👏#TourOfBritain 🟢⚪🟢 pic.twitter.com/FCt1aunHSx
— AJ Bell Tour of Britain 🇬🇧 (@TourofBritain) September 6, 2021
Lovely weather to watch a bike race…not so to be in one. 130km to go and Israel Start-Up Nation and Alex Dowsett have put the hammer down, cut three minutes off the breakaway, and started smashing it up all the steep hills. There are riders all over the road and Cav’s back in the cars looking for help of some sort…we could have some day of racing ahead of us.
Dan Martin announces retirement from pro cycling at the end of this season
Thankyou for all the support over the years. pic.twitter.com/c1Kf30ZlVK
— Dan Martin (@DanMartin86) September 4, 2021
Israel Start-Up Nation have knocked off their early stage two ambush in Devon this lunchtime. Setting up one last stage win for Dan Martin might have been the reason for the early pace setting.
The Irishman has spent 14 seasons in the pro ranks, winning a stage of each of the Grand Tours, plus Il Lombardia and Liège–Bastogne–Liège. Speaking about his decision, the 35-year-old said he is looking forward to spending more time with his family and pursuing his business interests.
“I will always be a cyclist; I won’t hang up my wheels, just my race number,” Martin said. “I feel fortunate to be deciding when I retire. I am genuinely grateful for the support of family, friends, fans, and so many cycling teammates and colleagues who have supported me throughout my career. A big thank you to my current team, Israel Startup Nation and all the staff and riders for making these past two seasons one of the most enjoyable and successful periods in my career.
“Giving 100% to what I do has always been how I operate. Though I could continue racing for a few years to come, and for many, this would seem like the obvious thing to do; I am at a point where I’m ready to take on some exciting new challenges in life.”
I'm saying nothing...
Primož Roglič is the first rider to win a grand tour, ridden entirely on disc brakes. #LaVuelta21
— Benji Naesen (@BenjiNaesen) September 6, 2021
Mark Cavendish: "I believe I can stay at this level, and I believe I can get even better"
Mark Cavendish is back in Britain this week, as we speak slogging his way around the grippy second stage through Devon. The Manxman is out of contract with Deceuninck-Quick-Step at the end of the season but has expressed his desire to stay with the team beyond 2021.
His return to the team has been an overwhelming success, with him winning four stages and the green jersey at the Tour de France. However, with that success comes an increase in his market value, something Patrick Lefevere hasn’t shied away from when speaking to the media about the prospect of Cav signing a new deal.
“I want to continue racing, and I hope it’s with the team where I am now,” Cavendish explained to reporters at the Tour of Britain. “Negotiations are underway, but I don’t know. It’s not up to me. At the beginning of the year I thought it was my last season. I wasn’t looking for a fairytale. I knew I was still good, but you also have to show it in the race. In the end it turned out to be a fairytale.
“After this year it would be easy to say I’m done, because there is a risk that I won’t win next year, but I believe I can stay at this level, and I believe I can get even better. I’m no longer head and shoulders above the rest, and that’s why I want to continue racing. I’ve lost races this year – that never happened before. This year I won a lot, but I also often finished second or third. I want to go back to that level where I don’t lose anymore. I believe it is possible.”
After this year, we’re not going to bet against you, Mark…
Cow about that? Un-bull-ievable scenes in Dartmoor
BREAKING NEWS: We have some action on Dartmoor, cows in stand-off with traffic. We’ll bring you more as it unfolds pic.twitter.com/J9Rt8aDbwa
— Alex Ballinger (@alexballi_) September 6, 2021
Mathieu van der Poel extends Alpecin-Fenix stay for four more years
Mathieu van der Poel and Alpecin-Fenix until 2025 is a ‘four more years’ we can get behind. The all-conquering Dutchman took the yellow jersey and a stage at his first Tour de France, to add to his impressive 2021, which already included a cyclo-cross world title, Strade Bianche and multiple impressive stages of week-long races.
The news will come as a boost to the 26-year-old who hasn’t raced since crashing out of the Olympic mountain bike race, eventually won by Tom Pidcock.
“I’m very happy to have signed this long-term contract with a team that feels like my second family. I’m really enjoying myself at Alpecin-Fenix. The team has developed fantastically in the last years – simultaneously with the progress I’ve been making – and are still getting better and stronger each year,” Van der Poel said.
Van der Poel also confirmed that competing in multiple disciplines, including cyclo-cross and mountain biking, will continue to be a priority for the next stage of his career.
Hundreds attend Cycling UK's 100th anniversary Meriden Cyclists' memorial service
Fabulous day and impressive turnout for the #meriden memorial centenary. Brilliant to meet so many @WeAreCyclingUK members and friends from @BritishCycling pic.twitter.com/ONcmfOieOf
— sarah mitchell (@s_j_mitchell) September 5, 2021
Hundreds of cyclists came together in the West Midlands village of Meriden yesterday to pay tribute to fallen cyclists who have died in combat. This year’s service was the 100th anniversary since the first memorial in 1921 and involved a service, readings and wreath laying ceremony.
Cycled up to Meriden with Beacon RCC for the 100th Anniversary of the Cyclists Memorial Service and what a beautiful service it was.
Cracking weather with the obligatory cafe stop great days out on me bike pic.twitter.com/Ct5AgaOgRM— paul balfe (@PBalfe64) September 5, 2021
Comment of the day...
Some mountain bike drone footage well worth 54 seconds of your time
Not bad…but…could he pop a wheelie outside the Wilson Way Industrial Estate? Okay, I promise that’s the last time I use that line…
"Just drop the saddle height five inches": Reaction and comments to the toe cleats from hell
The road cleat bolts/plates are suspiciously gleaming.
