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Clip of Jeremy Clarkson berating pro cyclist for riding in lockdown surfaces; 'Road tax' debacle; Reaction to 'unpuncturable' inner tube; Pogacar sandwiches; Tacks discovered on London 'cycling bottleneck'; The dog ate my GPS + more on the live blog

It's Tuesday, and Jack Sexty will be live blogging you through the day before normal service/Dan Alexander resumes again tomorrow. Phew...

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15 June 2021, 16:22
Clip of Jeremy Clarkson filming new show in lockdown shows him berating cyclist for making non-essential journey... who happens to ride for Trek-Segafredo

Remember that time that began in March 2020, and then again a bit more between roughly January-March of this year when some people thought recreational cycling was against the lockdown rules? Well it turns out that the motoring journalist and notable morality specialist Jeremy Clarkson was one of them, moaning that the cyclist in this clip - filmed in the Cotswolds during lockdown for the new Amazon Prime series 'Clarkson's Farm' - was making a non-essential journey: 

"Everyone's told to stay at home unless their journey's essential. That doesn't apply to cyclists, obviously!", says Clarkson. 

Even if Clarkson was correct, unfortunately for him the man riding past happened to be Charlie Quarterman, a professional cyclist from Oxford who rides for Trek-Segafredo. One follower added: "...not sure what’s more awkward, him owning himself while being a smart-arse as per or the fact he’s pretty much in cardiac arrest putting up a small sign." 

The eight-episode first series of Clarkson's Farm sees Clarkson trying to run a 1000 acre farm, hitting various hurdles along the way. Reviews have been mixed so far... 

15 June 2021, 15:27
Derbyshire Police slammed for focussing on cyclists' helmets in tweet about collision

More from Derbyshire, this time it's the county's Road Policing Unit that has attracted a lot of criticism for the post above about a collision between a driver and a cyclist. 

One said: "What? That's your take? How about 'drivers, please double check for vulnerable road users, and drive with care'", while another added: "It would be more useful to know what action was taken against the driver for their selfish and reckless behaviour than blame the innocent party. Expected better of a police RPU, very disappointed."

Not everyone thought the tweet was problematic, with one saying: "It prevented more injury than necessary for the type of collision, glass embedded in the cyclists head, cuts and bleeding etc…… which is what they are designed for so yes they should recommend wearing a helmet." 

In its defence, Derbyshire Roads Policing Unit added: "It goes without saying that drivers must ensure their path is clear before proceeding. That's the law and we are dealing with the driver as such. But this is a road safety tweet highlighting how helmets can prevent a serious injury should a cyclist be involved in a crash.

"The cyclist suffered a minor injury. His helmet will require replacement as it took the impact." 

15 June 2021, 14:53
Supercar problems: when there's nowhere sensible to rack your bike

With no space inside the Lamborghini and a soft top roof, it looks like this supercar owner had no choice but to rack their mountain bike on the car's windscreen... well I suppose the other choice would be to avoid being stupid and not do this, but it is what it is. 

Cervelo R5 x Lamborghini 2

A safer option would have been to combine the two by purchasing one of these Cervelo x Lamborghini R5 road bikes. We're sure the culprit wouldn't have any problems affording the £18,468 price tag, unless the impending legal troubles clear their account... 

15 June 2021, 12:44
Tacks found on 'cycling bottleneck' in London's Hammersmith

Leo Murray discovered the pins on what is described as a 'narrow corridor' next to the A4, with some suggesting that the act is a warped protest against the narrow width of the pavement that is meant to be shared by pedestrians and cyclists. 

Mr Murray added: "While I was picking them up I was passed by a flower delivery cargo cyclist, mum and small kids in bucket bike, dad and larger kids on bikes and a disabled cyclist on a trike, all funnelled through this busy narrow corridor where this kind of sabotage is easy." 

Another said: "Imagine hating cyclists so much you can't remember that dogs exist."

15 June 2021, 12:42
Froome confirmed for Tour de France

Israel Start-Up Nation has confirmed the four-time champ will go as the team's road captain, supporting Michael Woods as the team leader. 

15 June 2021, 11:20
Thames Valley Police appeal for witnesses after cyclist hit by van driver dies
Police tape (CC licensed by freefotouk on Flickr)

Police say that the incident occurred at 8.15pm on 13th June on a dual carriageway section of the A4130 between Lower Assendon and Bix, near Henley-on-Thames. Both the cyclist and van driver were travelling westbound, and following the collision the cyclist, a 45-year-old male, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The van driver, a 57-year-old man from Wallingford, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving and driving whilst unfit through drugs, and has since been released under investigation.

