James May goes for a spin on his Orbea Orca…but is it better than a Dacia Sandero?; NZ chain apologises for employee threatening to “mow down” protesting cyclists; LTN vandal; On-board with Van der Poel; Contador vs Stelvio + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Community stands defiant after LTN vandals set fire to planter
Omg someone set fire to the planters by Florence Park. Just seen @OxonFireRescue leaving.@Charlie_Hicks_ @TheOxfordMail pic.twitter.com/cFQlYhtv2M
— Just Think (@JustThinkOXON) June 6, 2021
Just Think Oxon, a prominent pro-active travel campaigner in Oxford, took these pictures of the burnt-out planter near Florence Park in the south of the city early yesterday morning. On a happier note, just hours after the fire brigade had been called to put the fire out members of the community showed their support for LTNs by decorating the planter with posters and signs…
❤️ this! Just a few hours after an arson attack required a visit by fire fighters, Cowley has fought back with the very best show of community spirit 😀 pic.twitter.com/fzgMolxJ12
— Tom Hayes (@CllrTomHayes) June 6, 2021
Councillor Tom Hayes condemned the arsonist: “Starting fires in neighbourhoods while people sleep is unacceptable. Risking people’s safety is horrible. Fire crews had to put out flames, our police need to deal with arson while being stretched by Covid-19. Our public sector and communities shouldn’t have to put up with this.”
The motives and identity of the vandal remains unknown but it is not the first case of LTN vandalism that we have seen in recent times. In January, drivers in Levenshulme, Manchester, filmed themselves ramming planters off the road. Local residents rallied to clear up the mess before Chris Boardman, Greater Manchester’s cycling and walking commissioner, insisted they would not be intimidated by vandals.
Oxford’s LTNs also recently attracted some bizarre news coverage after a music producer put up a £1,000 reward for the safe return of a gnome that was stolen from a planter. Despite the sizeable incentive, PC Plod is still missing.
"Hmm… this sign seems unofficial?"
Hmm… this sign seems unofficial? 🤨 pic.twitter.com/BV0hQXOpFg
— Thomas O. Cornwallis (@UrbanistTOC) June 6, 2021
At least it doesn’t tell them to dismount…
British Cycling outlines plans to reboot grassroots racing as the sport emerges from the pandemic
To mark the 50-day countdown to the Tokyo Olympics, British Cycling has outlined a plan to reboot grassroots racing following the disruption caused by the pandemic and lockdown restrictions. Aiming to make the sport “more accessible, diverse and welcoming than ever before”, the Everyone Wins campaign will follow the journeys of novice riders making their first steps in the racing world.
The campaign will help the governing body meet long-term goals for its eight cycling disciplines, including doubling the number of Go-Ride coaching clubs for kids, increasing female participation by 40 per cent and under-16 participation by 50 per cent by 2026.
In the short-term, British Cycling says it is working with other event organisers, including parkrun, and colleagues in the government to highlight the challenges of organising large events so soon after restrictions have been eased.
“Grassroots bike racing is the foundation of our sport, and it is essential that everyone from all backgrounds can feel comfortable and welcome at events, whether they are competing, volunteering or supporting,” British Cycling CEO Brian Facer said. “Our Everyone Wins campaign will help to showcase this alongside personal stories as riders start their competition journey, regardless of where they finish in the race.
“Over the last year we have seen the number of people riding bikes skyrocket. As grassroots events begin to get back up and running over the coming weeks and months we want to broaden the base of individuals who take part, breaking down barriers and perceptions and widening access to help us to lay the foundations for future success.”
London e-scooter rental trial goes live today
E-scooter rental trial begins in London:
– 500 across 5 boroughs initially
– Limited to 12.5mph
– Can only be dropped off in designated bays
– Drivers licence needed
– Basic safety course before 1st use
– 3 different companies with 3 different apps@itvlondon pic.twitter.com/2iGuncX8oc— Sam Holder (@samholdertv) June 7, 2021
A 12-month trial of e-scooter hire in a group of core London boroughs begins today with more areas expected to join soon. City of London will not be involved however, as it postponed its participation until July 5 over administrative concerns. Canary Wharf, Richmond, Ealing, Hammersmith, Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea are all signed up to the scheme which will allow the public to hire the scooters for use at up to 12.5mph on the roads and cycle lanes of the capital.
