Official! Cycling outdoors allowed this weekend; GB track cyclist says man purposely drove into her; Time for emergency bike lanes?; Alaphilippe says ‘stay hard’ through pandemic; Mango Bikes giveaway for nurses; Live Zwift racing + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Now we can all wash our hands... can we start indicating too?
This may be a step too far for some drivers!
Missing live racing? Now you can watch virtual Zwift racing instead
Indoor cycling is arguably one of the few success stories in these troubling times; and that’s not just because we’re all riding on trainers indoors, but there are also opportunities to conduct a bit of live sport to make up for the entire real-world sporting calendar being completely decimated for the foreseeable.
Zwift are continuing their live race series with the Tour of Watopia stage 4 at 7pm UK time, featuring the NTT Continental Cycling Team, Canyon ZCC, Team and KISS Racing Team. Both Men’s and Women’s races will get a full broadcast production hosted by Esports presenter and Zwifter OJ Borg alongside special guest presenters – you can check out all the upcoming events on Zwift’s website, and watch Tour of Watopia stage 4 on YouTube this evening.
If you haven’t got to grips with Zwift yet and want to get started, see our how to guide; and for the ultimate tips list for the self-isolating cyclist, your bible is here.
"It's a total mess at the moment": Callum Skinner urges Olympic chiefs to make a call on whether Games will go ahead
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the Rio 2016 gold medallist and British Olympic Association rep has criticised the International Olympic Committee for not coming to a quicker decision on whether the Games would be postponed. Skinner asked for “strong leadership and says a decision must be made by 24th April:
“It’s a total mess at the moment. This level of uncertainty is unprecedented. A call needs to be made with three months to go. That has to be the cut off. Once we get into that three-month window where athletes are starting to make their final preparations, it is going to really heighten the stress of a lot of athletes.
“Ultimately, athlete health has to come first. Even if the IOC does proceed it will then be up to the athletes and the national organising committees themselves as to whether they actually attend.”
Devising a makeshift Tour of Flanders
Hoezo, geen voorjaarskoers in Vlaanderen? #wielrennen #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/q0GJDZb2bm
— Hans Vandendriessche (@HansVDD) March 20, 2020
Mango Bikes are giving away 10 bikes to 10 NHS staff... and also donated a bike to a doctor who had theirs stolen
Let’s try making a few smiles in crazy times
Click the link below and nominate someone you think deserves a well-earned rewardhttps://t.co/fToXFTM1gD#nhs #nurses #careworkers #freebike pic.twitter.com/1JJOP7oEoF
— Mango Bikes (@MangoBikes) March 20, 2020
Mango have been giving the gift of bikes to help those who need them most get through these uncertain times, with a competition launched on their website which allows the public to nominate deserving nurses.
Mango say: “We want these bikes to be used by the amazing ladies and gents who will be doing some amazing work over the next few months. Maybe it’ll help them avoid public transport, ensure they get lots of fresh air on the way to or home from work or just bring a smile to their face.
Nominations close on Thursday 26th March at 5pm, and you can vote here.
This morning I posted on Cycling Industry Chat industry group about a doctor who had a bike stolen. @MangoBikes responded by offering out a replacement. Better still, they were already giving away ten bikes to #nhs staff in need. Nominate someone worthy: https://t.co/q2fZ6LGYJj
— marksuttonbike (@marksuttonbike) March 20, 2020
According to the editor of Cycling Industry News Mark Sutton, Mango also stepped in to offer a free bike to a doctor who had theirs stolen when he posted the news on a group discussion… chapeau to Mango.
Gravel racer Daniel Bond gets four-year doping ban for refusing urine test
Now isn’t necessarily the worst time to receive a doping suspension (there are no events on) but gravel racer Daniel Bond will likely be out of competition long after this is all over after receiving a four-year sanction for refusing to provide a urine sample.
The 42-year-old refused to give a sample during an out-of-competition test on 11th 2019, and his four-year period of ineligibility began on March 16, 2020.
He’ll now have plenty of time to reflect on his punishment at home, no doubt…
Should we be using roads as emergency bikes lanes?
I’ve heard several NHS key workers discussing transport options, especially now TfL are reducing and stopping services. Many are interested in cycling but don’t feel safe.
