Gordon Ramsay ‘risking further wrath from neighbours’ with 22 mile ride, claims Daily Mail; Custom bike stolen from man visiting sick daughter; Council signs WILL remain on path; Former women’s team manager guilty of harassment + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Weekend catch-up
Been double everesting on Zwift all weekend or something? Here’s what you missed…
Molly Weaver rides garden version of the Dirty Reiver
Tack attack: Cyclists puncture as drawing pins strewn across popular south London cycle route
“Covid-19 can suck my ass” says Rohan Dennis as world champion breaks quarantine
“Very concerned lorry driver” says he is having daily near misses with cyclists
Mark Beaumont looking to recruit “virtual peloton” to ride around the world in a day
This new tubeless tyre thing? Read all about it in this maintenance book from 1897
It appears nothing under the sun is new… especially tubeless tyres, as our very own Mr Dave Atkinson spotted this excerpt in a book about bike maintenance from 1897 that found its way onto the internet. Next thing people will be sticking on their tyres with special glue or something…
Vox popper rocking road.cc colours
Nice to see road.cc argyle represented on the evening news, chapeau that man!
Want some, but in cycling jersey form? Head on over to our shop.
Little Bollington Parish Council admits "we got it wrong" over signs: but some reportedly still remain
After our initial story about the signs generated plenty of reaction on road.cc and on social media, Little Bollington Parish Council emailed road.cc. The first one said:
“We have read the comments on road.cc website and accept that we got it wrong. The signs in Little Bollington have now been removed. We as a community welcome anyone who wishes to visit or pass through our village. We would ask that everyone ensures they respect social distancing. We want everyone to be safe during these difficult times, villagers and visitors alike.”
After we replied they since messaged again, adding:
“We do recognise our error of judgement on this matter. Your reporting was true and fair. Your criticism was valid. So also were many of the posts added on your website. But there are a few abusive comments and some foul language. This reflects badly on the cycling community. I suggest that these comments should be removed and the website should be moderated.”
Although a reader over on our Facebook page claims that some of the signs still haven’t been removed, the general reaction to the Parish Council’s statement has been a positive one. Admitting you got it wrong should be commended, and for that we say chapeau to Little Bollington Parish Council.
We’ll of course be following up to see if they plan on removing the rest of the signs, if the photo above was indeed taken this morning…
Zwift super keen to make our April Fool's article happen
Stay safe! 🙂 #RideOn
— Zwift (@GoZwift) April 20, 2020
It appears Zwift are set on the idea of a Tour de France on their platform as suggested in our April Fool’s article, if their ‘checking in’ on the UCI’s president is anything to go by…
Suplest launch fancy new MAAP edition carbon road shoes
The Swiss cycling footwear specialists have teamed up with apparel brand MAAP for the special edition EDGE+ model, which is set to be released in two new exclusive colours with a MAAP graphic signature. Numbers worldwide will be limited, head over to The shoe has been released in two exclusive new colors with a MAAP graphic signature, and they’re available in limited numbers worldwide – head over to MAAP’s website for more info, where they’re already on sale for €359.00.
Like your bikes curvy? Pedemonte Bikes might be ideal for you...
This is what we Italians are good at.. Creating something incredibly beautiful, different, unusual. You may or may not like the shape, but you have to appreciate the the creativity of Sergio Pedemonte of Pedemonte bikes, custom made in Genova. pic.twitter.com/iKBgKX1M0z
— Volata (@Volataride) April 17, 2020
Not really sure what’s going in with the floating hands and legs, but check out Pedemonte Bikes for more Italian custom wobbliness.
Chris Hoy starts 'em young with a makeshift team sprint course
Team sprint training, lockdown-style.. @hoybikes pic.twitter.com/XjrCJyt9sw
— Chris Hoy (@chrishoy) April 19, 2020
As he shows us in the supporting video, Hoy’s blood, sweat and tears went into building the course…
Hours and hours of prep… 😉 pic.twitter.com/4XQVSWbZSi
— Chris Hoy (@chrishoy) April 19, 2020
Little Bollington update: signs spotted this morning are on canal path where cycling is already prohibited
Further down the page, we reported that a road.cc reader claimed the offending signs were still up in Little Bollington after the Parish Council said they had been taken down; however we’ve now been informed that those signs are on a canal towpath where cycling was already prohibited, and therefore will remain.
