Geraint Thomas admits he hasn’t cycled for six months as he gifts iconic ‘shades to Greg James; Council receives £16m active travel funding but says “almost no money” for rural cycle lanes; TfL weighing up new charge on SUVs + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Update: G gifts iconic shades to DJ
So much to take away from this video…
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Firstly, it’s not a great omen when even Ineos’ Director of Racing can’t bring himself to wear his own team’s kit (regardless of the colour of his shorts/leggings. But then comes the sunglasses handover.
When SunGod replaced Oakley as the team’s sunglasses provider, such was the disdain that Thomas would no longer be wearing near-decade old white-rimmed sunglasses that his new sponsor were all-but forced to make their own version. Now, they’re in the hands of Greg James, whose pedalling motion seemed surprisingly smooth more than halfway into his eight day challenge.
Then came the semi-awkward moment when James asked his Tour de France champion co-pedaller if he had won any races wearing them. What to say when you haven’t won a race in four years and change your sunglasses on (at least) a yearly basis? What to say when the the whole Radio 1 gang have done a good job of brushing aside the fact that Thomas has actually been retired for several months?
For 1.5 seconds, there is an awkward existential stare from the Welshman, a wondering of how to diffuse this question whilst racing his memory for the last time he stood on the top-step of the podium.
“I’ll say yes” eventually comes the reply, before we cut to a presenter filled with childish excitement at wearing a Tour de France winner’s glasses before heading up the road on his tandem alone.
Just excellent content all-round…
*Postscript* Turns out that Prince William later sat on the very same saddle that Geraint Thomas perched himself. One is the Prince of Wales, an inspiration to millions of people with an enduring legacy for the next generation, the other is… answers on a postcard!
Look unveil new, gravel-specific pedals
Whatever will they think of next?
Sam Bennett's bouncing back
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It’s been a tough few months for Sam Bennett. After struggling for form in his final races with Decathlon-AG2R, the Irish sprinter landed a one-year contract at Pinarello-Q36.5, reuniting him with his one of his first coaches, Kurt Bogaerts. But then came atrial fibrillation, requiring heart surgery and a deliberately slow period of recovery.
But finally, the 35-year old is back racing, and is confirmed to make his season debut at Nokere Koerse tomorrow. Whether he sprints for himself this year, or acts as a mentor to his teammates, here’s hoping the second finest cyclist from Carrick-on-Suir (after Sean Kelly) can enjoy an injury-free season.
Paris' bike-friendly politics still in jeopardy despite promising election results
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From one Mayor to another now, and elections for the next head honcho in Paris started on Sunday, and were a positive result for fans of urban cycling, with Emmanuel Gregoire leading the way. Gregoire is a former deputy of Anne Hidalgo, the incumbent who is not seeking a third, six-year term.
During Hidalgo’s tenure, Paris has undergone an urban transformation, with the creation of several low traffic neighbourhoods and car-free neighbourhoods coupled with an expansion of cycle infrastructure. Gregoire’s strongest rival in the election, conservative Rachida Dati, has campaigned against many of the proposals.
But the election is due to go to a second round where several candidates could spoil each leading contender unless they withdraw. The second round will be held on Sunday.
Mayor Sadiq Khan champions cleaner air in capital
Writing on Bluesky this morning, Sir Sadiq said “They said it would take 193 years to clean London’s air. We did it in nine. 💨 London has now met legal limits for nitrogen dioxide air pollution.”
In case you missed it, the mayor’s upbeat social media post follows last week’s report that found bike lanes and ultra-low emission zones helped London to slash its air pollution by more than 20 percent.
You can read Ryan’s full write-up here:
Council backs town centre cycle hub… only to reject its own proposal over fears of “conflict” between drivers and cyclists
Seems like the people of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Council need to have a stern word with themselves…
UAE unveil team for Milan-Sanremo
This is the one race Tadej Pogacar can’t win. Alright alright I know he hasn’t won Paris-Roubaix, and he still *needs* to get round to the Vuelta a Espana at some point. But this is the one race he has repeatedly tried to win and has so far failed to. So I think my point stands.
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Pogacar’s compatriot Domen Novak has the tactically simple, utterly mind-numbing job of sitting at the front of the peloton for the first 240km, working with an Alpecin domestique (my money’s on Silvan Dillier) to keep a breakaway of Italians on a short leash, then will come the Tre Capi, the Cipressa and the Poggio.
