Bob Jackson Cycles to close after 85 years; Peloton recall pedals due to customer injuries; Tory MP says car is “one of the most liberating inventions”; Driver destroys Bikehangar; Équipe Paule Ka fold as sponsor fails to pay + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Alex Dowsett has an extra financial incentive to keep up with EF Pro Cycling riders at the Giro
Chasing @EFprocycling to ask if I can have a jersey after the race as a memento but actually to stick it on ebay, unwashed. pic.twitter.com/Xw2f3eq39J
— Alex Dowsett (@alexdowsett) October 15, 2020
Dowsett, who won stage 8 after a stunning breakaway, is referring to the mental prices the Rapha/Palace jerseys being worn by the EF Pro Cycling riders are now commanding on eBay. At the time of writing the jerseys are bidding at around £450, and someone is also selling the full kit for £1,200. If the Israel Start-Up rider did manage to do a sneaky shirt swap, it would probably fetch some serious cash…
'Special edition' Eurobike show cancelled
If you weren’t aware, usually we send some road.cc minions to a massive exhibition hall in Bavaria every year to look for new bikes and weird stuff, then tell you all about it… and after the September event was postponed, the rearranged version in November has now been cancelled as well.
The organisers said in a statement: “The special edition Eurobike 2020 planned for 24 to 26 November will not be taking place. Reappraisal of the coronavirus crisis has forced Messe Friedrichshafen to take this decision. The organisers are now developing a live, on-site format for next year. This will meet the future requirements of the industry. Date and details will be announced in due course.”
Hopefully we’ll be back wondering the halls and reporting on craziness like the Trefecta 1 again at next year’s edition of Eurobike.
Bikehangar destroyed by 'hit-and-run' driver
Bloody cyclists pic.twitter.com/8vJExZnf59
— Jon Little (@bespokejon) October 15, 2020
Jon Little’s tongue is very firmly in cheek with his comment, and luckily this dangerous driver only damaged property rather than people before leaving the scene. The spotter says the incident happened in Leyton, and was the work of a “bad/worse for wear or both driver”. He also claims that the driver didn’t stop to assess the damage, but the registration plate was taken by neighbours and “quite a bit of his car” was left at the scene.
Mr Little also added: “Sad thing is this is one of the original 10 @wfcouncil
Mini Holland hangars. A true trailblazer. One of the things that started the whole thing. Got people excited/talking what was coming/angry about losing half a parking space to 6 of their neighbours. Rest easy old friend.”
Bikehangars are manufactured by Cyclehoop, who are also responsible for the ‘cartoon-car’ bike rack in Holbeach we reported on yesterday. The racks are designed to show how many parked bikes can fit in the space of one parked car, something that was totally lost on all residents who were interviewed by Lincolnshire Live. After public pressure from businesses and residents who said that the rack had ‘taken away’ a valuable car parking space, it was removed 24 hours later…
Équipe Paule Ka, currently ranked number four on the UCI Women's World Tour, have folded due to "absence of sponsor payments"
The team have been forced to close with immediate effect after 15 years, claiming that the French fashion house Paule Ka – their headline sponsor – have failed to pay them since August.
The full statement says:
It is with great regret that Équipe Paule Ka announces the immediate cessation of its racing season and, unfortunately, the closure of the team – currently ranked fourth in the world with over 3000 UCI points – due to the absence of sponsor payments since August.
After late payment of its first instalment in July, the French fashion company Paule Ka then failed to pay the team in the months of August, September and October, despite multiple assurances that the payments were on their way.
This is an extremely sad moment in the 15-year history of this squad, which prides itself on the development of exciting young talent within the peloton. The team’s riders and staff were looking forward to spending several more years together in the pursuit of sportive success, having already recommenced the season with a series of victories and top results, including an emphatic Giro Rosa stage win, silver at the UCI World Championships, bronze at the European Championships, as well as multiple national championship titles.
However, this can regrettably no longer be our shared goal, with the team being forced to dissolve after a decade and a half in the peloton. Now, our main aim is to find both riders and staff new teams to secure their futures.
