Hour record holder using altitude tent to feel like he took EPO; Why there has never been a better time to ride; Barrier to tackle ‘large packs of children on bikes’; Driver writes off Ferrari overtaking cyclists; Alex Dowsett’s time trial tips + more
SUMMARY
Video: Alex Dowsett's time trial tips
Looking for a few time trial pointers?
Might as well get them from six-time national time trial champion and former hour record holder, Alex Dowsett?
You might have to weed them out a bit. It’s quite a long and rambling video, in that he was live streaming a Zwift training session.
As you’d imagine, he tends to have most to say during the recovery intervals.
The video starts at about 6m20s.
Video: Alex Dowsett advises you on how to turn pro
Another Dowsett video here. He’s doing a series on how to turn pro.
He gave advice for under-16s and juniors earlier in the week and then this latest video is aimed at under-23s.
Driver writes off Ferrari while overtaking cyclists
A driver wrote off his £400,000 Ferrari 488 Pista after swerving to avoid a cyclist. The motorist was in the process of overtaking a line of three cyclists when one pulled further out.
The driver swerved, hit a kerb, burst a tyre and ploughed into some trees.
The incident occurred on the A25 in Albury, Surrey.
“The Ferrari is a write-off,” said a witness. “It’s unbelievable the damage done.
“Half of the front of the car was caved in, with branches protruding into the vehicle. One of sides of the Ferrari came off and there were scratches and dents everywhere.”
Our favourite part of the report in the Sun is how the witness has the Ferrari driver down as some sort of hero.
“Suddenly one of the bikes abruptly pulled out with no care and attention to ride alongside the head cyclist,” they said.
“The unannounced move came as the Ferrari was overtaking. The Ferrari driver saved the cyclist’s life by diverting his sports car away in a split-second, striking the kerb and then losing control of the vehicle.”
What do you make of these East Manchester cycle lanes?
We’re creating extra cycle lanes & footways along Lord Sheldon Way Ashton to Manchester for safe & sustainable travel
Helps return to work & keep fit & healthy while social distancing: https://t.co/S3MvNqoDvm
Have your say on #SafeStreetsSaveLives https://t.co/SpbjNXPjeY pic.twitter.com/nvJd2TieqB
— Tameside Council (@TamesideCouncil) June 9, 2020
Locals can have their say on the Tameside Borough website. We’ll add that while it may look like a 70mph bypass, Lord Sheldon Way is actually 30-40mph road. A lot of East Manchester roads are built like this, which is one of the big challenges when you’re trying to push cycling.
The response on Twitter has been… not positive.
This is crazy. I know the road. It’s a dual carriageway! I’ve used this footpath. Where do pedestrians now go, and why are you putting cyclists against the flow of road traffic?
— Matt Taylor (@Matt_r_taylor74) June 9, 2020
You can't be serious! This is not safe at all. Have you sent an officer or councillor to try it out? Preferably someone who does not cycle regularly. Make it to his/her level of what feels safe, then you are talking.
— Sylvia 🇪🇺🇫🇷🇬🇧🇳🇿 (@CricklewoodMum) June 10, 2020
How is that "safe"?
What happens at night when drivers are disoriented by oncoming white lights to their left, and cyclists are dazzled by car headlights because they're on the wrong side of the flow?— Darren McLean (@DarrenJMcLean) June 9, 2020
That looks like a deathtrap.
— Maximus von Radfahren (@CultOfCyclists) June 10, 2020
Updated: Isle of Man NOT looking to make cycle helmets compulsory
We’ve updated our story about the Isle of Man’s plans to make cycle helmets compulsory.
Turns out local media had it wrong. The Isle of Man is NOT considering making cycle helmets compulsory.
NHS staff say #bikeisbest
More on this campaign in about half an hour or so.
Tomorrow we launch our new campaign. We are here to spread the word that #BikeIsBest for everyone.
