“He’s alive”: Peloton’s comeback ad after Sex & The City death scene goes viral; Fury at lack of Cav on SPOTY shortlist; talkRADIO presenter continues anti-cycle lane crusade; cyclo-cross craziness; Tree by bike + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
talkRADIO presenter Cristo Foufas continues anti-cycle lane crusade
Where are the cyclists? pic.twitter.com/uNxqr5SvrQ
— Cristo (@cristo_radio) December 11, 2021
We knew it wouldn’t be too long before talkRADIO Cristo criticised cycle lanes again. This time taking a few seconds out of his Saturday evening to film a short stretch of empty lane accompanied by the claim of a private hire driver that he had not seen a cyclist for four hours.
Interestingly at the same spot four hours later Rory Meakin saw three cyclists and two e-scooter riders in four minutes…
None in four *hours*? Wow! That’s incredible. By chance I just passed the same spot and in four *minutes* I saw three cyclists and two scooterists. Perhaps it’s only used at midnight? pic.twitter.com/CHBF3KiDH1
— Rory Meakin (@rorymeakin) December 12, 2021
> TalkRadio slammed for holding poll asking ‘Are cyclists a danger on the road?’
Maybe the Surrey traffic cops will be back to educate Cristo again? Last month, after the radio ranter set his sights on CyclingMikey, the Surrey Roads Policing Unit Twitter account hit back, arguing “Mikey is providing a really effective element of road safety”.
On the same day, Cristo also went after TfL and Santander Cycles for only achieving one million monthly journeys. Anyway, the day went on and Cristo ended up asking for the Surrey Police complaints form…which was duly used by many happy road users thanking the force for their road safety lessons.
Weekend round-up: Two teenagers jailed over Italy's stolen track bikes; Bianchi's new factory; Cyclist critically injured after "targeted" attack
Here’s what you might have missed this weekend…
- Bianchi has announced plans for a new 30,000 square metre factory and headquarters in the Treviglio region of Italy. The plan is for the new factory to produce 1,000 frames a day, with the hope that the £35 million project is completed by 2023.
- Elsewhere in Italian cycling news, two teenagers were sentenced to 18 months in prison for their role in the theft of 22 bikes belonging to the Italian national track team at the World Championships in Roubaix.
- Greater Manchester Police released details of what they believe was a “targeted attack” on a cyclist in Rochdale. The rider was found just before 7am on Friday morning with injuries “consistent with being attacked with a weapon”.
Tree by bike
Only a witness in this case 😉 #TreeByBike #Ulm pic.twitter.com/ojeZfyFLCl
— Mobilität Ulm | Mobility Ulm (@MOW_Ulm) December 13, 2021
Now we’ve found the #TreeByBike hashtag you can have all the Christmas tree bike content we can find…
#TreeByBike pic.twitter.com/5BLzEbD51h
— AggieCycles (@AggieCycles) December 13, 2021
Spare a thought for the #treeByBike movement pic.twitter.com/vMon0Gmvfg
— graham wedderman (@chebwin) December 13, 2021
Snowone can beat Wout van Aert in the icyclo-cross...
Wout van Aert finds his way through the Italian snow and wins in Val di Sole! 🇮🇹 💪
Michael Vanthourenhout 🥈, Tom Pidcock 🥉. #CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Md6LvfeKa1— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) December 12, 2021
Normally it’s the mud causing carnage, this weekend in Val di Sole for the World Cup round it was the snow. Obviously Wout van Aert did what Wout van Aert usually does — make riding a bike look very easy…
Wout van Aert dismounting like a boss. #CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/vvS3XEToU5
— Gert-jan Warrink (@GWarrink) December 12, 2021
Tom Pidcock improved on last week to make the podium and afterwards said he could see cyclo-cross at the Winter Olympics…”I think [the race] works pretty well. The snow is completely different to what we’re all used to racing in. For sure it’s a good start towards trying to get cross in the Olympics.
> Zoe Backstedt joins – and beats – the elite at Essen cyclo-cross
“It was freezing, the ruts were freezing and it was really tricky and technical. It was just about trying to stay as concentrated as possible.”
Closer to home there were some more familiar cross scenes…
The joys of cyclocross. @NWCCA Round 6 Broughton Hall pic.twitter.com/8lFFJR3j5U
— Rossendale Harriers (@RossendaleH) December 12, 2021
Ever wondered how a bike manufacturer makes carbon frames?
