Ricky Gervais goes cycling, says stop “acting like t*wats” (no, not you); Zwift peaks at 35,000 users… but are pros spoiling the fun?; Motorbiking Zwifter goes viral; ‘Coolest car in cycling’ stolen; Kitchen CX with Frank Schleck +more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Weekend catch-up
Too busy watching the (virtual) Tour of Flanders to catch up on the rest of your bike-related news over the weekend? Here’s what you missed…
Luke Rowe buys new bike for Cardiff doctor whose bike was stolen
Oldest Tour of Flanders winner Andrei Tchmil reveals he has been operated on for cancer
Virtual Race Across America to take place in custom Zwift environment
Mail accused of distorting truth in “MAMIL madness” Regents Park cyclists story
CCC Team slashes rider wages and suspends support staff contracts in battle to survive
Greg Van Avermaet emerges victorious from virtual 'Tour of Flanders'
The Belgian and 12 other pros including Thomas De Gendt and Jasper Stuyven ‘faced off’ for the last hour of a virtual Tour of Flanders course using Bkool’s training app from the discomfort of their homes, with Van Avermaet clinching the victory. Oliver Naesen beat Irishman Nicholas Roche for second, while De Gendt was fourth.
The race was set to be held yesterday, but instead took place over the final 30km of the course in Bkool’s virtual world because of the coronavirus pandemic. There was also a Zwift version that Mathieu Van der Poel took part in, because he has contractual obligations with Zwift.
CCC rider Avermaet was thrilled with his victory in the ‘Lockdown’ version of the race, but hopes it will be the last nonetheless…
Happy with my 1st victory (and hopefully the last) in today’s lockdown @RondeVlaanderen! Slightly different but I enjoyed it. Stay safe you all! 🤞 #RideForMore pic.twitter.com/8RuPoHKOoP
— Greg Van Avermaet (@GregVanAvermaet) April 5, 2020
Zwift vs Bkool: who did the Virtual Ronde better?
Both training platforms staged virtual versions of the Tour of Flanders yesterday. If you watched the action, which did you prefer? Does it pass for reasonably entertaining entertainment?? There are definitely worse things on TV on a Sunday morning, we reckon…
Almost 35,000 people were using Zwift simultaneously over the weekend
Last Sunday we hit a new high of 28,305, then yesterday we broke the 30k mark for the first time in Zwift’s history.
But this morning we blew away our record again – hitting a peak of ~34,940 at precisely 2am PDT, or 9am GMT. Ride… https://t.co/9Mjkz12kIp pic.twitter.com/NARihcpDdY— Zwift Insider (@zwiftinsider) April 5, 2020
The already popular virtual training app has hit new heights since the coronavirus pandemic has forced many cyclists indoors; and according to Zwift Insider, a peak of almost 35,000 users were riding simultaneously at 8am yesterday morning. Considering that is double what the peak was in January – and Zwift Insider also claims the number has grown by over 6,500 in a week – its popularity is still very much on the rise.
However, it’s not all virtual hugs and kissed in Watopia, as a number of users on the Zwift Riders Facebook page have expressed their frustration at pro riders stealing their thunder and making it impossible for mortals to compete in the game’s ‘A-Grade’ rides.
One says: “With the number of pros jumping on Zwift I think we need a new grade above the current A grade. I used to be competitive now I have no chance to even hold on to the top tier despite being 4w/kg.”
Another has even started a series on Instagram documenting getting dropped by pro avatars on Zwift, and another has counted that 131 known pro cyclists are now signed up to the game. Does it need a level above the current four for the elite, or are Zwifters being too precious? Tis only a game after all…
Frank Schleck's household CX course
What it lacks in mud it makes up for in some very tricky twists and turns, as the Luxumberger does som cyclocrossing in his kitchen.
What to do if you're getting rinsed by pros on Zwift
10 percent of the dudes on @GoZwift are trolling 😂 pic.twitter.com/qGOJac6lWH
— Chris Carlson (@Kiss_my_Panache) April 5, 2020
So as a solution to our earlier question, it looks like this gentleman has nailed it by overtaking the competition at warp speed using a motorbike. In all seriousness, please don’t really do this…
Another pro gets flagged on Zwift for a superhuman effort
Hello @GoZwift can you please help me? I’ve just been flagged for super human numbers while doing my VO2 max intervals in Watopia? I promise it’s the real deal 💪🤣 pic.twitter.com/HSRNaD5dvt
— Ashleigh Moolman (@ashleighcycling) April 3, 2020
We’re going to need a separate Zwift live blog at this rate… as after the same thing happened to Thomas De Gendt last week, another pro has had their ride flagged for producing numbers that the system flagged as unrealistic.
