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Live blog: Brompton boss says enmity between motorists and cyclists is down to Mamils; Kristoff’s bike fails to survive sprint (+more vid of sprint crash), Wiggo 'bike drop', Hunt newsletter fail + save, Holly Willoughby on overtaking cyclists + more

All the cycling news from this site and beyond…
28 February 2019, 16:08
Brompton and Bollinger staff (via YouTube)
Brompton boss says enmity between motorists and cyclists is down to Mamils

Will Butler-Adams, the head of Brompton Bicycles, says that ill feeling between motorists and cyclists is because “cycling as a mode of transport pretty much died”.

The Telegraph, who published an interview with him this weekend, reports that he was “mid-rant” with “eyes ablaze” when he said this.

“The people who brought cycling back to life, were the people at the weekend training for their triathlon,” he said. “They whizz along at 100mph like some hardcore guy, get to work and change out of that funny stuff.”

This year’s Brompton World Championship Final will be held on August 3 at that famously Mamil-free event, RideLondon.

28 February 2019, 15:36
Quietway 1 01 copyright Laura Laker.jpg
Former London cycling commissioner accuses mayor of building "fake cycle network"

Andrew Gilligan doesn't think much of London's Quietways.

Full story here.

28 February 2019, 14:21
Justice (Lonpicman, Wikimedia Commons)
Uninsured teen driver would have known cyclist was under car when he did three-point turn
28 February 2019, 11:54
The Classics are coming!

The Spring Classics are coming, and the pros have been out scoping out key sections of cobbles ahead of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

28 February 2019, 11:46
Hunt apologises for “ALEX DOWSETT’S GF RIDES HUNT” newsletter headline

Here’s Chanel’s response to that headline.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

About Alex Dowsett's GF (what do you mean you need your own name?)⠀ ⠀ I’m Chanel, btw. I prefer it to just "Alex Dowsett’s GF”. A quick address to yesterday as a number of you got in touch about the email from @huntbikewheels.⠀ ⠀ Glorified WAG. Wannabe. Attention seeker. Either I've heard all the negatives, or I've become used to pre-empting them. Nothing surprises me and people can hold their own opinions. If they choose to voice them then it has nothing to do with me personally; I only have control over how I choose to receive those comments and their impact on me.⠀ ⠀ I purchased my Canyon bike with Hunt wheels over a year ago. I have never been paid to endorse their product (or anyone else's cycling products). I was unaware an email was sent about me using them until you guys let me know.⠀ ⠀ This account is still growing & morphing into its own purpose. I hope it inspires others - of any gender - to get into cycling and see all the great benefits it can have on lots of different aspects of life. I'm realistic about how much of it includes Alex, given that I chose to focus on our life and cycling and don't depict the other 98% that goes on behind it. Much like this account, Hunt are a relatively new company as well and are also still growing and learning. Yesterday's email is a clear example of that.⠀ ⠀ From a marketing perspective I totally get it. Of course you're going to use the World Tour rider's name as click bait because that's what's going to peak interest in your cycling audience. Hunt didn't intend this to cause offence but I am glad they reached out to me (and to you who got in touch) to apologise profusely for the oversight and the use of poor subject line.⠀ ⠀ They understand the painful inequality that exists in cycling and have accepted even casual sexism can build upon that unintentionally. As a company they are taking a lot of proactive steps to go about encouraging change for the better in the sport, which is why I'm okay with talking about this openly in the hope it creates some transparency between an ill-worded email and a social media account that's penned by the girlfriend of a pro rider - but who shouldn’t have to explain is a person.

A post shared by Chanel (@yourroyalthighness_) on

 

And here’s Hunt’s apology.

Hunt apology

Broadly speaking, the apology seems to have been well received.

28 February 2019, 11:36
Brooks launches C17 Cambium Organic Light saddle
Brooks C19 Cambium Organic Lights - 3

Brooks England has announced the launch of the C17 Cambium Organic Light saddle. The new model uses a combination of materials including organic cotton and vulcanised natural rubber. The nose and backplate are made from liquid wood, a 100% biodegradable biopolymer formed from waste products. 

