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"Even when you think you're safe, there are drivers to show you, you never are"; County reviews speed limits; What's the most annoying sound on a bike ride?; 2025 Giro could finish with Stelvio summit finish + more on the live blog

It's Thursday and Dan Alexander will be keeping you up-to-date with the best bits from the cycling world on the live blog...
28 April 2022, 15:41
Ethan Hayter hits back with second stage win in three days at Tour de Romandie

Having won Tuesday's prologue, Ethan Hayter crashed out of the opening road stage yesterday prompting a few whispers of armchair criticism about positioning. You keep doing what you want, Ethan...especially if it wins bike races...

The young Brit took his second win of the week this afternoon, outsprinting Fernando Gaviria and Jon Aberasturi in the reduced bunch kick in Échallens. Hayter's former teammate Rohan Dennis keeps the race lead into a punchy third stage tomorrow which looks good for...I don't know...maybe...another Hatyer win. How about that? A Hayter hat-trick...

28 April 2022, 14:40
Bikepacking problems

The familiar 'place everything I could possibly need' pre-pack photo...then wonder if it'll all fit...been there, done that. 

28 April 2022, 14:11
Police seize mountain bike modified to reach 70mph
Mountain bike modified (West Sussex Police/Twitter)

West Sussex Police officers in Lancing confiscated this modified mountain bike, enabled to reach speeds in excess of 70mph, and confirmed the rider will be taken to court. Police stopped the rider and shared the find on social media, saying the bike was capable of reaching 120kmh (74mph), and the rider did not have insurance or licence.

The rider will appear in court at a later date. Sussex Police said: "We saw this home-made contraption being driven in Lancing this evening. Capable of up to 120km/h, the rider had no insurance or licence, amongst other offences and has been reported to court."

28 April 2022, 12:07
EDMODE

Go check out Ed's ridiculous Sa Calobra-conquering ride...

> Most competitive Strava segment in the world? Ed Laverack smashes Sa Calobra KOM 

EDMODE: activated. Sadly, when I hear EDMODE all I can picture is...

28 April 2022, 11:41
Half a million more adults in Wales would cycle if streets were safer, Cycling UK estimates
Cardiff - Wales Millenium Centre - image via gordonplant on Flickr (2).jpg

Half a million more adults in Wales would cycle if streets were safer, Cycling UK has estimated. Using research showing 1 in 4 adults (24 per cent) would likely cycle more if streets were redesigned to be safer for pedestrians and cyclists, and 1 in 5 (21 per cent) drive less frequently, along with census data, Cycling UK estimates 517,000 more adults would cycle if the streets were safer.

The poll was carried out in late March by YouGov on behalf of Cycling UK. 1047 adults (16+) in Wales were asked whether they would a/ cycle more; b/ walk more and c/ drive less if the streets were safer. It found 1 in 4 (24 per cent) were likely to cycle more often, 1 in 2 (54 per cent) were likely to walk more often, while 1 in 5 (21 per cent) said they would drive less frequently.

"It’s time for politicians to deliver what people want and need in Wales. Cycling UK is not saying ban driving, but we are saying that people should have the choice of cheap and free alternative ways of getting about, like cycling and walking, especially for local journeys," Cycling UK's spokesperson in Wales, Gwenda Owen said.

28 April 2022, 11:33
I'm back

Forgive my absence. Here's a nice video of Wout van Aert to make up for it...

We hear Max Verstappen is quaking in his Red Bull-sponsored boots... 

28 April 2022, 10:05
2025 Giro d'Italia could finish with final stage summit finish...atop the mighty Stelvio
Stelvio hairpins

A bit of exciting racing news that slipped through the net earlier in the week...

Lombardy regional government has made an official bid to host the final stage of the 2025 Giro d'Italia atop the Stelvio, one of the toughest grand mountain summits in the world. The famous hairpins have been the scene of many historic Giro battles and could decide the race in 2025.

"In 2025 we'll celebrate 200 years of the road over the Stelvio," councillor Massimo Sertori told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "We are officially asking Vegni [Giro race director] for the final stage of the Giro to be at the summit of the Stelvio.

"It’s the Giro that precedes the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the highlights of which will be here in the Valtellina. We’re working to bring other stages here and to have a worthy celebration of the Olympics."

28 April 2022, 09:56
Get your questions in...
28 April 2022, 09:51
What's the most annoying sound on a bike ride?

Noisy freehubs? A creaky bottom bracket? Disc brake squealing? Your clubmates' holiday stories? What's your most annoying sound out on the road?

