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Is it fair enough to slap a close pass driver's car?; Reaction to Government dismissing Mr Loophole petition; Relive Cav equalling Merckx's record; CyclingMikey goes international; Sunrise scenes; But cyclists; Route-planning app + more on the live blog

The shortest day has been and gone, summer starts here...Dan Alexander is the man behind the keyboard for Wednesday's live blog...
22 December 2021, 15:58
Floyd Landis returns to cycling sponsoring new team focused on gravel and mountain bike events
Floyd Landis

Floyd Landis is back in pro cycling again, this time as the sponsor of a team focused on gravel and mountain bike events in the United States. Floyd's of Leadville Racing takes the name of Landis' CBD company and will initially start with five riders, including guest rides from the stripped 2006 Tour winner.

"Bicycle racing is where our core customers spend their energy and attention and we felt that being at the races would be an important step to further grow our brand," Landis said.

"Our aim with the programme is to create a family feeling, and develop a racing culture that emphasises the experiences and stories we will share together, more than racing results."

22 December 2021, 15:30
More Gategate
22 December 2021, 14:11
We're going to need a bigger live blog...reaction floods in for our main story of the day — is it fair enough to hit a close pass driver's car?

Well, I wasn't expecting this strong a reaction. 65 replies on Twitter, 138 comments on Facebook, an Olympic gold medallist getting involved...I reckon we could dissect this for the rest of the week.

First up, 2016 Rio gold medallist Callum Skinner had this to say... 

Other honourable mentions...

Not everyone was in agreement though. Some pointed out the danger of not knowing how another road user might react to you hitting their car...

On Facebook, Jase Clarke seperated the question into two scenarios: first, if you hit the car during the close pass to let them know you're there. Second, the situation in the original video where the rider hits the vehicle when they catch up after the close pass..."In the first case, sometimes it’s a necessity to let them know you’re there, and that they’re too close. In the second one, it’s a no."

Chris disagreed with the idea that it's ever acceptable, "No, it's not ok, as it shows self-righteousness and pompous narcissism, shout and scream but don't touch anyone's property."

Onto the live blog comments now, Bart P thinks: "Is it fair? Yes. Does it feel rewarding? F*ck yes. Should you do it? Hell no. You simply don't known who is behind the wheel of the car and unfortunately there are some proper nutters out there."

Gsteve68 added: "All I can say with regards to hitting out at a close passing car is please don't. Rise above it, record and report it by all means but we all know that many drivers have an irrational dislike of cyclists and a feeling of entitled superiority in their cars.  Many drivers have a special bond with their car and and assault on it is an assault on them

"In a moment of madness their vehicle can become a weapon and 2000ish kg v 100ish kg is only every going to have one outcome whether you're in the right or not. There are too many cases where a driver has killed or seriously injured a cyclist with a punishment pass or brake test and I'm sure the driver's reaction in that moment was simply 'I'll teach that bloody cyclist a lesson' stupidly ignorant to the potential consequences."

Awavey agreed: "It might be an understandable reaction to slap a vehicle close passing like that, but it's a really bad idea imo. It absolutely does escalate the situation and puts you in far more danger, a cyclist will always come out the loser in a fight between a vehicle with an angry driver at the wheel, no matter how big, tough or macho you think you are. Save the satisfaction for reporting the driver instead, which as the original video poster highlighted, they instantly forfeited the right to."

And to Sriracha who rightly noted I claimed the longest day has just been and gone, no, I'm unfortunately not WFH Down Under...the dangers of writing at 8am...the shortest day has just passed...

22 December 2021, 12:24
Best new pro kit? Team SD Worx' colourful number worx wonders

It's a winner in our book... 

22 December 2021, 12:02
Get your tiny violins out...reaction to Government dismissing Mr Loophole petition

Writing about Mr Loophole in the CyclingMikey post earlier reminded me to remind you to check out yesterday's story confirming the Government has "no plans" to make cyclists wear identification numbers. To be honest, we knew this would be the case, but in the face of some loopy petitioning from Mr Loophole Nick Freeman, we thought you'd be quite pleased to read the response...

> Government confirms it has “no plans” to make cyclists wear identification numbers as it rejects ‘Mr Loophole’ petition

The lawyer famous for getting celebrities off driving charges scraped over the 10,000 signatures required to hear an official response, but didn't get the answer he wanted...here's some of your reaction...

Steve K commented: "The response we all knew was coming, because the government has said it before (and recently) - a petition that barely made the threshold was hardly going to change their minds. Freeman could have saved himself a lot of trouble by simply writing to the government and getting the same response. But at least he can't complain that he hasn't had a full, well-reasoned and well-argued response."

