Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

news

Mr Loophole fury at perfectly legal two abreast cyclists "riding with impunity" (+ Surrey traffic cops aren't impressed); Cattle grid conundrum; Van Aert hopes to make peace with Remco; Josh Quigley set for round the world finale + more on the live blog

It's Thursday and Dan Alexander is in the hot seat for all your live blog needs...

SUMMARY

No Live Blog item found.

02 December 2021, 19:19
He's still going...

Goodnight folks! Undoubtedly we'll have more on this in the morning, can't wait... 

02 December 2021, 08:42
Mr Loophole fury at perfectly legal two abreast cyclists "riding with impunity"

*This post is pinned from this morning*

The new Highway Code changes have been announced, we'll be bringing you all the details ASAP. In that context, Mr Loophole timed his latest anti-cyclist rant perfectly, sharing a video of a group ride travelling safely along a narrow, twisty country road. Mr Loophole, real name Nick Freeman, claimed the riders were three abreast and holding up traffic at 20mph when drivers could have been going 60mph...

In the video shared to his Twitter followers, Freeman can be heard saying, "So here we are now on a 60mph derestricted road with seven cyclists two abreast, not going to give way so all the cars have to go at 19 or 20mph because they've got no intention of moving over...and there's no means of holding them to account. What they're doing is completely illegal.

"This is not right and why we need to know who they are. They're cycling without consideration for other road users, we factually know that is correct, but who is it? We've no idea because there's no means of identifying them."

> Rural A roads are where cyclists are most likely to be killed, road.cc analysis reveals

The lawyer seemed to ignore the fact the road would not have been suitable for travelling at 60mph regardless of how many cyclists were using it...something many pointed out in the numerous replies to the post...

He also seemed oblivious to the reason that most of us ride two abreast — it's safer for those on bikes and easier for motorists to overtake because it shortens the overtaking distance in half...if only the group had been riding single file, Mr Loophole could have got round on those tight bends...

He's got history with this sort of thing. Last year, Mr Loophole claimed cyclists were "abusing" rules on riding two abreast. While earlier this year he started a petition calling for all cyclists to be insured.

Mr Loophole, save us all some time and have a read of our 'Why do cyclists ride two abreast?' explainer...

02 December 2021, 16:53
Pep and Pog talk...footy? Cycling? The benefits of Middle Eastern investment?

We've had Mr Loophole, now it's time for Mr Financial Fair Play Loophole...meeting Tadej Pogačar at City's Manchester training base. I wonder what these two megastars bonded over? A shared hatred of Manchester weather perhaps?

According to City's official news report, the two-time Tour de France winner took a break from his cycling exploits to take a look around and was invited to watch a training session, where he met Guardiola and his backroom staff, before presenting the City boss with a commemorative jersey.

Rumours the boss wants to shell out £20million on Pog as a third choice right back remain unconfirmed...

02 December 2021, 16:17
Selfridges criticised for selling 50mph e-scooter
Kaabo Wolf Warrior 11

Our friends at e-bike tips have the full story about Selfridges facing a fair bit of criticism for selling a 50mph e-scooter, currently illegal to use on public roads and pavements...

For the full story head over to e-bike tips...

02 December 2021, 14:58
Surrey road cops' road safety debunking bonanza

Whoever's behind the Surrey Roads Policing Unit's Twitter account had their Weetabix this morning (plus a few choccy biscuits)...it's been another vintage day for everybody's favourite police account. It all began with those delightful replies to Mr Loophole. But was that the end of it? Not one bit. Loophole may not have come back for a second bite, but the anti-cyclist bingo lot did...

Fear not, fuelled by mugs of tea, our admirable admin continued the good fight. The only tricky decision is where to start?

That was fun, fortunately there's more...

Was anyone keeping score? I think I lost count at 6-0 to the traffic cops... 

02 December 2021, 14:37
Blast from the past
02 December 2021, 14:17
Tickets for Eroica Britannia on sale 9am Monday 6 December

Tickets for the cycling lifestyle festival Eroica Britannia at Goodwood go on sale from Monday at 9am. The event involves family-friendly fun, cycling heritage and live music over the weekend of 6-7 August 2022.

It is a celebration of Sussex and cycling’s past, with three rides across the South Downs, starting and finishing at Goodwood’s famous motor circuit. On Saturday, visitors can participate in various activities at the motor circuit, where there will be live DJs and bands, pop-up shops, cocktail bars and food stalls.