Investigating officer PC Julia Stroud of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who has very sadly died.

“I am appealing for any witnesses to this collision, or who saw the van or cyclist before or at the time of the collision to please get in touch.

“I am especially keen to hear from anybody who has dash-cam footage to please check this and contact police if it has captured anything that can assist this investigation.

“You can do so by making a report online or by calling the 24-hour non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 43210259113.

“For 100% anonymity, you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

15 June 2021, 10:46
The Wahoo Clagr?
clag-o-gone

Every now and then, a solid gold archive excerpt from Viz - self-proclaimed as 'Britain's third or fourth funniest magazine. Possibly fifth' - does the rounds... and when it's cycling-related we're particularly interested, of course. 

This stationary bike is for "when wiping simply isn't enough', allowing the rider to get a workout while giving their behind a more thorough clean than traditional methods. Some folks on the Zwift Riders Facebook group think it's a little reminiscent of the Wahoo Kickr Bike, with name suggestions including the Wahoo CLAGR and the Wahoo SHITR. 

Another couldn't help but norice some flaws with the workings of the contraption, noting: "I'm most bothered by the fact that the back wheel is somehow spinning the wrong way... It doesn't appear to be a fixie, and appears to have a derailleur... so it should be flinging those winnits and dangleberries at his feet." 

viz.co.uk

15 June 2021, 09:05
Slovenians can now eat Tadej Pogacar sandwiches

The 22-year-old is obviously a hero in his homeland after that Tour de France victory last year... and now if his fellow Slovenians want to grab a quick lunch on the go, they can stare at a very quick cyclist before tucking into their tasty sub rolls. 

There appears to be turkey, ham and cheese options, and according to our translations the text on photo number two says something along the lines of: "Now Pogacar can overcome hunger." 

Any Slovenian natives able to translate, and confirm or deny if these are tasty? For the rest of us who won't get to see Pogacar on our sandwich packaging, we'll definitely be seeing him on the 26th June when he will begin the defence of his Tour de France yellow jersey. 

15 June 2021, 08:23
"Farmers in September cutting hedges be like..... hold my beer": reaction round-up to Tubolito's 'unpuncturable' inner tube claim
2021 Tubolito X-Tubo City-Tour inner tube - 3.jpeg

Tubolito, who previously made specialist inner tubes with a focus on weight saving, has launched what it claims is an 'unpuncturable' inner tube, with a one year warranty just in case you don't believe it. Priced at £22.99 each, they're only suitable for tyres between 30mm-50mm in width and fit 700c wheels. 

tubolito comments 1.PNG
tubolito comments 4.PNG

Still, plenty of our readers on the site and across social media are having a hard time believing that an inner tube can be completely indestructible. 

Velophaart_95 commented: "I'd like to know where they tested them..... it seems far too good to be true. However, I may be tempted to buy a pair later in the year." 

Bruce Laidlaw appeared to be concerned about the business model, adding: "Great idea if you are in the business of making and selling inner tubes! What happens once we all own one (or two) = no sales & no business!"

Not forgetting some inner tube-related puns, Declan Mcgee observed: "I think they are just blowing it out of all proportion", while Matt Attonic says: "You forgot to mention the inflated price."

What do you reckon? Of course road.cc will be testing as soon as we can get our hands on some, so watch out for a full review soon. Well, perhaps in a few months and a few rides through some thorny country lanes to really put those claims to the test...

15 June 2021, 08:18
The dog ate my GPS
chewed up wahoo

That's the situation road.cc Brad was faced with before heading out for a ride yesterday evening, leaving him computer-less. Irritating as this was, Brad says it's difficult to be too angry at the culprit...

brad dog.PNG

If you have a dog, has it ever chewed up an expensive cycling accessory and can you beat this? Let us know in the comments as always. 

15 June 2021, 08:10
Prendas receive "unprecedented" volume of orders following announcement retro specialists will stop selling jerseys
prendas forgotten jerseys

In our full story yesterday, we reported that Prendas' founder Andy Storey has announced the business will be greatly scaled back due to the impact of Brexit on the business - the company will only sell cycling caps and some accessories going forward. 