TIME Bicycles has released a film which reveals how its carbon bikes are made; from the initial weaving of individual carbon fibre strands into complex bi-directional ‘socks’ using its unique Braided Carbon Structures (BCS) technique as well as Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM), which is the fixing of the fibre into a light and strong frame.
“This [BCS] process allows something that is unheard of in the cycling world; continuous, unbroken fibres that run the full length of a structure,” says TIME.
“Contrast this with standard prepreg layup where the edge of every carbon sheet is a potential weakness.”
The video then follows the process as the dry carbon socks are pulled over re-usable wax frame moulds and then placed into TIME’s Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) machines.
“The RTM process is the best way to minimise defects in the composite structure,” TIME says. “Resin is injected under high pressure between rigid external and internal moulds, air pockets are pushed out and voids between layers are eliminated.”
After the frame moulding process, the internal wax forms are melted from inside the frame and recycled. TIME says it aims to be as sustainable as possible, noting that the wax used to make a handlebar one day may be utilised again later in the week to create a frame.
The process continues as the frame and composite parts are glued together to form the overall final frame shape. To ensure a perfect finish prior painting the frames are lightly sanded, then the decals are applied and finishing touches are made.
Why don’t cyclists use the cycle paths?
A classic of the genre for Monday lunchtime…
Why don’t cyclists use the cycle paths? pic.twitter.com/yiFiGj69eF
— James Barnham (@Mad_1nventor) December 12, 2021
Where's Cav? No Manx Missile at SPOTY (BUT Dame Sarah Storey nominated)
Mark Cavendish was a surprising omission from the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist announced this morning. Record-breaking Paralympic cyclist Dame Sarah Storey made the cut and will be up against Tyson Fury, Raheem Sterling, Adam Peaty, Tom Daley and hot favourite Emma Raducanu for the award.
> Mark Cavendish “violently attacked” in armed robbery at his Essex home
Fair enough, it’s a tough gig narrowing the entire British stable of athletes down to six, and there’s always going to be outrage, but no Cav has certainly got people talking…
On Twitter, Andrew Bain replied to the BBC’s announcement: “Unbelievable decision not to include Mark Cavendish, the man responsible for the greatest sporting comeback of all time. Greater then Ali and Tiger combined. How can this be justified? It’s an absolute disgrace.”
Another appalled fan said she wouldn’t be voting for the first time in 50 years because of Cav (and Lewis Hamilton’s) omission.
Brendan Gallagher said: “Where’s Mark Cavendish? Biggest cycling story/achievement of the year x10 and then some, and where is Tom Daley’s diving partner. He didn’t win the gold medal on his own who chooses these shortlists?”
Stunned that Mark Cavendish isn’t on the shortlist. Pulled off the greatest comeback since Lazarus in this year’s Tour de France. A remarkable sporting story for the ages.
— Tim McKenna (@TimMcKenna5) December 13, 2021
So, Mark Cavendish fights back from illness to win again on the greatest stage and yet doesn’t make the list 🙈
— Simon Plackett (@longtallsally19) December 13, 2021
Oh well, at least now you don’t have to choose between Cav and Dame Sarah Storey…
If Max Verstappen's eleventh hour F1 victory was the Tour de France
Basically this?https://t.co/DDYIe3VMwi pic.twitter.com/outAH9W7xl
— La Flamme Rouge (@laflammerouge16) December 12, 2021
If you’re not really into that F1 thing then maybe we can help explain yesterday’s title decider drama in terms you’ll understand. If F1 was the Tour de France…
Pogacar was 3 mins ahead of Roglic with only 1km to go when Prudhomme decided to bring everyone back together after a crash in the grupetto, but let Roglic have a handful of caffeine gels and Tadej had none. Sort of that… ish.
— Ollie (@OLL1E_K) December 12, 2021
When you've got to make the most of those post-retirement opportunities...
Professional cyclist, Nicolas Roche has represented Ireland on a world stage… but he’s giving up cycling for some sparkle!
This is going to be a very different race, @nicholasroche! 🚴 #DWTSIrl #DWTS pic.twitter.com/nzN8NgYkKT
— DWTS Ireland (@DWTSIRL) December 12, 2021
Edinburgh cyclists raise women's safety concerns at Light Up The Night ride
Great turnout for Light Up The Night. What do we want? Infrastructureeee. When do we want it? Nowwww. Thanks @SpokesPorty and Co for great event. pic.twitter.com/3WsgTgQcua
— Leith LTN (@LeithLtn) December 10, 2021
More than 100 cyclists took part in a protest on the streets of Edinburgh on Friday evening. The Light Up The Night ride was set up as part of the campaign to get more lighting on the city’s paths as well as safer cycling infrastructure on main roads.