CCC’s Ashleigh Moolman says Zwift was unconvinced by her V02 max interval numbers, and once again the virtual training platform has said they will be looking into it and “a fix will be coming very soon”…
Hey Ashleigh! We’re really sorry about this, it’s a bug we’re aware of and a fix is coming very very soon. 🙌
— Zwift (@GoZwift) April 3, 2020
Chris Froome spots Luke Rowe's RAOK
I see the legend @LukeRowe1990 has sorted him out ☺️
— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) April 6, 2020
The four-time Tour de France champ saw that Rowe had bought a bike for a Cardiff doctor who had theirs stolen; although a nice yellow Pinarello wouldn’t be a bad idea for the commute surely?
"Stop sunbathing in parks or we'll ban exercising outside"
“Stop sunbathing in parks or we’ll ban exercising outside”….. Seems fair 🙄
— Duncan Shea-Simonds (@DSS123) April 5, 2020
Some are accusing the government of picking on the wrong targets by threatening to ban outdoor exercising as a way to stop those who were out catching rays in the park at the weekend… will tougher measures simply penalise those following the rules, while the rulebreakers will carry on the same?
The Times accused of using a telephoto lens to make it appear like cyclists are riding in a bunch on Box Hill
Excellent use of a telephoto lens by @thetimes, misleading image and reporting.
How about a photo of the 6 superbike riders at the top of the hill in conversation about how they don’t care about the rules because they can outrun police?Thx @_D415Y_ for the other perspective pic.twitter.com/ZgznnJrLNT
— Francis Cade (@Francis_Cade) April 6, 2020
The accusations were made by former pro cyclist-turned filmmaker Francis Cade, with The Mirror also accused of using the same technique to make cyclists appear like they are riding in a group in this article. Neither newspaper has confirmed or denied using a telephoto lens on their articles yet, although we’ll be contacting them for comment and publishing a full article later this afternoon.
Quarantined cycling bingo
While we’re here getting all memey, why not have a go at our very own social distancing game? You’ll find me having a post-race piss-up with Jeremy Corbyn…
Check out this 3D-printed cleat alignment tool
I made a thing! DIY Bicycle Cleat Fitting Alignment tool for SPD Pedals – 3D Printed! from r/bicycling
Could this be the thing to prevent the headache of making sure your cleats are spot on each time? An SPD-SL version wouldn’t go amiss either!
Pros on Zwift verdict: it's only a game
You’ll read further down this blog that some Zwifters were feeling a little miffed that they had fallen down leaderboards due to the influx of professionals (reportedly well over 100) getting their training fix on the platform while they’re in lockdown due to coronavirus. The general consensus is… lighten up!
We can strongly relate to this observation by Ant James…
Peter Sagan balancing on an exercise ball wearing a centurion mask says "stay at home"
Stay safe at home everybody pic.twitter.com/DVAuvKX4Cj
— Peter Sagan (@petosagan) April 4, 2020
No idea what we’ve just saw… but who cares it’s Peter Sagan and he wants us to stay at home, so we’ll do just that.
"Wouldn't it be nice if people would stop acting like tw*ts?" Ricky Gervais' observations from his socially distanced bike ride in London
The comic decided to go for a bike ride at the weekend – and during this YouTube vlog, opened to the tune of “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” by The Beach Boys, Gervais exclaimed: “Wouldn’t it be nice if people would stop acting like tw*ts?”
Gervais was referring not to his fellow cyclists, but to families allegedly “blocking the whole pavement”, which he argued isn’t exactly conducive to social distancing:
“I thought the bike would be safer than running because you’re on the road, no one’s nearer except for cars… no”, he explains.
“Because there were so many people, like families going out – which is fair enough – but they block the whole pavement, and they dawdle. So people are walking in the street, in the road, to overtake them. So I have to keep stopping.
“And all I can do is tut. And even that you know. People go “who does he think he is?”. Oh god.”