Parish Councillor Mike Reed told road.cc:
The signs about cyclists in the village of Little Bollington have been removed. But the new signs on the Bridgewater Canal have been left in place.
The words “Infringements will be prosecuted” have been covered over as this statement may be inappropriate. I will check this sign and make the same modification.
Please note that cycling on the canal towpath in this area is prohibited. The new signs are intended to make that clear. The prohibition has been in force by Peel Holdings, the owners of the Bridgwater Canal, for several years and signs have been in place for a long time.
The number of pedestrians and cyclists on the Bridgewater Canal is much higher than usual in this period of lockdown, when people are at home every day and are advised to take exercise. The good weather is also leading to much increased numbers. The narrow and restricted width of the towpath in this area make it impossible for cyclists to comply with social distancing rules when passing pedestrians.
There continues to be serious concern among both local residents and visitors to the area about cyclists on the towpath who are not complying with the government instructions on social distancing. There have been incidents where some cyclists who have been challenged to obey the rules have responded with verbal abuse and, in one case at least, an attempted assault.
Custom bike stolen in central London from man visiting sick daughter at Great Ormond Street Hospital
With recent reports of key workers getting their bikes stolen during the pandemic, this latest theft sinks to a whole new low; Franco Ashenhurst had his custom Curve Belgie Spirit stolen from outside Great Ormond Street Hospital. He posted on Facebook:
“Message to the absolute low life scum that decided that they would STEAL my bike from outside of a children’s hospital. The same hospital that my very sick 2 month old daughter is in, and has had a spate of bike thefts both from visitors and staff from outside in the last few weeks according to security.
“I really hope that you are proud of the path you have taken in life and spend what small amount you get for my bike that I worked so hard for wisely. That bike you STOLE was the main way that I found therapy in this time that me and my family are going through and also provided a convenient and cheap way to get to the hospital whilst the roads in London are quiet.”
The titanium bike is described as ‘rare’ with numerous custom spec options, and Curve titanium framesets sell for £2,595 at UK stockist Giro Cycles. In the comments on Mr Ashenhurst’s Facebook post, Curve’s Ryan Flinn has already promised to replace the bike with a new one and “figure out a way of covering the costs”, while Chis Boardman has tweeted his feelings and offered to help:
Horrible. DM me their email address 👍 https://t.co/sMqkNBPVgi
— Chris Boardman (@Chris_Boardman) April 20, 2020
Hopefully this bike is too hot to handle, but keep an eye out on the web for anything similar for sale. Mr Flinn warned: “Don’t try to intercept or take the bike.
“The best thing to do is to take a lock if you see it and lock it up.”
UCI find Patrick Van Gansen guilty of harassment
Van Gansen – the former team manager of Health Mate-Cyclelive -has been found to have commited violations of the UCI Code of Ethics following the completion of a report. The full statement says:
“The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announces that the UCI Ethics Commission has completed its report in the case involving Mr Patrick Van Gansen (former manager of the UCI Women’s Team Health Mate – Ladies Team) related to allegations by a number of riders of harassment.
“Following completion of the report – which took into account a considerable number of statements and covers several years – by independent investigation agency The Sport Resolutions, the UCI Ethics Commission reached the finding that violations of the UCI Code of Ethics had been committed.
“Considering the sanctions recommended by the UCI Ethics Commission, the matter has been handed over to the UCI Disciplinary Commission, which has initiated proceedings with a view to the possibility of sanctions being imposed.
“In view of the ongoing status of the proceedings, the UCI shall not make any further comment for the time being.”
Several members of the team filed complaints against Van Gansen, to which he claimed there was “a conspiracy” and promised to take legal action against his accusers according to Cycling News. Van Gansen is no longer working in women’s cycling, telling Cycling News he no longer wants to be involved in the sport.
Gordon Ramsay "risking further wrath from neighbours" by going on (perfectly legal) 22 mile bike ride, claim the Daily Mail
The tabloid reports that Ramsay went on a “22 MILE cycle trip in Cornwall… despite government advice to keep trips to a minimum in lockdown”; claiming that he was “risking further wrath from his neighbours” after initially facing criticism for moving to his second home in Cornwall, despite this happening before the UK went into full lockdown.