In recent years the pressure has been on Tim Wellens and Jhonatan Narvaez to launch the Slovenian but both are out injured. Instead expect Florian Vermeersch, Felix Grossschartner and Brandon McNulty to do the early work of whittling down the peloton before the explosivity will come from Isaac Del Toro, out of position on the Cipressa last year, and Jan Christen, a young Swiss rider whose ego and skills as a teammate have been questioned in recent months.
> “That was a criminal f***ing offence”: Outrage after UAE rider causes serious crash in race finale
Last year we saw Pogacar launch on the Cipressa, bringing Mathieu van der Poel and Filippo Ganna with him. And whilst they dropped Ganna on the Poggio, Pogacar couldn’t shake off the Dutchman. The trio then reunited before Van der Poel bested the home favourite to take his second win at the race. It was the first time the Cipressa determined a race-winning move since Marco Pantani and some very dodgy motorbike slipstreaming.
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Will Pogacar have any better luck in trying to tick off this box? Will Del Toro be a useful decoy to force his rivals to chase. Will it actually end up in a bunch sprint? We’ll have to wait until Saturday to find out…
"Almost no money" for rural cycle route funding, despite £16m from Active Travel England
It’s not all sunlit uplands in the active travel/road safety world.
Somerset Council have recently admitted that there is “almost no money” to support active travel in the rural county, despite receiving £16m from central government for investment. Of that money, less than 10 percent will be used to support new or upgraded active travel project, with councillors upset by the “very, very limited availability to use the money for rural areas,” as reported by Somerset Live.
Lib Dem councillor Ros Wykes went on to say that “Most of the money being spent so far on rural active travel has been money that was ring-fenced coming across from the former Mendip District Council.” In other words, the council’s latest spending plans do not account for any active travel investment at all.
The majority of the funding will be spent on improving road corridors and junctions in Yeovil, Glastonbury, and new links along the A39.
Encouragingly, several local officials spoke in support of better active travel funding, but there appeared to be a recurring theme:
“There is a larger contribution that is being made into urban areas, and that reflects the current government’s views and priorities.” Service director for infrastructure and transport Mike O’Dowd said.
“We’ve got a bit of a balancing act to make sure that we do what we need to do to keep receiving the funding, but also to continue to work with communities to help them deliver rural schemes where they can.”
Conservative Cllr Bob Filmer said “I know there are limitations with the funding, but we need to push as much as we can. We’re constantly telling people they need to get out of their cars, for good environmental reasons and good health reasons – but if we haven’t given them the alternatives, they can’t do it.”
In the meantime, funding for active travel will rely on third-party grants or contributions from housing developers. Plans to spend the allocated £1.55m have been drawn up for the Steam Coast Trail and “officer support to local groups” lobbying for improvements to the Strawberry line and 76-mile Somerset Cycle loop.
Geraint Thomas admits he hasn't cycled for six months, as Greg James' charity ride hits £650,000 in donations
If you’re young, cool or just down with the kids, you probably haven’t been able to avoid Radio 1 DJ Greg James’ latest bike exploits for Comic Relief. We reported on the British-built tandem provided especially for the challenge, and James even got some unexpected advice from F1 driver Ollie Bearman’s “friend who’s a cyclist”…
> Check out the Mercian tandem that Greg James will ride 1,000km for Comic Relief
> Tadej Pogačar cold-called by Radio 1
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Well, things seem to be going well for James, who despite knee pain has made it through Wales and now up towards Yorkshire, where Radio 1 have lined up some proper Welsh cycling pedigree at an upcoming pitstop, apologies to Luke Rowe and Owain Doull.
Introduced as a “the human version of rocket fuel” and “the glass you break to go fast”, Geraint Thomas rocked up to cover hosts Matt and Mollie to chat all-things pro cycling. His insight was typical G.
“It’s definitely tough but I think you’ve got to be glass half full haven’t you?” Thomas said before adding, erroneously, “it’s all downhill from here.”
It was then put to Geraint that he should join Greg on the Mercian tandem, providing public donations can hit £700,000. Hyped up as the Tour de France winning, double Olympic champion, typical G couldn’t let the hosts get too carried away.