On Sunday, 'The Ride' ticket holders have a choice of three routes: a 25-mile all abilities route, as well as 60 and 100-mile options. All the routes will take in Goodwood’s iconic hill climb and pass the historic 1982 UCI World Championships finish line at the top of Kennel Hill.

02 December 2021, 14:12
How Mr Loophole's tweet should have read?
02 December 2021, 10:47
Mr Loophole taken back to school by Surrey traffic cops

As the saying goes...cometh the hour, cometh the regional roads policing unit armed with facts and a no-nonsense attitude...

The Surrey traffic cops were quickly on the scene of the Mr Loophole road safety horror show, and got back to him about both his posts: the video of the two abreast group ride and this questionable interpretation of the news cyclist deaths had spiked on rural A roads.

 In reply to the video, the Surrey cops echoed much of the sentiment seen elsewhere in the replies...

02 December 2021, 11:26
Josh Quigley touches down in Texas after brief lost bike scare

Josh Quigley's attempt to finally complete his round the world cycle two years later gets underway tomorrow. Today he took some time to return to the Texas Neuro Rehab Centre where he was treated after a driver collided with him while travelling at 70mph.

There was a brief scare when his bike didn't arrive in Austin...

02 December 2021, 11:20
Rapha partners with All In Racing on #RainbowLaces and socks
Rapha rainbow socks

Rapha and All In Racing have produced limited edition Rainbow Socks in support of #RainbowLaces day on Wednesday 8th December. All In Racing is a new initiative within competitive cycling which aims to help the sport become more inclusive for LGBTQ+ people.

Stonewall's #RainbowLaces campaign, which runs in December every year, has support from football’s Premier League but until now has held a lower profile in endurance sports. 

All In Racing and Rapha are bringing #RainbowLaces to the new Clanfield Cross cyclocross event in Hampshire on Saturday 11th December. They are providing a free pair of Rainbow Socks to anyone in the Men’s and Women’s Elite UCI races who would like to show support for LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Anyone else racing the Clanfield Cross event can request socks via the All In Racing website.

In addition, 120 pairs of socks are publicly available for sale at £10 (including postage) through the All In Racing website. To mark the #RainbowLaces day, on Wednesday 8th December at 6.30pm, Josh Jones from All In Racing will host an open Zwift ride with journalist Myles Warwood, where they will chat about the initiative.

 All In Racing will formally launch in spring 2022.

02 December 2021, 10:27
"I've never been angry, I was disappointed": Wout van Aert hopes to clear the air with Remco Evenepoel over World Championships tactics
Wout Van Aert on Stage 11 of 2021 Tour de France picture credit A.S.O., Pauline Ballet

Wout van Aert says he's keen to move on from the disappointment of failing to win the rainbow jersey at his home World Championships. Much of the narrative was around young starlet Remco Evenepoel apparently ignoring team orders to attack with 180km to go.

It then emerged Remco had skipped the post-race debrief, where Van Aert had hoped to address the decision. The Jumbo-Visma rider told HLN before the Kristallen Fiets award ceremony the pair hadn't addressed their concerns since..."It hasn't happened for the time being, because right after the World Championships, I didn't really care about it. I was disappointed with myself and for the group, because I hadn't been able to deliver," Van Aert told former rider Dirk De Wolf.

"Remco then chose not to attend the debriefing. That was a pity. After that, the season was soon over and everyone took a vacation. I've never been angry. I was disappointed because I just didn't think it was smart to spark a controversy in the media afterwards. But you're right: we need to sort it out because we will often be in national teams together."

02 December 2021, 09:37
Let's get all the Mr Loophole stuff out the way early...

You've had one Mr Loophole post already, let's get this one out the way too...for a slightly different interpretation of the official data, check out Simon's deep dive into the numbers from yesterday... 

02 December 2021, 09:25
Aberdeenshire farm crowned Tour of Britain land art competition winner for its creative straw bale display
Tour of Britain land art winner (Image Dr Jenna Ross/ToB)

Wout van Aert may have won the race, but Craskins Farm in Aberdeenshire won the people's Tour of Britain prize. The work of Dr Jenna Ross, parents Brian and Alison and brother Stewart, this 'mini peloton', made from straw bales and recycled materials collected from roadside verges around the farm, has been awarded the 2021 AJ Bell Tour of Britain national land art prize.

The judging panel, which included AJ Bell Tour of Britain race director Mick Bennett, chose the display for its novelty factor as well as its environmental credentials. Ned Boulting commented on the display during the ITV4 live coverage of the race, saying: "Cycling fans have used bales to represent bicycles for decades and I’ve never seen as inventive a use as that!" Big praise from a man who sees the best of what the French have to offer every year at the Tour.