Of course there are still no laws in the UK specifically stating how long you should be out getting your daily exercise for, as noted in our Dos and Don’ts guide updated according to the latest government advice; some have attributed the misconception that outdoor exercise must be limited to one hour to a quote from Minister for the Cabinet Office Michael Gove, who personally suggested that a walk should last an hour and a jog 30 minutes.
Despite some comments on his Instagram post appearing to perpetuate this misconception, other followers were far more positive including Mark Cavendish and… erm… Steve-O off of Jackass.
The TV chef is a keen cyclist and triathlete, having completed the Ironman World Championship course in Hawaii through an invitational slot in a time of 14 hours, 4 minutes back in 2013.
20 April 2020, 08:33
Similar schemes are also popping up elsewhere across the country.
How cyclists are helping get food to the needy during the pandemic
Initiatives in London and Exeter are among those seeing volunteers take to two wheels to help the vulnerable
20 April 2020, 08:33
20 April 2020, 08:33
Still on 23's? Consider Liam's five persuasive points for going wider...
Video: Should you ride wider tyres?
Here are 5 indisputable(ish) reasons why you should ditch the 23s
20 April 2020, 08:33
If you’re fed up with getting chain lube everywhere when you re-lube your chain then this eco-friendly tool could be the answer...
Green Disc Eco Chain Care tool claims to save up to 90% of chain oil over standard application
The Kickstarter project back be backed from €19 with delivery in May this year.
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Latest Comments
@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...
@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!
56 thoughts on “Gordon Ramsay ‘risking further wrath from neighbours’ with 22 mile ride, claims Daily Mail; Custom bike stolen from man visiting sick daughter; Council signs WILL remain on path; Former women’s team manager guilty of harassment + more on the live blog”
Apparently some language used
Apparently some language used re. the Little Bollington issue “reflects badly on the cycling community” – what is this “cycling community”? Is it like the “driving community”, the “walking community” and the “train-taking community”?
Why do people lump all cyclists together like some kind of out-group? I’m not responsible for every cyclist when I am on my bike, nor for every driver when I’m in my car.
Agreed. While most of the
Agreed. While most of the statement is welcome, that part is not.
Do the actions of Little Bollington Parish Council reflect badly on the Parish Councilling community?
I guess that means that the
I guess that means that the signs themselves reflect badly on the “Parish Community”…..
I think a (not insignificant) number of people lumping cyclists together is the very definition of an out-group – the members of the out-group don’t necessarily wish to be members of an out-group.
As someone once wrote, “some are born out, some achieve outness, some have outness thrust upon them!”
Cycling community… Road.CC.
Cycling community… Road.CC… Obvious, innit.
the little onion wrote:
My response isn’t directed at you specifically, more aimed at the general point being made. Whilst I agree, to a certain extent, I do find it somewhat ironic that on this very website, any video featuring certain brands of car results in posts like “who would have guessed it, an Audi being driven by a to**er”, or “what a surprise, a BMW without indicators”. How is that kind of commentary any different to the thing that is being complained of here? Defining a person’s behaviour by the car they drive. Not all BMW drivers are tossers just like not all cyclists jump red lights etc etc.
So, no, in the perfect world of people thinking rationally and independently, the actions of one person do not have an influence on the perception of any group they are part of. In the real world, they do. Whether you like it or not and whether it’s right or not. There are some really bad police officers who are being exposed right now, that is having a very negative impact on people’s perception of the police. A small number of bad police officers do not mean the police as a whole is bad, but it’s easy for that narrative to take hold and it’s easy to understand why it does.
As I say, I’m not directing this at you specifically but I just think that it’s easy to look outward without perhaps realising that, as a community, we can be just as guilty of this behaviour ourselves (see what I did there, I called the readers of Road.cc a community…)
lbmxj560vr46 wrote:
There has been research into car makes and people’s behaviour and there is a strong link between high-status cars and arsehole behaviour. I’m not aware of any similar research done for cyclists.
Ah yes, I remember that
Ah yes, I remember that research. The same research that this very website reported on (selectively).
If memory serves that research found that drivers of said vehicles often drove better than others as they were more likely to take pride in their possessions…
Doesn’t fit your narrative though, does it…
Good example of whatabboutery though
“There has been research into
“There has been research into car makes and people’s behaviour and there is a strong link …”
Audi, moreover, would agree:
I think most BMWs are built
I think most BMWs are built with indicators, the suprise comes from the drivers of said cars actually using them.
foul language eh? on a forum,
foul language eh? on a forum, who’d have thunk that.