We would like to extend sincere thanks to cycling fans all over the world, followers of the team, and our competitors within the peloton, who have reached out to us during this challenging time to let us know that our presence in the peloton is one that would be sorely missed.
The nuttiest tri bike yet? KúCycle launch radical TF1, and they're making some bold performance claims
This new tri bike from the fledgling Dutch innovators KúCycle is in full production, and can be built to order via authorised fitters (they’ve partnered with Speedhub in Leicestershire for UK customers). While it won’t be winning any beauty contests, KúCycle claim their CFD analysis is backed up by live CdA testing; and although they don’t say exactly how this was done, they’re claiming that their bike “demonstrated an improvement in CdA of 8% over the Felt iA in a straight swap of rider across the two bikes”.
The crazy wide fork looks to be influenced by the Hope/Lotus track bike, although KúCycle say it’s the result of their fork air stream technology that “reduces airflow blockage” at the front. They also claim that the protruding headtube tucked between the rider’s arms opens up the front end, which “introduces three separate aero F-Ducts reducing drag around the rider”.
To peruse our selection of the maddest concept bikes that didn’t quite make it into production, check out this listicle. KúCycle’s website can be found here.
Bikehangar update: council fence off destroyed bike storage facility
Jon Little, who saw the aftermath of the incident last night in Leyton after a car ploughed into the Bikehangar and left the scene, says the council attended this morning and blocked it off.
It turns out Mr Little worked with the council on developing the successful ‘Mini Holland’ scheme in Waltham Forest, which includes bike parking facilities, cycle lanes and pedestrianised streets. He told road.cc, therefore, that the vandalism to the Bikehangar was “personal”.
Cyclehoop commented that they were “really sorry to see this damage to our unit”.
Craig Mackinlay MP made chair of ‘Fair Fuel for UK Motorists & Hauliers' parliamentary group
Delighted to have been elected as new Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group ‘Fair Fuel for UK Motorists & Hauliers’ @FairFuelUK @HowardCCox. We need rational debate about fuel taxes, congestion charges & roads. The 🚗 is one of the most liberating inventions yet created.
— Craig Mackinlay MP (@cmackinlay) October 15, 2020
From Cllr Jon Burke in London: In London 35% of car journeys are less than 2km – (this) is the problem, not bus lanes, low traffic neighbourhoods, or cycle ways. Cars. Interesting perspective @cmackinlay?
— Lesley Chater (@ChaterLesley) October 16, 2020
This is exactly why I replied. Allow to introduce my brother. Killed by a motorist. How was his life liberated? pic.twitter.com/Z6HMiMAres
— Jason Wood 🇪🇺🔶 (@WellsWood1) October 15, 2020
The Conservative MP for South Thanet has faced a backlash for his comments, and also for tagging the motoring lobby group FairFuelUK into his announcement. FairFuelUK’s founder Howard Cox isn’t exactly known for rational debate when it comes to sustainable infrastructure, recently saying that the Prime Minister has “Lycra-clad advisors”, and regularly claiming cycle lanes cause congestion, rather than the actual congestion itself.
A number of prominent cycling campaigners and countless others have taken issue with Mackinlay’s view that the car is “one of the most liberating inventions yet created”, citing high levels of injuries and deaths and environmental issues with motoring. The All Party Parliamentary Group for ‘Fair Fuel for UK Motorists and UK Hauliers’ is represented by 15 MPs, and lists Howard Cox as its public enquiry contact point. It says its purpose is this: “To represent major issues that impact on UK drivers, from motorists to hauliers. Notably fuel taxation, congestion and toxic charges, parking costs, roads investment, fairer treatment for diesel owners, solutions to lower emissions, cleaner fuel incentives and transparent pricing at the fuel pumps.”
Giro: stage 13 is underway
🚴♂️ Cervia > Monselice | Stage 1⃣3⃣
📍Km 109🇫🇷 @GeoffBouche
🇨🇭@PellaudSimon
🇮🇹 Simone Ravanelli
🇨🇴 @Rodricontre12
🇮🇹 @AleTonelli92
🇧🇪 @Harm_VH
🇮🇹 @rotalorenzo95⏱️ 1’55” > Gruppo
🏁 83 km
📈 Live > https://t.co/TlBPO3lAsS#Giro pic.twitter.com/5bF1gC8RqN— Giro d’Italia (@giroditalia) October 16, 2020
The peloton, greatly reduced for pandemic-related reasons, is on its way to Monselice. A breakaway group of seven currently has around two minutes on the main gruppo..
