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MGIF driver ignores blue flashing lights police car; Jeremy Vine correctly predicts congestion figures were "completely garbagified" for anti-cycle lane headlines; Ned's nose wasn't at No10 party; Specialized shower; Cav's TDF + more on the live blog

Dan Alexander is here for your Wednesday live blog party...I mean, not a party...there was never a party...
08 December 2021, 17:34
A day riding bikes with Francis Cade

08 December 2021, 16:35
First WorldTour problems: Ben Swift overheats

Oh to have the problem of being somewhere too sunny...poor Ben Swift has been worn down by an autumn of training rides on the Isle of Man. Now in sunny Spain (Mallorca to be precise), and Swift swiftly realised it's not the weather for long sleeves and tights.

You'll get no sympathy from us, Ben. Back in Britain at the moment, I'm lucky to get out the door without a snood, hat, gloves, arm warmers, thermal base layer, winter jacket, two pairs of socks and the rest of your standard kit...and none of that is fancy free team stash...

08 December 2021, 15:20
DIY bicycle H pattern shifter

08 December 2021, 14:19
Must get in front driver narrowly beats blue flashing lights police car to overtake

We've all seen/experienced plenty of MGIFs in our time. Those drivers who just have to get ahead of you, often without a thought for that left turn they're about to make, or those traffic lights, or those stationary vehicles ahead. It gets them nowhere and often all that it achieves is handing you the inconvenience of now being stuck behind them and having to casually roll past with an annoyed look on your face...

> Near Miss of the Day 673: “Way too close to ignore” – impatient driver brushes past cyclist

In this case, even a blue flashing lights emergency service vehicle doesn't stop this driver from simply having to get ahead of that pesky slow-moving cyclist. The overtake saves the motorist a couple of seconds, and they've barely returned to their side of the road when the police vehicle flashes past.

ReCyclingDave speculates the only thing that could motivate you to pull this manouvere is the "complete confidence that no action will be taken against you whatever the report or outcome".

That's the bad news...Dave also had some good news...here's how it should be done...

08 December 2021, 12:55
The pro-LTN hall of fame

Get your magnifying glass out... 

08 December 2021, 12:36
Tom Pidcock targets historic hat-trick: "I want to be world champion in all three, all in the same year"
2022 Bioracer Ineos Grenadiers kit Tom Pidcock (1).jpeg

He's an ambitious young lad is Tom Pidcock...the 22-year-old has spoken about his goals for next season and couldn't help himself suggesting, if not next year then sometime in the future, a triple world champs tilt could be on the cards.

"I want to be world champion in all three, [cyclo-cross,mountain bike, road] all in the same year. I just need to wait for when all the courses suit me – next year, we still don’t know the course for road worlds, so we’ll have to see," Pidcock told VeloNews.

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot is the only rider to have ever won all three, albeit across two seasons. "I want to go to ‘cross worlds to win," Pidcock continued. "I want to win some classics next year, and the Giro is the grand tour I want to ride. Then I want to focus on mountain bike in the second part of the year and try and win mountain bike worlds."

08 December 2021, 12:05
Limited-edition Brooks saddle supports AMANI project for African Cyclists
Limited-edition Brooks C17

Brooks England is celebrating Kenya’s first official gravel event, the Migration Gravel Race, with a special edition C17 saddle that’s limited to just 50 pieces and costs £120.

The inaugural 2021 event welcomed top gravel riders from Africa and around the world in an effort to raise the profile of cycling in Kenya and increase opportunities for African cyclists. 

“By purchasing this limited edition saddle you’ll be directly supporting the Maasai in their effort to maintain their beautiful cultural practices as well as the AMANI project in their laudable goal of making the sport of cycling more accessible to athletes from East Africa,” says Brooks. 

The Migration Cambium features a colourful design inspired by the event and comes in a special set including a beaded saddle charm handmade by local Massai craftspeople. 

08 December 2021, 11:25
Sheffield Council targets 80 per cent more active travel and public transport journeys by 2030 to combat climate change
Sheffield (CC licensed by Eugene Phoen via Flickr)

Yorkshire Live has reported Sheffield Council's latest messaging on tackling climate change, including a major increase in cycling, walking and public transport use. The city will follow Birmingham and Bristol in enforcing a Clean Air Zone from next year, which will charge drivers a daily fee for entering the city centre if their vehicle does not meet emissions standards.