He goes on to suggest that for the police to deter people who were reportedly out catching rays during the warm weekend, they should approach overweight sunbathers, record them on mobile phones and threaten to put the footage online. We’re not completely sure if that will become official government policy any time soon…
STOLEN TEAM CAR ALERT: Crit specialist Alec Briggs appeals for return of Team Tekkerz Mini Cooper
STOLEN.
Mini Cooper S works MPI with the official John cooper works conversion.
Reg: R168DNP.
Would appreciate people Retweeting so I can make it too hot to handle and I get it back. pic.twitter.com/26zWXQpdbm
— AlecBriggs/ Pedaler (@Alec_Pedaler) April 6, 2020
Callum Skinner calls it ‘the coolest car in cycling’, and unfortunately it’s now in the hands of thieves who saw fit to steal crit champ Alec Briggs’ custom team car. Hopefully the thieves lack the brain cells to get the car resprayed and it becomes too hot to handle…
6 April 2020, 08:23
Cav has revealed he was diagnosed with depression as he struggled to overcome the Epstein-Barr virus - full story below
Mark Cavendish reveals "dark" struggle with depression
Bahrain-McLaren sprinter says he is "on the other side" now after August 2018 diagnosis
6 April 2020, 08:23
The roads may be much quieter than usual at the moment, but there's still every chance of experiencing a close pass while out on the bike, as road.cc reader John found out recently...
Near Miss of the Day 394: Bendy bus driver gets close on quiet road
Our regular feature showing close passes from around the country - today it's Hertfordshire
6 April 2020, 08:23
Molteni or La Vie Claire? Peugeot-Shell or Z-Tomasso? There are some excruciating decisions to be made in the Full Kit Ranker quarter finals... make sure your vote counts
Full Kit Ranker quarter finals: your chance to vote for the greatest cycling jersey of all time
Some absolute classics were knocked out of our initial 16-jersey shortlist... which four will make it through to the semi-finals? Be sure to cast your votes so your fave has the best possible chance of winning!
6 April 2020, 08:23
What have e-bikes ever done for us? Quite a bit actually...
What are electric bikes good for? Should you get one?
Need a boost away from the lights, or help on the hills? An e-bike could be for you
6 April 2020, 08:23
The challenge, which involves donating a fiver or more to the Strava JustGiving page(link is external) and uploading one 10 minute activity per day for 12 days, has already raised over £80K
Strava launches NHS Active challenge and it raises £80k before it even starts
The challenge asks Strava users to give a fiver (or more) and get active for 12 days in a row
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Latest Comments
"wider pavements" Motorists never complain about wider pavements, do they? smh
trying to sell an expensive product to do an unnecessary thing......cleaning a chain of factory lubricant, fine.....between waxing completely unnecessary...misleading product name, jumping on waxing now its gone more mainstream
Twenty-two quid? Thank heavens it also cleans based lubricants!
@froze "Really better wheels are only really necessary if you’re doing some sort of competition riding, otherwise who cares if you save a few watts?" It's also helped me re-kindle a bit of joy and expectation in outdoor riding - my local rides were getting stale, and I was Zwifting more often than going out; new wheels has given me a new reason to go out and ride my loops... a new bike would do the same, but cost a lot more! "The more important thing for just daily riding is whether the wheels can hold up to pounding on the streets, hitting potholes, cracked streets, surviving long rides on chip and seal etc, which is why I don’t have any race type of wheels." I chose the "all-road" variety for just this reason; along with no maximum weight limit - I'm a little over 100kg plus cheap (ie, relatively heavy) bike. Race wheels they are not. Noticeably better than the alloy ones that came on my bike? Yes. "People who don’t race need to use some common sense and not try to impress some wealthy lawyer or engineer riding buddy, save your money and pay off debts instead…I know, that’s not fun, but it is wise." No mortgage, no credit card balance, savings growing, pension up-to-date, car bought/owned outright, phone bought/owned outright, etc etc And I pretty much always ride on my own - the only person who sees my bike regularly is my wife and she cares less than zero about it! A good idea to find out about your audience before dispensing advice ;) I do try to avoid buying unnamed Chinese stuff though, for absolutely all the reasons you've listed, plus environmental concerns and worker H&S/rights/etc concerns, too.
You get seal where you are? You don't know you're born!
The Right to Roam campaign aims to secure rights in England and Wales that Scotland has taken for granted for decades (and most of Scandinavia for millennia). The campaign is focused on access by foot rather than bike, but the Enclosure Acts are indeed villains of history.