Peloton recall 27,000 sets of pedals on their first-gen bike due to customer injuries, and get sued again
The spin bike corporation, who recently launched an updated bike, are recalling their first-generation clipless pedals that feature on bikes purchased between 2013-2016.
According to the recall notice, Peloton have received 120 reports of breakages, including 16 customers who were injured and five who needed hospital treatment due to leg lacerations. The remedy states: “Consumers should immediately stop using bikes fitted with PR70P Clip-In pedals. Peloton is notifying all affected consumers directly on how to receive free replacement pedals, along with instructions for self-installation.”
On its website, Peloton have offered affected customers free replacements with step-by-step instructions on how to install them; but anyone who wants a technician to attach the pedals will have to pay $100.
As well as this Peloton have been sued yet again, this time by Icon Health and Fitness, over claims that the moving touchscreen and automatic resistance features on the new Peloton bike infringes the patent of Icon’s NordicTrack bike. Icon say Peloton “have built (at least in part) entire businesses on the back of Icon’s patented technology”, while Peloton say this latest lawsuit is simply in retaliation to previous legal battles between the two companies. The latest of those came in May when Peloton sued Icon for broadcasting live classes, something that was apparently their idea. Icon claim Peloton’s CEO asked to use their patents back in 2013, which Icon declined… this seems to be where all the legal back-and-forth began.
Peloton’s outside litigation counsel Steven Feldman said the company would “vigorously defend” this latest case in court.
"Disgraceful behaviour": French fashion house Paule Ka face backlash on social media for failing to pay Équipe Paule Ka, forcing the team to fold
So the company took all the positive PR from “rescuing” the team, then paid almost nothing?
Disgusting— 3.5% Ben & Jerry’s lover (@SecretSam999) October 16, 2020
The French fashion house were named as the headline sponsor of Équipe Paule Ka (formerly Bigla-Katusha) in June, effectively saving the team; but it appears those promises were unfounded, as a statement this morning claims that the team hasn’t been paid since August. Paule Ka have been accused of “disgraceful behaviour” and taking publicity without fulfilling their financial commitments, but are yet to make a statement.
Is there more to this story? We’ve asked Paule Ka for comment.
Another cyclist comes forward after last night's 'hit-and-run' Bikehangar incident
Fred told road.cc: “Some of the bikes were damaged – including mine. They punted it right on to the pavement. Made a big crash noise and all my lovely neighbours rushed out.
“There’s quite a lot of bumper scattered around – those bike hangars are tougher than they look!”
Diego Ulissi wins Giro d'Italia stage 13
🇬🇧 Stage 13, Watch now the Last Km!
🇮🇹 Tappa13, Guarda l’ultimo chilometro!
🇫🇷 Étape 13, Regardez le dernier km !
🇪🇸 Etapa 13, Mira ahora el Último Km!#Giro pic.twitter.com/m6y7NUAQIq
— Giro d’Italia (@giroditalia) October 16, 2020
The UAE Emirates rider provided the team with another win after their fairly successful little trip to the Tour de France last month, beating current overall leader Joao Almeida in a sprint. Quick-Step’s Almeida is sitting in pink with a 40s lead over Wilco Kelderman of Sunweb.
Mark Cavendish named in Bahrain McLaren's Tour of Flanders squad
Meet our team for the @RondeVlaanderen:
🇬🇧 @MarkCavendish
🇮🇹 @sonnycolbrelli
🇹🇼 @Bnm7575Kai
🇦🇹 @mhaller91
🇸🇮 @pibernik
🇧🇪 @dylan_teuns
🇬🇧 @fred_wright0 #RideAsOne #RVV20➡️ https://t.co/R1NR5sRc9S pic.twitter.com/UL8rLEQv4H
— Team Bahrain McLaren (@BahrainMcLaren) October 16, 2020
Putting any talk of retirement fully to bed, Cav will line up at the Belgian Classic on Sunday. If it goes ahead as planned (who knows nowadays) it will be the 104th edition of the famous race.
