Richmond Park close pass shocker a day after new code of conduct; Shopkeepers remove parked bike…with an axe; No Lycra in sight; Anti-cycling councillor; Pro speaks up for road safety; Ewan wins after big crash; MP ditches car + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Giro d'Italia continues as planned after second round of testing finds zero COVID positives
Rapid antigen tests completed before stage four of the Giro d’Italia found that all 650 people in the race bubble, including all riders and staff of the 23 teams, tested negative for COVID. This means the race continues as planned ahead of the next round of testing due on Saturday and Sunday. Gazzetta dello Sport reports the race organisation plans to reach 2,600 tests by the time the riders reach Milan in two and a half weeks’ time.
Last year’s event was overshadowed by positive tests. Simon Yates’ then Mitchelton-Scott team, Jumbo-Visma, Michael Matthews and Fernando Gaviria pulled out of the race following a series of positives.
Snow-covered Mont Ventoux delays resurfacing works
Meanwhile on the Mont Ventoux where the roadworks get more delayed everyday
They hope to complete the resurfacing end of May. pic.twitter.com/W9uhC4htMP
— José Been (@TourDeJose) May 12, 2021
Stage 11 of the Tour de France is due to take in the double ascent of Mont Ventoux on July 7…that looks a very long way away at the moment. The snow-covered mountain is being resurfaced ahead of the biggest bike race in the world’s visit…or rather, the mountain is not being resurfaced because of the snow.
The works were due to be completed by the end of the month before the Mont Ventoux Dénivelé Challenge on June 8. Let’s hope we see some movement soon…
"Cycling in London is changing and diversifying and it’s enabled by high quality active travel infrastructure": Bicycle Mayor of Coventry Adam Tranter takes a spin on a busy CS6
Cycling in London is changing and diversifying and it’s enabled by high quality active travel infrastructure.
I cycled this stretch of CS6 for the first time in a year. It was hard to spot people in lycra or specialist gear and there were way more upright or Dutch-style bikes. pic.twitter.com/y7Sjk9L7Rc
— Adam Tranter (@adamtranter) May 12, 2021
New ride-tracking app Forrest launching later this month
Forrest is a new running and cycling app coming to iPhone and Apple Watch later this month. Bad luck fellow android users, Forrest has been designed exclusively for iPhone. It is a ride-tracking app that adds the element of competition seen in other GPS devices through Strava live segments. The key point being it adds a competitive element to your run or ride by giving you a virtual opponent or time to beat, such as your previous personal best or recent race results.
The app is designed to give you audio prompts if your phone is in your jersey pocket, which may not be ideal for people who avoid using headphones while riding.
Vincenzo Nibali suffers to limit losses and stay in contention
A wet n’ wild one today. 💦
🚲 🎥 On-bike highlights 🇮🇹 #Giro Stage 4 👇 pic.twitter.com/u1rydHCUKV
— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) May 11, 2021
Vincenzo Nibali admitted he had to dig deep to stay in contention at the Giro d’Italia yesterday. The two-time race winner finished in a group with last year’s runner-up Jai Hindley and Emanuel Buchmann, 34 seconds behind Egan Bernal, Hugh Carthy and Aleksandr Vlasov.
“It was a hard day; I don’t hide that I suffered,” Nibali said. “I had to defend myself and looking at how it went, I’m fairly satisfied. I think today could have ended worse for me. It was the first hard stage of the Giro, but the gap was limited.”
Elsewhere, Jumbo-Visma’s George Bennett shipped time, losing 1:29 to the Bernal group. The Kiwi’s sports director Addy Engels believes his rider was “overcome” and “broken” by the cold.
“It was not a good day. It didn’t go as we hoped and expected,” he explained. “The circumstances were difficult because of the bad weather. George was overcome by the cold in the end and that broke him up. Some people digest it better than others, but that is no excuse. We know from George that he cannot take it well.”
Shopkeepers remove bike parked outside...by cutting it in half with an axe
These pictures from a video posted in the London Cycling Facebook group show two men cutting through a locked bike’s frame to dump it on the other side of the street. One of the men uses an axe to cut through the frame, while another appears to deliver groceries to the shop. The third man then shiftily wheels the bike away.