Now is the time for temporary emergency bike lanes in UK cities, as being used in other cities like Bogotá. pic.twitter.com/HcpzpPNGop
— Adam Tranter (@adamtranter) March 19, 2020
Coventry’s Bicycle Mayor and Fusion Media CEO Adam Tranter pointed to the action taken in the Colombian capital of Bogotá, with temporary emergency bike lanes installed to get workers off public transport to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Smart Cities World report that 76km of roads are being transformed into bike lanes, which reduces crowding on public transport and improves air quality. Bogotá already has an impressive 550km network of permanent bike lanes, with cycle trips going up fivefold since construction began.
22km of the new lanes were converted overnight on 17th March, with activity being monitored to see how extensive the conversions will be through the pandemic.
A statement from Bogotá’s mayoral office said: “The bicycle, being an individual means of transport, represents one of the most hygienic alternatives for the prevention of the virus, especially in this first preventive stage in which it is recommended to avoid close contact and crowds.”
Bogotá came top of the Inrix Global Traffic Scorecard recently for having the worst congestion of any major city, and politicians say the threat of the virus plus deaths from poor air quality that were already occurring would put too much strain on the health system, which required decisive action.
Is it time for the UK to take similar action? Let us know your thoughts, and if you think yes how should it be implemented?
Adam Blythe needs a mtb
Of the many jobs Adam Blythe has held in the bike world, traversing a trail on a road bike should never be one of them…
Dulux London Revolution two-day sportive rescheduled for 26th-27th September
The 300km ride around the capital was originally scheduled to take place on 9th-10th May, but has been moved to September for obvious reasons.
A statement says: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but after detailed discussion, we believe it is the best option to protect the interests of everyone involved including the general public. We strongly believe we all have a responsibility to tackle this challenge together.”
See the Threshold Sports website for more info.
So, which roads should we turn into emergency bike lanes?
Major routes in cities? Motorways? All of em? Cast your vote!
Peloton rival Echelon report sales boost "in times of uncertainty"
Echelon boast of a huge uptake in people enquiring about their spin bikes as they look for home fitness solutions, with founder Lou Lentine saying: “Connected fitness continues to be a must-have for anyone wanting to stay fit without leaving the home. Throughout the weekend we had over 1,000 people consistently shopping on our site for the Echelon indoor connect bike, rower, and Reflect Mirror.”
The Echelon Smart Connect EX3 Bike is available in the UK from £1,238.99; significantly undercutting Peloton, who are trying to sue the former for selling “cheap, copycat products.
Swinnerton Cycles offering a ridiculously discounted Pinarello with Campagnolo EPS shifters
Whether bike sales are just really down and they want these ones gone we don’t know, but Swinnerton have got hold of some Pinarello Carbon UD bikes with an RRP of £4,500, and are flogging them for £1,500.
Made for the Italian market, the Carbon UD wasn’t originally for sale outside of Italy and is modelled on the Tour de France-winning Dogma 2 from 2012. It comes with Campagnolo’s Athena EPS 11 speed groupset and a set of Fulcrum 7 wheels, and there are 55cm, 56cm and 57cm sizes left at the time of writing – take a closer look here.
GB cyclist Lauren Bate says driver purposely went into the side of her and laughed at her on the floor
To the guy and his friend who thought it was hilarious to purposely drive into the side of me on my ride home today and then wind down the window and laugh in my face while I’m lay on the floor in the middle of the road – you are exactly what’s wrong with this world. 🤬🤬
— Lauren Bate (@LaurenBatee) March 20, 2020
During times when you’d hope people could just be kind to each other, it seems that’s far too greater task for the men who assaulted GB cyclist Lauren Bate earlier this afternoon.
Ms Bate claims that the driver purposely went into the side of her, after which he and the passenger laughed at her as she lay on the road injured.
She told road.cc: “I’m all okay just a bit shook up as you can imagine, just glad it wasnt someone less experienced who could have been seriously shook up.
I didnt get any details so dont think I’ll pursue anything, but I’ll be keeping my wits about me for a while.”
Official! You’re still allowed to ride your bike this weekend*… but two riders tops
*but possibly only if you’re a kid
Speaking at today’s UK government press conference on the latest social distancing measures to combat the coronavirus Dr Jenny Harries, deputy chief medical officer for England, had this to say on the subject of exercise and cycling specfically.
Doctor Harries’s comments on cycling were made in response to a question on letting children play together outside. Her response though was given within the context of general principles that the government clearly thinks should apply to all of us.
