Police install 'give cyclists room' signs...local asks for 'cyclists single file' version; Cycling UK defends West Kernow Way muddy trails; Gino Mäder donates €4,500 to charity; Alex Cow-sett; Cav Netflixbombs Movistar; TOB TTT + more on the live blog

Spotted a good few on Sunday - brilliant stuff. Any reminders for motorists are always, ALWAYS welcome.

— Richard Lake (@RikkiLakeCyclin) September 7, 2021

Mark Sayner led the way with the reaction to the main blog story of the day...putting forward the radical idea of "A better deterrent would be if the police acted on incidents with meaningful prosecutions/fines/licence withdrawals instead of the usual soft-touch improvement courses".

Gareth Roberts changed our headline..."Local asks for 'cyclists make it easier for me to scrape by you' sign."

In the comments under the live blog, Mungecrundle applauded the idea, but couldn't help but think the execution could be improved: "Give cyclists space sign: The car is overtaking on the left. The cyclist should be more central within the area of the sign to indicate that they should be in secondary at least, not in the gutter with the drain covers and broken glass. A 1.5m distance measurement would be a useful addition. Applaud the motive, but 5 minutes to check with a grown up before heading for the photocopier wouldn't hurt."

On a similar note, mdavidford added: "Nice idea on the passing cyclists signs, but the actual design could use some work. Firstly, it says 'Give cyclists plenty of room' and then shows a car giving barely a handlebar's width - about twice that would be nice. Secondly, why is that bike riding itself? Showing it without a rider just helps to depersonalise 'cyclists' - making people focus on the bike, rather that the person riding it."

Anyone else got any more?

Back home before 12 meant I got to have a late breakfast with my wife, who made me a homemade English Breakfast 😍 Got to spin the legs this afternoon, and I've got one more spin tomorrow then it's time to put the feet up and get some R&R for a few days 🙌 #getwreckedjay pic.twitter.com/qOGTs19BNK

— Jay_Vine (@JayVine3) September 6, 2021

No black pudding? We'll forgive it because of how top-notch the rest of it looks. Now I'm hungry again. Great. 

Things people will do to appear in a Netflix series 😱 https://t.co/AjQrtvNQoG

— John Maguire (@velo_bristol) September 7, 2021

Cav in, Miguel Ángel López out? The Spanish team are reportedly considering terminating the Colombian's contract after he stormed out of the Vuelta a España on the penultimate stage after missing a split.

Team boss Eusebio Unzué ripped into his rider in a radio interview yesterday evening, confirming a presenter's question about if López's contract being ripped up is being considered...

"It’s one of the options, that’s clear," Unzué said. "We’ve wanted to put a bit of distance between things, analyse the Vuelta, and in a couple of days take the definitive decision."

The Bournemouth Echo reports South Western Railway has announced the completion of improvements to six cycle parking schemes at stations across Dorset. Weymouth, Dorchester South, Wareham, Parkstone, Gillingham and Bournemouth Station have all benefited from the works.

There is now increased parking, as well as upgraded CCTV. Similar works were completed at Sherborne's station last year. 

Cllr Mike Greene, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Sustainability at BCP Council said: "I am delighted that BCP Council has been able to assist South Western Railway in introducing these CCTV-monitored cycle racks in Bournemouth and Parkstone Stations. It is a relatively minor start but helps address a real need.

“Not only does this make it more accessible for those who cycle on their commute, but it is very much in line with the council’s effort to encourage people to choose more sustainable ways to get about ways to get about."

Be on the lookout for new signage popping up in the lanes aimed at all road users with a view to protecting the most vulnerable. They will be in areas used frequently by cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians. Every road user has a responsibility to #ShareTheRoad pic.twitter.com/dq4EtwX62d

— Leicestershire Police Specials (@LeicsSpecials) September 5, 2021

Thoughts on these new signs Leicestershire Police have been putting up? Can't be a bad thing to keep informing motorists...

Ana Blanquete certainly thought so, she replied: "Love this! Plenty of times shouting 'roads are for vehicles, not just cars' to careless drivers."

Someone who did not, however, was the one local who thought he had a much better idea: a sign reminding cyclists they 'must' ride single file. Among the amusing replies was this one from RC D Mitchum explaining, "Police only deal with crimes mate. Riding abreast is not only legal, it's recommended by police and driving instructors." 

Is it 2 or 3 decades since you last read the Highway Code?