Brooks C19 Cambium Organic Lights - 1

The C17 Cambium Organic Light is available in a variety of colours including natural, green, brick and rust and retails, and retails at £120.

Brooks C19 Cambium Organic Lights - 2

The C17 Organic Light will be available online at www.brooksengland.com and at the B1866 flagship in Seven Dials, London from 4th March 2019. 

28 February 2019, 11:15
Velon On-Bike Footage of Nasty UAE Tour Crash

A touch of wheels at the front of the peloton saw lots of riders going down heavily 8km from the finish of yesterday's UAE Tour Stage 5.

The footage shows quite a few broken bikes with one Astana rider even rolling a tubular tyre off the rim. 

There were no casualties of this particular crash, but young Belgian sensation Remco Evenepole seems to have crashed into a stationary motorbike earlier in the stage. The crash forced him to abandon the race but a trip to hospital showed no broken bones.

28 February 2019, 10:44
mike hall kinesis1.jpg
Investigation into Mike Hall’s “avoidable” death was compromised by loss of evidence

Coroner also concluded that the driver involved in the collision did not commit an offence. She said this conclusion was in part due to the high standard of negligence required by law.

Full story here.

28 February 2019, 09:47
What cycle clothing for a dystopian future?

Cycle clothing brand Morvélo don't seem very optimistic about upcoming times

"Legend has it that beyond the 500 metre high city wall, there is a green paradise. Living in the perpetual darkness and fighting for a living on the street, The Underworld Champions fight to escape a dystopian future plagued by the Hydroformers; an elite group hell bent on industrialisation and containing the last inhabitants of earth. Armed with whatever they can find, the race is on to find a way out of the urban maze and into the myth. Do you dare join them?

 

Or it could just be a collaboration with artist Death Spray Custom.

28 February 2019, 09:37
28 February 2019, 09:31
Wiggo back racing. Sort of

Sir Bradley Wiggins has been enjoying a spot of competitive cycling in Belgium this week.

View this post on Instagram

I’m out#BikeDrop

A post shared by Sir Wiggo (@bradwiggins) on

28 February 2019, 09:17
28 February 2019, 09:16
Pinarello's Grevil gravel bike arrives in UK bike shops

You've read all about Pinarello's bold new gravel bike named the Grevil, well now you can see it at your local bike shop as it's starting to arrive in stock about now. You can also see our video where we ask if it's hot or not.

28 February 2019, 09:14
unnamed
Fizik Tempo Overcurve R5 shoes launched

Italian company Fizik has launched the new Tempo Overcurve R5 cycling shoe, a new model in a range intended to offer a timeless look, which uses the micro adjustment of a single Boa IP1 dial and a staggered collar wrapping around the ankle to provide a fast and secure closure.

The new shoes are available now and cost £140 and come in sizes 36 to 48, with half sizes between 37 to 47. More at www.fizik.com

“We are pleased to bring the new Tempo Overcurve R5 shoes to market,” says Luca Mathia Bertoncello, fizik’s Brand Director. “Showcasing the versatile new Tempo shoe construction and R5 outsole provides an ideal platform on which to deliver the all-new Overcurve system.

A study in ergonomic design, its form follows the natural shape created by the lateral and medial malleoli protrusions on either side of the ankle – the asymmetric shape lends itself to an overlapping curve along and across the rider’s foot. It means a technically superior fit option to rival many others available.”

28 February 2019, 09:03
Holly Willoughby (CC licensed by Roy via Flickr)
Holly Willoughby turns up the radio when her husband is judging her for not overtaking cyclists

“I do not like overtaking cyclists at all,” said Willoughby. “As soon as there’s a cyclists in front of me I’m like, oh my god just please turn left, please just get off the road, because I can’t do it. I hate it.”

Referring to her husband, she continued: “And Dan, now, looks at me... All he has to do is do that, and I’m like, ‘Stop it! Because I know you’re going to make a big deal of the fact I’m going to sit behind this cyclist until they move.’”