On that basis
- group riding where there are more than two riders is out,
- if there are two of you then sorry no wheel sucking you need to keep at least 2m apart.
- only ride your bike and use your own equipment
- coughs and sneezes need to be caught with a tissue
- if you’re driving somewhere to ride – don’t fill the car with people
“The basic strand running through all of these measures is social distancing and reducing the totality of our social interactions. That applies to children just as it does to the rest of us but also there is a balance there between maintaining physical and mental wellbeing when we are going through what will be for all of us quite a stressful period.
“So for children who are at home, a family or a household group usually has the same sort of exposure risk, so put nicely that just means that it’s okay for them to play together usually in their own home environment, kick a ball around in the garden if they have one.
“We’re not saying don’t go outside but we are saying that if you go outside go in a way which reduces your social contact… we don’t want to suggest that every child should go for a solitary walk across the park – that would not be a helpful public health measure – but certainly with appropriate supervision, buddying children for example, keeping two metres apart, off for a bike ride or something, that is absolutely fine and in many ways we would encourage that.
“But there are some simple principles again around that: make sure you hang on to your own bike, your own equipment or whatever, wash your hands regularly, if you have coughs and sneezes use a tissue… all the things we have been encouraging people to do.
“The weather is getting better, we want children to be exercising but to do so not in groups. When it comes to team games, I would not encourage those – the most important bit is the social element around it. If everyone piles up in shared cars, that’s not a good thing to do
“So exercising: fine, but cut right down on the social interactions.”
20 March 2020, 09:19
“The Grands Tours will have priority – after events already existing on the calendar at the date of resumption."
UCI says Grand Tours will be given priority when rescheduling the 2020 race calendar
Road season could be extended until November 1
20 March 2020, 09:19
20 March 2020, 09:19
20 March 2020, 09:19
Decathlon is back and there are more socks to be won for #MyCyclingWeekend... we'll be picking a winner on Monday!
#MyCyclingWeekend with Decathlon - Time to Turbo
Decathlon are back with more socks to be won
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Latest Comments
@Rendel Harris Agree, I am baffled that the 84 year old who is now banned from driving for year can then start driving again without a retest. We should be re-tested regularly.
@mitsky Just checking the figures and apparently the 2026 average cost is £58,000 per year per prisoner; worth noting that is only the direct cost, you then have to factor in ten years of lost tax income from the prisoner, ten years that the prisoner is making no contribution to society as a worker or as a consumer, plus the fact that if they were the primary breadwinner very likely the costs will include benefits for their family as well. None of which should be a reason for keeping violent recidivists out of prison of course, nor drug/drink drivers who kill, but it is a factor worth considering for lower-level offences.
@Surreyrider I ride in Surrey a fair bit and absolutely many do look like that but the point is they all *think* they're driving perfectly reasonably (as one discovers when remonstrating with someone who's skimmed one by 30cm, "I gave you masses of room") so deterrent penalties have little effect. That's why we need to strike at the root cause and actually train drivers properly and test them stringently (and more than once over the course of a potential 70+ years of driving, it's absolutely absurd that competence and knowledge in what for most people is the activity in their life that will run the biggest risk of killing people you never have to have your qualifications renewed).
@mitsky Imprisonment currently costs over £50k p.a. per prisoner and obviously that will rise over the course of a ten-year stretch with inflation. Regarding culpability and mitigating sentences etc, of course I'm not against condign punishment for drivers who kill (and cyclists on the tiny, tiny handful of occasions when this happens), including prison as appropriate; I was objecting to the ridiculous and oft-repeated demand of MM that drivers who kill cyclists must get ten years, "no excuses, no exceptions".
Hey, but their wool blend cycling adjacent t-shirts are/were fantastic.
@Surreyrider Still the boss. Ride one, you'll see why
@Smoggysteve "Most would happily ride on the roads and be treated with respect by drivers". But people aren't - and as far as I can see they won't be. Not until there is a lot less driving and it's slower around cyclists, and far more people driving have "skin in the game" eg. they sometimes cycle and their friends and family do also. That's what leads to the model - which is perhaps most advanced in NL - where cycling, walking and driving are all seen as separate normal transport modes. Their needs, vulnerabilities and any dangers to others are considered. And *that* leads to "mix / share when possible, separate when necessary". But "possible" is "where your 10-year old would be safe to cycle unsupervised" - so very few motor vehicles, going slow! And AFAICS everybody - even "existing cyclists" - is happy with the result. (I dunno about a few pro cyclists - but don't they tend to have training camps in different counties anyway?)