The council said car use would need to be reduced by 66 per cent, with public transport and active travel needing to increase by 80 per cent by 2030.

08 December 2021, 10:58
Behind the scenes with Deceuninck-Quick-Step and Mark Cavendish at the Tour de France

The Tour was good this year, wasn't it? That first week we had Wout van Aert, Julian Alaphilippe and Mathieu van der Poel going head to head, seemingly oblivious to the other 181 riders in the race. Then we had Cav winning once, twice, three times, and a fourth. Looking back, what a three weeks that was for Deceuninck-Quick-Step. 

> Mark Cavendish to stay at Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl for one more year

Probably all that was missing was a Merckx record-breaking 35th Cav stage win on the Champs-Élysées. No wonder the boys in blue have been so keen to get this behind the scenes look at their three weeks in France out to the masses. 

08 December 2021, 10:04
Specialized shower...just don't tell your landlord

From the smorgasbord of opinions on this: your landlord will hate you...but with water pressure like that it's the least they deserve, your drivetrain will hate you more, it's one way to keep plumbers in business...

Anyone else turned their bathroom into a bike cleaning station? 

08 December 2021, 09:34
Ned Boulting nose he wasn't at No 10 party

As lockdown alibis go, that's a pretty strong one...  

08 December 2021, 08:51
Jeremy Vine correctly predicts congestion figures were "completely garbagified" for anti-cycle lane headlines
Kensington High Street pop-up cycle lane (picture Simon MacMichael)

I think it's safe to say not too many of you were surprised by yesterday evening's news that traffic data firm Inrix had distanced itself from the anti-cycle lane angle of London being named the world's most congested city. Inrix said the headlines were "not accurately representing what we have said" and they even added that one journalist admitted deploying the anti-cycle lane angle as it "gets more readers". Who saw that one coming? 

> Journalist admits anti-cycle lane angle on London being named world's most congested city would “get more readers”

Answering that rhetorical question is...Jeremy Vine. The Vine on 5 presenter and broadcaster can proudly point out his tweet from lunchtime yesterday where he said the report had been "completely garbagified" because "the one way of getting publicity is to attack people who cycle". Meet Mystic Jez...

Imagine his shock, when a mere five hours later, this popped up on his timeline...

Jeremy Vine road.cc story

You lot weren't too surprised either, cue the GIFs...

Dan joined road.cc in 2020, and spent most of his first year (hopefully) keeping you entertained on the live blog. At the start of 2022 he took on the role of news editor. Before joining road.cc, Dan wrote about various sports, including football and boxing for the Daily Express, and covered the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for The Non-League Paper. Part of the generation inspired by the 2012 Olympics, Dan has been 'enjoying' life on two wheels ever since and spends his weekends making bonk-induced trips to the petrol stations of the south of England.

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39 comments

Avatar
Hirsute | 2 years ago
0 likes

More BBC anti-cycling propaganda !

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00127vg

(about 14 mins in)

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belugabob replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
0 likes

I felt that was quite balanced - if anything, he was poking fun at the at naysayers.

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Hirsute | 2 years ago
0 likes

Cav burgled !

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/59585168

//www.gazette-news.co.uk/resources/images/13279575.jpg?type=article-full)

Bikes ok though !

 

 

 

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Miller replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
1 like

Shitty, grim story.

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Hirsute replied to Miller | 2 years ago
2 likes

It was a summary when I read it but now has been fleshed out with some more serious details. Four blokes in your house at 2 am is nasty.

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Pyro Tim | 2 years ago
1 like

Nothing really wrong with that overtake. Gave room, got by with plenty of time, without causing either themselves or the police to change speed or line. I believe in reporting crap driving, but that is nothing. Too many people panic and stop when a police car is coming the opposite direction, when there is no need to. The only reason to do so is to make space if their lane is blocked

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to Pyro Tim | 2 years ago
6 likes

Pyro Tim wrote:

Nothing really wrong with that overtake. Gave room, got by with plenty of time, without causing either themselves or the police to change speed or line.