I have problems with buying Chinese made products, one is they have no recourse if you have a warranty issue, or the wheel fails and you get seriously injured due to product failure you have no rights to sue for personal injury or property damage. A lot of stuff they make are Western brand wheels that they make after hours and slap on a generic name, so they are a stolen product and stolen engineering, call it stolen intellectual property and patents, but while Western companies know this is happening, they are powerless to stop it. Then there are political concerns which I won't go into but if people stop and think they should know what I'm talking about. As far as buying expensive wheels for a cheap bike will depend on if in the near future there are plans to buy a better bike, if not, then don't buy better wheels. Really better wheels are only really necessary if you're doing some sort of competition riding, otherwise who cares if you save a few watts? The more important thing for just daily riding is whether the wheels can hold up to pounding on the streets, hitting potholes, cracked streets, surviving long rides on chip and seal etc, which is why I don't have any race type of wheels. Even professionals don't use their high-end racing wheels, or bikes for their training rides! For the common person most bikes come with wheels that are designed to hold up to street riding for a long time. People who don't race need to use some common sense and not try to impress some wealthy lawyer or engineer riding buddy, save your money and pay off debts instead...I know, that's not fun, but it is wise.
Woah. Deja deja vu.
Woah! Deja vu.
Just imagine how much great hiking and mountain-biking there would be if we hadn't had the Enclosure Acts! (Not to mention grazing, coppicing etc.)
17 thoughts on “Ricky Gervais goes cycling, says stop “acting like t*wats” (no, not you); Zwift peaks at 35,000 users… but are pros spoiling the fun?; Motorbiking Zwifter goes viral; ‘Coolest car in cycling’ stolen; Kitchen CX with Frank Schleck +more on the live blog”
There might be 35k using
There might be 35k using Zwift at one tiime, but a big majority are orange jersey noobs smashing it around the flat looking for drops. So just like real world riding, if you want solitude head for the mountains. The Alpe is lovely at this time of year.
If you want solitude just
If you want solitude just turn your WiFi off after loading the course.
Bingo, a nice lonely ride.
“We’re going to need a
“We’re going to need a separate Zwift live blog at this rate”
Is it part of a commercial deal with Zwift? It’s mentioned so much here that I start to wonder why.
We have done commercial deals
We have done commercial deals with Zwift (a series of sponsored articles) but not here. To be fair I’ve got no outdoor cycling to report on, if you don’t like Zwift and memes you might be better off elsewhere…
Way to go Jack…’if you don
Way to go Jack…’if you don’t like what I write, f off’. Thanks. Mate.
Not actually what he said,
Not actually what he said, but don’t let that stand in your way.
I was paraphrasing accurately
I was paraphrasing accurately.
You weren’t.
You weren’t.
An accurate paraphrasing would have been more along the lines of “There’s not much to put on a cycling blog at the moment that doesn’t involve virtual cycling and/or silliness. If that’s of no interest to you, it’s not likely to have much to offer you at the moment, unfortunately.”
He certainly didn’t in any way tell you to ‘f off’.
Harrogate
Which is perfectly true; apart from the paraphrasing and accuracy.
Almost 35,000 people were
“Almost 35,000 people were using Zwift simultaneously over the weekend”
You should send the picture from the Zwift story to the Daily Mail, see if they publish it as evidence of cyclists breaking social distancing rules.
Far too many of them don’t
Far too many of them don’t wear a helmet either. I hope Zwift has made them sign a waiver to avoid any legal consequences.
I bet they weren’t wearing
I bet they weren’t wearing high viz either, terrible.
Franck Schleck may have great
Frank Schleck may have great CX skills but he has no skill whatsoever in putting on mudguards properly.
“no chance to even hold on to
“no chance to even hold on to the top tier despite being 4w/kg”
Fml…….with numbers like that you’d get dropped on a club run.
If you are OCD over your
If you are OCD over your cleat alignment: you can get SPD and SPD-SL alignment tools from Ergon
https://www.ergonbike.com/en/product.html?a=bikefitting
I use the SPD version, and I
I use the SPD version, and I have a different view. If you’ve spent good money on a professional bike fit, then it’s a simple way of achieving repeatability and getting the most out of what you paid for, without being OCD about it.
Quote:
It seems more like phishing to me