@quiff as an Edinburgh resident I can confidently say he's speaking without moving his lips in one sense: - while as I noted in a separate comment there *is* now some real separated cycle infra, all the examples i can think of have *at least as much space* for pedestrians. The rest of the "cycle infra" is essentially similar to the situation in the rest of the UK: eg. bus lanes*, cycle lanes and shared use paths (eg. "build" infra by sticking up a sign). Edinburgh is one of the places with a moderately extensive network of former railways which have been converted to "shared use" paths (completely motor traffic few). However though shared they are not narrow by UK standards. And this is all effectively a "free extra" for all non- motorised users, not like the "sign a cycle path" where pedestrians do lose space. I think this all comes from the "popular understanding" of cycling in which ultimately cyclists are the "other". They don't fit "motor vehicle" or "pedestrian" (including wheelchairs on the very rare occasions people think about that). Thus "cyclists are cheating" in multiple ways! They shouldn't get their own space as "there aren't enough" of them. And "they can just use the road / path". But being able to *choose* "on the road" or "on the footway" (shared use path) is clearly unfair - nobody else gets to do that! BUT of course even if they did pick just one of road OR pedestrian space it's still not fair anyway because they're "too slow" for the road (don't pay "road tax" etc...) and "far too fast" for pedestrians... * Though some existing cyclists may appreciate them when there are few buses, buses and bikes are a very poor mix for several reasons.
Whilst a shame for any employees, their bib shorts had the worst chamois pad I’d ever encountered, utter waste of my money. Even though they were Strava challenge discount purchases, still a waste of money.
Thanks, just going to have to suck it up. Got next week off and will take the easy, if expensive option...
28 thoughts on “Official! Cycling outdoors allowed this weekend; GB track cyclist says man purposely drove into her; Time for emergency bike lanes?; Alaphilippe says ‘stay hard’ through pandemic; Mango Bikes giveaway for nurses; Live Zwift racing + more on the live blog”
Apropos of nothing, I seem to
Apropos of nothing, I seem to remember Alaphillipe’s an item with Marion Rousse these days, isn’t he?
Let’s hope Julian’s advice
Let’s hope Julian’s advice hasn’t led to people panic buying Viagra.
Joe Totale wrote:
*Dashes bog roll and runs off down the pharmacy to stock up.
Doesn’t Alaphilippe look thin
Doesn’t Alaphilippe look thin when you see him in civvies. I think his words are just an over-literal translation from French.
It’s always the British
It’s always the British criticising people for speaking in a second language. The VAST majority of brits can bearly speak English, never mind a second language.
Chapeau to him for sending a message in English.
ps I am always hard!
Does anyone in their right
Does anyone in their right mind see how they can go ahead with the Olympics this year??
https://www.instagram.com/p
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9wmMU5hmAE/?utm_source=ig_embed
So I decided to give in and
So I decided to give in and buy a proper direct drive turbo trainer seeing as the office is closed so I’m working from home for the foreseeable. They were definitely not an item I was expecting to see disappearing off the shelves, but between thinking about it a few days ago and actually making a purchase yesterday the number of models out of stock most places has gone through the roof.
RobD wrote:
We’ve just had another retailer contact us to say that turbos are actually outselling bikes for them this week… 440% up on home trainers. Completely unprecendented of course.
I think that the watching of
I think that the watching of all Esports will go up massively.
What are Sky’s many sports channels pumping out at the moment to justify their insanely high prices, or indeed Eurosport?
As I type this (1pm Friday)
As I type this (1pm Friday) Eurosport 2 is screening highlights of last year’s Vuelta. Most of the Sky sports channels seem to be airing Sky Sports News (basically, its all cancelled).
Coming up on Sky Sports F1 – two hours coverage of the 3rd PRACTICE session from the 2019 Azerbeijan GP. Woohoo!
ktache wrote:
Will they do the split screen thing so we can also see paint drying at the same time? Would be a tricky call to know which one to pick.
Peter Walker on the Guardians
Peter Walker on the Guardians bike blog on the whole cycling during coronovirus thing.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2020/mar/20/why-not-encourage-cycling-during-the-coronavirus-lockdown
Callum Skinner + The Daily
Callum Skinner + The Daily Mail = guaranteed criticism of something to do with cycling.