She said that to distract herself from his critical looks, she turns up the radio.

(Via the Express.)

28 February 2019, 08:13
Sir Dave Brailsford has completely lost control of his hands

Sir Dave’s hand gestures have long fascinated us and Team Sky’s latest Colombia YouTube documentary thing provides a fine example why.

‘Success’ is represented by some sort of ham-fisted pottery spinning gesture, while he expresses ‘winning the race’ with an up-and-down move that we can only assume relates to different positions on a leaderboard.

He’s even got one for ‘can we use the experience of these guys to feed and fast track these guys?’

28 February 2019, 07:58
Alexander Kristoff’s bike fails to survive sprint

This is what happened to Alexander Kristoff’s bike in the UAE tour yesterday.

Looks like the rear mech somehow took out the seat stay.

Kristoff explained:

You can see him come to a complete stop at about 2m30s (he’s already way in the background).

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

Add new comment

29 comments

Avatar
cougie | 5 years ago
1 like

Anyone who is taking the Brompton comments at face value is a fool.

 

Go google the guy and check out his talks.  He LOVES cycling. He lives for it. 

Typical newspaper making things out to be confrontational where there is none. 

He's clarified the comments today so you can all go put out the flames of your melted Bromptons. 

 

I've been a road cyclist for over 35 years but my Brompton gives me more pleasure than my CF speed machines.  Fantastic fun. 

Avatar
Christopher TR1 | 5 years ago
2 likes

Brompton boss. On the one side (Brompton) you would think that he would be ok, being big cheese of a bike company and all. On the other hand (boss) you can picture his fat, red face behind the wheel of an executive twat-mobile-Audi.

And no, MAMILS are not the problem. Motorist killing and maiming without risk or fear of punishment is the problem.

Avatar
srchar | 5 years ago
2 likes

I stopped reading Brompton man's rant at "They whizz along at 100mph". Could have come straight out of the DM comments.

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds | 5 years ago
4 likes

Ridiculous rant by brompton guy, he sounds like a typical moton, I'm not impressed with the actions of some people on bikes as well but that compared to the actions of far more wankers actually in killing machines is miniscule.

Not quite a 'ratners' moment but the potential damage to his business as well as sterotyping cyclists to confirm to the retarded daily heil mob doesn't leave it too far short!

Avatar
notwelshyet | 5 years ago
6 likes

Well well, I’m not sure what a Mamil really is - maybe I am one, i’m Middle aged and I wear Lycra when riding my road bike - which I do despite the absolute twats that drive. I have a load of bikes (it’s my hobby), two of which are Bromptons, which I bought despite their ridiculously high price because I wanted to support a British company - all my bikes are from British companies - however I can assure Mr Butler-Adams that the next folding bike I buy (for my daughter) will NOT be a Brompton you bigoted gammon faced twat! I look forward to this being his ratner moment...

 

that is all

Avatar
brimstone | 5 years ago
1 like

Will Butler-Adams, your statement about mamils was about as accurate as a cheap chinese watch - how absurd of you to abuse fellow cyclists in this way.  Personally, I have always thought your bikes are absurd and I for one will never buy one.

Avatar
Mungecrundle | 5 years ago
12 likes

Cyclists are not the problem. The people who think cyclists are a problem are the problem.

Avatar
Daveyraveygravey | 5 years ago
6 likes

I am staggered at Mr Brompton's comments - does he think that people who buy his bikes don't think of themselves as cyclists, and never wear cycling clothes? And that triathletes saved cycling? FFS what a clueless arse hole. I've always thought Bromptons were a well engineered but over priced solution to a problem that only exists for a small portion of commuter-cyclists and his attitude to the wider world of cycling makes me doubt his business brain

Avatar
John Smith | 5 years ago
5 likes

FFS, MAMILS are not the problem. They make up a tiny percentage of all cyclists (and quite a small fraction of people who wear Lycra, people who are middle aged and cycle, and people who are both, if you take MAMIL to mean a very particular kind of cyclist). They are an excuse and an easy target for ridicule so that people can justify their prejudice. The problem is the constant failure to challenge incorrect views and the average person having a very poor understanding of the law and poor ability to drive. Some cyclists do give a bad image, and on my experience most of those are not people in Lycra but people on knackered, poorly maintained, old bikes who wear “normal” clothes. They tend to be the ones that cycle in a dangerous and inconsiderate way. But also they are generally only a risk to themselves and other cyclists, and no one lumps equally bad drivers and pedestrians together in the same way.