Bob Jackson Cycles will shut after 85 years, as they have "not been able to find younger members of staff to train up"
The popular frame builders, now based in Leeds, will be shutting up shop on 18th December after 85 years. A statement on the Bob Jackson website says:
After 85 years of frame building & restorations Bob Jackson Cycles will be closing it’s doors for the very last time on the 18th December 2020, We are very much an ageing work force and over the years have not been able to find younger members of staff to train up and move forwards. After what has been a very crazy year for all of us we have decided it’s time to hang up our welding torches and spray guns for the last time and enjoy some retirement while we can.
All current orders and work with us will be finished as promised, Any customers who still need our services ( No Chrome Plating) will need to have their frames with us by the 7th November, Frames after this time will not be accepted .
On a personal note all at Bob Jackson Cycles now and in the past would like to thank all our customers for their business over the last 85 years, We are sorry it has come to this but nobody can stop the passing of time and everyone is entitled to enjoy a few years of retirement.
The company was started in 1935, becoming one of the most well-loved builders of steel racing bikes in the 50’s and 60’s. Although Bob died in 1999, his business partner Donald Thomas continued at the helm of the business.
16 October 2020, 08:49
Some pros and team managers don't exactly agree...
'Cycling still has Covid-19 situation under control' says Lappartient but Vaughters complains UCI aren’t taking Giro concerns seriously
De Gendt feels Giro organisers are ‘hiding things’ and EF Pro Cycling have suggested shortening the race by a week
16 October 2020, 08:49
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Latest Comments
If you're not trying to escape from wild animals, what would be the advantage of putting a tent on top of a car, rather than setting up a similar tent on the ground? Seems rather unnecessary to me - even if the price was comparable, I would choose a ground-based version.
"you can’t pass a law saying it’s illegal not to have a speedometer if you’re going to go above the speed limit." I don't think this would be a good idea, nor even speed limits (and presumably mandatory speedometers everywhere) ... ... but is there any theoretical legal impediment to that? Or even simply enacting a law that cyclists are not permitted to ride faster on roads than the motor vehicle speed limit (or some other limit) and leaving it up to cyclists how they go about complying with that? (Not a lawyer not a legal theorist though...)
What has KE to do with it? If you are hit by a large object you don't absorb all its KE. Being hit by a car is no better than being hit by a bus at the same speed. What matters is how much acceleration you experience.
@Robert Hardy 20mph isn't as fast as you seem to think, this 57-year-old-not-that-fit rider can easily achieve it on the flat in still conditions and most averagely fit people can on a decent bike. The argument that it wouldn't be a problem to impose speed limits on cyclists because those who can achieve 20mph already have speedometers is an entirely specious one, firstly as I've said a huge number of people can achieve 20mph, not just Garmin-obsessed racers, and secondly you would have to make speedometers compulsory for everyone on a bike, you can't pass a law saying it's illegal not to have a speedometer if you're going to go above the speed limit. How many cycling incidents are caused by supposedly excessive speed? It wasn't a factor in this case, the cyclist would still have hit her if he'd been doing 15mph or even 10mph. Charlie Alliston was under the car speed limit. It's a non-issue and only of interest to those seeking yet another stick with which to beat cyclists.
(Usual reference to speed being the major issue as kinetic energy goes up with the square of velocity / much greater braking distances required etc)
@mdavidford steady on - an 80kg cyclist on a 20kg bike would only need to be doing a little over 89mph to have the same kinetic energy as a 2 ton car at 20mph. So same ballpark, really...
Yes, although it may be telling us as much about decision fixation as it is about the impact of such statements. By asking them about their plans before viewing the adverts, they primed those who said they would consider an SUV to ignore or rationalise away information that pointed against that decision. Ideally, they would have had additional cohorts that were not asked in advance and therefore not committed to a position, for comparison.