Cola Nuke, who filmed the incident, said: “Careful where you leave your bike. This guy had left his outside the shop on Lea Bridge Road overnight, because he couldn’t carry all the groceries he’d bought inside. He’d locked it to the post. They thanked him by cutting it in half with an axe, and dumping it across the street.”
Team DSM pro rider Chad Haga speaks up for road safety
Now that’s some divergent thinking! Instead of making pedestrians wear high-viz clothing, yadda-yadda, Spain is increasing safety by…drumroll… slowing traffic. Put the burden on the death machines. https://t.co/1qTOClpShj
— Chad Haga (@ChadHaga) May 11, 2021
It is surprisingly rare that we hear pro riders talking about wider cycle safety. Rider safety in pro races has been a hot topic in recent times with several high-profile incidents drawing criticism of race barriers and organisation from the peloton. However, Team DSM pro Chad Haga is one rider keen to speak out about wider cycle safety, praising Spain’s roll out of 30km/h speed limits in urban streets.
Haga wrote on Twitter: “This is in a country that already gives pedestrians priority. No joke, I have to remember to change my riding and walking habits when I return to the USA because the Car is King!”
Spome have suggested the new changes in Spain are not quite as positive as they first appear. Spanish general director of traffic Pere Navarro today said that with the new speed limits it is now right to “talk about rights and also obligations” of cyclists to abide by road rules…
Nice easy day in the saddle for the Giro peloton
Energy-saving mode very much activated by @Lotto_Soudal‘s @CalebEwan in the first 15km of #Giro Stage 5 😎
Follow live rider data with our Race Centre 👇
— Velon CC (@VelonCC) May 12, 2021
80w? These pros have it easy, don’t they? Lovely day for it over in Italy…two riders up the road and a gentle few hours before another big sprint in Cattolica. We will check back in when something happens…
Anti-cycling councillor elected in Southport
Congratulations to Cllrs Mike Prendergast & Sinclair D’Albuquerque, winning in Dukes and Cambridge Wards. Conservatives won the largest share of the vote across Southport, we will continue to fight for Southport, champion local businesses and support residents.
— S’port Conservatives (@ConservativesSP) May 7, 2021
Mike Prendergast was elected as a councillor up in Southport with 42 per cent of the vote in his ward. One of our readers David pointed us in the direction of some of his campaigning ahead of the election where he went as far to say he is “very disturbed” by plans for new cycle lanes in Birkdale…
Prendergast went on to say there was no demand from the local community for cycle lanes and that rather than making the roads safer, they would “introduce a new level of danger for both pedestrians and car users.”
“I took the opportunity to view the last Full Sefton Council Meeting and I was very disturbed by the fact that the Labour Leadership have refused to rule out the introduction of cycle lanes in Birkdale village,” he wrote on Southport Conservatives’ website.
“There is no doubt that such a move would be very detrimental to the traders to whom we should be seeking to give the maximum degree of support in these difficult times […] would exacerbate significantly what is already a significant problem with car parking.
“The possibility of cycle lanes in these areas is already causing distress to those who live off these roads and they in turn will simply be turned into what might be described as a car park for Smedley Hydro. There is no demand from local people for cycle lanes on these roads.”
Will Norman reappointed London's Walking & Cycling Commissioner by Sadiq Khan
Absolutely delighted to be reappointed as London’s Walking & Cycling Commissioner. Looking forward to delivering for @SadiqKhan and his great new team at City Hall. https://t.co/G5DtEWyOpQ
— Will Norman (@willnorman) May 12, 2021
London MP ditches car
Well I’ve taken the plunge and sold my car.
I bought a diesel 10 years ago as I thought less fuel use is better for the environment.
How wrong I was. 🤦🏻♀️
But having 4 kids there was always some reason I felt I needed it.
More 🚲 🚶🚌 and @Zipcar = less pollution. pic.twitter.com/5NLFroPaaS
— Fleur Anderson MP (@PutneyFleur) May 12, 2021
Labour MP for Putney, Fleur Anderson, has ditched her car in favour of more cycling and public transport.
