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"I f****** hate cyclists": Charming date shows why he's single; Cav fanboys Women's Tour; Cycling infra graph...where does your council rank?; Police deflection after shocking bike-jacking; Astana Qazaqstan; New kit; Gravel trainer + more on the live blog

Happy Friday! Dan Alexander will be taking you through to the weekend on the live blog
08 October 2021, 06:55
"I f****** hate cyclists": Charming date shows why he's single
date screenshot - via twitter.PNG

One poor woman was asked out on a date, only to find out her cycling hobby was a non-negotiable line in the sand for the delightful singleton sat opposite..."He said I fckn hate cyclists & told me to fuck off & left me to pay for the drinks." 

Two drinks for the price of...two, i guess...

In fairness, she dealt with the situation as well as you could expect..."Having some chips and maybe a dessert," she reported from the front line. In our book, chips and dessert is always the answer.

Her amused (and slightly concerned) Twitter audience was left to speculate if the man's name was Chad and/or if he's still stuck angrily waving his fist at traffic lights 12 hours on.

It's bizarre, but not the first ridiculous cycling-related dating story featured here on the live blog. Back in June, a Hinge profile popped up with pictures of none other than Remco Evenepoel. 'Ollie' was either an extremely talented bike rider masquerading as a 22-year-old from Warwick or, more likely, just a massive catfish...

It doesn't always end badly...remember the RideLondon wedding?

08 October 2021, 15:46
Permission granted for judicial review over removal of Kensington High Street bike lane
08 October 2021, 15:10
Look and Restrap team up on new frameset colourway and bikepacking bags
2021 Look x Restrap chromatic petrol colourway

Oooo reflective. Look and cycling luggage brand Restrap have joined forces to reveal a matching chromatic petrol colourway for Look’s 765 Gravel RS frameset and Restrap’s bikepacking bags. The limited edition finish creates an optical diffraction effect and changes colour depending on the angle and illumination, so you’ll blend in during the day and be visible at night. 

Look’s 765 Gravel RS carbon bike is limited to 100 framesets only and will set you back £2,399 for the chromatic frameset. “The 3D Wave seatstays are designed with two deflection points that allow for a 15% increase in the natural compliance of the carbon, further enhancing comfort over long distances,” says Look. The bike also has four mounting points, three within the triangle and one underneath the downtube, for sufficient hydration on longer rides. 

Now for the bags. “Built with a mixture of waterproof textured nylon and a coated iridescent weatherproof fabric outer, the material is then finished with a polyurethane coating for water repellency,” explains Restrap. These are built to handle the elements. 

When purchased directly from Look distributors, the 765 Gravel RS frameset comes fitted with Restrap’s Top Tube Bag (£69.99), 4.5 litre Saddle Pack (£62.99), and 1.5 litre Canister Bag (£55.99) that have all been handmade in Yorkshire. The Look x Restrap bikepacking bags will also be available to purchase directly from Restrap for a limited period of 30 days from the launch of the collaboration.

08 October 2021, 14:09
Lorena Wiebes wins again...Women's Tour stage five ends with bunch sprint in Clacton-on-Sea

Lorena Wiebes made it back to back stage wins at the Women's Tour. The Dutch sprinter led home the bunch kick for the second day in a row to give her nation their fourth win of the week. Compatriot Demi Vollering was once again untroubled on the GC front and will wear the jersey for tomorrow's final stage.

World champ Elisa Balsamo almost took her first win in the rainbow bands, but couldn't overhaul Wiebes' power in the final metres. With another sprint stage on the cards for tomorrow it seems unlikely we'll see anyone other than Vollering on the top step of the podium.

08 October 2021, 13:31
Bid for a piece of history: Lizzie Deignan signed Roubaix print auctioned for Women's Aid

The top bid is up to €400 at the time of writing. It's just one of many striking photos that came out of a historic weekend for women's cycling. JoJo Harper was there for it all, pick your favourite...

08 October 2021, 13:04
Disgraceful supertucking at UCI European Track Championships

Terrible to see this level of disregard for the rules...oh, he's lost his saddle. Fair enough. Imagine trying to perch on your seatpost for any length of time. Someone here must have suffered that misfortune?

Chad Tavernia would probably tell you to toughen up and just ride home out the saddle. 

08 October 2021, 11:42
Is it April 1st already? Gravel-specific trainer

We can't wait to see the Roubaix edition...

Gravel-specific products is a bit of a rabbit hole, Lezyne has its own gravel-specific pump, for example. Yes, it inflates road tyres too. I wonder if we can get a trainer to replicate the pothole-strewn monstrosities that some councils call bike lanes...it would be a shame to miss out on that extra conditioning while riding at home.

08 October 2021, 10:52
MAAP goes off-road with new all-terrain apparel and accessories
2021 MAAP all-terrain

After months of testing on the dirt and through the grit, MAAP has revealed its new all-terrain cycling apparel and accessories as an sustainable option for those who prefer to to take alternative paths. “The days are gone where riders are loyal to one discipline,” MAAP acknowledges. “The product reflects the needs of our athletes and riders around the world, engineered to perform at an elite level, whatever the road surface.”