Dr Ross had previously made a straw bale display in support of the NHS, and the mini peloton was repurposed into a Halloween display after the race had passed. "It was such a pleasure to have this world-renowned event come to our very special corner of the world," Dr Ross said.

"The art was inspired by my younger brother, Duncan, who is registered blind and is passionate about cycling. Unfortunately the pandemic massively impacted his ability to get on his bike due to the social distancing challenges of a tandem bike. So this was for him!" 

Dan is the road.cc news editor and has spent the past four years writing stories and features, as well as (hopefully) keeping you entertained on the live blog. Having previously written about nearly every other sport under the sun for the Express, and the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for the Non-League Paper, Dan joined road.cc in 2020. Come the weekend you'll find him labouring up a hill, probably with a mouth full of jelly babies, or making a bonk-induced trip to a south of England petrol station... in search of more jelly babies.

Add new comment

99 comments

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to chrisonabike | 2 years ago
4 likes

chrisonatrike wrote:

Yo momma's so fat, she will have to ride at the front of every peloton so as to not block motorists' view of the other riders.

Yo momma's so fat she couldn't get a room at Hilbert's hotel

Avatar
chrisonabike replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
2 likes

hawkinspeter wrote:

chrisonatrike wrote:

Yo momma's so fat, she will have to ride at the front of every peloton so as to not block motorists' view of the other riders.

Yo momma's so fat she couldn't get a room at Hilbert's hotel

Surreal!

Avatar
ErnieC replied to chrisonabike | 2 years ago
1 like

chrisonatrike wrote:

Captain Badger wrote:

Argos74 wrote:

Garage at Large wrote:

...and one which I've shared with my mum.

your mum?

yo momma....

Yo momma's so fat, she will have to ride at the front of every peloton so as to not block motorists' view of the other riders.

yo Momma so fat she needs a boomerang to put her belt on

Avatar
IanMK replied to Argos74 | 2 years ago
8 likes

Argos74 wrote:

Garage at Large wrote:

...and one which I've shared with my mum.

your mum?

Honestly, that was the line that scared me the most. I'm now imagining a cycling Norman Bates........

Avatar
marmotte27 replied to Argos74 | 2 years ago
2 likes

Argos74 wrote:

Garage at Large wrote:

...and one which I've shared with my mum.

your mum?

This more than anything suggest that Mr. GaL is on a very elaborate pisstake on here.

Avatar
brooksby replied to marmotte27 | 2 years ago
2 likes

marmotte27 wrote:

Argos74 wrote:

Garage at Large wrote:

...and one which I've shared with my mum.

your mum?

This more than anything suggest that Mr. GaL is on a very elaborate pisstake on here.

On Eben Weiss's blog, there's a regular commenter (Leroy) who always posts along the lines of "My dog always thinks that..." or "My dog says..."

Also reminds me of Emma's sister in law in 'Emma' - "My friends say that... "

Perhaps our Nige is a bit like that ("My mum says...").

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

It says "Should" not "Must", not law not a requirement, just a suggestion.

Simple soloution to make everyone happy is for the cyclists to move to Single file and ride primary position.

Totally in line with the HWC then.

Avatar
peted76 replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
5 likes

Garage at Large wrote:

Top tier lawyer and road safety expert Nick Freeman is once again completely justified in pointing out this disgraceful group's blatent disregard of the highway code: "you should never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends." As I've mentioned before, I don't believe that Nick's proposed registration scheme is proportionate. However, there are other means to ensure this kind of antisocial behaviour is discouraged, with my own preference being to limit group rides to 4 people maximum, with police being at liberty to confiscate law-breakers' bikes and sell them to fund road safety measures. Nonetheless, a fantastically articulated video from Mr Freeman, and one which I've shared with my mum. I'll report back when she's reviewed the footage and given her opinion.

Nick, you've surpassed yourself with todays first post! 

I've never seen anyone support Nick Freeman in any way ever apart from, 1) Nick Freeman the publicity whore himself 2) those who profit from his work... and now you. I reckon if you started a Nick Freeman fan club, Nick Freeman would be very pleased about that indeed, he might even send you a signed picture of himself, wouldn't that be nice! 

 

Avatar
Compact Corned Beef replied to peted76 | 2 years ago
5 likes

Am I missing something here? I thought the Garage at Large persona was a parody account...