There has never been a better time to ride a bike, for so many reasons. Thanks to these #NHSHeroes, who have recently started cycling, for telling us why bike is best. pic.twitter.com/XHh42LXiZu
— Bike Is Best (@BikeIsBestHQ) June 10, 2020
Video: #BikeIsBest – why there has never been a better time to ride a bike
We flagged this a couple of weeks ago. The UK bike industry is launching a major campaign to get people cycling.
The aim is to show that, contrary to popular opinion, you don’t have to be ‘a cyclist’ to ride a bike; you don’t need to ride fast, far or wear Lycra.
A 30-second version of the film is also going to air on TV.
The campaign is supported by Beeline, Beryl, Bikester, Bikmo Insurance, Brompton Bicycle, Buzzbike, Cairn E-Adventure Bikes, Cannondale, Canyon, Chain Reaction Cycles, Cyclescheme, FreeFlow Technologies, Frog Bikes, Giant Bicycles, Havebike, Her Spirit, Hiplok, Hope Tech, HotChillee, Human Race Events, Hunt Bike Wheels, Islabikes, Komoot, Le Col, Let’s Go Tees Valley, Lezyne, Mango, Muc-Off, Northern Consultancy Co Ltd, ProViz, Pure Electric, Schwalbe, See.Sense, Specialized, Strava Metro, The Bicycle Society, The Bike Club, USE, Wahoo, Wiggle and Yellow Jersey Insurance.
It is also backed by British Cycling, Cycling UK, London Cycling Campaign, Sustrans, The Association of Cycle Traders (ACT) and Wheels For Wellbeing.
Sutton Coldfield barrier was put in to tackle ‘large packs of children on bikes’
Yesterday we reported how police had explained that a pedestrian barrier was installed to stop “anti-social cyclists” riding down a cut-through, that they say “swarms” of cyclists are using to make a “quick getaway”.
An angry backlash ensued, with many objecting to the language used, and also questioning whether the extra barrier could discriminate against those with mobility issues.
Police have now responded.
The inspector in the area says there has been, “significant antisocial behaviour from large groups of very young children between 10-15 years old who ride in large packs with the intention of intimidating residents.”
He reckons ‘law abiding cyclists’ can ride without obstruction.
— Sutton Coldfield Police (@Sutton_WMP) June 10, 2020
Virtual VeloFete to raise funds for Herne Hill Velodrome
The VeloFete, a key fundraising event for Herne Hill Velodrome, is returning as a virtual event from June 18-21.
There’ll be Zwift racing (open to everyone), virtual talks and interactive classes to help raise funds for Britain’s only remaining 1948 Olympic venue.
Zwift races will include individual and team TTs, points and scratch races, and a flying QoM/KoM.
Webcasts will include a session on ‘making the perfect coffee’ alongside cycling specific yoga sessions for riders and spectators to have a stretch between races.
In the evenings, there will be a series of virtual talks.
These will include:
- The Past, Present & Future of Women’s Cycling – TV Presenter & Commentator Rebecca Charlton will be hosting a panel with Olympic Gold medallist Katie Archibald, Orla Chennaoui (Cycling Podcast Féminin), Michelle Arthurs-Brennan (Tech Editor, Cycling Weekly), Hannah Ross (Author) and Jenni Gwiazdowski (Director of London Bike Kitchen)
- Inside the Pro Peloton – Ineos rider Ethan Hayter and Team Bahrain McLaren rider Fred Wright, who both grew up riding at Herne Hill Velodrome, will be discussing life in the pro peloton
- Q&A with the hosts of the Streets Ahead podcast – Co-hosted Ned Boulting, Guardian journalist Laura Laker and CEO of Fusion Media Adam Tranter. The Q&A will dive into current news and views of active travel, cycling, walking and urban planning.
- Transcontinental rider and author Emily Chappell in conversation with Rapha founder Simon Mottram, on the Rapha story and its future in cycling.
- Dr Marlon Moncrieffe will be talking about the history of minority-ethnic group participation in competitive cycling in Britain.
- Jack Thurston, author of Lost Lanes, will be discussing your next Adventure Bicycle Trip.