Reaction to Mikel Landa crashing out of the Giro d'Italia
Mikel Landa leaves the race in ambulance. His team crossed the finish line.
Can’t the man ever have some luck in his career? Is it too much to ask? pic.twitter.com/ASrvjgvprO
— José Been (@TourDeJose) May 12, 2021
After the finish, Lotto-Soudal rider Stefano Oldani told Rai he felt the finish was unsafe, with too many narrow roads, dangerous turns and traffic islands. The Italian said he narrowly avoided the crash involving Mikel Landa. On a second look, it seems it was Joe Dombrowski who swerved into the Bahrain Victorious rider, taking him out. The American ended up losing eight minutes, while Ineos Grenadiers’ Pavel Sivakov, who fell in an earlier incident, came home 13 minutes behind stage winner Caleb Ewan.
Bahrain Victorious sports director has been quoted saying he does not know if it is Landa’s wrist or shoulder that is injured but thankfully it sounds as though there are no serious head or spinal injuries.
Mikel Landa abandons Giro d'Italia after crash with race marshal
En af de helt store favoritter til at vinde årets Giro d’Italia Mikel Landa røg i asfalten med 4,5 kilometer til mål – og det så ikke særlig godt ud for spanieren 😞 pic.twitter.com/Ujdy87Owpc
— Eurosport (@Eurosportdk) May 12, 2021
Mikel Landa was taken away in an ambulance after a crash in the final kilometres of stage five of the Giro. Landa and yesterday’s stage winner Joe Dombrowski crashed after making contact with one of the marshals guarding a pedestrian crossing on the run in to the finish in Cattolica.
The Basque rider’s teammates crossed the line without their leader shortly after, before Italian TV pictures showed him being taken away in an ambulance. Ineos Grenadiers climber Pavel Sivakov also crashed during the finale, but was able to continue.
The crash comes the day after Landa impressed on the first mountain stage of the race, forcing a gap with Egan Bernal and Hugh Carthy. The 31-year-old’s team has said they will update us with more information as they get it.
After the chaos Caleb Ewan won the sprint ahead of Giacomo Nizzolo and Elia Viviani.
#Giro – Mikel Landa DNF, he was taken away with ambulance (RAI images)#LFRLive pic.twitter.com/UZFRFy0E1A
— La Flamme Rouge (@laflammerouge16) May 12, 2021
*Pinned post* "More cyclists scaring drivers": Richmond Park close pass shocker a day after new code of conduct announced
What do we reckon? 30cm? pic.twitter.com/HTGPUZNa6U
— rdekanter (@rjdekanter) May 11, 2021
This video sums up much of the frustration at the new code of conduct for cyclists drawn up by Richmond Park Cyclists with input from Royal Parks Police, The Royal Parks and the Friends of Richmond Park. Dangerous driving remains a serious problem for riders using the park as demonstrated by this close pass, this video of a series of near misses and the shocking February crash which left a cyclist in hospital.
On Twitter, Elisabeth Anderson questioned how the new guidance to try and ride single file would have helped here. rdekanter, who is the cyclist in the clip, explained that the 30cm reference is the gap to the gutter as the driver brushed the vehicle against their right arm. They also went back to check their speed and found they were travelling at 19mph, keeping up with traffic.
Richmond Police invited the cyclist to report the clip as a road traffic incident…
Cyclist not allowed to shout warning at the driver because he has to keep the noise down and must be courtious to drivers at all times. 😂😂😂
— Jimmy Linnell (@jimmyteach10) May 11, 2021
12 May 2021, 08:05
12 May 2021, 08:05
12 May 2021, 08:05
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Latest Comments
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...
@ktache Just go for the TNT Sports only package, £30.99 for a month. Alternatively have you considered experimenting with a VPN for a few pounds, allowing you to sign up for a free stream abroad, e.g. SBS Australia which streams the Tour live? If I didn't have a kind mate's login that's what I'd do!
So, it's now the month of July and I'm going to have to pay to watch the TdF, for one month only. On a tablet unfortunately, as I didn't manage to get a laptop to rig up to the TV, grrr. Just wondering, what package will I have to fork out for? Not wanting to pay for the wrong one...