EddyBerckx said: "Considering the amount of national publicity and social media hate mobs the petition just scraping over the 10k mark is actually a pretty positive thing. He knew nothing would ever come of it. He just wanted free publicity."

22 December 2021, 11:30
CyclingMikey goes international: Dutch newspaper publishes full page feature

CyclingMikey's global superstar status is getting closer...

Guy Ritchie was the first big-name celeb caught using his phone behind the wheel by Mikey. Then, this summer, Chris Eubank, plead guilty in court and was given three penalty points and £280 in fines, court costs and fees after Mikey reported his video of the former world champion boxer using his phone and jumping a red light.

Most recently, former England and Chelsea footballer Frank Lampard was caught by Mikey, allegedly juggling coffee and a phone while at the wheel. Lampard will appear in court next month, represented by a certain Nick 'Mr Loophole' Freeman...

All three of these were picked up by national news outlets here in the UK, and it seems even newspapers overseas are interested in Mikey's story...

This is a full-page feature in de Volkskrant, a Dutch daily newspaper with a circulation of around 250,000.

22 December 2021, 10:08
Could this be your new route-planning app?
Huli app

There’s a new automatic cycling route creator app on the market that works across the UK and Ireland.

The Huli Cycling Routes app creates routes for road, off-road and city riding, and you can specify distance or time, hilly, flat…

It's designed to be super simple to use, meaning you can create routes in seconds, says its developers, which sounds similar to Strava’s suggested route update this year. 

Huli app

The app also includes navigation, weather, route descriptions, surface/road types, satellite maps and the startup says that next week it’ll also be introducing its Huli Goals feature.

With this, you’ll be able to specify a weekly distance target, how many rides you want to do, and the app will automatically create routes of varying length/duration every week for you to beat the target. 

It’s available on iOS and Android.

22 December 2021, 09:58
But cyclists...'God Bless America' edition
22 December 2021, 09:32
Behind the scenes of Cav's Merckx-equalling win, Champs-Élysées disappointment and Paris party

Three days 'til Christmas but Deceuninck-Quick-Step are giving out the presents already... what more could you want than part three of the team's behind the scenes series from the Tour de France? It's the big one too...Cav's 34th stage win, the battle to stay in the race through the Pyrenees, Champs-Élysées disappointment, green jersey celebrations and post-race reflection.

You know the drill by now, it's mainly just 22 minutes of watching Cav hugging his teammates and staff (with a very wholesome scene with a fan at nine minutes too). You'll also see a little bit too much of Kasper Asgreen during the final stage pre-race meeting... most importantly it'll scratch that pro racing itch for another few hours. Roll on the new year...

22 December 2021, 09:24
Sunrise scenes
22 December 2021, 08:55
Is it fair enough to slap a close pass driver's car?

We've all been here: driver just has to get in front, overtakes just as the car ahead brakes to stop in traffic, overtaking car gets ten metres up the road before having to brake, you sail up the inside giving your best 'well that got you far didn't it mate' face.

That's what I do. Sometimes if I'm in a particularly bad mood they might get the exasperated hand off the bars and shake of the head, maybe even a cheery wave, but I can't say I've ever thought to do this...

Is it fair enough to give a close pass driver's car a slap on the way past? Righttobikeit said they'd normally just report the driver, but in this case couldn't resist more direct action.

In the Twitter echo chamber, the replies were unanimous in saying 'fair enough'...

But what do we reckon? Should you rise above it or is it a fair response to someone putting your life in danger? 

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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72 comments

Avatar
Oldfatgit | 2 years ago
2 likes

Slapping a car:

I suppose you would have to consider the footware you have on at the time.

It's hard enough to *walk* in SPD-SL cleats - to risk having a punch-up in them is just foolish and likely to end up wth you being hurt.

 

Avatar
IanMSpencer replied to Oldfatgit | 2 years ago
3 likes

It's not just a cycling thing though.

Yesterday, on a country road wide enough for two cars to pass without slowing at 40mph, I watched a car approach at speed, not apparently slowing for the 40mph zone, nor deviating from their course which seemed to ignore two walkers by the side of the road, my wife in a bright pink anorak.

I stick my hand out to wave and try and get the car to react and had to withdraw it to avoid being clipped.

I turned as it shot past and neither passenger nor driver showed any sign of reaction, nor were there any oncoming cars to give the excuse of confusion. I've no idea whether the car was aware of me (well clearly the driver wasn't, and the press tell us that it is cars that have accidents).

Not sure I'd want to risk a broken hand for aslap..

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Hirsute replied to IanMSpencer | 2 years ago
2 likes

I now waggle my trekking pole up and down if I think the driver is going to be too close.
Seems to do the trick.