One of the operators signed up to the trial, Lime, will charge £1 to unlock the scooter with a fee of 16p per minute. Thoughts? Are you pleased to see the major e-scooter trial get underway?
Our most recent Drink at Your Desk guest living the life over in Amsterdam...
Sunday morning cycling through the centre of Amsterdam with the 6-year-old. 2-year-old in the bucket on the front of my bike. Just thought I’d share. pic.twitter.com/eWe7Wt04xq
— Orla Chennaoui (@SportsOrla) June 6, 2021
Check out our most recent Drink at Your Desk episode when Orla told us all about the cycling culture in Amsterdam and why she loves her cargo bike so much…
Tom Dumoulin is back...former Giro champion and TT world champ returns to the peloton at Tour de Suisse
Tom Dumoulin was back racing bikes yesterday after a prolonged break from the sport since January. The 2017 Giro d’Italia winner returned with a respectable 16th place in yesterday’s opening stage TT and the Dutchman has opened up on his reasons for taking a step away…
“The problem of the last three years was that I lost the pleasure in my job and the race,” he told Het Nieuwsblad. “I had forgotten what I liked and didn’t like. Now I know that again. That period without racing was very instructive for me. I know again what kind of rider Tom Dumoulin is.”
Now back in the peloton, the 30-year-old is not putting any pressure on himself and did not elaborate on any long-term goals other than to compete in the time trial at the Olympics in Tokyo this summer. Dumoulin wants to reach the form that saw him finish second on the La Planche des Belles Filles penultimate stage time trial at the Tour de France last summer and admits he was surprised by his form after so long off the bike.
“Although I have to say that I was shocked when I got back on my bike for the first time after a few months of no training. After two weeks, I did a test and was surprised by the result. The talent has certainly not disappeared. That is also the reason why I have made the Tokyo Olympics a goal.
“My plan is to be as good in Tokyo as I was then [Tour de France stage 20]. I also believe it’s possible. Of course everything will have to fall into the right place and you can ask yourself if I have enough time to grow to my very best level, but I am confident that it will work.”
On-board with Mathieu van der Poel flying down trails
Have you ever wondered how it feels to be @mathieuvdpoel on his @canyon_bikes mountain bike?
Well, this first-person downhill run might give you an idea! Wheelies incoming… 😍🤟 pic.twitter.com/8lbO8B82Fb
— Alpecin-Fenix Cycling Team (@AlpecinFenix) June 7, 2021
Hot take of the day…Mathieu van der Poel is very good at riding bikes…Like compatriot Tom Dumoulin, Van der Poel is also back in action on the road in Switzerland this week as he builds towards the Tour de France and a possible mountain bike gold at the Olympics. Today’s stage looks well-suited to the prodigious Alpecin-Fenix star, although Julian Alaphilippe may have something to say about that…
We’ll keep you updated on the action and results throughout the day here on the live blog…
Mark Cavendish looking forward to talks with Patrick Lefevere to decide future
Mark Cavendish says he will be meeting Deceuninck-Quick-Step team boss Patrick Lefevere soon to decide his future with the team. Cavendish has enjoyed a successful return to the team where he enjoyed some of his best years and has now podiumed on nine occassions in 2021. However, Lefevere recently said the Manxman would not ride the Tour de France as it is too hard…
“I’ll see Patrick soon, and then we’ll see what happens to me in the short or long-term. I’ve been in the top-four 12 times this season and I didn’t expect that at my age. It’s going better than anyone expected,” Cav said.
Speaking after finishing second at Elfstedenronde behind Giro d’Italia stage winner Tim Merlier, the 36-year-old said it was a dream to be back with riders such as Remco Evenepoel working for him.
“”It was an absolute dream to be with these guys today, they controlled the race and were perfect. I even had the honour of having Remco working for me at the front. Even at my age, it’s something I can be proud of. All this motivated me to give everything today.”