- Dan Bigham, the founder of Team HUUB-Wattbike and the man behind the Danish track team’s recent team pursuit world record, will be answering questions on optimising your virtual racing setup and aero gains for amateur riders.
- Cycling lawyers Charles O’Brien and Shivaji Shiva will be in conversation with Rebecca Charlton about The Cyclist and the Law. They will cover everything from accidents and liability to transport policy and will be open to legal questions from the community.
For more information on sign-up, visit the website.
78% of Mancunians support reallocating road space to cyclists and pedestrians
10% are opposed.
Additional cycle lanes are supported by 66% (19% against).
This is from a recent YouGov poll.
Over 4 in 5 #Manchester residents want cars to give way to bikes, buses and walking to tackle urban air pollution https://t.co/49X4Kh9Faz @AndyBurnhamGM @MENnewsdesk @ManCityCouncil @bricycle @MayorofGM @XR_MCR @foemcr @Chris_Boardman @SirRichardLeese @transenv pic.twitter.com/MznROGtsBD
— Greg Archer (@GregGtarcher) June 11, 2020
Cafe du Cycliste have a new waterproof backpack and ride pack
Shock and horror it’s raining again in the UK. Maybe Cafe du Cycliste knew?
They’ve got a fancy-looking new backpack. “Constructed from a fully waterproof premium fabric, a TPU coated hypalon for maximum durability and protection, the rucksack has heat-welded seams and a roll and buckle closure system. It features an exterior zipped pocket, an internal laptop pocket, high-density foam padding for carrying comfort and design details such as aluminium D rings.”
There’s also a ride pack that is made from the same material. It is intended for your phone, keys and other valuables. Or you could pack a couple of tubes and a multitool in there to create a pocketable repair kit.
We’ll be trying to get our hands on both for a review.
US cyclist doxed after Strava ride is wrongly linked to viral video of man hitting children
NYMag has published a story headlined ‘What It’s Like to Get Doxed for Taking a Bike Ride’.
It’s about a guy called Peter Weinberg who was wrongly connected to a video of a Maryland cyclist hitting children and ramming his bike into an adult after becoming enraged they were posting fliers in support of George Floyd.
Weinberg was on the same trail on a different day. He was wrongly identified as the man responsible because the police used the wrong date when they tweeted the footage.
Someone saw the video, linked his Strava ride to the incident and that was that.
The problem for Weinberg was that while the original tweet was widely shared, very few people noticed the police’s correction.
A 60-year-old has since been arrested and charged him with three counts of second-degree assault.
High5 have new Slow Release Energy snacks using seawater for “ocean minerals”
High5 says that their new “Slow Release Energy range contains Isomaltulose, a slowly digested low glycemic carbohydrate (it has a low GI of 32, compared to a high GI of 86 for maltodextrin), that provides you with a stable and sustained energy supply for longer-lasting fuel during sport.”
The point of the slow absorption and release of the energy, High5 says, is the lower insulin spike created. For athletes, they say that this means a better-sustained source of energy.
One of the more interesting nutritional claims that we’ve seen, High5’s ocean minerals will apparently be “providing you with an invigorating hit of magnesium and over 70 minerals and trace elements, to help you balance your electrolytes during sport.” They say that they actually source this from seawater…
The range consists of a drink mix (£24.99, 1kg), gels (£21.99 for 14) and bars (£21.99 for 16).
Want to get your hands on the new snacks? Head to highfive.co.uk
Hour record holder sleeping in altitude tent to “feel like a rider who took EPO”
Hour record holder Victor Campanaerts has been sleeping in an altitude tent.
He’s set his tent to 4,700m because he says that is the maximum height at which you are, “not starting to die.”
Speaking to Sporza, he explained: “If you went higher, your body would start to break down because it is too heavy.”
The Belgian reckons the effects are akin to taking EPO – albeit it’s so hard on the body that he can hardly train. (Altitude tents are banned in some countries, but are permitted under World Anti-Doping Agency rules.)