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Mungecrundle replied to IanMSpencer | 2 years ago
6 likes

A few years back, in Southend, a friend and I were travelling in convoy. Parking up on a fairly busy road, I took advantage of a pedestrian crossing stopping the traffic, pulled across the road and parked in a space facing into oncoming lane. My friend pulled in behind. These were designated parking spaces in a bay. Given my parking orientation, Mrs Mungecrundle in the passenger seat would be openning her door into the oncoming live traffic lane. My friend, being a gentleman and all round better person than I, openned the door for Mrs M so that she could get out. To do so he was stood in the road. At that point a taxi driver pulled away from the ped crossing where he had been waiting and pretty much drove at my friend, forcing him against the door and trapping Mrs Mungecrundle's ankle.

As the taxi went past it got a slap. It then screeched to a halt and a very irrate driver emerged, shouting at my friend that he had damaged the taxi and pointing to a dent in the passenger door that had clearly been made by something much more robust than a human hand. He demanded my friend's details for an insurance claim and when refused threatened to call the Police. I suggested that he would look foolish for calling the Police on account of his vehicle having been damaged by a pedestrian he had deliberately driven at. He still noted down our reg plates and after a bit more bluster he went away.

A few days later my friend was contacted by the Police. Both I and Mrs M had to submit witness statements. A few weeks after that my friend reported that the Police had dropped the matter having given strong words of warning to the taxi driver.

Avatar
IanMSpencer | 2 years ago
3 likes

I tried the "Where did that get you?" shout to a van driver as he was turning right, it got me cut up, the driver sprinting (ok lumbering and gasping) across the road and he tried to push me off, so I am not even sure I can recommend that righteous retribution.

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didsthewinegeek | 2 years ago
1 like

Two wrongs don't make a right!

 

But boy it feels good!

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Awavey | 2 years ago
3 likes

On Team SD Worx new kit, I'm guessing fruit salads werent such a big thing in the Netherlands back in the day...

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mdavidford replied to Awavey | 2 years ago
0 likes

Made me think more Global Hypercolor.

Kind of like it despite that, though.

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Awavey replied to mdavidford | 2 years ago
0 likes

Its possible that's what the Human Powered Health team were thinking...and their WWT will in no way get confused with SD Worx at all in the peloton.

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FrankH replied to Awavey | 2 years ago
1 like

Awavey wrote:

On Team SD Worx new kit, I'm guessing fruit salads werent such a big thing in the Netherlands back in the day...

How many to count as one of your five-a-day?

Avatar
BartP | 2 years ago
11 likes

Is it fair? Yes.

Does it feel rewarding? F*ck yes.

Should you do it? Hell no. You simply don't known who is behind the wheel of the car and unfortunately there are some proper nutters out there. I did use to slap the window or the roof but I stopped doing it after I got chased and almost got run over by some madman who ran a red light, drove over the cyclepath and sidewalk just to catch up with me. All I did was slap his window after he did a close pass and directly thereafter slammed his brakes to park forcing me to an emergency brake and slide.

It only takes one nutter who just wants to give you a little tap with his car to get even and you could end up injured or worse.

To put in a cyclists analogy: carowners are as proptective of their cars as Cadel Evans is of his dog  1

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hawkinspeter replied to BartP | 2 years ago
11 likes

BartP wrote:

To put in a cyclists analogy: carowners are as proptective of their cars as Cadel Evans is of his dog  1

Well as long as it's not John Wick

Avatar
OldRidgeback replied to BartP | 2 years ago
1 like

Yep, I agree. While any car you can slap is obviously too close, there are some nutters out there and it's not worth triggering them. I've done it in the past, when I was younger.

Put it this way, if some nutcase takes offence, you can be run off the road and attacked. If you fight back, you risk an assault charge yourself. Is it really worth the additional risk? 

It's better just to post video footage to the cops and hope they take action. 

 

Avatar
Gstev68 | 2 years ago
8 likes

All I can say with regards to hitting out at a close passing car is please don't.

Rise above it, record and report it by all means but we all know that many drivers have an irrational dislike of cyclists and a feeling of entitled superiority in their cars.  Many drivers have a special bond with their car and and assault on it is an assault on them

In a moment of madness their vehicle can become a weapon and 2000ish kg v 100ish kg is only every going to have one outcome whether you're in the right or not.

There are too many cases where a driver has killed or seriously injured a cyclist with a punishment pass or brake test and I'm sure the driver's reaction in that moment was simply "I'll teach that bloody cyclist a lesson" stupidly ignorant to the potential consequences.

Avatar
Captain Badger | 2 years ago
1 like

Apparently Mikey's article is behind a paywall (ooer missus). 

