Delicious irony of bike lane blocked by...traffic warden; No Oscars here: Mathieu van der Poel stars in cringeworthy window shopping video; Josh Quigley to complete round the world cycle; Lefevere learns diplomacy; New e-cargo hire + more on the live blog

Delicious irony of bike lane blocked by...traffic warden giving driver directions https://t.co/tzZntZHCX4 #cycling pic.twitter.com/ADFmhKlaQv

— road.cc (@roadcc) December 1, 2021

Let's do a bit of reaction to wind down the blog for another day...

Wycombe wheeler commented: "I'm here to enforce parking regulations, except when I'm having a chat with a driver, stopped where he shouldn't. Would he have thought it as reasonable if the driver had been blocking the road while getting directions?"

Sriracha, perhaps inspired by that fed up Minneapolitan on the live blog last week, suggested the cyclist should have "parked himself in the other lane, next to the car, whilst passing the time of day in discussion with the warden."

Moist von Lipwig wasn't convinced by some of the logic on display..."'Where am I supposed to give him directions?' There is an empty parking space literally 5m further forwards from where the driver has parked up."

Maybe TfL are trying to make up for 'See their side'? They've sent out news of some safety improvements in the capital. First up, works on the north side of Battersea Bridge have been completed, including a new signalised crossing, reduced speed limit and improved enforcement of no right turns.

> Reaction as Transport for London pauses See their Side ad campaign following backlash

Elsewhere, in Hammersmith, works to improve active travel access on Hammersmith gyratory have begun. This will include a protected two-way cycle lane on the north side, as well as new signals at junctions. The changes have been developed with Hammersmith & Fulham Council as part of a new 4.7km cycleway connecting Kew Bridge, Gunnersbury, Chiswick and Hammersmith.

Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner said: "The Hammersmith gyratory is of London’s most intimidating junctions, and these changes will have huge benefits for both pedestrians and cyclists travelling around the area. Protecting vulnerable road users and making London’s junctions safer for all is a key part of our Vision Zero commitment to eliminate death and serious injuries on London’s roads, and these improvements will offer more space and make it easier to navigate local roads, as well as providing a vital link in the growing network of cycle routes in west London."

One thing Will Norman doesn't want to see under the tree...

It was great to join colleagues from @metpoliceuk this morning to engage Londoners on the use of e-scooters. Private e-scooters cannot legally be used on roads, pavements or other public spaces. https://t.co/c5JhMrvaXB

— Will Norman (@willnorman) November 30, 2021

That Dorset bike lane from Friday has been ruffling more feathers this week...this time amongst the Daily Express' readership. Inspired by the Wallisdown Road, the Express asked for readers' thoughts...strap yourselves in, bingo cards ready...

"It's cyclists who cause accidents. By riding two abreast, wobbling all over the road and jumping traffic lights. The list goes on and on."

"All cyclists should be made to take a cycling proficiency test. Before they can ride on public roads. They should also be made to have insurance and pay road tax and have their bikes inspected."

"You drive on country roads set with open speed limits of 60. You get to a bend that is hedge lined and come across six or more cyclists riding spread across the entire road. Rather than riding in single file. Bunch of idiots with an accident waiting to happen. Meanwhile the driver is expected by them to travel at less than 20 mph."

Two years after his first attempt was abruptly ended by a collision with a driver in Texas, Josh Quigley is aiming to finally end his challenge. Starting today back in Austin, Josh hopes to ride 1,965 miles across the US to New York in nine days before finishing the final 1,969 miles from Lisbon to Edinburgh in 10 days...just in time for Christmas.

The attempt is being supported by ArmaUrto, and will begin with Josh meeting the medical team that treated him after he was struck by a car being driven at 70mph.

Showing incredible forgiveness Josh said he bares no ill-feeling to the driver involved in the collision and said he was happy the driver who hit him from behind was not charged. At the time, Josh told the BBC: "I've nothing against her. Everyone makes mistakes and there was no malicious intent so I will write a letter to her when I am better to let her know this."

It could be second time lucky for another of his mega distance cycling challenges. Earlier this year, Josh set a new seven-day cycling distance record at the second attempt.

You've probably all seen Alpecin-Fenix and Deceuninck's cringefest starring Mathieu van der Poel and Tim Merlier. It's at the bottom of the blog if you haven't...just don't expect to be impressed by the acting on display.

Well, in the most shocking news we've reported all year, Patrick Lefevere, boss of Deceuninck-Quick-Step soon-to-be Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl, said he has "absolutely no problem with it." Just to clarify, that's Deceuninck jumping ship to Alpecin-Fenix he doesn't mind. Lefevere thankfully didn't comment on Van der Poel's dramatics...

But really? Lefevere having nothing controversial to say? What's going on?

He told Sporza: "I don't know why I have to blame someone". There's a first time for everything..."Is this news? These are news-poor times, aren't they? We did not want — from our side — to extend the cooperation. We were working on a project for five years. Deceuninck came at a favourable time, just when we were struggling. They were a helping hand, but they got a lot in return. But they didn't want to sign for five years now."

