Bike path cyclist tries to keep up with pro women's peloton... faceplants miserably; How many cyclists does it take to lift a cargo bike over cycle route barrier?; Downtube shifter-controlled dropper post; Timmy Mallett is back + more on the live blog

Just another normal day in professional cycling...

"Ne courez pas à côté des coureurs" pic.twitter.com/rJZvFmAZUa

— the Inner Ring (@inrng) March 23, 2023

While the women are enjoying a far nicer day at Classic Brugge-De Panne than the men's rain-sodden outing yesterday, one fan made Thursday afternoon a little brighter for all of us, adding another chapter to the already extensive history of cycling fans making themselves look silly.

It was at this moment he knew...

There's something truly magical about the casual look from Alice Barnes and Lorena Wiebes, the latter who had earlier made it all look so so easy...

Lorena Wiebes showing some cyclocross skills 😁 pic.twitter.com/0UZW41GqLu

— Classic Brugge-De Panne (@bruggedepanne) March 23, 2023

Leave the bike path competition to this lad in future...

The real race we're here for!

Nicely done, @PascalEenkhoorn 🙌

📺 Watch stage seven live on ITV4#TourOfBritain 🔵⚪🔵 pic.twitter.com/C4G646nZ5I

— The Tour of Britain 🇬🇧 (@TourofBritain) September 11, 2021

> 12-year-old cyclist who 'beat the pros' at Tour of Britain handed team contract alongside Phil Gaimon 

Plenty of reaction to this one already...

Worth it for the lols 😂

— Andy Powers (@andypowers) March 23, 2023

Thankfully our bike path entertainer was up immediately and seen dusting himself down as the trailing riders went past. GCN's commentator advised "if you want to be a YouTube sensation ride yourself along the side of the peloton and fall off... which our gentleman did there, so that'll be a million hits I'm sure"...

So many barriers similar on Leeds so called cycle ways, that restrict access if you have a cargo bike pushchair, wheelchair or like me use a trailer, the council use the usual excuse of motorbikes, anti social behaviour which happens anyway. https://t.co/cOkFd0fQQP

— Pete c (@Petercl04558275) March 23, 2023

A view expressed by Adam Sutton in the comments: "I think the more pertinent question local to me is how many people does it take to lift a motorbike or quad bike over a barrier? The answer is seemingly only two or three. So the barrier fails at its purpose and just blocks access to people who should be able to use the routes." 

chrisonatrike: "In Edinburgh they don't keep motorbikes out. I've seen a car driving on the shared paths at least once, back before the council slimmed down the bollards and barriers at the entries/exits.

"IMHO it's all about a commitment to stop motor vehicles being where they shouldn't. So minimal bollards, where needed — to be reviewed if/when numbers of infra users increase. I think the biggie is all the parking in lanes/on cycle paths next to roads. Enforcement and/or better designs are needed — bollards can't always be applied."

Plenty of love for Timmy Mallett's latest escapade too...

BigSigh: "Pretty sure that Timmy Mallett pic is actually looking down Loch Long. You can just about see where it meets Loch Goil and the Portincaple lighthouse between the two. I'll be up there later today — not riding my bike unfortunately but driving the train, the West Highland line sitting just below that track."

NotNigel: "I've just enjoyed looking through his Strava...he does some lovely painting."

Six cyclists and a passer by seems to be the answer to that particular conundrum...

There are many barriers to cycling in London, some are physical especially when riding a cargo bike. Luckily I had my trusted group of riders with me to help me out on this occasion in Roding Valley @willnorman @ternbicycles @RedbridgeLive @London_Cycling pic.twitter.com/rcxTqQmcRu

— Mariam Sayed (@MariamCycles) March 22, 2023

The Redbridge Cycling Campaign was quick to apologise to Mariam for her experience cycling on their patch (not that it's their fault, of course)... "We've been working hard to try and convince Redbridge Council to do a trial of opening these up," they explained. "Easily done. For some reason they don't meet us half way."

We'll get in touch with the council to see if there are any answers...

We won't get our hopes up considering what others reported from the area... 

And how much did this cost from the cycling budget? pic.twitter.com/FReTQk9H6x

— Clive Durdle (@Clivedurdle) March 22, 2023

While some pointed out the gates are probably in place to stop kids on dirt bikes causing carnage, others pointed out that in blocking out those who shouldn't be there the councils with these up and down the country are also blocking out as many who have every right to be. "Imagine having a disability and not being able to get out of the bike," cycling campaigner Ruth Mayorcas said.

Tern Bicycles, the cargo bike's manufacturer, even saw the clip and got involved praising the good set of cycling buddies. Ultra distance legend Steve Abraham knows all too well about this issue...

> "Oh! Bollards!" Delivery cyclist says council's new cycle route barriers are too narrow for cargo bike trailers… also supplied by the council

🤔😃

— Tern Bicycles (@ternbicycles) March 22, 2023

We'll take that as they're thinking about it... 

road.cc reviewer Jez spotted these in his Facebook ads and wondered if "the next big thing in cycling eyewear is the built-in brim". Not sure we need a poll to decide this one... To be honest, we shouldn't be giving the bike industry ideas. You laugh now but wait until the gravel-specific brim is a thing...

Not every hill is straightforward on my TimmEeee bike..... pic.twitter.com/6QPAwsdehJ

— Timmy Mallett (@TimmyMallett) March 23, 2023

You can't keep the Mallett off the bike. First, a 3,500km quest to ride the world famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain. Then, that epic circumnavigation of the UK, and now smashing it around Scotland...

And while there were a few Strava segment top 10s to be had, this one might not have been one of them, a valiant effort nonetheless.

> Utterly brilliant: An interview with Timmy Mallet on all things e-bike 

Taking "the wild rough road" had its perks though, just look at that...