Not sure how you can say that when the overtaking car blocks the camera's view of the oncoming police car for a considerable period in which we can't see whether the police driver slowed or not. One would imagine s/he at least had to lift off slightly to check that the oncoming driver was going to return safely to their lane. At the very least it was presenting a totally unnecessary distraction for the oncoming emergency vehicle that could have been avoided by waiting approximately two seconds for it to pass and then overtaking the cyclist.

Pyro Tim wrote:

Too many people panic and stop when a police car is coming the opposite direction, when there is no need to. The only reason to do so is to make space if their lane is blocked

Not stopping when an emergency services vehicle is approaching in the opposite lane is perfectly reasonable; pulling into that lane when you can clearly see they are coming, even if you think there is plenty of time for you to complete your manoeuvre, is not acceptable.

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AlsoSomniloquism replied to Pyro Tim | 2 years ago
2 likes

Totally agree on that incident. Didn;t think much in if for both the cyclist or the Police Car.

Although last week a Police Car and Van came shooting passed me on the way to something. As they approached the lights here  they were on red for the Police, however the cars coming from the left had stopped to let them through. Didn't stop some twonk come around the the cars past the refuge on the wrong side and almost t -bone into one of the cars. They had to carry on to where the original call was and twonk carried on ahead of the other cars, turned right and put his turbo chargers going to speed away. I really really hope the Polcie caught the reg on the vehicles cameras to do him afterwards.

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ReCycling Dave replied to Pyro Tim | 2 years ago
0 likes

It's in a 30mph zone so there is something wrong

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Surreyrider | 2 years ago
4 likes

The reporting of the congestion story is terrible. And wrong. But I do have a problem with Inrix. Its spokesman made the cycling comments in interviews, giving media the opportunity. Whether it was deliberate or not, who knows...

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mdavidford replied to Surreyrider | 2 years ago
1 like

Did he volunteer it, though, or was it more like...

"You want me to say it?"

"I want you to say it, yes!"

"You'd like the word?"

"The word..."

"... 'bicycles'."

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AlsoSomniloquism replied to mdavidford | 2 years ago
1 like

For some reason I thought that was from the previous KYTV and not Day Today. 

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IanMK | 2 years ago
6 likes

I've checked my Strava and I have no idea where I was on the 18th Dec last year. However, I can categorically confirm that if it's not on Strava it didn't happen

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SimoninSpalding replied to IanMK | 2 years ago
2 likes

Mine shows I was out on the bike in south Lincs at 9:30 on the morning of the 19th (my wife's birthday), so I am pretty sure I wasn't in Downing Street the night before!

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HLaB replied to IanMK | 2 years ago
1 like

I was at a Christmas Party for MP's.  A solo Must Pedal session on the Turbore.

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belugabob replied to IanMK | 2 years ago
0 likes

Ned should be a politician - using a video dated Dec 7th as an alibi for where he was on Dec 18th ( or did I misread it?)

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TheBillder replied to belugabob | 2 years ago
0 likes
belugabob wrote:

Ned should be a politician - using a video dated Dec 7th as an alibi for where he was on Dec 18th ( or did I misread it?)

Yes. Tweet date 07 Dec 2021. Nasal music date he says is 18 Dec 2020.

Avatar
belugabob replied to TheBillder | 2 years ago
0 likes
TheBillder wrote:
belugabob wrote:

Ned should be a politician - using a video dated Dec 7th as an alibi for where he was on Dec 18th ( or did I misread it?)

There you go then - thanks for correcting me, and reinstating my faith in Ned
Yes. Tweet date 07 Dec 2021. Nasal music date he says is 18 Dec 2020.

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IanMK replied to belugabob | 2 years ago
4 likes

Perhaps he meant he hadn't been booked to play nose recorder as part of the entertainment. If he wasn't booked who was? The truth is out there.

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brooksby | 2 years ago
5 likes

One for hawkinspeter (if about as far off topic as you can get...).