"in --substantial-- slight excess of a speed limit considered to offer reasonable safety to vulnerable road users *from two tonne metal boxes*." FTFY
I think we have forgotten that cars do way more damage and we still haven’t got a comprehensive-lasting solution to deal with dangerous drivers
29 thoughts on “Bob Jackson Cycles to close after 85 years; Peloton recall pedals due to customer injuries; Tory MP says car is “one of the most liberating inventions”; Driver destroys Bikehangar; Équipe Paule Ka fold as sponsor fails to pay + more on the live blog”
Sad but not surprising. One
Sad but not surprising. One of the scrapped schemes involved placing bollards on an existing cycle lane on a wide road with little in the way of road parking due to nearly every house having a driveway. https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/18797838.active-travel-schemes-scrapped-tories-opposition/
It’s a solemn reflection that
It’s a solemn reflection that political careers have been knocked back in the cause of making these changes.
There’s several gallons of four star vitriol in that one’s comments today. Nice to think that we share the road network with some of these types.
As time goes on, the nightmare weekends the towns saw back in the summer will become a regular thing.
I feel really bad for Équipe
I feel really bad for Équipe Paule Ka, there’s so much talent in that team.
It really is disgusting behaviour from the French fashion shop Paule Ka – they came in 4 months ago (during the pandemic), to ‘save’ the team – got lots of positive publicity and fanfare. Then they only pay the first month’s dues and keep telling the team the other payments are on their way…eeeking out as much publicity as they can get. Then eventually admit they don’t intend to pay anymore, they’re got their publicity. I hate them, I hope they face a backlash from consumers.
Expecially since the French
Expecially since the French furlough scheme is much better than the UK equivalent, so they shouldnt be pushed for cash for Covid reasons.
Benefits in general are
Benefits in general are better. 58% for 2 years if made redundant. Plus your redundancy package on top. Happy days.
It’s outrageous. Quite one
It’s outrageous. Quite one thing to exercise an early get-out a la CCC, which presumably was in their contract, but just to say ‘nah mate, we’re not gonna pay you’ is astonishing. Surely a breach of contract suit is on the horizon?
I’d hope that one of the things that change after this eason will be a more secure approach to funding teams. Cash in escrow, or a legally enforceable bond, perhaps. Come on UCI/Women’s CPA!
in the meantime – paging Dr. Manuela Fundacion…
I’d assume, unfunded defunct
I’d assume, unfunded defunct former women’s cycling team lacks the financial resources to pursue several years of complex and expensive litigation – and I’d assume that’s precisely what Paule Ka are counting on!
I think its a mistake to
I think its a mistake to assume the contract is as clear cut as that because if it was that straightforward, it would have been resolved by now, if youve signed a contract that says you are legally owing this money by this date, there are very few legal excuses for not honouring it.
so this has the feeling of one of those slightly more complicated deals, which often are anything but straightforward about who owes what and when and which are increasingly happening in sports sponsorship as sponsors fragment.
but the team signed riders on extended contracts in August, in the knowledge this was happening or likely happening, so where does that leave them in this ?
As Carior pointed out, it may
As Carior pointed out, it may be the case that any unrecoupable costs and risk outweigh the potential payouts. Which is where the UCI should step in – pretty sure they were happy to suit up in years gone by. See Kimmage and controversies passim…
Meanwhile, Dowsett fans can
Meanwhile, Dowsett fans can acquire his old kit (some unused) here… https://www.instagram.com/prelovedbikekit/
A bike hangar round the
A bike hangar round the corner from me was smashed up earlier this year by ahit and run driver. But the car, a BMW wouldn’t you know, was so damaged that the driver only managed to make it a couple of streets away. There was enough left of the car at the bike hangar for it to be clear to the cops who had done it. I think the car was stolen though, or so the owner claimed. A few of the bikes inside the hangar, but not all, were trashed. I’m not sure whetehr any of the bike owners have had their insurance claims through yet, even though it was months ago.
£100 to fit peloton pedals…
£100 to fit peloton pedals… Sign me up!
I’ll fit the whole 27000 for that rate.
That’s what they are charging
That’s what they are charging, not what they are paying their techs, also, remember the newest of these POS are 4 years old, with some being over 7 years old, likely never had anything done to them from new, so with all the usage, sweat, dust…etc. I bet there are going to be a lot of seized pedals happening.