“After those weeks in a height tent you are super strong,” said Campanaerts. “Because you have produced so many red blood cells, you should be able to feel like a rider who took EPO. Only I barely cycled for three weeks, while a rider who took EPO cycled hard for three weeks.”
This week he did a session at “a slightly less extreme height.”
He says he wants to start the last training block before the season “with an unseen high hematocrit.”
A tragic tale of toppled topping in two tweets
Why did it take me so long to get a basket on my bicycle!!! I am now in love using my bike for all my utility stuff! #BfGBikeWeek #LivingTheDrean pic.twitter.com/bru8BNk2AN
— Thomas Cornwallis (@tcornwallis) June 11, 2020
I need improve my pizza carrying style… I need more bungee cords I think! https://t.co/BiJBVFY1Lj pic.twitter.com/f4nBpuu8ZW
— Thomas Cornwallis (@tcornwallis) June 11, 2020
Rapha Clubhouses reopening Monday (with restrictions)
A Rapha spokesperson said: “We are pleased to announce that our UK Clubhouses will be reopening on Monday, 15th June. Our normal opening hours remain but, to keep everyone safe, there will be some changes to the way we operate.
“RCC bike rental is available for members as usual, along with bike parking for any customers who choose to ride down. In line with government advice, the café will only be serving takeaway options and there will be no bathroom or changing room facilities, however our team will be on hand to provide expert advice and a warm welcome to all.”
More details at the relevant Clubhouse pages: Soho, Spitalfields, Manchester.
11 June 2020, 08:20
11 June 2020, 08:20
Help us to bring you the best cycling content
If you’ve enjoyed this article, then please consider subscribing to road.cc from as little as £1.99. Our mission is to bring you all the news that’s relevant to you as a cyclist, independent reviews, impartial buying advice and more. Your subscription will help us to do more.
Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn’t especially like cake.
42 Comments
Read more...
Read more...
Read more...
Latest Comments
Same here. I have a helmet with built in front and rear lights and have a red light clipped onto my bag plus lights attached to my bike front and rear but still have drivers putting me in danger. My commute is about two miles and I normally have around four incidents a week where I have to brake hard or take other evasive action to avoid being hit by distracted drivers. A big percentage of these are drivers coming on to roundabouts when I am already on them.
Glasgow's South City Way sounds great, does it not? As a user from before and after I wholeheartedly welcome the construction of the segregated route, but so much of the detailed construction is poor, if not unsafe. I provide a link to a presentation I made when construction was half complete (a personal view) and the construction errors remain outstanding to this day: crossed by high speed flared road junctions, poor colour differentiation, car door zone risks and so on. And yet cyclists come because they feel safe. It's a complex subject but IMHO the feeling of safety (or lack of) is a critical component. https://drive.proton.me/urls/B67AK44G90#CFueBGjscoWr
I can only conclude that you haven't been into a city in the last few years. Food delivery riders in particular are riding overpowered "eBikes" that are basically mopeds ... powered only via the throttle without pedalling at significantly more than 15mph. Problem is they look like normal bikes/ebikes and not like mopeds so that is what people describe them as. My reading of the article is that it is those vehicles that are being talked about here.
I have the Trace and Tracer, which have essentially the same design, albeit smaller and less powerful. The controls are a little complicated but only because there are loads of options. In reality, once you've chosen your level of brightness, you'll only cycle through 1 or 2 options and it's dead simple. The lights are rock solid, bright, with good runtimes. The only thing I find annoying is charging them - if your fingers are slightly wet or greasy, getting the rubber out of the way of the charging port is a pain in the arse.
Dance and padel is all very well, but when is Strava going to let me record my gardening?
You can use it to check whether it's raining.
If it's dusk, i.e. post-sunset, then the cyclists should have lights on and thus the colour of their top is irrelevant. If you want to complain about cyclists not having lights when it's mandatory then by all means do but their top has nothing to do with it.