“I’m ready to go, I just need to say that I haven’t actually ridden a bike for six months, so I might just be a dead weight!”
Good to know that retirement and the steady embedding into Ineos Grenadiers’ management structure hasn’t dulled the Welshman’s sense of self just yet. Listen back to around 8:25 this morning for the full exchange, and if there’s any footage of the two increasingly middle-aged man wobbling over a Welsh hillock, we’ll be ready to bring it to you.
Shimano agrees $11.5m penalty to settle crankgate failings with US government agency
One of the biggest tech stories of the last year or two appears to be reaching its conclusion…
> Shimano agrees $11.5m penalty to settle crankgate failings with US government agency
Lower speed limits, SUV charges, more 20mph zones - latest TfL plans at a glance
Transport for London last week unveiled its latest ‘Vision Zero’ report, the capital’s long-term plan to eliminate all future road fatalities. Here are some of the highlights of what’s to come and what’s already been introduced:
- Spotlight on SUVs – The action plan is critical of the growing size of cars on the road with collisions involving people walking or cycling and oversized vehicles has increasing from four percent to 26 percent in the last 20 years. Their heavier weight and elevated front-ends lead to more severe outcomes in collisions, particularly for people walking or cycling, and especially for children. A separate congestion charge is being weighed up for these vehicles and is listed as one policy proposal.
- Adult bikeability training targets smashed – Previous efforts to increase cycle skills training to adults by 50 percent by the end of 2024 have been met. Since 2020 50,000 adult and 155,000 children’s places have been provided.
- Lower speed limits – whilst all of Central London is now under a 20mph limit, reduced speed limits are being extended a further 16km at the end of this month to the A1, A312, A23 and A10. That’s Archway, Church, Thornton Road and the Roundway.
- Urban driving safety modules for TfL drivers – drivers of any TfL vehicle over 3.5 tonnes are now required to complete modules such as ‘Cycle Safety’ and are graded for their performance.
The SUV policy is understandably what has taken up the motonormative media’s attention, and it headlines a Guardian write-up of the report from last week. But it does include a quote from Clean Cities’ Oliver Lord who says “Cars are getting bigger every year, but London’s streets aren’t. Supersized SUVs take up more space and threaten children’s lives, who shouldn’t have to dodge two-tonne battering rams just to cross the road.
“Cities across Europe are acting against car-spreading. We need fairer parking tariffs based on the weight of the car. It’s only fair that those with unnecessarily large SUVs pay more for the extra space and danger they bring.”
“A line in the sand”: Cycling club joins campaign to keep controversial LTN closed to drivers, warning ‘reopening’ will lead to scrapping of other active travel schemes
Exeter Wheelers Cycling Club “strongly support the development and protection of safe, high-quality cycling infrastructure that enables a broader range of people, including less confident riders, younger users, and those travelling for everyday purposes, to cycle safely and develop confidence in wider road riding.”
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@SVXY Ah, so it *is* the "flood the zone with shit" argumentation technique then? Or perhaps ... you are genuinely unclear about the difference between the Highway code and the law (and perhaps the difference between cyclists, drivers and indeed horse riders? And rusty on safe practice? As mdavidford notes you appear to be confusing rule with Rule 66 (for cyclists, which doesn't say anything about not riding x abreast) with Rule 53 (for horse riders which gives guidance not to more than double up - I don't think this is a direct summary of any law since "should" not "must"). Charitably I'm going with "*i* know what it says!" which as I noted many of people feel they do. Anyway away with you, I feel you've had your fill of attention for today.
Road tax was abolished in 1937 by Winston Churchill because, as he said, "road tax makes motorists believe they are the moral owners of our roads." He got that right.
@SVXY None of the magistrates who sentenced him said the CPS should have charged him with dangerous driving. Why should they? He was not speeding, he was not on his phone and he was not drunk or under the influence of drugs either
@SVXY The court does not decide on whether someone was driving carelessly or dangerously, they can only decide on the guilt or otherwise of the defendant on the charge the CPS decides to lay against them. The CPS is notorious for preferring to charge careless rather than dangerous because it's an easier win; this results in entirely unjust sentences such as this one.