Avatar
peted76 replied to Compact Corned Beef | 2 years ago
6 likes

Compact Corned Beef wrote:

Am I missing something here? I thought the Garage at Large persona was a parody account...

He's usually serious, but after todays post.. honestly I'm not sure anymore.. 

Avatar
Hirsute replied to Compact Corned Beef | 2 years ago
2 likes

That's Nasal Forage although the lines are getting rather blurred.

Avatar
Clem Fandango replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
6 likes

Garage at Large wrote:

 I've shared with my mum.

Does she know Geoff Boycott's mum?

"Top tier lawyer and road safety expert" - sorry that's just too much for one post, I haven't laughed so much in ages.  It's like calling OJ Simpson's lawyer an expert on advocacy in preventing Femicide.

Mr Loophole is just angry that this "disgraceful group" is doing him out of business by calming the traffic.  How's anyone supposed to speed or drive dangerously in such a situation? The absolute swines - he'll be claiming for loss of earnings next.

 

 

Avatar
matt_cycles replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
0 likes

Highway code for that rule is 'should not', not 'must not'. Therefore there is no legal obilgation for them to ride single file whilst traffic builds up, just that 'should' ride single file.

Avatar
Captain Badger replied to matt_cycles | 2 years ago
2 likes

matt_cycles wrote:

Highway code for that rule is 'should not', not 'must not'. Therefore there is no legal obilgation for them to ride single file whilst traffic builds up, just that 'should' ride single file.

In addition it is advice for cyclists, and bears no relevance for those following. It is more about ensuring that you don't meet oncoming fackwits cutting corners - a bit like that fackwit poophole, or whoever was driving him

Avatar
STiG911 replied to Captain Badger | 2 years ago
0 likes

Garage's Mum

Avatar
TriTaxMan replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
0 likes

Garage at Large wrote:

Top tier lawyer and road safety expert Nick Freeman is once again completely justified in pointing out this disgraceful group's blatent disregard of the highway code: "you should never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends." As I've mentioned before, I don't believe that Nick's proposed registration scheme is proportionate. However, there are other means to ensure this kind of antisocial behaviour is discouraged, with my own preference being to limit group rides to 4 people maximum, with police being at liberty to confiscate law-breakers' bikes and sell them to fund road safety measures. Nonetheless, a fantastically articulated video from Mr Freeman, and one which I've shared with my mum. I'll report back when she's reviewed the footage and given her opinion.

Ok Nige.... where during that video was it safe to overtake a group of 7 cyclists riding 2 abreast?  In my opinion nowhere, as there was not a sufficently long stretch with clear visibility to overtake the group of cyclists.

Ergo, logically it also means that there were no suitable places to overtake a group of 7 cyclists riding single file.

The only thing riding single file would have done would have been to put the cyclists in danger as some drivers would see thinning down into single file as an inviation to overtake.

Even if it was a group of 4 cyclists there were no real places for the cars to overtake safely.  Again you are trying to praise a person who makes a living out of getting rich people out of breaking laws on technicalities, whilst simultaneously berating law abiding road users.

Avatar
marmotte27 replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
3 likes

"Top tier lawyer"

In that case one cannot but wonder what lawyers from the lower tiers are actually worth...

Avatar
Sniffer replied to marmotte27 | 2 years ago
0 likes

Depends how you define worth in this field. Geoffrey Cox is probably right near the bottom on my measure.

Avatar
TriTaxMan replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
2 likes

So are you actually going to answer the question..... when in the 1 minute video was it safe for either of the drivers to overtake any cyclists.  Either a solo cyclist, a group of 4 or the 7 in question.

I'm going to guess you won't answer, because you know that there were no opportunities to safely overtake due to the twisting road and high hedges.

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

Garage at Large wrote:

The point isn't whether it was safe or unsafe to overtake during Nick's video clip - the point was that this group of cyclists had set off on a jolly without giving any kind of forethought as to whether their actions might anger and frustrate other road users and whether their behaviour aligned with the highway code.

I wonder where Mr. Freeman was going?

Garage at Large wrote:

I'm assuming Mr Freeman [ ... ] doesn't go around permanently filming on his mobile phone permanently, hoping to spot a group of cyclists behaving badly.

Maybe there's your answer. As he is a Top Self-Publicist could this be a trip out for exactly this purpose? Getting in the papers is pretty easy for him but it takes some work.