All of my Exposure lights with a button allow cycling through the modes with a short press. I have five of those; it would be odd if Exposure didn’t allow this functionality with the Boost 3. I also have two Exposure Burners if I remember correctly: they are rear lights for joysticks that clip on and are powered through the joystick charging port. They don’t have a button. None of my Exposure lights have failed. I looked at the Boost 3 review photos but none showed the button, so far as I could tell. I also have Moon lights. Good experience generally. One did fail, possibly because it was so thin it used to fall through the holes in my helmet onto the ground. Also, the UI and charge indicators vary for my Moon lights. Perhaps the latest ones are more consistent. My worst lights ever were from See.Sense.
Steve really doesnt like exposure products does he? Boost and Strada marked down for being too complicated. While the Zenith and Six Pack reviewed by his colleagues give them rave reviews (as most exposure products have on road.cc), the Zenith even touted as 'even more intuitive to use' with the same controls.
They are more interested in dog shit. https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/people/lancaster-police-launch-search-for-person-who-sprayed-dog-faeces-with-pink-paint-5605519
42 thoughts on “Hour record holder using altitude tent to feel like he took EPO; Why there has never been a better time to ride; Barrier to tackle ‘large packs of children on bikes’; Driver writes off Ferrari overtaking cyclists; Alex Dowsett’s time trial tips + more”
Love the comments from the
Love the comments from the Sun about the Ferrari, nothing about the speed as that sort of damage indicates a decent speed.
Without knowing all the facts
Without knowing all the facts, or indeed many of the facts, you have to wonder why one of the cyclists pulled out while another vehicle was overtaking. That’s a fast road, you can easily wreck your car like that doing the 40 or 50 speed limit during an overtake
Highway codes explicitly says
Highway codes explicitly says to expect cyclists to make sudden deviations of line and to give room for this. Probably due to a pothole, but could have been a gust of wind
Can we agree never to say
Can we agree never to say “that’s a fast road”?
Also nothing on how closely
Also nothing on how closely the driver must have been overtaking in order to need to swerve when a cyclist moved out slightly…
It’s of course bullshit. Look
It’s of course bullshit. Look at the road layout on google and you can see the A25 splits into to separate carriageway as you approach Albury/Shere. There is an Island in the road which can be seen in the photos which directs the traffic either straightforward on the A25 or into Albury. My guess is the driver tried to overtake at speed and run out of road (MGIF) and hit the island and spun out. Regardless if one of the riders made an unexpected manoeuvre, the driver chose a dangerous place to overtake which left them with nowhere to go.
Totally agree! I’m generally
Totally agree! I’m generally well over 30mph down there and sometimes nearer 40 so the guy will have just underestimated the speed of the bikes and run out of road. It’s too small a gap to overtake through there safely as he found out. On an otherwise fast and open road, that is pretty much the narrowest point.
If I was one of the cyclists, I’m sure I would have stopped and you’d be getting a different view of it on here!
mikepridmorewood wrote:
Surely you are mistaken, that never happens, no I’ve really never witnessed that, not on a daily basis at all.
pauld wrote:
Driver described as elderly, so yet another old man with a car to powerful for him to handle.
Gus T wrote:
Define “elderly”.
The way a lot of people drive
The way a lot of people drive around here? Anyone over 45
RobD wrote:
Dammit! I’m over 45 and I don’t (didn’t!) consider myself to be elderly.
45 is positively juvenile.
45 is positively juvenile.
At least 10 years older than
At least 10 years older than me.
To be fair, even an 850 Mini
To be fair, even an 850 Mini would be at 80mph at that point if you wanted it to be so the car is almost irrelevant
Best avoid the comments in
Best avoid the comments in the Sun, the usual bicycle hating rubbish, with every cliche in there at least once.
The report from the witness sounds awfully like the driver, and there is nothing from the cyclists, which seems a bit odd. If a car went off the road overtaking me and crashed into woods, I’m pretty sure I’d have stopped and offered assistance. Given the power of the car and that the driver was elderly, the whole thing about the cyclists sounds rather fictional.