Always easier to deflect instead of considering the laws they broke.
Great comments from the little onion and harrogate youmi… (character limit?)
One. Just one comment with
One. Just one comment with foul language, based on a quick skim back through the comments.
One is all it took.
One is all it took.
Great that they admit they
Great that they admit they got it wrong, kudos for that, but then they ruin it by whinging about the comments, making themselves look silly and petty.
Well, I don’t appreciate the
Well, I don’t appreciate the foul language either. If a point can’t be made without foul language then either the writer or the point itself is defective. I’d endorse the BPC’s comments in that respect. However I have no time for them muddying the waters by conflating parochial xenophobia against cyclists and their consequent extrajudicial signage with existing legal restrictions on cycling.
Canal towpath signs: whilst
Canal towpath signs: whilst they got it right in the village signs, this sign has a bar through it, and thus means no no cycling, or cycling is mandatory. Does the parish council have authority to put these signs up on a privately owned canal?
If cyclists can’t maintain social distancing rules because the path is so narrow, surely neither can pedestrians?
I’d also be interested to
I’d also be interested to know under what powers they believe they can put such signage up relating to the towpath and canal
Fair enough, cyclists are not
Fair enough, cyclists are not allowed on some towpaths.
Getting the sign correct would make it look far more competent.
Also if it’s impossible for cyclists to maintain social distancing from pedestrians on a narrow towpath then how do pedestrians manage it when passing one another?
Damn eburt, you beat me by 19 seconds.
ktache wrote:
You have no idea how slow I
You have no idea how slow I roll, and you are now the electically assisted burt.
ktache wrote:
I didn’t think that many people voted for me.
If these uninformed villagers
If these uninformed villagers don’t want cyclists passing through ‘their’ villages, maybe us ‘city folk’ should ban them coming here, using our supermarkets and shops, spreading their petty small minded views, and risking catching covid from us evil city types. Or how about learning the facts, learn about viral transnission, and practising social distancing, and getting on with each other through these difficult times.
Quote:
So why are they confusing the issue by making references to coronavirus? And why the demand to ‘stay in your own area’? And why aren’t they also ‘making it clear’ to horse riders and motorcyclists, instead of just singling out cyclists?
Well I doubt they get
Well I doubt they get horseriders on the tow path becasue it isn’t a public bridleway only a public footpath which is why, presumably, cyclists are not allowed on there. Sometimes we have to hold our hands up and say people on bikes are being dicks.
The status of canal towpaths
The status of canal towpaths is not always clear. Some are, some are not, permissive paths for cyclists with pedestrians (rightly) having priority. As for horses…history and all that… but their use by cyclists or otherwise has nothing to do with social distancing. If the path is too narrow to pass safely then it’s up to the owners or authorities to close it to ALL users or none. I cycled a short distance along the Leeds Liverpool this morning, taking care to keep my distance, and waiting when necessary. Was I being a dick? Were all the pedestrians being dicks for being there? Still not sure why the parish council of Bollington are a) taking it upon themselves to duplicate the signs already barring cyclists from the Bridgwater canal, (as unessential a trip out as I can think of) and b) seeming to suggest that only cyclists need comply with social distancing rules.
There is a bit of the
There is a bit of the Basingstoke canal (the muddiest bit and the bit that should form part of my commute) that is permissive for cyclists, horse riding and motorbikes banned. The dog walkers seem to ignore the signs to have dogs on leads a little more than abide by it mind.
The bit after I get off it is part of an NCN and has had money spent on it and has a much better surface.
The Bridgewater canal and its
The Bridgewater canal and its towpath are owned by Peel Holdings and cycling is prohibited many sections of the towpath, it’s not suitable for cycling anyway in my opinion. There are many quiet roads in the vicinity plus the Trans Pennine Trail so it’s not depriving cyclists of opportunities to ride in the area.
For clarity, the section from Altrincham to Manchester has been upgraded and cycling is allowed.
I had a look to check what
I had a look to check what OS had to say about the towpath and spotted the adjacent railway trail. I must say that that would be my first choice for cycling that route… I wonder how wide it is?! Towpaths can be heaven to cycle on…or hell. I love the L/L’pool around Saltaire but often it’s so busy that there’s little point. Beautiful this morning though.