Organiser Kirsty Lewin of Spokes Porty told the Daily Record the event was created to highlight women’s safety when cycling alone at night during winter.
“We welcome the council’s ambitious plans for improving cycling conditions in the city, and the forthcoming work on safety for women in public spaces,” Lewin said.
“The council must prioritise projects that enable women and girls to feel safe and comfortable, and to travel with confidence.”
More Cav SPOTY snub reaction
Elon Musk chosen as TIME’s Person of the Year and Mark Cavendish not even nominated as BBC Sports Personality of the Year makes today feel like I’m living in the Upside Down. I realize these are nothing more than editorial decisions, but both are staggeringly hard to comprehend.
— Neal Rogers (@nealrogers) December 13, 2021
Finding reaction to Cav’s SPOTY omission hasn’t been too hard. Finding anyone not staggered by the call has been the real challenge…I’ll keep looking…
Anyway, in the meantime, here’s Cav’s classy reaction…
Good luck to the nominees of @BBCSPOTY & congratulations for all your inspiring successes this year. Great year for British sport! https://t.co/ZN5Zzsb4cu
— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) December 13, 2021
Inspiration is the greatest gift: British Cycling's Christmas ad
I mean if you’re asking me for my greatest gift, I think I’d rather have a £12,000 Specialized Aethos than ‘inspiration’…but I guess that’s not really in the spirit of the ad…
Featuring a guest appearance from Olympic gold medallist Charlotte Worthington, British Cycling’s Christmas ad attempts to demonstrate the power of inspiring the next generation, and, in our book, is a much more entertaining than anything John Lewis has ever done…
"And just like that...he's alive"... Peloton improves on initial po-faced response to Sex & The City character's death by bringing him back to life
And just like that…he’s alive. pic.twitter.com/bVX8uWypFZ
— Peloton (@onepeloton) December 12, 2021
The spin bike corporation Peloton saw quite a significant slump in its value towards the end of last week, after recurring Sex & The City character Mr Big is shown to have died while using a Peloton bike in the first episode of the show’s reboot series ‘And Just Like That’.
As we’d have expected from a company that appears to sue people left, right and centre and was responsible for ‘that’ strangely threatening tone-deaf Christmas advert (it’s been removed would you believe) the initial response didn’t really read the room, with Peloton claiming that other unhealthy lifestyle choices were in fact to blame for Mr Big’s death, adding: “Riding his Peloton Bike may have even helped delay his cardiac event.”
if we can put that spot together in 48 hours, you can do your workout today
— Peloton (@onepeloton) December 13, 2021
So in a mere 48 hours according to the tweet above, Peloton changed tactics and produced this response vid, in which Mr Big is brought back to life. The woman in the ad is Jess King, a genuine Peloton instructor, and Ryan Reynolds provides the voiceover announcing Mr Big’s resurrection, plus reminding us how regular cardio is definitely good for you.
Fair play Peloton, maybe this will resurrect your rapidly falling share price!
13 December 2021, 09:09
13 December 2021, 09:09
13 December 2021, 09:09
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@mdavidford OK. So maybe my question should be amended to: are those rates ring-fenced? ie, I'm not paying a lot more for my insurance due to drivers of larger/more dangerous/more expensive vehicles andor the drivers with points.
Hmm - did the people whose data is in that 'substantial database' agree to that? Nothing in their privacy statement says "we may flog off your data to a random third party".
Insurance cost already does vary with vehicle and associated risk profile though.
Hmm - the way you've edited your post to tone down the suggestion that they were saying something they weren't suggests even you don't believe that.
Thanks. I'd heard that there was a split in the community. Well in that case let's hope that he does do something about their opposition to cyclists. All for safe cycling measures, but not just because one group doesn't like cyclists.
Being fair, there are a few councillors of all shades who seem intent on not disturbing their preexisting opinions on certain topics with new facts or understanding. I do think the populist parties are more susceptible to this though. They seem to attract those with the idea that government is corrupt and it just needs some people with "common sense" to come in and fix it. They *are* right that there's inefficiency, inflexibility, self-serving and even some corruption there. The error is in thinking that a) those are the biggest issues and b) inexperienced people with strong opinions (and sometimes cloth ears) can quickly change it for the better...
They are selling off their tools and "Substantial customer database" too: https://bikebiz.com/job/bike-repair-servicing-business-for-sale/ At least the cafe is staying open...