New Zealand hardware chain Mitre 10 apologises after staff member threatens to "mow down" protesting cyclists in social media posts
A New Zealand-based hardware chain, Mitre 10, has apologised after a staff member posted on Facebook threatening to hit cyclists with their vehicle…screenshots of the comments showed the worker liking a comment saying it is “perfectly legal” to “quickly mow down an aggressive cyclist or pedestrian” as long as you are “on and off the footpath within 10 seconds”.
The worker also shared an event, seemingly in retaliation at last month’s liberate Harbour Bridge protest which saw Auckland cyclists campaign for a cycle lane on the route. The event the worker shared was called ‘Liberate the Lane – Cycle Lane Special’ and showed a cyclist sat on the ground after a crash with the caption “I’ll be polishing my bull bars for this!”
Other posts in the event also encouraged violence against cyclists…”Bring the truck around here when you’re done … and I’ll wash any blood or evidence away for you,” the NZ Herald reports one person wrote. While, another asked: “Does Mitre 10 sell tacks? Asking for a friend”…to which the staff member said they do and “I get a discount”.
Mitre 10 has apologised for its employee’s behaviour and says it told the person to remove all posts on the topic from their profile but did not say if they had been sacked. “We are disappointed that they have caused offence to the cycling community and we absolutely do not share their views. To be clear, Mitre 10 does not tolerate bullying, racism or any other discriminatory behaviour,” Mitre 10 said in a statement.
He's back...was there ever any doubt? Mathieu van der Poel wins stage two of Tour de Suisse
First mass start stage after break and stage win is expected outcome by MVDP. #tourdesuisse pic.twitter.com/G75IQFeDlv
— ammattipyöräily (@ammattipyoraily) June 7, 2021
I’m sure there were many in the peloton quite enjoying their couple of months free from Mathieu van der Poel…he’s back and winning bike races right away. Van der Poel and Bora’s Max Schachmann started their sprint together, just look at the gap by the finish…
Julian Alaphilippe lit the race up on the final climb, attacking alongside Ineos Grenadiers Tour de France GC hopeful Richard Carapaz. Van der Poel just diesled his way back up to them before distancing everyone other than Schachmann on the run in to Lachen.
Stefan Küng keeps the leader’s jersey at his home race, one second ahead of Alaphilippe and two ahead of Schachmann. Van der Poel can do it all…but will his soigneur be able to get those white shorts clean again? It’s great to have you back, Mathieu…
James May goes for a spin on his Orbea Orca...but is it better than a Dacia Sandero?
Of the three former Top Gear presenters, James May is probably our favourite…no prizes for guessing which way around the other two go…although we may just be incredibly biased because of May’s love of cycling. Last year he urged PM Boris Johnson to “bomb us with bicycles” with the £80bn budget for HS2. May also swapped his car for a bike during lockdown, losing weight and getting fitter in the process.
Now, he has been showing off his Orbea Orca OMR with SRAM Red and Zipp 302s…”I can’t tell you exactly what it cost because I bought a custom frame and then built it up with exotic components. Lockdown does that,” May told Drivertribe.
Comparing his bike to a Dacia Sandero, May admits he is ashamed to say the bike probably cost around the same as the car. Unfortunately for our audience, May sided with the Sandero on four of the six categories, with the Orbea winning only for its niceness and community. By community, May suggests that stopping mid-ride on his Orbea often triggers interesting conversation with other riders…compared with pulling up in a Sandero which “to be honest, nobody is going to want to talk to you.” Fair enough.
The other area that May prefers his bike is for ‘niceness’…”The Orbea feels exotic,” he explains. “It is light, agile and feels alive. It’s made almost entirely of carbon fibre and weighs just 7.5kg. That’s like a big hospital-sized box of cornflakes. If this were a car it would be a razor-sharp supercar. I sometimes park it in the bedroom.” Fancy writing some reviews for us, James?
Sadly that is where the Orbea love-in ends…for practicality, comfort, performance and value, May sides with the Dacia. We’ll get him eventually…
7 June 2021, 08:07
7 June 2021, 08:07
7 June 2021, 08:07
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Latest Comments
Black bike in a black room with minimal lighting. Marketing people eh?
That’s honestly the best 32” bike I’ve seen yet. Avona’s road bike is also beautiful except for the tall stack height, if they ever release a race bike I’m in.