Avatar
grumpyoldcyclist replied to John Smith | 5 years ago
5 likes

John Smith wrote:

FFS, MAMILS are not the problem. They make up a tiny percentage of all cyclists (and quite a small fraction of people who wear Lycra, people who are middle aged and cycle, and people who are both, if you take MAMIL to mean a very particular kind of cyclist). They are an excuse and an easy target for ridicule so that people can justify their prejudice. The problem is the constant failure to challenge incorrect views and the average person having a very poor understanding of the law and poor ability to drive. Some cyclists do give a bad image, and on my experience most of those are not people in Lycra but people on knackered, poorly maintained, old bikes who wear “normal” clothes. They tend to be the ones that cycle in a dangerous and inconsiderate way. But also they are generally only a risk to themselves and other cyclists, and no one lumps equally bad drivers and pedestrians together in the same way.

Abolutely this.

I have to declare an interest here, I'm not a MAMIL, more an OAMIL, or OMIL for short. That won't change any time soon. I hope also to be doing 100 mph on my commute tomorrow.

Avatar
brooksby replied to John Smith | 5 years ago
1 like

John Smith wrote:

Some cyclists do give a bad image, and on my experience most of those are not people in Lycra but people on knackered, poorly maintained, old bikes who wear “normal” clothes. They tend to be the ones that cycle in a dangerous and inconsiderate way. 

As someone on [what looks like a] knackered, poorly maintained old bike, who wears "normal" clothes, I take exception to your generalisation.

That would be like me saying that all roadies are arrogant competitive sociopaths.  And I wouldn't say that.

We are all individuals 

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to brooksby | 5 years ago
3 likes

brooksby wrote:

John Smith wrote:

Some cyclists do give a bad image, and on my experience most of those are not people in Lycra but people on knackered, poorly maintained, old bikes who wear “normal” clothes. They tend to be the ones that cycle in a dangerous and inconsiderate way. 

As someone on [what looks like a] knackered, poorly maintained old bike, who wears "normal" clothes, I take exception to your generalisation.

That would be like me saying that all roadies are arrogant competitive sociopaths.  And I wouldn't say that.

We are all individuals 

I'm not

Avatar
ChrisB200SX replied to hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
2 likes

HawkinsPeter wrote:

brooksby wrote:

John Smith wrote:

Some cyclists do give a bad image, and on my experience most of those are not people in Lycra but people on knackered, poorly maintained, old bikes who wear “normal” clothes. They tend to be the ones that cycle in a dangerous and inconsiderate way. 

As someone on [what looks like a] knackered, poorly maintained old bike, who wears "normal" clothes, I take exception to your generalisation.

That would be like me saying that all roadies are arrogant competitive sociopaths.  And I wouldn't say that.

We are all individuals 

I'm not

Remember you are unique... just like everyone else  1

Avatar
freespirit1 | 5 years ago
2 likes

He could have a point about the MAMIL's on Ride London day I am always wary of the 4X4 with bikes on the back, you just know that they are going to do something they would compalin about if it happened to them!

Especially directed to the pillocks in the Range Rover that cut across me at the lights just after Battersea Dog's home.

Avatar
EddyBerckx | 5 years ago
5 likes

So am I enraged by Brompton guy?!?! He says cycling has been saved by mamils on the weekend but moans that it's dead as a transport choice!! Who is he blaming?!?!?

 

Do I burn my brompton or what?!?!? It's only a couple months old, I'd rather not. But if it's for the greater mamil good...