@Rendel Harris Wearing sandals may be fine if cycling on tracks over fields or in a quiet residential street with a 20 or 30mph limit. It is not sensible cycling on a 60mph main road
@chrisonabike maybe, but things that used to be banter & jokes in the 1960s/1970s have (thankfully) become socially unacceptable , and this is mostly because enough people spoke up about it. We even managed to make drink-driving a lot less acceptable, by the same means.
@Rendel Harris Yes, he was driving at 55mph in a 60mph road. The court verdict was he was not driving dangerously but carelessly eg he should have had his visor down to keep out the sun so he could monitor the road ahead.
@SVXY He wasn't driving dangerously, he just smashed into the back of a cyclist at 55mph on a clear road in broad daylight, causing her the most horrendous injuries imaginable, because, in the very best case, most defensible, scenario, he, a driving instructor, simply couldn't be bothered to perform the most basic task of a driver which is to monitor the road ahead for hazards and vulnerable road users. Go away now, there's good chap.
@chrisonabike Kudos for the Dr Strangelove reference. I doubt that Nigel will get it, though.
Some observations. He's a professional driver yet is driving into bright sunlight without his visor down to cut glare and without appropriate eyewear. Apart from the responsibility any regular driver would have, he had not equipped himself correctly to drive in those conditions. Rob Jefferies, a medalist at our nationat track championships died in a similar way some years ago, tragic but that was an inexperienced young driver that caused that. This guy definitely should not be teaching people to drive, it was lax driving beyond belief. Even with a visor or photochromic driving glasses, there has to be some doubt as to whether his eyesight was up to scratch and mandatory eyesight testing should take place in cases like this, was his prescription in date etc. The only mitigating factor is that she was wearing dark clothing, but even then if with specs his eyesight was 20/20 he should have seen her. He was far too relaxed - more or less 'oh what was that', quite disturbing.
10 thoughts on “Geraint Thomas admits he hasn’t cycled for six months as he gifts iconic ‘shades to Greg James; Council receives £16m active travel funding but says “almost no money” for rural cycle lanes; TfL weighing up new charge on SUVs + more on the live blog”
“… with collisions involving people walking or cycling and DRIVERS OF oversized vehicles…”
Also it took me a minute to parse that sentence.
The action plan is critical of the growing size of cars on the road, with collisions involving people walking or cycling and oversized vehicles [has] increasing from four percent to 26 percent in the last 20 years.
Can’t see how to do formatting in this new system, but the word in square brackets shouldn’t be there, and the comma after “road” probably should.
Residents who didn’t approve Hidalgo’s policies, mainly focused on the implementation of a 15-minute city, invluding 1,500 km of cycling lanes and paths, simply left. Voting with your feet is more efficient than dropping a ballot in a Plexiglass box, isn’t it? Ask the Californians who are moving en masse to Florida and Texas, which are consequently becoming blue States.
Absolute bollocks as usual, the main driver for people leaving Paris has been property prices which have doubled over the fifteen years from 2010, most young couples can’t afford to buy there and certainly can’t afford to buy anywhere big enough to raise a family. The same problems that many large cities including London have experienced. The idea that Parisians, some of the most stubborn and devoted to their location city dwellers anywhere on the planet, have been moving out just because they don’t approve of a few cycle lines is as risible as pretty much everything else you post.
Rendal, you asked a question in response to one of their posts in another article. I think they try hard, ultimately fail, but are putting all their effort into it…
It’s certainly true that voting with your feet is a much more attractive option once someone’s invested heavily in active travel and liveable space creation.
Hiplock seem to be offering 15% off everything until midnight. Anything off their very excellent angle grinder resistant locks is something, and they very much look the part.
And it would seem I could add pictures easily now too.
No paragraph breaks yet though…
I wish I had taken a photograph – yesterday I was working in Enfield. I walked to the town centre and cut through a path that went through a church yard to a small market area with stalls and a pub. It’s a small cobbled area and obviously cars are permitted to park so it’s full of cars. But on the pavement was a huge, massive SUV, comparable in dimension to a King Tiger Panzer. I had to squeeze through. I am able bodied. If I had a pram, a wheelchair or even a bloody shopping trolley I would have been stuck. Because some person drives such a huge vehicle in such a small urban environment, can’t park it and just leaves it on the pavement – But not just on the pavement but blocking the pavement. I wish the local authorities would do something about pavement parking. It’s frustrating that even pavements now have to be negotiated with cars.
Probably worth contacting the Tyre Extinguishers.