Fact check…I should have looked at Little Bollington…not big Bollington!
I had a wonderful time riding
I had a wonderful time riding the towpaths of the many waterways around Birmingham, often riding out from the junction as far as I could and getting a train back. Foot and Mouth closing down the countryside put a stop to that.
I still have the British Waterways tag giving me permission to ride canals in my bag.
The Trans Pennine Trail, a
The Trans Pennine Trail, a disused railway line at that point, runs close to Little Bollington. Access behind the Rope & Anchor pub.
But if horses weren’t an
But if horses weren’t an issue in the first place, why did the BCC feel it necessary to include ‘no horse riding’ in the original pre-existing signage?
I don’t believe that being on horseback confers some magical power to clearly discern signage, so if the restrictions need to be ‘made clear’, why not ‘make it clear’ to them as well?
No harm in the owners posting
No harm in the owners posting notices to make clear that horses, cycles and whatever else are prohibited – one might otherwise assume different on a tow path. Coronavirus changes nothing there.
But you need to see the photo of specifically the[b] towpath[/b] “cyclist/coronavirus” notice opportunistically errected by the BPC to understand the deception they are trying to pull. I’ve nicked the one posted by mias_dad on the other thread.
Sriracha wrote:
Is anyone else getting rather fed up with the emotional blackmail being trotted out “protect our NHS”. Not just this misguided council, but the government spokespeople keep using it, despite the fact the tories detest the NHS and have done everything possible over the past ten years to sabotage it.
I think we’re vehemently
I think we’re vehemently agreeing.
The original signage is from
The original signage is from Peel Holdings (the land owners of the canal) and forbids emptying your dog there, cycling (please dismount), horse riding (somewhat ironically as horses were the original users of a towpath!) and motorbikes etc.
The new Covid-19 related signage was placed there by one or more members of Little Bollington Parish Council (probably without asking permission from Peel Holdings).
“emptying your dog” ?
“emptying your dog” ?
It’s a while since I’ve been
It’s a while since I’ve been on the towpath, I used to jog there occasionally, but I doubt whether it attracts many cyclists. It’s narrow and rutted but it is popular with walkers who park near the pub.
If the village is genuinely concerned about social distancing they would ask walkers to stay away, especially those who arrive by car.
Their actions look like crude anti cyclist bias.
Many, many shared-use paths
Many, many shared-use paths are too narrow for users to obey the physical distancing guidance…
As spen said about the famer
As spen said about the famer blocking the cornish cycle trail
“Part of NR3 and its less than 2m wide, ’nuff said “
Pretty irrelevant, you’re
Pretty irrelevant, you’re only passing, not spending time together. The virus does not just leap out at you like ankle grabbers under the bed the moment you stray within range. The 2m thing, it came with a duration originally, of 15 minutes. That was quietly forgotten when they dumbed down the message for popular consumption.
It might grab you – it doesn
It might grab you – it doesn’t sit on someone else just waiting for someone to pass by. It lingers in the air, and grabs you as you ride through.
The 15 minute thing wasn’t to protect you from it, just to reduce the margin of risk.
Exactly, it’s a probability.
Exactly, it’s a probability. You might catch it stood 2m away as well. The point is, it’s not a black and white thing, like 2m and you’re safe, less than 2m you’re not.
So the government sages worked out that under 2m for about 15 minutes and the risk becomes unacceptable. Then it was dumbed down to 2m. But in truth, standing chatting at 2m for 5-10 minutes, which people seem very happy to do, is maybe the same risk or more as cruising passed someone at 80cm closest approach for a couple of seconds.
But people get all het up if such a situation arises, then go and rehearse all their favourite anti-cyclist bile with their neighbours on the doorstep for half an hour, the shocking cyclists imperilling the NHS; but 2m apart of course.
I hope Franco gets his bike
I hope Franco gets his bike back and, more important, his daughter recovers. I’m sure we’ll all be keeping a sharp eye out for that frame.
What puzzles me is that if there have been a spate of bike thefts, why wasn’t security keeping an eye on the cycle parking? With the lockdown and very few visitors and therefore not much to do, this was surely within their capability. At the very least there should have been prominent signs informing cyclists that several bikes had been stolen from there.
The extra security around
The extra security around bike storage area would seem like a no brainer, but then that would take a lot more thought than many of the companies running the security firms would seem to posess. I’m sure the individual workers are trying their best, but if no one has ever really cared about bike theft before then it becomes difficult to change practices.