For me it's also behind a language wall - is there a translation, or a synopsis that tRoad.cc could get hold of?

Avatar
Daveyraveygravey replied to Captain Badger | 2 years ago
11 likes

Captain Badger wrote:

Apparently Mikey's article is behind a paywall (ooer missus). 

For me it's also behind a language wall - is there a translation, or a synopsis that tRoad.cc could get hold of?

Is that the northern version of Roadcc?

 

Avatar
mdavidford replied to Daveyraveygravey | 2 years ago
2 likes

Daveyraveygravey wrote:

Captain Badger wrote:

Apparently Mikey's article is behind a paywall (ooer missus). 

For me it's also behind a language wall - is there a translation, or a synopsis that tRoad.cc could get hold of?

Is that the northern version of Roadcc?

I assumed it was the Dutch version.

Avatar
AidanR | 2 years ago
6 likes

I think it's reasonable to tap/slap a car when it's dangerously close next to you - I do it to let them know I'm there. I don't think I'd do it like in the video, coming back up the inside of the car as the driver slows.

I once patted a (stationary) car sarcastically after an argument with the driver, who then chased me down, accused me of kicking his beloved automobile and assaulted me with his mate. Wouldn't recommend.

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Cycloid | 2 years ago
10 likes

Banging on a close passer's  panels is definitely the right thing to do.

If it come to a confrintation simply say in a friendly voice "I just wanted to make you aware of my presence, I'm sure you were not driving like that on purpose"

It's also a ready explanation for the police if ihey get involved.

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brooksby | 2 years ago
4 likes

The Daily Heil has a story about a new cycle lane on the A347 in Bournemouth which locals and drivers are claiming makes the road too narrow to let ambulances etc past.

And yet the council says they haven't received complaints from anyone, let alone from the emergency services.

Anyone local have experience of it?

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Hirsute replied to brooksby | 2 years ago
8 likes

Non Fail link

https://www.dorset.live/news/dorset-news/ambulances-struggle-through-dor...

Looks wide enough to me to allow an ambulance down the middle.

"The carriageway on Whitelegg Way is between 6.4m and 6.6m wide, adhering to current national standards set by the Department for Transport."

They did this earlier in the year on another cycle route in the area deliberately misreporting the width prompting the relevant council to issue a press release about the actual width and road standard.

 

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Sriracha replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
6 likes

Looking at the photo showing the Citroën beached over the kerb, either it's staged or the driver can't drive.

I think also many motorists fail to react to the blues 'n twos until the last second, so instead of moving over parallel to the kerb they dive in nose first at 45 degrees, leaving their arse end still obstructing the emergency vehicle.

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SimoninSpalding replied to Sriracha | 2 years ago
2 likes

A slight tangent but has anyone ever seen a well (competently?) driven original Picasso? 

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hawkinspeter replied to SimoninSpalding | 2 years ago
8 likes

SimoninSpalding wrote:

A slight tangent but has anyone ever seen a well (competently?) driven original Picasso? 

I don't know if this is an original...

Avatar
brooksby replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
5 likes

hirsute wrote:

They did this earlier in the year on another cycle route in the area deliberately misreporting the width prompting the relevant council to issue a press release about the actual width and road standard.

Was that the one where it turned out the council hadn't actually removed more than a few inches of 'road space' and yet the locals were complaining that the motor vehicle lanes were narrower than the cycle lanes, or something?

PS - And thanks for the non-DM link  4

Avatar
Hirsute replied to brooksby | 2 years ago
4 likes

Probably, but they all merge into one for me.

I found the press release that had to rebutt all the false claims

https://news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/2021/08/20/statement-on-recent-press-a...

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brooksby replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
2 likes

Now, that is a pretty comprehensive refutation  I approve whole-heartedly.

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Surreyrider replied to brooksby | 2 years ago
3 likes

But it didn't do anything to change the views of entitled motorists judging by the comments underneath. 

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brooksby replied to Surreyrider | 2 years ago
1 like

But they already knew that their views were right and correct and that they knew far more than the council's planners ever would...

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AlsoSomniloquism replied to brooksby | 2 years ago
5 likes

That might be the one I mentioned on the article when the Heil were reporting about the cycle lane being wider then the road (it wasn't). Someone was "moaning" about that at a local meeting including a Fire Services Employee stating it was causing issues as mentioned but refusing to give a name. When the local press asked the local Fire Chief, they mentioned no issues had been reported to them or any drop in response times AND they actually had a planned avoidance route for the area anyway as it still contained multiple roadworks. 

Weirdly I've seen multiple Emergency services stuck in these sections over the last 10 months or so and not seen one article about it in the DM!

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