Not that it sounds like a dealbreaker given the other faults you've identified, but that cable isn't really a "proprietary" cable, four pin magnetic cables like that are quite common on bone-conducting headphones and other devices (my inexpensive smartwatch uses one) and they can be had for £4.99 on UK Amazon.
41 thoughts on “Richmond Park close pass shocker a day after new code of conduct; Shopkeepers remove parked bike…with an axe; No Lycra in sight; Anti-cycling councillor; Pro speaks up for road safety; Ewan wins after big crash; MP ditches car + more on the live blog”
Cyclist thumps the car and no
Cyclist thumps the car and no reaction from the driver – perhaps they thought it was just a deer.
I’m glad there is that code of conduct though.
Probably too traumatised by
Probably too traumatised by the presence of the cyclist to be able to drive anything
If they’re that traumatised
If they’re that traumatised they’ll probably head to the nearest pub for a couple of pints before carrying on…
Having a code of conduct for
Having a code of conduct for cyclists in Richmond Park is a great idea. Perhaps someone could write a code for ALL road users on ALL roads. If all those road users followed that code it would be incredible and would surely save lives. I was thinking they should call it the “Highway Code”.
IanMK wrote:
Total madness!
I would have been smakcing
I would have been smacking the side of that car as hard as I could, and shouting my head off. They can stick their code of conduct if they think it helps anyone at all.
This type of overtake doesn’t
This type of overtake doesn’t happen to me anymore. Cycling in this situation, I always cycle just to the right of centre of the lane, directly in sight of the driver of the following vehicle.
In Richmond park specifically
In Richmond park specifically? Or just as a general thing ? as theres probably as many clips with people being passed like that riding central in Richmond park for comparison. More so than on normal roads there seems to be an acute MGIF at all costs attitude on cyclists in Richmond Park.
In fact it wouldnt surprise me even if you completely blocked the road so it was impassable with cyclists, the cars just wouldnt drive on the grass, well they are normally SUVs,to get around you.
On any road where I am
On any road where I am cycling at the same speed as the vehicle in front.
I take a primary position to prevent anyone squeezing past me and taking up my braking space.
Quote:
Doesn’t matter. Bicycle. Therefore, however fast it was going it was too slow and the motorist needed to be in front.
The road through my village
The road through my village has recently been changed to a 20mph speed limit. I now have a new hobby – pointing at the speed limit sign when being overtaken whilst cycling at the speed limit.
I cycled down a road the
I cycled down a road the other day (down being the main word.) It is a 30mph section and i was just about on that for most of it as not safer to go faster. As I waited at some lights a car pulled into the left lane and the driver stated “you were doing 25mph along there”. At first I thought he was accusing me of breaking speed limits then realised he was “impressed” that I could go that fast on a bike and was telling me as he thought I didn’t know. (I had a wahoo on the handle bars).
So yes, cars do think automatically think cyclists must be slow.
Steve K wrote:
Coincidentally, I’ve just seen that at pretty much the same time as I was posting the above, Jeremy Vine was tweeting about traffic in the same village.
I presume the code of conduct
I presume the code of conduct is against cyclists tailgating cars to ensure they allow enough space for the car behind to squeeze in to.
IanMK wrote:
Yes it’s a fine line between being so close to the car in front that you are vulnerable to a brake check, but close enough the the car behind doesn’t squeeze past you to squeeze into that gap.
MGIF
Unless it was too quick…
Unless it was too quick…
Ventoux roads… unless the
Ventoux roads… unless the roads have gotten considerably worse in the two years since I cycled there, the surfaces were better than anything in the UK.
Why are UK road surfaces so bad? Must be an international laughing stock.
PRSboy wrote:
They’re not. My county council entered into a PFI agreement with a large French company seven years ago and the roads have improved enormously, almost beyond recognition. It is now extremely unusual to find a pothole. And they haven’t finished yet; with 18 years left to run the scheme aims to produce the best roads in the country.
Some professional motorcycle racers recently recce’d the area with a view to running a TT-style racing weekend. They were, and I quote, gobsmacked at the high quality surfaces.