Bagpipes might have to go right to the top of my list, considering this footage from the Tour de Bretagne. Can't think of many more annoying sounds when you're heart rate's 190, legs have turned to rubber, you can taste blood, and are doing everything to just try not to fall off your bike...

28 April 2022, 09:45
West Sussex launches county-wide speed limit and safety review
20mph_415x275.jpg

West Sussex County Council has launched a county-wide review of speed limits and traffic management. Cllr Tom Richardson, a road safety adviser to the local authority, will lead the review, Highways Magazine reports.

Under his guidance, the Task and Finish Group will review the county's road safety framework, including: speed limit policy to make it easier to lower speed limits where necessary, exploring other traffic management measures that could reduce serious-injury incidents, and considering other highway-related issues that contribute to collisions.

Cllr Richardson said: "The important thing to emphasise is that the Task and Finish Group's work won't solely be about speed limits – it's also about how people use the roads. Driver education will be a big part of this, as will looking at various options to make things safer for all road users."

The speed limit policy review is expected to be complete by summer.

28 April 2022, 09:43
Relatable...
28 April 2022, 07:47
"Even when you think you're safe, there are drivers to show you, you never are"

At first glances the A38 cycle route in Birmingham looks surprisingly...good...for a piece of British infra. Separated from traffic, not just an afterthought behind a painted line, it's bidirectional, in decent condition (from what we can see)...

And then...a wild turning appears with...a just as wild lesser-spotted not-looking driver. The most common of species...

Your Average Joe summarised: "I'm sure those broken white lines are there for a reason. It's a shame this driver didn't know what that was though. Even when you think you're cycling in a safe place, there are drivers around to show you, you never are. Driver reported. Camera cleaned."

Clearly the motorist is at fault for not looking, although some suggested the road layout doesn't help (not that that's an adequate excuse)...

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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57 comments

Avatar
El Camino | 1 year ago
0 likes

Had the exact same thing happen to me at the exact same junction on Tuesday. The taxi driver even looked straight at me as he pulled out in front of me!

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Adam Sutton | 1 year ago
3 likes

Trying to find a creak, I went as far as changing the bottom bracket, then the crankset (after stripping a bolt 🤦🏼‍♂️) before finding the small screws that secure the derailleur hanger had come loose. Cleaned up and some thread lock and it's been fine since. The saving grace was it even had the LBS stumped. A lesson learned, be warned particularly of your thru axle bolts the hanger it seems.

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IanMSpencer replied to Adam Sutton | 1 year ago
0 likes

Which reminds me, I never got my spare. I've always intended to ride with one and have carried an emergency temporary hanger which has rescued ride mates in the past, but thru-axles mean you have to have the right one. Still, I realise that personally I've never needed to change one on my bikes in about 12 years of being a roadie.

Avatar
kil0ran | 1 year ago
1 like

Annoying sounds on a bike ride:

1. Loose chainring bolts (tick-tick-tick-tick-tick)

2. Front mech cable touching mudguard or tyre but only in certain gear combinations

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andystow replied to kil0ran | 1 year ago
1 like

I think I recently fixed a creaking that had been bothering me for a month. It only happened when standing on the pedals, or at least pedalling hard, so mostly when I started from a stop. Retightened bottom bracket, tightened a bunch of rear spokes and re-trued the wheel, tightened crank bolts and pedals to cranks.

I accidentally noticed one day that it didn't happen when I was pedalling hard uphill in the small ring. Aha! It seems to have been eliminated by tightening the three bolts that hold the chainrings onto the spider.

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IanMSpencer replied to kil0ran | 1 year ago
1 like

Annoying sounds on a bike ride:

- Crump! Ah, Roger's forgotten to unclip again.

- SINGLE FILE! - shouted by passenger of car sailing past at speed - with plenty of room.

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kinderje replied to IanMSpencer | 1 year ago
0 likes

Annoying sounds on a bike ride:

My mate complaining about his legs as he cruises past me on every hill!!

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IanMSpencer replied to kinderje | 1 year ago
1 like

Which reminds me of a favourite from our rides:

Annoying sounds on a group ride:
"Is that his bottom bracket creaking? No, it's his knees."

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brooksby | 1 year ago
2 likes

Anyone seen this one?

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/apr/28/doorman-witness-vapes-and-d...