While the Mason Bikes
While the Mason Bikes giveaway to NHS staff is very laudable ( and I have seen similar things from many busnesses) I’m going to throw in a controversial comment for discussion
NHS Staff are one of the few sectors who are gauranteed not to be closed down and have job losses, indeed many will I suspect be getting overtime or extra shifts (not sure how their contracts go in that respect), there are already folk beong laid off in many sectors.
I do understand that we will be relying on many of these folk to be working much harder than normal and in some cases they will be exposed to additional risk and many want to thank them for this but NHS Staff will continue to be getting paid many others wont. Perhaps our charity would be better directed to those who are going short rather than those who are working hard
They are cutting train
They are cutting train services, by as much as half, and stopping night services. Essential workers are still going to have to get about. And now with the cuts in services, those left have a higher chance of getting crowded.
Indeed, their jobs are not
Indeed, their jobs are not under threat, but would you like to sit next to a nurse who’s just done a 12 hour shift looking after covid-19 patients on the bus? Or would you rather they rode a bike?
NHS staff may be guaranteed
NHS staff may be guaranteed an income but based on China data have a much higher mortality rate too. Shortages of effective protective equipment have everyone worried. I know one doctor who just got out of intensive care with coronavirus and another who has already died from the disease.
Being snarky about 10 nurses getting a free bike seems somewhat petty.
But I agree that people should be supported by the government and establishing a universal basic income should be a priority.
All very valid points,
All very valid points, particularly in relation to transport, and suitable sterilisation and prioritisation of public transport wouldnt be a bad thing, but randon small gesture from small companies well meaning as they are really don’t address the issues. for example round my way I have seen one company offering free carwashes to NHS staff and free cofffees or pizzas from other businesses.
The one I do like is in Aviemore where Brittania Hotels have terminated staff contracts and accomodation with immediate effect, a rival hotel from the MacDonald Hotels group who are suffering similar loss of business have stepped in to provide a roof over the heads of all these staff members. Good on them, helping those actually in need
I am a nurse, but I am also a
I am a nurse, but I am also a husband, father and son.
I genuinely do have nothing but sympathy for those that may work in industries, that may now find themselves in hardship due to the current restrictions imposed by the government and Public Health England. But the NHS is a very different place to be right now and getting up in the morning to provide care for the sickest members of our community who may or may not have a virus, to which there is no current vaccine is scary.
Companies offering freebies to frontline staff does help with morale, but for myself this is not the reason I went in to the profession.
Cycling is my other passion, I commute by bike, not only because I see it as good way to stay fit but also for my own personal resilience. Working within a role where you see life, death, happiness, joy, anger, sadness and frustration on a daily basis, you need a form of escape and if Mango can provide this for ten people through their offer, then good for them.
lllnorrislll wrote:
Chapeau and thank you for your commitment and dedication. You and your colleagues are the real key workers, not the CEOs and the overpaid footballers.
When I lived in Brum, and
When I lived in Brum, and before the foot and mouth hit and shut down the countryside, I enjoyed riding around as much of the midlands canal network as I possibly could. The canals also joined up at spaghetti junction, under it, and it was a fairly surreal experience, quieter than you might think, with nature and greenery and stuff, just giant concrete pillars every so often.
ktache wrote:
There used to be a Wolverhampton to Birmingham half marathon race I did a couple of times, definitely a really odd mix of urban decay and countryside all jumbled up. And one section under a canal bridge was totally pitch black.
As a side note the first time I went to do that event I turned up on Sunday when it was actually the day before… about ten others had made the same mistake, so we organised our own race there and then!
Pinarello Carbon UD bikes –
Pinarello Carbon UD bikes – Got to be one of the ugliest frames ever. Boke!
Heavily discounted and
Heavily discounted and probably quite rare ugly though!
Are you going to report on
Are you going to report on the Cancellation of the Velo birmingham – without refunds – the comments under the facebook group post are unanimously negative
I’m surprised it didn’t get
I’m surprised it didn’t get picked up by Road.CC so far. I think the company behind the velo is now dead as they have only succesfully run two in 4 and now they have royally pissed off 12000+cyclists, who will sign up with them again.
Play is very important for
Play is very important for children and I don’t think it’s either possible or desirable to prevent them from playing together. It’s important for their mental and physical development, and if this is going on for the rest of the year it’s an impossible ask. No chance of keeping them 2m apart either. OK if a child has a sibling to play with but what if they don’t?