Instead the window manufacturer signed with Alpecin-Fenix for four years..."That's not a big difference, is it? Does this give you a sour aftertaste? No, a contract has a certain duration, if I'm not mistaken. When that term is over and if two parties decide not to continue together, then everyone is free to do what they want. I have absolutely no problem with it and I wouldn't know why I should blame anyone."

Priceless! Traffic warden ties himself in knots trying to justify not doing or knowing his job. Any wonder this stretch is constantly blocked. Council clearly don’t GAF. @conndonovan9 @IrishCycle @CorkCyclingCrew @IBIKECork @IBIKEDublin pic.twitter.com/afUBcTFAlT

— Righttobikeit (@righttobikeit) November 29, 2021

Cork cyclist Righttobikeit has popped up on our live blog before. Last time it was for their clip of trying out one of the city's new bike lanes...only to narrowly avoid being taken out by not one, but two drivers. 

Now they're back with another gem — a blocked bike lane because of a traffic warden giving a driver directions...

"Will you tell him to move while you're there?" seems a fairly reasonable request for someone whose job is to enforce parking in the proper areas...

"You shouldn't be giving directions in the bike lane"...again, seems reasonable, no? Apparently not. "Where am I supposed to give directions?"..."Wherever you want, but he's not supposed to park. It's illegal to do so...pull up over there, pull up somewhere he's not blocking the bike lane. That's your job!" I'm giving that a 9/10, even better if you imagine it's fellow cyclist from Cork, Roy Keane, behind the camera...

Them: Where am I supposed to park / offload things?
Me: If I tell you, will you follow that advice?
Them: No.
Me: Yea, I thought so. Why are you asking me ?

— Citizen Wolf (@CitizenW0lf) November 29, 2021

He genuinely believes that giving directions was his primary responsibility?

I’d half expect him to tell you next “I can’t see the woods you mention, there’s too many trees in the way!” 🙄

— Barry P. M. (@Ltm67) November 29, 2021

The first jersey of the Giro d’Italia Virtual, which is an indoor cycling project developed by RCS Sport in collaboration with BKOOL, has been revealed.  

The Giro d’Italia Virtual consists of three distinct separate rounds, running from October to May 2022 and offers riders the opportunity to experience multiple stages of the Corsa Rosa from home thanks to the high-definition video simulation developed by BKOOl.

Created specifically for indoor workouts, the 3D mesh fabric used in the jersey developed by a collaboration between Castelli and Technogym is designed to allow maximum breathability to keep you cool, while its 100 per cent polyester content is said to guarantee maximum absorption and dispersion of sweat. The jersey is also said not to be too transparent for those who wish to wear it for a group workout or riding outside during the summer.

 The rounds of the Giro d’Italia Virtual are: Grande Partenza – Part 1 (from 15th October to 2nd January), Grande Partenza – Part 2 (from 14th January to 3rd April), and Grande Arrivo (from 6th to 29th May), which takes place at the same time as  the 2022 Giro d’Italia. 

Double Olympic gold medallist Katie Archibald has re-signed with her former team Ceratizit–WNT Pro Cycling ahead of a return to road racing next season. The Scot, who is one of the headline riders at this weekend's UCI Track Champions League rounds in London, will ride for the team until 2024, the year of the Paris Olympics.

Hip hip hooraaaay! Welcome home Katie 🎉🙌

After a stellar performance in the first two rounds of the @UCITCL in Mallorca and Lithuania, we thought we’d continue the celebrations by welcoming @_katiearchibald back to the team, her home until 2024🤩

📸 @swpixtweets #BuiltToLast pic.twitter.com/c1gzWsvgly

— CERATIZIT - WNT Pro Cycling (@ceratizit_wnt) November 30, 2021

 Archibald won gold in the Madison in Tokyo, but has not raced on the road since 2019. She was part of the Wiggle High5 team time trial unit that finished fourth at the World Championships in Innsbruck in 2018. To date, the dominant track rider's only win on the road was an 11-second win over some of the best riders in the world at the prologue of the BeNe Ladies Tour.

The new e-CargoBike hire scheme in Manchester is amazing! It launched this morning.

Just taken one for it's first spin around town and had a blast. It's really starting to feel more like a cycling city now.
🚲🚴 pic.twitter.com/3rPr2LmkKR

— Sam 🚴🌱🍻Ⓥ (@MCRCycleSam) December 1, 2021

In the thread Sam gave his first ride review: "The bikes are very comfy with an upright riding position. The handling takes a few minutes of getting used to. The cargo box has plenty of capacity and also has a seat with seatbelts! Might need to bring your own bungees for very large items though!"

They can be located and reserved in the app. The fee is very reasonable: £3.50 an hour is actually less than the hourly fee for the electric Manchester regular hire bicycles!

More stands have been spotted throughout Chorlton and Whalley Range, presumably more bikes coming pic.twitter.com/ilY4IdBPkF

— Sam 🚴🌱🍻Ⓥ (@MCRCycleSam) December 1, 2021