Doorman witness vapes and drives during testimony in Depp v Heard trial

Quote:

The judge in the Johnny Depp v Amber Heard defamation trial was left temporarily lost for words on Wednesday after the court was shown the pre-recorded disposition of a doorman who was driving and vaping as he spoke.

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chrisonabike replied to brooksby | 1 year ago
4 likes

What a dope!

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Oldfatgit | 1 year ago
1 like

Annoying sounds on a group ride:
"Hole"

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lesterama replied to Oldfatgit | 1 year ago
2 likes

Most annoying sound on a group ride:

Others' disc brakes rubbing/ squealing/ complaining.

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brooksby | 1 year ago
10 likes

Just had to share this story from Metro 

https://metro.co.uk/2022/04/27/west-midlands-grandad-waits-year-for-new-...

Grandad moans about rainy school run because new Land Rover isn’t ready yet

Quote:

A disgruntled pensioner has waited more than a year for his new £37,000 Land Rover to be built.

Michael Finnerty is ‘baffled’ as to why the car is not already sat on his driveway.

The 68-year-old says the delay means he has to take his grandchildren to school by foot, even when it’s raining.

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chrisonabike replied to brooksby | 1 year ago
5 likes
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brooksby replied to chrisonabike | 1 year ago
3 likes

Du bist doch nicht aus Zucker! (apparently, in deutscher Sprache)

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brooksby replied to brooksby | 1 year ago
0 likes

brooksby wrote:

Du bist doch nicht aus Zucker! (apparently, in deutscher Sprache)

Or, in Dutch:

Je ben niet van suiker!

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HarrogateSpa replied to brooksby | 1 year ago
0 likes

Je bent toch niet van zuiker gemaakt...I think.

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brooksby replied to HarrogateSpa | 1 year ago
1 like

HarrogateSpa wrote:

Je bent toch niet van zuiker gemaakt...I think.

You might be right...  I blame google translate!  4

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Hirsute replied to brooksby | 1 year ago
3 likes

So he doesn't actually need a car to take these children to school. Do all 5 have the same parents? Other cars are available.

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andy_d_t replied to brooksby | 1 year ago
3 likes

brooksby wrote:

Just had to share this story from Metro 

https://metro.co.uk/2022/04/27/west-midlands-grandad-waits-year-for-new-...

Grandad moans about rainy school run because new Land Rover isn’t ready yet

Quote:

A disgruntled pensioner has waited more than a year for his new £37,000 Land Rover to be built.

Michael Finnerty is ‘baffled’ as to why the car is not already sat on his driveway.

The 68-year-old says the delay means he has to take his grandchildren to school by foot, even when it’s raining.

 

Oh, the humanity!

Avatar
hawkinspeter | 1 year ago
8 likes

@DanAlexander - can you ask James May what he thinks of Bristol? (His birthplace). Also, in terms of famous Bristolians, does he consider himself more of a Paul Dirac or a Cary Grant?

And, what's his favourite squirrel, red or gray or other?

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brooksby | 1 year ago
5 likes

@the editors - please ask James May when he'll do another series of the show where he sloooowwwwlllly puts something mechanical back together  4

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ktache replied to brooksby | 1 year ago
1 like

I learnt about the JIS (Japanese industry standard) screwdriver, and now my Shimano crossheads don't get so messed up.

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essexian | 1 year ago
2 likes

The Bagpiper at the top of "the hill" on the Etape Loch Ness is one of the greatest sounds I have ever heard.... it means the end of pain!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJVL_urQN7w

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SteeveB replied to essexian | 1 year ago
2 likes

It was a welcome sound last sunday!

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mdavidford | 1 year ago
9 likes

Yeah - the last thing you want while cycling is flaming bagpipes!

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chrisonabike replied to mdavidford | 1 year ago
4 likes

A red hot chilli piper maybe?

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jh2727 replied to mdavidford | 1 year ago
0 likes

mdavidford wrote:

Yeah - the last thing you want while cycling is flaming bagpipes!

He's wearing a helmet and the bagpipes serve as both a noise making device and high-viz.  I do wonder what the CO2 emmisions of the bag pipes is though.

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chrisonabike replied to jh2727 | 1 year ago
1 like

True - but what's important for many here is he's not "cheating" with an electric set and the pipes are surely aero.

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bloodylazylayabout | 1 year ago
1 like

Interesting that the guy blamed the convergance angle & not being able to twist their neck around that far - the driver had clearly just passed him coming up to that junction, so presumably his neck doesn't twist from looking left

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