Colombian pro crashes on finish line during victory celebration; Brit hopes to break 200mph in cycling land speed record attempt; Geoghegan Hart criticises scrapping of popular cycle lane; Cycle lane becomes a swimming lane + more on the live blog

Last year, British cyclist Neil Campbell reached a speed of 174.3mph to become the fastest man on a bicycle ever and was officially recognised by Guinness World Records. Now he's back and trying to break the 200mph barrier. The Shropshire Star reports that a Harper Adams University lecturer and aerodynamics engineer James Croxford, have enlisted the help of four automotive engineering students to design an aerodynamic slipstreaming shelter for the attempt. 

The bike Neil will use in the attempt, which he hopes will take place next summer, requires a car to pull him up to speed with a bungee due to the high gearing.

🇨🇴Edisón Muñoz of @OrgullPaisa wins stage 2 of Clásico RCN 2020 and crashes solo while celebrating on the finish line #ClasicoRCN (📺@WinSportsTV) pic.twitter.com/wbX9NiUmxN

— World Cycling Stats (@wcsbike) November 30, 2020

Edisón Muñoz probably wishes the ground would swallow him up after this embarrassing crash on the second stage of Clásico RCN - Cerveza Andina in Colombia. Taking his hands off the bars to celebrate victory he hits a bump in the road and is sent flying off the bike and, fortunately for him, over the finish line. I wonder what went through Muñoz's mind as he lay on the floor, admittedly with the consolation of a stage win, as all his rivals came flying past laughing their heads off?

It seems this isn't the first time there's been a dodgy road surface at the end of a Colombian race. Check out this crash from 2019...

Qué bien el #TourColombia2019, pero se requiere que las autoridades piensen en los ciclistas, como ponen un resalto? pic.twitter.com/7qlbCZRgV6

— Enrique Garcia M. (@egarcam) February 13, 2019

https://t.co/jO8aqlmede Good luck to the families protesting this decision tomorrow on Ken High St. Cycling has been taken up by so many new people this year, let’s please avoid regressive road infrastructure action @RBKC! LDN roads are for all users to share & enjoy safely.

— Tao Geoghegan Hart (@taogeoghegan) November 30, 2020

INEOS Grenadiers' Giro d'Italia winner Tao Geoghegan Hart is putting his platform to good use with this message of support to those campaigning to try and reverse the decision to scrap Kensington High Street's emergency segregated cycle lane. Sharing an article reporting the decision to remove the lane after just seven weeks due to 322 email complaints, Geoghegan Hart posted on social media: "Good luck to the families protesting this decision tomorrow.

"On Kensington High Street, cycling has been taken up by so many new people this year, let’s please avoid regressive road infrastructure action! London roads are for all users to share & enjoy safely."

Thanks Tao. My partner uses this route every day to commute to her job as an essential key worker in an NHS hospital. I am furious that @RBKC and a tiny minority of residents and some misguided and misinformed local businesses do not care about her safety.

— noblecyclist (@noblecyclist) December 1, 2020

DANGEROUS WAVES: Don't let this happen to you. Strong winds are causing high waves to pound the shoreline along Lake Michigan. Stay off the the lakefront trail. https://t.co/6He8PT33Wj pic.twitter.com/v0n3QLNTmv

— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) November 30, 2020

Cyclists in Chicago have been urged to stay off the lakefront trail which runs along the edge of Lake Michigan. Strong winds have caused dangerous waves to pound the bike path, this cyclist has probably learnt his lesson.

Could be worse, at least this didn't happen...

When coach writes ‘cool down’ in the training plan 😂 pic.twitter.com/8ldwXhWbkj

— Awesome Cycling 🚵‍♀️🚵‍♂️ (@AwesomeCycling) November 27, 2020

This bollard on Kensington High St was adopted by Ellie, aged 5 who wants to be able to cycle to school in safety.

She has to adopt a bollard because she hasn't the same access to power that the likes of Lord Rothermere has. #SaveTheLane pic.twitter.com/rnGkEXjsdJ

— StopKillingCyclists (@StopKillingCycl) December 1, 2020

As part of this morning's protest at Kensington High Street, some of the bollards segregating the cycle lane from traffic have been adopted by local children. Fox Primary School were one of the most vocal supporters of the bike lane and called its planned removal as "a backwards step." 

Our very own Deputy Head Ms Morgan saying how it is. Thank you to all who came and supported our celebration of cycling and the cycle lane both in person and virtually. #savethelane @Chris_Boardman @MayorofLondon #cycling @RBKC_cycling @London_Cycling @taogeoghegan @willnorman https://t.co/Q46dRvemsb

— Fox Primary School (@FoxPrimary) December 1, 2020

The protest had an impressive turnout considering critics of the cycle lane have suggested it's barely been used by cyclists. The video below shows 20-30 people on bikes fitting into the space of two or three large cars. 

On the right there are perhaps 4 people in large cars (Maserati v Kensington darling), on the left literally 20-30 people riding bikes in a smaller space. how’s your maths @rbkc ?? @London_Cycling #savethelane pic.twitter.com/rp2dSIXDI2

— Sebastian Morrison (@BastieVelo) December 1, 2020

It’s really something that a school has to fight so their kids are able to travel safely and healthily.

They actually want to do what’s best for their future....and they have to fight for it.

Have a think about that.

If you live in the area show them your support tomorrow. https://t.co/uydUJDqT9F

— Chris Boardman (@Chris_Boardman) November 30, 2020

The £700,000 cycle lane along #KensingtonHighStreet is being ripped out this week after less than two months. I used it tonight and met a mum and daughter who didn't know it was being removed. I hope @RBKC council might watch this and think again pic.twitter.com/pOG4wCPaZF

— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) November 30, 2020

I am sick of this country's lack of progressive vision. It was where I was born, and where, after years travelling and living overseas, I always intended to be remain. But, right now....God, it's hard.

— Ned Boulting (@nedboulting) November 30, 2020

Let's go Kensington High Street! #SaveOurLane #KensingtonHighStreet #KHS pic.twitter.com/QLE1wPIekt

— All Brompton, No Lycra (@cyclingheavy) December 1, 2020

These were the scenes on Kensington High Street this morning where hundreds of cyclists gathered to protest the lane's imminent removal. The emergency cycle lane is to be ripped out this week after the council claimed the scheme is "not working." Among the crowds were pupils and staff from Fox Primary School who say the lane is essential for providing a safe active travel route for children and that removing the lane is a "backwards step."

The London Cycling Campaign has also taken an active role in promoting the protest and shared a video of the lane being used by many cyclists commuting into London, before the protest began at 8am. Last week, Conservative MPs Tony Devenish and Felicity Buchan claimed that the cycle lane had failed, while actor Nigel Havers has accused it of causing "gridlock every day."

We bumped into @willnorman at the #savethelane protest - please tell @RBKC to rethink the decision to withdraw the protections for cyclists https://t.co/wqxBbMTC5F https://t.co/88MPSx7E9n

— London Cycling Campaign (@London_Cycling) December 1, 2020

Johnny Thalassites, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s lead member for transport, said: “The cycle lane was a trial scheme to help those hopping on bikes during lockdowns and encourage shoppers to the High Street. Businesses and residents have told us loud and clear that they believe the experiment has not worked. We are listening.

“By removing the temporary lanes as lockdown lifts, we hope to help get the High Street moving again and give our local economy the best possible chance of a good December.”