@jackcycles If he was on the road, you can almost guarantee there would be an equally ignorant driver saying "why don't you ride on the cycle path"? No matter where he rode there will be someone who has a lack of common courtesy.
"Driving an SUV in the UK should require a C1 category driving license." At the end of the day, this is all about safety/risk. I agree with the idea and would welcome a view from the motor insurance industry. If the risk andor claims costs of KSIs/property damage is much higher for drivers of larger vehicles, should those increased premiums/renewals be shared amongst only those drivers? Or, as is currently, all drivers including those of us who only drive smaller vehicles? As a cyclist on the road, I'm not paying "extra" insurance for damage caused by drivers. As a driver, I am.
42 thoughts on ““He’s alive”: Peloton’s comeback ad after Sex & The City death scene goes viral; Fury at lack of Cav on SPOTY shortlist; talkRADIO presenter continues anti-cycle lane crusade; cyclo-cross craziness; Tree by bike + more on the live blog”
I rode along that stretch
I rode along that stretch Christo is complaining about the other morning (for those who don’t know London, it’s the part of Millbank that runs between Vauxhall Bridge and Lambeth Bridge, approximately 500 m); I overtook six cyclists and was overtaken by four, and this was before prime commuter time. Commuter cycle routes aren’t packed on Saturday night at 8 pm, who would’ve guessed?
Incidentally, as can be seen from this 2014/2021 comparison picture from Google, there has been a mandatory cycle lane there for many years, the only difference is that it is now wand-protected; it has not in either guise taken any lanes from motorists, that road has always been one lane in each direction.
I can only see 3 cars in the
I can only see 3 cars in the first picture and 2 in the second. What a waste of tarmac when these motorists barely use it.
Weirdly no pedestrians either
Weirdly no pedestrians either. Get rid of the pavements.
AlsoSomniloquism wrote:
I think there’s one on the right in the “after” picture. Compared to the higher number in “before” that only shows that the cycle paths are encouraging the non-existent cyclists and thereby terrifying pedestrians and supressing walking. So they should go.
I was actualy adding that
I was actualy adding that statement from the video, but that one was probably dropped off by Private Hire vehicle so doesn’t count.
As an aside, Christo sounded very clear for someone in a face mask.
Cut the trees down. There’s
Cut the trees down. There’s no birds in them, especially the Great Tit.
It must be presenting its radio show on Talk Shite.
Stuff cycling, what I want to
Stuff cycling, what I want to know is whether brooksby or HP got a Banksy tshirt at the weekend !
Afraid not, no
Afraid not, no 😉
hirsute wrote:
Me, me, me, I got one, I got one……..someone I haven’t seen since 1985 asked me to get one for her son – so I did.
PS: No, I’m not going to waste my money on a therapist to tell me what I already know.
hirsute wrote:
Not me. As much as I appreciate Banksy and enjoy his art, I’m not willing to hand over cold hard cash for it. I didn’t even get around to seeing Dismaland when that was on in Weston-super-Mare.
“the claim of a private hire
“the claim of a private hire driver that he had not seen a cyclist for four hours”
Why am I not surprised that a private hire driver doesn’t see cyclists?
If the Private hire Driver
If the Private hire Driver has been sat there for 4 hours (engine idling) he might want to look into getting a new job or move to a new company.
Drivers – if this road isn’t
Drivers – if this road isn’t empty, we need more roads.
Also drivers – if this cycle lane isn’t jam packed, we didn’t need it.
No Cav was a huge shock, as
No Cav was a huge shock, as was the face of the Summer Olympics, Beth Schreiver. I know it’s not a cyclist personality of the year, but these were 2 of the biggest sporting stories of the Summer. Beth won the Olympics, the Worlds and the Brits, and the photo with Kye White was one of the images of the Olympics.
I know I’m biased, but…
It makes much more sense to
It makes much more sense to nominate a homophobic, transphobic racist (Fury)
We get it, you don’t like
We get it, you don’t like travellers.
Wrong prejudice! I’d have
Wrong prejudice! I’d have thought you of all people would have noticed how much Mr. Fury weighs – and I think his BMI’s pretty high?
chrisonatrike wrote:
It’s all part of his cognitive dissonance, the sexist who calls grown women silly little girls (and disturbingly says they should’ve been beaten on the bottom when children) who loves to accuse others of sexism, the racist who mocks the racial characteristics of people he doesn’t like who accuses others of racism… it’s all part of the same thing. If a traveller community pitched up in “leafy rural Essex (TM)”, who do you reckon would be first on the ‘phone to complain?
