Josh Quigley heads home; Model railways FTW; Discarded gel wrappers are back; Bernie Eisel retires; Close pass compared to 'clipping someone's ear with a bullet'; Indian cyclist named David Beckham + more on the live blog

the first energy gel wrapper of spring is early this year @ScienceinSport pic.twitter.com/3ppWy2xL1E

— Jo Burt (@VecchioJo) January 13, 2020

The round-the-world cyclist from Scotland sustained multiple injuries when he was rear-ended by a driver in Texas last month ... he's made an amazing recovery.

WAITING TO FLY HOME

READY FOR DISCHARGE

Sponsor: @elixinol_eu pic.twitter.com/ujBPhVN0Qp

— Josh Quigley (@JoshQuigley92) January 14, 2020

Now that's a pretty bike... the frame changes colour with the light and also features tulips and a windmill to reflect her Dutch heritage. Here's the full spec: 

Frame - SCOTT Addict RC
Groupset - Shimano Dura Ace R9170
Crankset - Shimano Duar Ace FC-R9100P
Cockpit - Syncros Creston IC SL
Handlebar tape - Syncros Super Light
Front Wheel – Shimano Dura Ace WH-R9100-C40
Rear Wheel - Shimano Dura Ace WH-R9100-C40
Tyres – Pirelli P-Zero
Saddle - Syncros Belcarra
Seatpost - Syncros Duncan Aero SL
Pedals - Shimano PD-R9100

Dublin's National Transport Authority proposed to increase the number of segregated cycle routes in the city fivefold way back in 2013; but very little of the p;ans have come to fruition, said hospital  chiefs Eilish Hardiman and Lorcan Birthistle in a joint letter to Minister for Transport Shane Ross:

"The lack of safe cycling infrastructure in Dublin city is the single biggest barrier to increasing the mode share of cyclists,” it says in the letter. "As acute hospitals we see directly at times tragic consequences of cyclists sharing the same roads infrastructure as cars and heavy duty vehicles.

“As leading healthcare institutions we know that the increasing levels of inactivity amongst adults and children is alarming. Regular physical activity can help protect from serious diseases such as obesity, heart disease, cancer, mental illness, diabetes and arthritis.

“Cycling is an ideal form of physical activity but the lack of safe cycling infrastructure is a significant barrier to increasing the uptake of such an active means of commuting.”

Kevin Baker of the Dublin Cycling Campaign also told The Irish Times that lack of safe infrastructure was "the biggest thing" preventing most people from taking up cycling: “The number one thing we can do to make roads feel safe for people is to build proper, segregated cycle routes on main roads, and that’s what this plan does.”

A Department of Transport spokeswoman said the department are committed to improving road safety, and are increasing the levels of funding for active travel in Ireland.

Tom Sovilla was cycling in Huntington beach back in May last year, when he was hit by Jack Keith's truck at approximately 60mph. Keith told KTLA 5: “It happened so fast, I don’t know where everything was, but all I remember was Tom flying through the air, like 30 feet, and I just freaked out.” 

Sovilla had a month-long stay in hospital and was treated for a fractured back, broken pelvis, torn knee ligaments, bruised intestines and two brain blood clots; during which time he formed an unlikely friendship with Keith, chopsing to forgive him: “Holding on to things just eats away at you. It doesn’t necessarily hurt the other person. I think if people can understand that, then people would learn to forgive, because forgiveness is a big part about your own mental and physical health.” 

After Sovilla was left with an extra $7,000 medical bill, Keith set up a GoFundMe to make up for the shortfall. He wrote on the page: "Well as a lot of you know I was driving on PCH and hit a cyclist going 60 mph... me, him and his family have been in contact and have had multiple visits.

"Thank God he is gonna recover, but his road to recovery is gonna be a long one. My insurance paid out the max which wasn't much. His insurance has paid the bulk of the hospital bills. But he is stuck with 7000 dollars having to come out of pocket. God has had his hand over him and all of us involved.  I pray that my friends will help me in covering his bills so that he can recover without any more stress or worries. I thank all of you for your support."

The total is at $4,250 and counting - you can find the page here. 

The Italian cycling apparel brand will donate a portion of the proceeds from their Tour Down Under collection to WWF Australia and Red Cross Australia - we've found the jerseys available to buy at Bike Inn for UK delivery. 

TfL have announced that £3.5 million of funding has been awarded to 30 London Boroughs for the extra bike parking, boosting provisions in town centres, stations, schools and residential areas. This include 1,100 new spaces at stations in Hackney and Islington, parking areas in schools and spaces in various Tube stations. 

Recent data has shown that cycling in London is at a record high, with the average daily total distance cycled by Londoners estimated to exceed 4 million kilometres. Will Norman, London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “We are determined to get more Londoners onto their bikes to help to tackle congestion and make the city greener.

“As well as continuing to make cycling safer, we know it’s vital that we make the beginning and the end of people’s journeys as simple and hassle free as possible. Alongside our investment in high-quality routes, we are extremely pleased that this new funding for cycle parking facilities will enable thousands more Londoners from all corners of the capital to hop on a bike.”

When I see people cycling, I sometimes notice a banana in their back pocket. On Audax events, I am often passed by the same rider, still carrying their banana. They never seem to eat it, just take it out for a bike ride.
So what is the longest ride you've taken a banana on?

— steve abraham (@steve_abraham74) January 13, 2020

If you're on a big ride and have your pockets stuffed with malt loaf, sweets and cake, the humble banana might end up going down the pecking order as you reach for the tastier/more sugary things first... our theory on why this phenomenon might occur, anyway!

Bora e Quickstep usarão as Specialized Allez Sprint Disc (alumínio) no Schwalbe Classic criterium, prova pré @tourdownunder. pic.twitter.com/SO2nrYsJAZ

— País do Ciclismo (@DoCiclismo) January 13, 2020

We've reason to believe something could be dropping from Specialized soon, as various sleuths on the ground at the Tour Down Under have spotted freshly-painted Specialized Allez Sprint Disc bikes being ridden by Bora-Hansgrohe. 

I love Spanish health and safety.

Me: “Can I use the motorbike”

“Yeah”

Me: “I’ve got a licence”

“Nah it doesn’t matter, I already said yes” pic.twitter.com/4xl97ScTuG

— Callum Skinner (@CallumSkinner) January 14, 2020

The Olympic track champ switched his pedal bike for a motorised one to do a spot on filming for a Sports Direct campaign, following paralympic athletes in the lead up to Tokyo 2020. 

The shop in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire had seven distinctive Rose bike stolen on 10th January, and are appealing for any information or suspicious offers in person and online. This morning RG:HQ have thanked customers and the local community for their help in trying to catch the perpetrators - if you think you might have any info you can message them here or contact Nottinghamshire Police.