32 inch wheels are here to stay until the next new wonder product hits the market...
@Gd29 Redshift regularly have sales with 25% off, so you should be able to pick them up for under £40 at some point
@SVXY Yet again it's highly impressive how are you know the exact circumstances of this incident, now down to the exact type of footwear Ms.Tanton was sporting at the time. There are numerous types of all-terrain/hiking sandals that have far better grip than a standard pair of trainers. And once again do explain how having shoes without gaps in the uppers would have prevented Dick from driving straight into her from behind? No actually, don't bother.
@SVXY Of course because cycling on a 60mph road is far more dangerous than cycling in a 30mph zone and you need footwear with the strongest grip to react quicker if needed
@SVXY So sandals are permissible footwear for cycling if you're riding at 15 mph in a 30 mph zone but they are not permissible footwear for cycling if you are riding at 15 mph in a 60 mph zone? I'm afraid this is how trolls always give themselves away because clearly no human being with the capacity to operate a computer with sufficient adroitness to post a reply could genuinely be that stupid.
mdavidford It says you can ride 2 abreast and must have consideration for other road users. So if you ride three or more abreast you could be prosecuted for careless cycling with your inconsideration for other road users under the highway code used as evidence by the CPS
I’ve got a G-Line. I quite like the look of some of that bling. I can’t imagine any of it will be cheap though. :( It’s already quite an expensive bike.
@SVXY It does not say you can't ride three or more abreast. It does not say that to do so would be inconsiderate. I'm afraid your opinion that it would be has no particular legal status.
39 thoughts on “James May goes for a spin on his Orbea Orca…but is it better than a Dacia Sandero?; NZ chain apologises for employee threatening to “mow down” protesting cyclists; LTN vandal; On-board with Van der Poel; Contador vs Stelvio + more on the live blog”
Speaking of unofficial signs
Speaking of unofficial signs and LTNs, paywalled article but you can get the gist from it https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/06/05/councils-urged-refund-disabled-motorists-fined-driving-ltns/
So someone with kids in the
So someone with kids in the car, bikes strapped to it or if it contained a scooter means they can then also claim for not being aware they were banned? Seems a weird but obviously succesful argument. Although some LTNs do let disabled residents drive through them as well so maybe that also added to the confusion.
Or look like Santa based on
Or look like Santa based on the Christmas variations of that sign that were used in December.
It is interesting though councils are creating such a mess of local rules on them, when clearly LTNs werent designed to be permissive enough to let traffic through to require camera enforcement to maintain them, be nice to think the government could standardise it, so everyone knew the rules , but I wont hold my breath waiting.
I find it rather
I find it rather disappointing that BC claims to be focussing on diversity when it’s actively blocking a top UK BMX rider, Quillan Isidore, from riding in the Tokyo Olympics. He’s got a higher points score than the rider BC intends to send in his place, and also has a better track record at the Tokyo track.
BC have been ignoring grass
BC have been ignoring grass roots racing for decades. Many road racers who have not gone the official BC route but moved to Europe to race have been ignored by BC even though they were clearly amongst the best for selection. So I can completly empathise with your point, if your face does not fit with BC.
We have lost many good road race courses and where BC should have been fighting to keep them open, negotiating with the police and authorities to risk assess them in a manner that would allow racing they have done nothing and many ‘road’ races have been forced onto closed short circuits which are not a great preperation for a career on the road. Perhaps they could begin by re-instating some of those?
I couldnt find any background
I couldnt find any background on this blocking – can you share a link? Is it one of these where he diverges from the BC coaching team so they get their noses out of joint?
I was wondering that as well.
I was wondering that as well. Not sure what points score. I’m assuming it is Liam Phillips who is stopping him going as well as the last round of points racing back in 2020 and for the last few seasons has had Kyle Evans at the top each time nationally.
It’s Ross Cullen who is
It’s Ross Cullen who is getting the nod instead of Quillan, despite the fact that Quillan is second behind Kye Whyte on points. Quillan is ahead of Cullen on points and is appealing BC’s decision tomorrow.
The Tokyo track also suits Quillan’s riding ability.