— Rich (@531forever) September 5, 2021

Beyond this part of the discussion, some wondered what difference the signs would make on a road such as the one shown, as drivers would likely squeeze past anyway. Another user set their sights on winning the 'niche alternative sign' award...thankfully not about cyclists...but demanding a "sign for horse riders not to use mobile phones"...

Wet sections pretty much come hand in hand with "off road" surely? I've never got on a mountain bike and thought "that muddy trail looks bad, I'll stay at home"...

— James Lyons (@artofcletus) September 7, 2021

We got in touch with Cycling UK for a bit more reaction to the West Kernow Way kerfuffle...

Hopefully it shouldn't come as a surprise to the UK-based cyclist that if you head off-road pretty much at any time of year potentially there will be mud!

At Cycling UK, we don't want to give people the wrong impression about the adventure routes we're creating - they are tough and challenging but also filled with history and the variety of natural beauty which makes riding through our countryside so attractive. 

This type of cycling isn't for everyone of course, but for those who like that type of riding it's a whole world of fun. Catering for this sort of riding, doesn't just give the leisure off-road rider somewhere to go though, but also has massive tourism benefits for rural communities and is a vital part of our off-road campaigning on improving access in England and Wales.

It's a bit of a leap though to suggest by doing vital work in this area, we're ignoring the wider needs to improve everyday cycling. The recent changes we've helped bring to the Highway Code for cycling, adoption of our calls for increased funding by the Welsh and Scottish governments, ongoing legal battle in Shoreham and more clearly show our commitment in this area.

The great thing about Cycling UK is that we're working to support all types of cycling, cyclists and potential cyclists too - hopefully that's something everyone who enjoys cycling or wants to cycle more can support.

Which kind of bike is best for #WestKernowWay?

A gravel bike with 35mm or wider all-terrain tyres and wide ratio gears is the optimum choice in dry weather. A lightweight hardtail mountain bike is ideal in bad weather.

Visit our website for route FAQs: https://t.co/DqshxyJVhc pic.twitter.com/iwW5PkXZe0

— Cycling UK (@WeAreCyclingUK) September 6, 2021

Cycling UK defended its headline new route, the West Kernow Way, after some on social media objected to the pictures used to promote the ride showing challenging muddy trails. On its website Cycling UK is upfront about the route being a challenge and that "there are a few short sections that were very wet and boggy even in June." Although some have said these were mysteriously missing from the route's glossy promotional video (at the bottom of this post), and the picture above of one such sector, didn't go down too well with some...

Do you really believe cyclists enjoy getting off their bike to slog through mud like this? This is just an advert for why not to use this route.

— jaj991 (@jaj991) September 6, 2021

Are you *really* seriously promoting this route if that's what conditions are like? That's a fail on so many levels, not least awful PR.

— Mark Strong (@ibikebrighton) September 6, 2021

Oh, I quite fancied the idea of that route but I'm not so sure now. It's one thing slogging through knee deep mud for a day out but not when you're touring.

— Jon (@Jontafkasi) September 6, 2021

To which Cycling UK responded...

We don't like to sugar coat things. Cycling off-road in the UK can throw up conditions like this so it is best to be prepared but for the majority of the West Kernow Way you'll be enjoying landscapes, trails and views like this... pic.twitter.com/OOJCM9ZVNr

— Cycling UK (@WeAreCyclingUK) September 6, 2021

However, for every person slamming the state of that trail, there was also someone ready to say you should expect some sticky sections on a 230km off-road route here in the UK. Some also pointed out that Cycling UK had done well to join up existing routes and lost trails into a challenging route, and unlike Sustrans and the Canal & River Trust — it doesn't hold responsibility for creating and maintaining the routes.

I was critical originally but now I've read the FAQs which clearly explain the type of route this is I think they've done a good job. Should have done that first.

— Jon (@Jontafkasi) September 6, 2021

Disappointing to see people trying to dunk on cycling UK, they clearly say this is a challenging off road ride for people with experience in doing so in the route's FAQs https://t.co/Ym9V3jZCFw

— Calum_R91 🚲 (@CalumR91) September 6, 2021

This looks like a lovely route for mostly off-tarmac cycling (which can sometimes mean mud and pushing).

And there are also lots of lovely on-tarmac routes which are already mapped and tend not to involve these things.

Both can be fun. It's just a question of taste.

— Diarmid O'Sullivan (@DiarmidOS) September 6, 2021

What do you reckon? Are a couple of muddy trails a dealbreaker for you? Have you been put off? Or does the challenge make you more likely to take a trip down to the South West?