Avatar
quiff replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
6 likes

Garage at Large wrote:

The point isn't whether it was safe or unsafe to overtake during Nick's video clip - the point was that this group of cyclists had set off on a jolly without giving any kind of forethought as to whether their actions might anger and frustrate other road users and whether their behaviour aligned with the highway code.

There are many lawful things I do as a driver and cyclist which seem to anger and frustrate other road users - observe 20mph speed limits, stop when the traffic lights change to amber etc. It is not reasonable to be angered and frustrated by other road users behaving lawfully, so why should their unreasonable frustration change my behaviour?        

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

Garage at Large wrote:

The point isn't whether it was safe or unsafe to overtake during Nick's video clip - the point was that this group of cyclists had set off on a jolly without giving any kind of forethought as to whether their actions might anger and frustrate other road users and whether their behaviour aligned with the highway code.

I'm assuming Mr Freeman and the driver had already been held up for a long time prior to the start of filming, as I'm pretty certain he doesn't go around permanently filming on his mobile phone permanently, hoping to spot a group of cyclists behaving badly. It therefore stands to reason that this group had already exasperated and tested the courtesy of the waiting motorists for a number of minutes before filming began.

You and your assumptions again.

Assuming that they had already been held up with absolutely zero proof.  Because that fits your narrative.  Just as likely they just came across the group and then decided to take their phone out and film them.

But the point remains on roads like that it does not matter if it is one cyclist or 50 if it's not safe to overtake its not safe to overtake.

I regularly do solo rides on roads like that and occasionally I hold drivers up because it's not safe for them to overtake and most drivers are courteous.  So I guess  on those occasions I have just set out on a jolly without giving any kind of forethought as to whether my actions might anger and frustrate other road users and whether my behaviour aligned with the highway code?

I mean, just the other day you insulted my partner on the basis of one of your assumptions which could not be further from the truth...... I mean you didn't have the emotional intelligence to bite your tongue you just had to spout your reprehensible opinion

Avatar
Sniffer replied to TriTaxMan | 2 years ago
2 likes

Don't worry. Nige won't / didn't answer your question. He struggles with that kind of thing.

He routinely attacks riders going about their business in legal activity while defending drivers who carry out illegal manoeuvres.

I suggest we don't waste our time. There is nothing in his conduct that suggests he reflects on any replies he receives.

Avatar
IanMSpencer replied to Sniffer | 2 years ago
2 likes

It's amazing how much effort someone can put into being utterly wrong. Clearly the apple didn't fall far from mum's tree.

It's like watching a James Bond villian - if they put as much effort and technology into doing good and legal things, surely they would be immensely richer than pursuing their private war against the world.

Avatar
AlsoSomniloquism replied to IanMSpencer | 2 years ago
3 likes

I mentioned before, his mum hates cyclists, boo does cycle, hence his mum hates boo. Boo is then full of self loathing and trying to win mums love, hence boo hates cyclists. 

But in reality, Boo is only here to troll and get responses. I'm not sure if he is ever warned or temp banned in his new guises which explains his occasional normalness, but it doesn't take him long to post what is essentially "look at me, notice me" posts.  

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
0 likes

Crikey. Seek help.

Avatar
Simon E replied to Lance ꜱtrongarm | 2 years ago
2 likes

Garage at Large wrote:

Top tier lawyer and road safety expert Nick Freeman is once again completely justified in pointing out this disgraceful group's blatent disregard of the highway code

...

my own preference being to limit group rides to 4 people maximum, with police being at liberty to confiscate law-breakers' bikes and sell them to fund road safety measures.

...

Nonetheless, a fantastically articulated video from Mr Freeman, and one which I've shared with my mum. I'll report back when she's reviewed the footage and given her opinion.

...

OK, my mum has had chance to review Nick Freeman's footage and she's articulated her opinion via Whatsapp.

This account has gradually morphed into a parody (either that or it has been hacked).

This is NOT the real Garage. It's too witty and self-aware.

Avatar
Hirsute | 2 years ago
12 likes

Why do you give this bloke a platform ?

 

Avatar
kamoshika replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
8 likes

Wasn't sure at first if you were talking about Freeman or Nige, but then I noticed he commented after you.

Avatar
Steve K replied to kamoshika | 2 years ago
9 likes

kamoshika wrote:

Wasn't sure at first if you were talking about Freeman or Nige, but then I noticed he commented after you.

But equally applicable in either case.  (I'm not sure how Nige can describe Loopy as a 'road safety expert' as his professional life is based on increasing road danger by helping dangerous drivers avoid accountability.)

Pages

Latest Comments