Since the announcement, Prendas says it is working through an unprecedented volume of orders as retro cycling fans scramble to get hold of their favourite replica jerseys. If you want to see what's left, the Prendas Ciclismo website is here

Arriving at road.cc in 2017 via 220 Triathlon Magazine, Jack dipped his toe in most jobs on the site and over at eBikeTips before being named the new editor of road.cc in 2020, much to his surprise. His cycling life began during his students days, when he cobbled together a few hundred quid off the back of a hard winter selling hats (long story) and bought his first road bike - a Trek 1.1 that was quickly relegated to winter steed, before it was sadly pinched a few years later. Creatively replacing it with a Trek 1.2, Jack mostly rides this bike around local cycle paths nowadays, but when he wants to get the racer out and be competitive his preferred events are time trials, sportives, triathlons and pogo sticking - the latter being another long story.  

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71 comments

Avatar
David9694 | 2 years ago
6 likes

The friend of the world's greatest victims, drivers, declares himself world's greatest victim. Where to even start.

Avatar
Jenova20 replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
1 like

Nigel Garrage wrote:

Apparently he's on GB News at 1.30pm to discuss... edit he's just been on - boring, same old rubbish. Most interesting thing was the presenter introduced him as "Nick Hillman, Manchester solicitor".

"It's Nick Freeman, and I'm nationwide!"

Maybe she was getting him mixed up with Richard Hillman, Coronation Street villain, who knows?

 

It's those dead eyes. The eyes of a nutter...

Avatar
Steve K replied to David9694 | 2 years ago
7 likes

This tweet actually sums up his arrogance.  The issues around registration of cyclists have been analysed and discussed before, and an informed decision was taken.  Nothing has changed, other than him raising the issue again.  

Avatar
DoomeFrog | 2 years ago
0 likes

I remember that Viz "advert" about 30 years ago, nice to see it is still available. No idea of the price back then.

Avatar
Sriracha replied to DoomeFrog | 2 years ago
0 likes

Wheel still seems to turn backwards though.
Edit - oh, I see that's been noted.

Avatar
Steve K | 2 years ago
0 likes

I've never had a dog eat any of my cycling gear.  I have, however, had a cat leave* a nearly dead mouse in my cycling shoe, which I only discovered when I put my foot in it.

(* or, more likely, the mouse hid in the shoe to escape the cat.)

Avatar
Sriracha replied to Steve K | 2 years ago
2 likes

If your dog eats your GPS, does that mean you can see where he goes? 💩

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to Sriracha | 2 years ago
21 likes

Sriracha wrote:

If your dog eats your GPS, does that mean you can see where he goes? 💩

I made the mistake of feeding my GPS to Bonnie Tyler.

Now it just keeps saying "Turn around" and every now and then it falls apart.

Avatar
Global Nomad replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
3 likes

you win....

Avatar
captain_slog replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
14 likes

I once borrowed Bono's GPS. It was rubbish! The streets had no name and I still haven't found what I'm looking for.

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to captain_slog | 2 years ago
4 likes

captain_slog wrote:

I once borrowed Bono's GPS. It was rubbish! The streets had no name and I still haven't found what I'm looking for.

At least that's better than getting a cheap mexican boy band GPS - it only goes in Juan Direction

Avatar
Mungecrundle replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
5 likes

I once leant a GPS to Neil Tennant off of Pet Shop Boys. It now keeps telling me to Go West. The upside is that I always find myself in the open air and the skies are blue.

Avatar
Wardy74 replied to Mungecrundle | 2 years ago
0 likes

And is life peaceful there?

Avatar
sean1 replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
15 likes

More nonsense trolling from Nigel.

Please can you find another forum to peddle your anti-cycling rhetoric.

 Thanks.

 

Avatar
sean1 replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
9 likes

Are you a re-incarnation of the forums top troll SoliquiCycling?

Your trolling has a very similar tone?

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to sean1 | 2 years ago
8 likes

sean1 wrote:

Are you a re-incarnation of the forums top troll SoliquiCycling?

Your trolling has a very similar tone?

Nah, nowhere near the quality

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
9 likes

Nigel Garrage wrote:

Captain Badger wrote:

sean1 wrote:

Are you a re-incarnation of the forums top troll SoliquiCycling?

Your trolling has a very similar tone?

Nah, nowhere near the quality

Road.cc have published a number of articles linked to Nick Freeman and escooters, e-scooters in general and calls for regulation. This is an hot, on-topic discussion which warrants attention. Or are Road.cc trolling too every time they post an article on the subject?

No.

Hope that helps

Avatar
sean1 replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
11 likes

Surely "GBNews" has a really good forum you could join?

I reckon you would fit in perfectly there.  They will love your anti-cycling comments.

Avatar
Secret_squirrel replied to sean1 | 2 years ago
3 likes

sean1 wrote:

Surely "GBNews" has a really good forum you could join?