Back in 2016 Tre Whyte was blocked by BC from racing in the Olympics, despite the fact that he had the financing in place to self fund and that he also had plenty of points.
I just don’t believe BC’s claims about diversity when I know for a fact that Tre Whyte and now Quillan Isidore are being mucked about by BC.
It smacks of the same thing that’s wrong with BC as with the FA, out of touch old white men making decisions. I’d be curious to hear what BC says about that, but I’m not sure I’d believe the answer.
Legit or not, that vegans
Legit or not, that vegans sign has got people queuing.
AlderneySi wrote:
Would have been lots more if they’d added “sausage roll”.
There’s an e-scooter trial
There’s an e-scooter trial going on in Southampton at the moment. Seems to be working well from a user perspective, except that there’s not been a huge amount of publicity about it, resulting in conflict with drivers and peds who think they’re illegal. You need to have a provisional license to hire one and insurance is included in the hire fee
There is one where I live but
There is one where I live but it has lead to a lot of complaints of misuse and not following the highway code.
The Lime one is sensibly using specific areas to leave them which is big improvement of the anywhere model which causes issues for those with low mobility/sight issues using the pavements.
That would be the Voi e
That would be the Voi e-scooter. They’re in parts of Portsmouth also for the same trial, I had a few days there last week as a brief family holiday. I saw quite a few of them, they mostly looked like they were being ridden for pleasure. And those scooters are fun, I’ve used similar elsewhere and it was enjoyable and indeed a good way to get around town. They’ll give those dolts who complain about cyclists something else to whine about but people will have to get used to them.
There are a lot of school
There are a lot of school kids with provisional licenses in Birmingham it seems from our trial.
AlsoSomniloquism wrote:
You’ll see loads around the Bull Ring. They all seem to be around 12/13 years of age…
“LICENCES” in UK English.
“LICENCES” in UK English.
swldxer wrote:
I am quickly coming to the conclusion that people are doing it deliberately because it seems to trigger you so much. At least no one is talking about their wing mirrors …
Jetmans Dad wrote:
My 2006 scenic has WING mirrors, not door mirrors.
kil0ran wrote:
There’s one in Nottingham by a company called “Wind”. I reported a rider the other day for zigzagging between pedestrians on a busy pavement, with 2 people on the scooter. To say Wind don’t care is an understatement – They told me to just call the police in future. These schemes should be cancelled if they’re not going to enforce their own rules.
Don’t worry, scooters enforce
Don’t worry, scooters enforce safety rules by themselves pretty quickly. Nothing with wheels that size lets you get away with bad ‘riding’ for long. Even county lines kids don’t want road rash that bad every day.
16p a minute? flippin eck
16p a minute? flippin eck that feels steep. Given that there is also a £1 unlock charge. So 2×10 minute commutes will cost 5.20, when an all day bus fare costs £4.65 and the Santander Cycles cost £4 for an hour.
Secret_squirrel wrote:
£2 a day for the hire bikes, as long as each individual ride is less than 30 minutes, you can have any number of trips for the £2, so 2 x 10 minutes commute is £2 by bike, or £5.20 by e-scooter
presumably the scooters need more attention as they need to top up the batteries regularly, or are they all solar?
Another hatchet job from the
Another hatchet job from the BBC on scooters, about as even handed as road.cc’s brexit coverage:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-57385757
The headline says, “E-scooters: Public nuisance or climate-friendly travel?” The climate person gets 14 of the 141 seconds and is juxtaposed against some screaming girls on scooters.
TBH I’m not sure where I stand on scooters. 😉
I’d advise you to stand on
I’d advise you to stand on them – safer that way.
hirsute wrote:
Pretty sure not standing on e-scooters is a lot safer.
Sriracha wrote:
They usually come with an instruction manual. Hope that helps.
Thanks to all for advice on
Thanks to all for advice on where to stand on scooters…
Meanwhile, the BBC has padded out its e-scooter legal Q&A with a couple of extra questions of their own – just in case you did not know where they stand on scooters:
[I]Are they dangerous?
[I]Are e-scooters used to commit crimes?[/i][/i]
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48106617
Oddly enough, they don’t ask about anything that might be misconstrued as a benefit.
Sriracha wrote:
Whelks!