Man builds mini village for squirrels in his back garden, complete with a Christmas cabin and an infinity pool

https://metro.co.uk/2021/12/08/man-builds-mini-village-for-squirrels-in-...

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to brooksby | 2 years ago
1 like

brooksby wrote:

One for hawkinspeter (if about as far off topic as you can get...).

Man builds mini village for squirrels in his back garden, complete with a Christmas cabin and an infinity pool

https://metro.co.uk/2021/12/08/man-builds-mini-village-for-squirrels-in-...

Nice! Eight foxes and a badger, too?

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brooksby replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
1 like

And the lion shall lay down with the lamb, and play in the infinity pool...

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Awavey | 2 years ago
3 likes

Peak Vine twitter content, retweeting a Road.cc tweet  1

Isnt there like a press complaints commission the likes of Cycling UK could raise this too?

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pockstone | 2 years ago
9 likes

Jeremy, I thnk you'll find that your own employer is still running the bogus story about congestion and bike lanes in London News. Perhaps you should make a complaint on their website, as I have done.

(The more the merrier!)

 

 

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Secret_squirrel replied to pockstone | 2 years ago
1 like

Unfortunately the BBC rarely admits they were wrong - even when they are gratuitiously biased and half their own organisation objects.

This one is a great case in point - again coming from their regional news teams, they literally used quotes from someone themselves who had admitted sexual assault :

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/nov/04/bbc-changes-online-artic...

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wycombewheeler replied to Secret_squirrel | 2 years ago
2 likes

Secret_squirrel wrote:

Unfortunately the BBC rarely admits they were wrong - even when they are gratuitiously biased and half their own organisation objects.

This one is a great case in point - again coming from their regional news teams, they literally used quotes from someone themselves who had admitted sexual assault :

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/nov/04/bbc-changes-online-artic...

although as I recall some people did resign over correctly reporting that the government had exagerated the threat from Iraqi WMDs in an intelligence dossier.

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Secret_squirrel replied to wycombewheeler | 2 years ago
3 likes

Much water under the bridge since then unfortunately.  I do get why the Beeb behaves the way it does, and frankly its a good 100% better than the rest of the MSM in general, if only because it doesnt tend generate outrage for eyeballs.

It does score some spectacular own goals though, and currently suffers from too much fear of its political masters.   I dont think appeasement works in the current culture war climate.  I dont believe preserving the BBC at all costs until its Pravda should be their current mission.  Better to call them out head on whilst the Beeb is still thought of relatively fondly and has allies.

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GMBasix replied to Secret_squirrel | 2 years ago
0 likes

Agree with you.

It's a bit like George Monbiot defending nuclear power:  a bad day with nuclear power is better than a good day of coal power (DYOR; it's a metaphor not an EIA).

Similarly, Auntie's bad day is a whole lot better than the Daily Fail's g... does the DF have a good day?

Avatar
brooksby replied to GMBasix | 2 years ago
1 like

GMBasix wrote:

Agree with you.

It's a bit like George Monbiot defending nuclear power:  a bad day with nuclear power is better than a good day of coal power (DYOR; it's a metaphor not an EIA).

Similarly, Auntie's bad day is a whole lot better than the Daily Fail's g... does the DF have a good day?

IAF, a bad day with nuclear power leads to everyone being told to duck and cover, and cities being abandoned...

Avatar
GMBasix replied to brooksby | 2 years ago
0 likes

brooksby wrote:

GMBasix wrote:

Agree with you.

It's a bit like George Monbiot defending nuclear power:  a bad day with nuclear power is better than a good day of coal power (DYOR; it's a metaphor not an EIA).

Similarly, Auntie's bad day is a whole lot better than the Daily Fail's g... does the DF have a good day?

IAF, a bad day with nuclear power leads to everyone being told to duck and cover, and cities being abandoned...

<Kryten> IAF?  Are you sure, sir?  The Inuit Art Foundation was completely absolved of most of the nuclear power plant disasters of the 20th century. </Kryten>

Those aren't bad days for nuclear, they are catastrophic days, the cumulative global impact is modest to date.  Meanwhile, good days with coal are resulting in countries submerging.  As I say, I don't think he intended it to be too literally analysed.

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