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
Today's live blog with Alex Bowden (daytime) and Simon MacMichael (evening)...
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.”
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."
11 June 2020, 15:02
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
11 June 2020, 14:49
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.
11 June 2020, 14:30
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.
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.
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
11 June 2020, 11:02
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.
Matt Rendell tackling the big coronavirus questions
I wonder what the new rule will look like about who wins stage races cancelled part way through because of a coronavirus positive - and I wonder how it will affect tactics in the early stages.
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
— 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?
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.
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?
— Maximus von Radfahren (@CultOfCyclists) June 10, 2020
11 June 2020, 08:56
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.”
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.
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 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!