I’m calling fake. https://t.co/PSYZS5v4wE
— Charlie Thomas (@CThomas663) September 6, 2021
Is it fake? Charlie makes a good point…we’ll drop our man a message to see if we can get any more info. Gary V isn’t sure what all the fuss is about and thinks this could be a way to end that annoying toe overlap once and for all…
On Facebook, Allanna speculated our mystery toe pedaller must be Michael Jackson – very good.
Jon Bayley’s calling it a set up too…
No? Road cleats are attached by the toe stud holes. Bolts look pristine, rest of the shoe and cleats worn – so likely a setup.
— jon bayley (@jonbaabnoj) September 6, 2021
And in the comments here, Mungercrundle made the case for using something similar for hill climbs. I’m not sure I’d want to ride to the shops, let alone up a hill at full tilt, with that cleat position. Anyway, let’s hope we get some answers soon…
6 September 2021, 08:04
6 September 2021, 08:04
6 September 2021, 08:04
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Great piece, thank you Emily
@Nigel Garage Then sanity returned and he said, "Hang on, are you suggesting that we leave our beautiful Victorian flat in the middle of the greatest city on earth to go and live in some nasty Barratt Homes newbuild in a place so boring that for entertainment the residents constantly troll websites from which they've been banned a dozen times, with a creepy accountant who cyberstalks people's Facebook photos to get material to use for his silly posts on said websites for a neighbour?" "Yes, on second thoughts let's stay here," she said, and they lived very happily ever after.
If drivers find it too hard to give way then maybe it should be a stop sign. That will give them enough time to look.
Just turn your head Ed. Perhaps you've gone so far to the right turning left is the problem?
“Between 2020–24, collisions involving a single pedal cycle and pedestrian resulted in 9 pedestrian deaths and 738 serious injuries in Great Britain. This isn’t anti-cycling. It’s pro-safety and good road design. If London can do it, Exeter can too.” In the same period there were around 6000 fatalities and 115000 serious casualties on the roads generally. Bicycle users are therefore demonstrably less dangerous than other road users, and perhaps if Ed is "pro safety" he ought to look to at the other 99% of road users. Maybe he could start with people making a social media posts while driving.
If the man can't turn his head to check his blind spot he shouldn't be on the road
Follow the road rules. Why is this even a discussion? Because the road rules are not adequately policed. …Solution: how about £100 fines for everyone flouting the road rules / risking cyclists lives on social media and in council chambers, as well as on the roads? That should stop this ongoing waste of time.
@Rendel Harris you've painted a rather alluring picture of social harmony there, but unfortunately you've got my name wrong. I'm Jack, not Nigel. However, to return the compliment, I must think of a story for you. I imagine you sat outside a pub, real ale and pipe propped on the adjacent table, in a similar fashion to Nigel Farage at his populist best. You turn to your wife. "You know what dear? I think I've been a bit harsh in my time. I've shunned the politeness and wisdom of others for too long and want to change my ways.* "There there Rendel", says Mrs Harris. "You're not a bad old stick, it's just living in London that's emptied your soul of kindness and compassion. I've found a lovely new place where we can settle down in our later years. It's on a leafy cul de sac, surrounded by friendly neighbours and smiling faces. There's a guy a couple of doors down, a remarkable man. As well as his towering intellect and rapier wit, he's also a keen cyclist, holding severa local KOMs. Don't be perturbed dear - he'll ride with anyone provided they show other road users the kindness and courtesy they deserve." Rendel turned emotionally, voice shaking. "Oh my dear, thank you for this second chance", and with that the rest of the pub goers turned and applauded the couple, throwing garlands of petals in their wake. The end.
As a Councillor, Edward needs to be paying some attention to all that parking obstructing visibility and manoeuvres at the junction, and sorting out those radii.
Ed Hill was chucked out by Reform in 2025, though TBF to him it was about how to run it rather than ideology I think. He is now reportedly closer to Advance UK, which is distinctly more extreme than Reform. I'd call this Alan Amos style attention seeking.
9 thoughts on “Can it be real? Mechanic shares double cleat horror set up; Cav: I can get better; Wheelie-popping kid outshines Tour of Britain; Dan Martin announces retirement; Local paper positivity; Pro bike-handling skills; Charity rides + more on the live blog”
Toe cleats? Don’t knock it
Toe cleats? Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.
Genuinely wondering if there might be something to be said for such a setup for hill climb sprints? Like sprinting on your toes?
I suspect he bought the shoes
I suspect he bought the shoes, then bought the wrong pedal types, (“but it states they both support SPD….”). And those big screws at the front are the right width weirdly so why not.
If only he’d googled it –
If only he’d googled it – there appears to be a video on Youtube showing to to do it that features the same exact shoes… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBUA0kAe0YE
Handy for riding a tandem
Handy for riding a tandem solo if you can clip into both cranks
My pedals are SPD one side,
My pedals are different each side – SPD one side, flat on the other. Maybe they brought out a new permutation…?
In the days of clips and
In the days of clips and straps you could get shoeplates with 2 slots, so you could slide your foot forward 1/4 inch for climbing.
Quote:
The rumour is wrong, though. Mohorič may have been the first to try pedalling while holding it, but the position was being used well before that.
Quote:
So dominant, he doesn’t even need a bike.
Have hose cows on Dartmoor
Have hose cows on Dartmoor not read The Highway Code? They aren’t even wearing helmets or hi viz!