I wonder if any of the cyclists was using a camera?
eburtthebike wrote:
This. I made the mistake and now I feel like I need to use soap on my brain.
I suspect you are right and
I suspect you are right and there were no cyclists. More likely the driver was driving way above the 40mph limit, lost it on the bend and went airbourne when they clipped the traffic island. Then made up some story to save their embarrassment.
Given how wide a Ferrari is, I can’t think there would be enough room to safely overtake a cyclist there anyway. I would ride central in the lane through that pinch point for sure.
I always avoid The Sun, Mail
I always avoid The Sun, Mail etc. So thanks for reading the article on our behalf.
I’m sure the whole article was just another cheap opportunity to have a go at cyclists.
bollocks to the ferrari
bollocks to the ferrari driver- more money than driving ability and most likely no way of thinking ahead. Overtaking three cyclists, well, your ferrari would be in the opposite lane wouldnt it- so if one cyclist moved out suddenly to join another, unless they crossed over into the oncoming lane, you wouldnt have been anywhere near them would you. You wouldnt even noticed. The only way it would make a difference is if you put the ferrari within a foot or so, didnt wait for an oncoming traffic gap, and then realised you were going to hit the rider because they had changed position slightly, then as you crashed, you realised there is a reason the law says you have to be 1.5 metres away.
The law (in the UK) doesn’t
The law (in the UK) doesn’t say anything about how far away you have to be.
The Highway Code says you should (but not must) give ‘at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car’, but doesn’t specify how much that is.
Quote:
No, it’s not “driving by numbers”, it assumes you passed a driving test, and somehow figured that out for yourself. Clearly this guy is still figuring out how much room is enough. Some lessons come more expensive to slow learners.
Obviously, BikeIsBest. Goes
Obviously, BikeIsBest. Goes without saying. That video, tho – oh dear! It’s a bit, what’s the word, weird? Patronising? & where *did* they find the narrator? Pathe News circa 1962? I’d guess his voice would put around 99.8% of real people off cycling for life.
The Ferrari driver ran out of
The Ferrari driver ran out of talent. LOL
I hope the Ferrari driver was
I hope the Ferrari driver was wearing a helmet and hi-viz and had his socks at the regulation height above his ankle – oh and not wearing his glasses under helmet strap.
I cannot comprehend how a
I cannot comprehend how a rider moving out from single file to double file causes you to crash your car into trees on the opposite side of the road and do that much damage.
Here’s a more likely version of events: someone who rarely drives their Ferrari went out for a razz and crested a hill to be greeted by some riders who were moving from single file to two-abreast. Not being used to driving a fast, capable, mid-engined car, they turned the steering wheel and stamped on the brakes as they glanced at the speedo, which was reading well over 80mph. The sudden weight transfer to the front wheels caused the car to spin like a top, far too fast for the driver to catch, and he was lucky both that he avoided the riders and that the opposite carriageway was empty. The driver is currently in negotiations with his insurance company, who will have noted that the value of a Ferrari 488 Pista has tanked in recent months. The End.
Or even: I crashed the car all by myself, but in order to avoid looking like a plank, have invented a wobbly cyclist. My mere presence at the wheel saved their lives. I am a driving God. The End.
I own a mid-engined, RWD car, albeit one with little more than half the power of a 488 Pista. It is a handful if you take the piss with throttle inputs, especially on cold tyres. I cannot imagine how hard a Pista bites if you take the piss.
BTW, “Pista” is Italian for “track”. Clue’s in the name…
You’re right, usually they’d
You’re right, usually they’d just hit the cyclist. Always amuses me how the car-centric claim that cyclists are too slow yet can move so suddenly that it causes them to crash.
From the story about the
From the story about the controversy over a fence partially blocking a path, dubbed GateGate,
“Very young children between 10-15 years old” ?
Is that a small child the size of a large child?
Gotta distinguish themselves
Gotta distinguish themselves from the old children, the ones from 18-80 who make complete dicks of themselves in public and act childish…
BORIS BIKE! …BOO!