I reckon you would fit in perfectly there.  They will love your anti-cycling comments.

i don't think that's entirely fair. I disagree with 90% of Nigels comments but in this case and occasionally at other times he makes a reasonable point. 
He is not in the same trolling cave as the other idiots who eventually disappeared up their own orifices. 
I'd much rather read something from Nige even if it makes my blood boil than another tedious debate about wing mirrors for instance. 

Avatar
Awavey replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
7 likes

Seems a reasonable point to make as I'd agree theres the risk politicians in their usual way of wanting to be seen doing something come up with heavy handed legislation that ultimately impacts at the very least ebikes if not regular cyclists too, how many MPs will stand up for cycling as a separate case and not simply nod something disastrous through?

People shouldn't blame the messenger if they dont like hearing bad news.

Avatar
Sriracha replied to Awavey | 2 years ago
6 likes

Indeed, it's classic guerilla PR tactics. Mr Loophole (pushing on an open door) manages to parade the idea on BBCR4, simultaneously the same idea is prosecuted from another flank, almost as if choreographed. How long before Lime et al are used to demonstrate that universal registration is an entirely reasonable and demonstrably feasible goal, for Mr Loophole to tactically withdraw his spoof "tabard" idea and graciously accept cyclist registration à-la-escooter? He only needs to show it can be done and keep it in the spotlight to have some chance of success.

Avatar
SaintClarence27 replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
3 likes

Nigel Garrage wrote:

Sriracha wrote:

Indeed, it's classic guerilla PR tactics. Mr Loophole (pushing on an open door) manages to parade the idea on BBCR4, simultaneously the same idea is prosecuted from another flank, almost as if choreographed. How long before Lime et al are used to demonstrate that universal registration is an entirely reasonable and demonstrably feasible goal, for Mr Loophole to tactically withdraw his spoof "tabard" idea and graciously accept cyclist registration à-la-escooter? He only needs to show it can be done and keep it in the spotlight to have some chance of success.

Exactly. Nick Freeman must know that his tabard plan is onerous and unworkable from both a legal and practical perspective, but it strikes me as a "door in the face" tactic whereby he'll suddenly pivot to a "compromise" position.

The frustrating thing to me is that he's treated as anything more than an average citizen.

Avatar
wtjs replied to SaintClarence27 | 2 years ago
2 likes

The frustrating thing to me is that he's treated as anything more than an average citizen

He is entitled to be treated as a self-important, self-publicising shyster lawyer, as that's what he is. I much enjoyed a link put on here to another solicitor's website which was attacking aforementioned shyster for making a legal pig's ear.

Avatar
Sriracha replied to sean1 | 2 years ago
5 likes
sean1 wrote:

More nonsense trolling from Nigel.

Please can you find another forum to peddle your anti-cycling rhetoric.

 Thanks.

 

I find it more helpful when people address the argument.

Avatar
Seventyone replied to Sriracha | 2 years ago
7 likes

Young Nigel has made a great many points which i utterly disagree with, but I don't have a problem with him posting on here.   He is cretainly not as trollish as some previous posters.

I also think this particular post was both interesting and useful (unlike some of his other posts).  

Avatar
Jenova20 replied to sean1 | 2 years ago
1 like

sean1 wrote:

More nonsense trolling from Nigel.

Please can you find another forum to peddle your anti-cycling rhetoric.

 Thanks.

 

That sounded like a reasonable common sense point he made Sean1. If you can't tolerate other people's opinions then maybe the internet isn't for you until you mature a bit more.

Avatar
brooksby replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
16 likes

Why does it not surprise me that you were watching GB News...

Avatar
Sriracha replied to brooksby | 2 years ago
4 likes
brooksby wrote:

Why does it not surprise me that you were watching GB News...

I've no idea, but what does this have to do with the point under discussion?

Avatar
EddyBerckx replied to Sriracha | 2 years ago
6 likes

Sriracha wrote:
brooksby wrote:

Why does it not surprise me that you were watching GB News...

I've no idea, but what does this have to do with the point under discussion?

 

it's a fake news farm. Basically a Fox News for Britain. It only exists to spread misinformation, hate, division for a quick buck, else a bit of influence for its owner (who wrote off the sun's £200 million loss the other day).

appparently they are fighting the metropolitan elite who control the media...90% of which is right wing Tory supporters of course...so even that bit is built on a lie...

Avatar
Rich_cb replied to EddyBerckx | 2 years ago
3 likes

You've gleaned this information from their extensive previous broadcasts I presume?

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