I agree. The BBC was
I agree. The BBC was seriously biased, inviting that clown Farage on QT an unprecedented 33 times and failing to challenge the constant lies of Leave spokesmen.
Eton Rifle wrote:
https://twitter.com/bbcquestiontime/status/1124067722520870912.
All remainers.
Facts.
Facts.
HarrogateSpa will be delighted I’m sure.
Nigel Garrage wrote:
https://twitter.com/bbcquestiontime/status/1124067722520870912.
All remainers.— Eton Rifle
I know this stuff is difficult for you but don’t you think that an actual MP (Fartage has failed to be elected SEVEN times) and an actual Cabinet member with years of service as a serious politician trumps the inarticulate loser Farage?
Eton Rifle wrote:
https://twitter.com/bbcquestiontime/status/1124067722520870912.
All remainers.
— Nigel Garrage I know this stuff is difficult for you but don’t you think that an actual MP (Fartage has failed to be elected SEVEN times) and an actual Cabinet member with years of service as a serious politician trumps the inarticulate loser Farage?— Eton Rifle
If Farage is such a thicko, clown and serial loser, why are you so bothered about his appearances at QT? As much as you hate him, his parties were the pivotal UK force in EU politics for years – for example his party won 31% of the vote, 11% more than the next party in the EU Parliament elections of 2019. Some QT episodes focussed on Europe, so it was natural and justified to invite the most successful EU-focussed politician of his generation to take part.
The real scandal on QT is the loading of the audience and panel with pro-remain/Labour politicians and activists week-in, week-out, and it’s hardly any surprise that no one right-leaning watches the program any more. Fiona Bruce continually interrupts the Tory panellist and appears to think she’s on the panel in some episodes – worst chair ever, and Dimbleby was bad enough.
FWIW, I think the worst thing that happened for the Remain campaign was when Izzard turned up in her pink beret on QT, I’ve no idea if he was a trojan horse for Vote Leave tbh she was so bad.
That’s the difficulty with
That’s the difficulty with FPTP though.
A party can have widespread support but little electoral success in UK parliamentary elections.
As a consequence of that limited electoral success such a party will have few members who are known to the public.
In order to accurately represent the political views of the UK the BBC is obliged to seek representatives of such parties for QT.
As they have a relatively small pool of representatives to draw from said representatives appear more frequently.
Hence the large number of Liberal Democrats in the top 5.
However if you fully check
However if you fully check out the stats, I think it is telling that Farage almost two appearances a year on average over the 19 years he has been on with I suspect the majority being in the last 10 years or so. (Actually on further checking, it seems he started his multiple appearances a year in about 06-07). The others in the top 10 have been over 30 years minimum.
Also, surely if the lack of reps in the party was something to do with it, Lucas and the greens would also be on similar appearances as after all, there isn’t as many as them and yet, from the few Greens I’m aware of, they don’t match Farrage combined.
It is telling that the more Farrage was on QT (from 2006 onwards) also corresponds with them building up the “support”. Up until the two MP’s moved across in the Mid 2010’s, UKIP were lucky to finish fourth in most by-elections. So was more publicity on mainstream media the key to their growth?
I don’t believe the Greens
I don’t believe the Greens have ever polled anywhere near peak-UKIP on a national level?
It may well be that appearances on QT helped to fuel the rise of UKIP but given that they were coming 4th in by elections shouldn’t they have been afforded airtime by the BBC?
It seems that a public service broadcaster with a requirement to be impartial should actively approach minority parties for QT spots and those appearances should correlate at least somewhat with the party’s political polling.
Eton Rifle wrote:
is it your contention that the BBC is biased in[i] favour[/i] of Farage’s agenda? I’m struggling to see it.
Really? Leave was
Really? Leave was characterised by thick liars like Farage, Hannan etc. The BBC failed to challenge their bullshit. The whole point of media is to hold these guys to account.
The BBC singularly failed to do so.
I’d like to reassure anyone
I’d like to reassure anyone else who wasted time on the James May video that the saddle he has fitted to his Orbea is nothing like a colonoscopy, involving no invasive camera work at all. I like mine.
Ironically, he seems to have chosen a more sense than money saddle in the Madison Flux cro-mo.