With the lack of rich pickings at train stations and shopping centres then bike theives, scum that they are, have to keep up their nasty work to make something. No furlough scheme for them, or most of those in the criminal economies. Cash in hand, not wanting the taxman to have nowt, workers will get much less too.
Although love his comment
Although love his comment that an approximate five grand bike was his cheap way to travel to the hospital with the travel lockdown. Would love to see his expensive bike.
btw no way condoning the bike theives and agree with Burts and ktaches comments in full.
There is a bit of diminishing
There is a bit of diminishing level of returns when riding a nice bike, you might get it proper light, but then have to drag around a shockingly big lock. My Kryptonite Faggadabadit weighs about 4kg, sort of removes the reasons for lightweight and Ti. My new Ultimate Commuter, is big and heavy and pricey, but I have attempted to be a bit subtle, leave her filthy so she doesn’t look too flash and have spent nearly £200 on HexLox to try and keep some bits. And then there is insurance. And I want an even bigger lock for leaving at work.
Worth it, but there is a price to pay, and a big level of paranoia.
Though even when I’m on the old (now retired) Getting to Work “cheap” (shhhh) bike, there is a feeling of dread whenever I walk back to her, hoping she’ll still be there. Lucky (?) so far…
“Signs on the canal path will
“Signs on the canal path will stay in place”.
No, they won’t, they really won’t. They’ll be taken down as quickly as they are put up and will spend the next several years adorning garage and bike shed walls across Great Britain as valuable momentos of the 2020 Covid lockdown.
Mungecrundle wrote:
These look like older signs to me and not Covid-19 paranoia, if on a towpath then No Cycling may well be a legal restriction
OnTheRopes wrote:
These look like older signs to me and not Covid-19 paranoia, if on a towpath then No Cycling may well be a legal restriction— Mungecrundle
I think the ones in question are these (with thanks to mias_dad):
I believe Mungecrundle was
I believe Mungecrundle was suggesting the new Covid-19 anti-cyclist erected by the village council would become trophies, not the Peel Holding signs (the older signs you refer to) which are perfectly legitimate
Correct
Correct
Mungecrundle wrote:
yep, and reminders of the petty, small-minded attitude that afflicts people who get a little bit of power in their local council.
Haven’t Gordon Ramsay’s
Haven’t Gordon Ramsay’s neighbours suffered enough without the scum press slandering them as prone to bouts of wrath? Surely any reasonable person would celebrate Mr. Ramsay’s absence, even if only for about an hour and a half.
As for why this particular rag is targeting this specific obnoxious reality TV “personality”, I’m guess he recently signed up to do recipes in the Sunday pull-out magazine of another scummy rag, owned by a different tax exile sleazeball.
I’d be interested to know if
I’d be interested to know if the Parish Council even has the power to post these signs, ( and I’m pretty sure they don’t have the power to single out cyclists above any other footpath or road users). It may be that they are acting ‘ultra vires’:
‘…a local council is empowered only to exercise its statutory powers. Anybody which acts beyond its legal powers is said to be ultra vires. Local councils can be restrained by the courts if they act ultra vires. The Clerk should therefore be asked to check the legal position before the Council enters into any new business.’
https://www.marchwoodparishcouncil.org.uk/council/who-does-what/
The website above has an interesting link to what they are allowed to concern themselves with.
Perhaps this explains their quick action and (not quite sufficiently) grovelling apology. If you live near Little Bollington it might be worth asking the Clerk to the PC if they are acting within the law.
My parish council (which
My parish council (which thinks it has had “issues” with cyclists “breaking the lockdown”) put up a laminated notice which read something like
“We are more than happy for you to continue using the cycle path for your daily exercise. However, if you do not live in the village then please do not stop here. Thank you.”
It was up for a couple of days before being torn down. The village FB group think it was Evil Cyclists (TM) but my own suspicion is that it was a villager who didn’t think the notice was aggressive enough…
Never forget the Daily Mail
Never forget the Daily Mail supported the Nazis during the 1930’s; perhaps it will be eliminated alongside the virus.
“Gordon Ramsay risks further
“Gordon Ramsay risks further wrath from Neighbours” – With a top tube bag like that, I hope so! Although scorn and mocking would be more appropriate.