I’m pretty sure it was some
I’m pretty sure it was some Irish jibes that got Boo banned. Might be wrong though, he was coming out with some right GobShite towards the end there trying to side with SoCrapi on everything. The funniest part was even SoCrapi wanted nothing to do with him either.
Rendel Harris wrote:
He’d be able to guarantee that they came on the Northern Line to Epping though.
Shake wrote:
I’m sure I read somewhere that Fury didn’t even want to be nominated, and had threatened legal action if they put him on the list…
Yes he has threatened legal
Yes he has threatened legal action, I read that today as well. I’m not sure why though
Shake wrote:
There was a big ruckus in 2015 when he was first nominated for SPOTY after he beat Klitschko for the world title, owing to sexist and homophobic comments he had made previously. Since then he’s said that he can’t be bothered with it and doesn’t want to be on the list.
I think the nominess are
I think the nominess are picked by a panel of sporting journalists; the Olympics are what defines cycling with them; and that means track racing.
Someone ‘doing stunts’ isn’t proper cycling, and neither is MTB in their view – Pidcock won Gold, yet I don’t think I’ve seen him nominated in any ‘cyclist of the year’ award.
Velophaart_95 wrote:
Beth didn’t “do stunts” she raced, and won. Yes Charlotte Worthington took gold in “stunts”, but completely different disciplines on different bikes. It’s like comparing track to MTB but even further removed
Nah, it’s just the BBC are
Nah, it’s just the BBC are clueless. In the recent story about Cavendish being robbed, he was described as ‘Olympic medallist’.
It used to be but actually
It used to be but actually the year Cav won it in 2011 was the last time they did that, because the journalists had managed to end up with an all male nominee list.
And rather than simply query what the likes of Nuts & Zoo were doing involved in the SPOTY nomination process anyway, the Beeb typically over corrected and changed the nomination process completely. So it is now chosen by what they call the expert panel, which is a group of Beeb execs & some invited reps involved in sport, including former winners. Sometimes they document who is on the panel sometimes they dont.
But why they keep selecting a guy who has said he ain’t interested in it, whilst ignoring a whole raft of sports men & womens accomplishments this past year I dont know
Christo – all of the cyclists
Christo – all of the cyclists are at home, taking the opportunity to listen to Talk radio, whilst you aren’t on air.
Funnily enough, I was out on
Funnily enough, I was out on the bike early yesterday morning thinking ‘where are all the vehicles?’ – roads were empty.
Bristol definitely has less
Bristol definitely has less motor traffic today, now we’re back on ‘Work from home if you can’…
How a myth about London bike
How a myth about London bike lanes and congestion took flight
Analysis: depressing slide from fiction to fact revealed on delving into news story linking congestion with cycle lanes
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2021/dec/13/how-a-myth-about-london-bike-lanes-and-congestion-took-flight
Same old story, scapegoating
Same old story, scapegoating and outgroup discrimination…
Anyone got an FT subscription
Anyone got an FT subscription or a family member with one ?
Was sent this link, but I can’t view it due to the paywall
https://www.ft.com/content/56929d0a-2375-40a1-872c-b7fb94d9003f?sharetype=blocked&s=08
“Car users don’t have an inalienable right to occupy public space”
Your URL ends in ?sharetype
Your URL ends in ?sharetype=blocked&s=08, but I was able to read it without a subscription on this URL https://www.ft.com/content/56929d0a-2375-40a1-872c-b7fb94d9003f
If you search the headline on
If you search the headline on Google and click its link you’ll be able to read the article.
Thanks for that, Nige – very
Thanks for that, Nige – very helpful.
Is this the one
Is this the one
https://pedfire.com/car-users-dont-have-an-inalienable-right-to-occupy-public-space/
Yep – that’s the same article
Yep – that’s the same article.
We were at the Broughton Hall
We were at the Broughton Hall CX race on Saturday. Classic conditions! In the senior race, most of the riders started with bikes shouldered, running out of the grid.
It’s a Christmas
It’s a Christmas miracle he’s alive…and now advertising Peloton bikes with Allegra. https://youtu.be/yX7DuSxnWpg
Hmm, I wonder if Ryan
Hmm, I wonder if Ryan Reynolds owed them something for when he used the woman from last years peloton advert in his one.
I ride my bike and watch F1.
I ride my bike and watch F1. Perverse I know.
Seems sad that they excluded Cav. He would probabaly be a shoe in with the GB Public.