 

...else I suppose I could lycra up when I ride it just to piss him off....

Avatar
burtthebike replied to EddyBerckx | 5 years ago
5 likes

StoopidUserName wrote:

So am I enraged by Brompton guy?!?! He says cycling has been saved by mamils on the weekend but moans that it's dead as a transport choice!! Who is he blaming?!?!?

Do I burn my brompton or what?!?!? It's only a couple months old, I'd rather not. But if it's for the greater mamil good...

...else I suppose I could lycra up when I ride it just to piss him off....

Yes, I wondered about the wisdom of pissing off your customers; not generally accepted as a good business plan.

Avatar
cougie replied to burtthebike | 5 years ago
0 likes

burtthebike wrote:

StoopidUserName wrote:

So am I enraged by Brompton guy?!?! He says cycling has been saved by mamils on the weekend but moans that it's dead as a transport choice!! Who is he blaming?!?!?

Do I burn my brompton or what?!?!? It's only a couple months old, I'd rather not. But if it's for the greater mamil good...

...else I suppose I could lycra up when I ride it just to piss him off....

Yes, I wondered about the wisdom of pissing off your customers; not generally accepted as a good business plan.

 

See his clarification today - there's no way he's dissing anyone for cycling. 

Avatar
EddyBerckx replied to cougie | 5 years ago
0 likes

cougie wrote:

burtthebike wrote:

StoopidUserName wrote:

So am I enraged by Brompton guy?!?! He says cycling has been saved by mamils on the weekend but moans that it's dead as a transport choice!! Who is he blaming?!?!?

Do I burn my brompton or what?!?!? It's only a couple months old, I'd rather not. But if it's for the greater mamil good...

...else I suppose I could lycra up when I ride it just to piss him off....

Yes, I wondered about the wisdom of pissing off your customers; not generally accepted as a good business plan.

 

See his clarification today - there's no way he's dissing anyone for cycling. 

 

I was being a bit tongue in cheek there. I didn't click through to the torygraph because...its the torygraph and the quotes in this article didn't seem to be blaming anyone, just the headline made it look that way

Avatar
cougie replied to burtthebike | 5 years ago
0 likes

Loving the double, triple and quadruple posts on the forum. Excellent software. 

Avatar
kil0ran | 5 years ago
4 likes

Surely it's about time DS were prevented from driving team cars whilst on the radio and well, directing the race?

Sends completely the wrong message about distracted driving.

Avatar
nmanfield | 5 years ago
0 likes

Check out Sir Dave at 5.58 when he says 'young guns'!!!

Avatar
nmanfield | 5 years ago
0 likes

Check out Sir Dave at 5.58 when he says 'young guns'!!!

Avatar
nmanfield | 5 years ago
0 likes

Check out Sir Dave at 5.58 when he says 'young guns'!!!

Avatar
nmanfield | 5 years ago
0 likes

Check out Sir Dave at 5.58 when he says 'young guns'!!!

Avatar
nmanfield | 5 years ago
0 likes

Check out Sir Dave at 5.58 when he says 'young guns'!!!

Avatar
nmanfield | 5 years ago
0 likes

Check out Sir Dave at 5.58 when he says 'young guns'!!!

Avatar
nmanfield | 5 years ago
0 likes

Check out Sir Dave at 5.58 when he says 'young guns'!!!

Avatar
Organon | 5 years ago
8 likes

Holly, it is nice you feel concern when passing cyclists, but NOT passing them is also unsafe. I get sick of being intimidated by motorists waiting over my shoulder and not passing. I don't need you to go completely onto the other side of the road, "Just Drive Forward!" For every timid driver who won't pass you are bottling up two assholes behind you who will immediately pass closely even if not safe. The inconsistency is the problem, and you are part of the problem because you are not confident in your ability to drive safely. Take an Advanced Driving course if you have to, but get off my shoulder.

Avatar
peted76 | 5 years ago
1 like

Brailsford hands lolz

 

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