There is no such thing as
There is no such thing as seized pedals. You would literally have replace the grease with araldite to seize a set of pedals. The worse thing I’ve ever had on a bike is a bottom bracket that required a 2ft breaker bar on it. Removing the pedals from a stationary bike with a large weighted base would be child’s play. Try removing car subframe bolts that have rusted. That’s seized and over 100lb/ft of misery.
Rick_Rude wrote:
Do you work in a bike shop or mechanic regularly on a mix of different bikes?
I do, seized pedals are a thing and happen more often than I’d like, you are saying you’d have to replace the grease?? What grease?
You are assuming they have applied grease when fitting them?
Most competent people would do that, but there is a large number who don’t. I’ve snapped cranks trying to get pedals out, I’ve seen someone who managed to bend a frame because they strapped the opposite crank to the chainstay…
It’s not hard to seize cranks and triathletes love doing it, I’ve had more of them on tri bikes over anything else and it’s a “joy” to get them out of carbon cranks
Rick_Rude wrote:
Pedal shafts are steel, cranks are aluminium, therefore you get dissimilar metal corrosion if they haven’t been assembled with grease, and it’s like they’ve been welded in. Same thing that happens with seat posts.
I was a bit surprised to find
I was a bit surprised to find that they have Peleton-branded pedals actually. I’d have more faith in the cheapest Shimano SPD pedals
Quote:
Especially when you can have your man drive it around for you while you do some work in the back, dontcha know…
edited for coherence 😉
All the workers for Factory A
All the workers for Factory A live in town B, 10 miles away.
They all catch the bus to and from which takes 20 minutes. 10% of the workers get cars, then another 10%. They do it in 10 minutes, the bus slows to 25. Then another 10% change, which leads to a reduction in the bus service, then another 10%. Now the bus takes 35 minutes and the cars now 20 minutes. The bus service gets erratic, so more people quit and get cars.
now the majority of people go to work by car, but it takes 25 minutes, sometimes 35. The bus is 40 to 45 minutes.
liberating indeed!!
David9694 wrote:
That sounds like a version of Braess’s paradox:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braess%27s_paradox
possibly. So if a relief road
possibly. So if a relief road was opened, you could add 10 minutes all round?
hawkinspeter wrote:
Brilliant! Thanks for that.
Wasn’t South Thanet where
Wasn’t South Thanet where Nigel Farage tried to become an MP? Emphasis there on ‘tried’.
Some wag has started a
Some wag has started a petition to name the Kent truck park after Farage https://www.change.org/p/kent-county-council-kent-lorry-park-to-be-named-after-nigel-farage?recruiter=29567654&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=psf_combo_share_initial&recruited_by_id=9ee8d600-e856-012f-cdd1-4040d2fbfbbf&utm_content=fht-25277906-en-gb%3A2
And yes, I’ve signed, as have over 12k so far.
UPDATE: 16k already!
Ah, yes – “Kent – the Lorry
Ah, yes – “Kent – the Lorry Park of England”
Don’t forget, the Department
Don’t forget, the Department for Transport wants to spend c£8bn building the “Lower Thames Crossing”, a new motorway tunnel to east of Dartford, so that lorries can get from the M25 in Essex to the Kent traffic jam a few minutes sooner than they would if they went via the Dartford Bridge (see https://highwaysengland.co.uk/our-work/lower-thames-crossing/route/).
£8bn is what’s needed to meet the Government’s targets to double cycle use and increase walking by 2025.
Take your pick.
It’s not a lorry park – it’s
It’s not a lorry park – it’s a #FarageGarage
I thought sponsors had to
I thought sponsors had to lodge so many months wages with the UCI.
It would appear that the
It would appear that the government are going to close the loophole that gets some smartphone users off from the consequences of their distracted driving.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/oct/17/uk-bans-any-use-of-mobile-phones-while-driving
The headline is not really correct as they haven’t banned it yet, but it seems to go peyond mere “plans”, and you never know it might really happen.
Unfortunately they have decided not to take this opeertunity to tighten up the regulations to stop the distractions caused by the use of hands free phone calling.