Speak to your local councillor.
Which county council is yours
Which county council is yours? Good practice deserves recognition. (But did the rates go up much?)
Following. Roads are rubbish
Following. Roads are rubbish in E Sussex
well its not Essex, Suffolk
well its not Essex, Suffolk or Norfolk I can tell you that much 🙂 the RAC claimed theyd been called out over 200 times in 3 months this year to fix cars damaged by potholes in the East, the councils actually blamed the pandemic for not fixing them sooner and the usual its been cold again excuse, not the we dont do the job properly and seal them so water just gets in freezes and lifts the repair, and even went onto claim that theyd fixed a record number last year…as a good thing.
But they were so inundated with reports earlier in the year, double the normal rates, they actually put a warning on the website and show pictures of the type they label no intervention, which will stick wreck a bike wheel if you hit it.
no doubt in the next few weeks theyll be making our lives even more miserable again by surface dressing all these roads
Great piece of video of the
Great piece of video of the CS6 – anyone spot the highlevels of motor vehicle congestion caused by this cycle infrastructure……no, thought not.
My first thought was that the
My first thought was that the cycleway looked quite congested and I’d probably ride down the nice quiet road!
A New Forrest app? Presumably
A New Forrest app? Presumably cyclists will soon be kicked out of it?
I’ve heard it’s pony.
I’ve heard it’s pony.
Wow – I’d have phoned 999 and
Wow – I’d have phoned 999 and said there was this guy outside whichever shop wielding an axe, right now. They’d have asked questions later.
Flagrant criminal damage.
Flagrant criminal damage.
And if a driver had pulled up half on the pavement then they would have had the wheels off and got the oxy-acetylene torch out to cut it in half.
hirsute wrote:
And we’d probably be all applauding. Well I would.
There’s also a certain irony
There’s also a certain irony in that they (I’m guessing?) thought that the bike was taking up too much space, while they appear to have land-grabbed the entire f-ing pavement…
Was about to comment on that
Was about to comment on that they only moved it from a public space to free up space for more stands. Also interesting where the van was that they were also unloading from?
Private Eye wrote:
When riding with the flow of
When riding with the flow of traffic, ride central and keep position to protect yourself.
Lea Bridge Road is renowned
Lea Bridge Road is renowned for morons, one shop was burnt down 3 times in quick succession because one of the other shops didn’t like the competition, but “not guilty guv”
If that was my bike, there
If that was my bike, there might be a fourth…
Since when do cycle lanes
Since when do cycle lanes endanger car users?
Southport must have some very threatened car drivers worrying about giving up any space for active travel.
I don’t understand the video
I don’t understand the video of the shop owners cutting through the bike. You can’t cut a bit out of the frame with two blows of an axe. It’s all very blurry and the context is not really clear.
The guy who posted the video just says the bike belongs to a guy who did his shopping there, but it’s not clear if he just assumed it or if he watched them earlier or if he actually knows the person or talked to them. And was it reported to police?
Just from the video, there could be other explanations. For example that a thief tried to cut the frame at night with a saw but failed, and these guys are just removing the mess.
Really need more info before jumping to conclusions, no?
I was thinking thats a mighty
I was thinking thats a mighty axe, or bike frames arent nearly as robust as I had imagined, both of which are entirely possible
Also no way to verify how
Regardless of what actually transpired, there could have been more consideration taken in choosing to lock the bike there, blocking access to the movement of inventory and customers.
Blackthorne wrote:
The shopkeepers had *already* practically blocked that pavement by land-grabbing it for the display and storage of “inventory”.
I have just watched the video
I have just watched the video and something isn’t right.
1. the top tube seems to be bent already
2. he uses the back of the axe, so more like 2 hammer blows
3. the D lock seems to get disengaged somewhere near the seatpost rather than the gap in the top tube
4. There is still a cable in that gap so how did the dlock get disengaged
Of course the filming may have started after the incident so they probably have already sawn through the frame
The Richmond park close pass
The Richmond park close pass was ridiculous. This is exactly what ninja rocks and a catapult were invented for.