BORIS BIKE! …BOO!
I know that descent from
I know that descent from Newlands Corner well, and just before where the Ferrari is now in a tree there is a noticable bump in the road. In a boring car it’s a bump. In a car with track suspension going maybe a bit above the 40 limit I can imagine it taking off. If not completely, enough to make it really skittish.
So I think he’s hit that bump then lost control. If there were cyclists they were very lucky the road bent to the left and the car went right…
If we live in an ideal world there would be an investigation and there would be questions, such as why he was even trying to overtake cyclists where they would be doing at least 30mph, in a 40mph limit, approaching a very complicated section of road. Especially when 15 seconds later it opens up wide enough to happily get 3 cars side by side (though still at 40mph)
I’m pretty sure there were no
I’m pretty sure there were no cyclists.
Driver out making use of the quieter roads and going too fast.
If there were cyclists around you bet your boots we would have photos of the destroyed supercar from them.
He’s just made the story up.
Do Ferraris not come with dash cams ?
Or if there were a chain gang
Or if there were a chain gang going on, they might not have wanted the “publicity” as still not allowed under BC rules etc.
I still think you are correct though Fenix.
While I fully support
While I fully support BikeIsBest, the vid is pretty anodyne, and the website is not friendly, simple and clear, using many more words than necessary to explain simple things.
Just found this gem about braking:
“Remember:
ALWAYS look in the direction you wish to travel.
Speed is your friend
In the UK brakes are always set up to have your RIGHT as your BACK brake; LEFT as your FRONT brake. (in Europe it’s the other way around so please be mindful if hiring bikes on the continent). Make sure the tension in your brake levers is even.”
If they can’t even get the most basic thing right, which brake lever controls which brake, it’s doomed. I’ve been riding and fixing bikes for over 50 years and I’ve no idea what the last sentence means. It looks very wrong for the people it should be aimed at; new and returning cyclists.
EDIT; Just tried the contact form on their website and it doesn’t work. Looks very much like this has been rushed out without being checked at all.
2nd EDIT; just volunteered to proofread it for them.
3rd EDIT: went back and checked, and it’s been changed, but no acknowledgement or response to my offer to proofread:
“Remember:
ALWAYS look in the direction you wish to travel.
Speed is your friend
In the UK most bikes are set up with the rear brake as the left-hand lever and the front brake as the right-hand lever. In some other European countries it is the other way round. Before you start riding check which way round the brakes are on YOUR bike. “
Does anyone know what “Speed is your friend” is supposed to mean?
Don’t think I’ve ever had a
Don’t think I’ve ever had a right back brake.
Tension – centre pull brakes??
– v brake adjustment screw ??
eburtthebike wrote:
Nope, UK setup is right brake lever is for front brake, left brake lever is for back brake, reverse for the Continent and people who have dominant left hands, I was always falling off due to issues when braking, change the setup to Continental style and problem went away.
Ditto Hirsute
Ditto Hirsute
Right is always front brake – left is for the clutch obviously
Exactly.
Exactly.
That’s the way it is with motorbikes.
Right hand (usually) strongest and most braking
force / force needed for front brake.
eburtthebike wrote:
Maybe it was an instruction given to whoever was tasked with putting the website together, and they inadvertently copied and pasted it out of their email?
mdavidford wrote:
On the Sutton Coldfield
On the Sutton Coldfield barrier story – do the local police count “a pack” as six or fewer or do they have really big families around there…?
“….We’ll add that while it
“….We’ll add that while it may look like a 70mph bypass, Lord Sheldon Way is actually 30-40mph road……”
seen similar statements before around contra flow bike lanes being OK at what are for vehicle drivers relatively low speeds but not from the cycling press that should know better! Vehicle at 30mph cyclist at 20mph is a head on collsion speed of 50mph
Add the barriers into the mix and that is an “accident” waiting to happen…did I say accident no I meant serious injury or death by unaceptable design