MAAP says the new collection is durable and hardwearing, and consists of the following products with men’s and women’s cuts: Jersey (€165), Long Sleeve Jersey (€185), Cargo Bibs (€265), Thermal Jacket (€240), Thermal Vest (€155), Tee (€75), Tee Long Sleeve (€80), Gloves (€70), Merino Sock (€28) and MAAP x Apidura Frame Pack (€135).

The new Alt Road jerseys, for example, are made with Naturalmatch wool technology which is a blend of natural and high performance synthetic fibres. “This soft to touch, renewable fibre source, extra-fine merino wool provides supreme temperature regulation, takes you from chilled mornings to searing mid-afternoon heat,” says MAAP. “Combined with anti-microbial and anti-odour properties, the materials can perform in extreme conditions for multi-day rides even with repeated use.”

08 October 2021, 10:32
Astana rebrand as Astana Qazaqstan for 2022
Astana Qazaqstan (via press release)

Astana are having a rebrand for 2022 and will be known as Astana Qazaqstan from next season. It's apparently the most accurate name for Kazakhstan in English...

"Starting from 2022 our cycling team will go on under the new name Astana Qazaqstan Team, a name which is very important to our country. The name of our state will appear on the cyclists' jerseys and in the new team logo, and it will become a kind of sign of the continuation of traditions," Nurlan Smagulov, President of Kazakhstan Cycling Federation explained. 

Former team boss Alexander Vinokourov is returning to the team too so there'll be a strong Kazakh feel to the boys in light blue next term.

08 October 2021, 10:09
Royal Parks Police respond to Alexandar Richardson armed robbery with top tips protecting yourself from crime

 A few questions have been asked about how these top tips for protecting yourself against crime would help when confronted by a machete-wielding gang intent on taking your bike. Anyway, the force said it is investigating, so we'll see what comes from it.

One reply to the police advice said it's "insane to think this is about prevention by victims. Is London safe or not?" Another added, "are you kidding me? You read this story and your reaction is 'protection advice'."

> Professional cyclist robbed of bike by Richmond Park machete gang

08 October 2021, 09:24
Cav fanboys Women's Tour: Tour de France stage wins record-holder spotted enjoying stage four from the roadside

Here are more of the vids and pics of Cav enjoying yesterday's Women's Tour stage from the roadside...just look at that smile.  

I wonder how many riders got a flash of Quick-Step blue and some rainbow bands and thought, "was that...Cav? Nah, can't have been." Anna Christian certainly recognised the Manx Missile.

Last month commuters in the capital were similarly surprised to see the legendary sprinter spinning around London in his full kit. Just as well nobody made a full kit w***** joke.

Maybe he'll make a reappearance on the roadside for stage five. The peloton are off to Clacton-on-Sea today via a 95km loop, starting in Colchester. Eyes peeled for any more Cav sightings.

08 October 2021, 08:48
The cycling infra rankings...where's your council?

Waltham Forest looking good to lift the trophy...can Islington break into the play-off picture? Kensington and Chelsea face a stiff challenge to beat the drop.

08 October 2021, 08:36
Jeremy Vine stirs the pot...but not about cycling

It's quite nice to be able to watch the replies roll in knowing it's not about cycling for once...

I'd say this is the football equivalent of saying all cab drivers should be forced to switch to bicycles with trailers. 

Yesterday, Vine made the live blog headline by asking critics to "stop with the empty lanes thing" and have more patience while infrastructure attracts new people to cycling. He compared the empty lane argument to saying you need to wait until planes are in the air to build airports.

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.

Add new comment

23 comments

Avatar
Blackthorne | 2 years ago
0 likes

I get the romanticism around old photos of weary mud caked men in the showers in the days of yore, but it just seems off now. Yeah nobody cared about stripping naked after 100 brutal miles in front of some guy with a flash camera. But now there's probably 30 men with cameras behind the 'solitude' of the photo of Lizzie Deignan taking a shower. It's almost like the ceremonial photo op--inserting oneself into history--than something practical. 

Avatar
Awavey | 2 years ago
2 likes

I believe Cav was a guest at the finish in Clacton today,with his son, and helped present the green jersey, which is the Skoda QoM, not the sprinters jersey which is red.

I think tomorrows bunch sprint is harder to pick as the sprinters have got to get to it first,which isnt as straightforward as it looks on paper with over 1000metres of climbing on the way, I'd be tempted to say a breakaway with Trek pushing quite hard early on to breakup the dynamic of the race.

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Doug_D | 2 years ago
0 likes

Arvesen lost his saddle after a crash with 60km to go during the 2011 Paris Roubaix - continued for another 20km but bailed after the Mons-en-Pevele: https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/arvesen-on-the-paris-roubaix-cobblestones-without-a-saddle/

Avatar
Steve K | 2 years ago
3 likes

Quote:

Former team boss Alexander Vinokourov is returning to the team too so there'll be a strong Kazakh feel to the boys in light blue next term.

"Qazaq", surely?

Avatar
mdavidford replied to Steve K | 2 years ago
1 like

Or possibly Cash-ac?

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IanMK | 2 years ago
6 likes

I'm not sure that Cycling Fans can really comment on Sports Washing.

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mdavidford | 2 years ago
0 likes

What is the delivery part of the ranking supposed to be reflecting? If it's historical performance of the council as a whole, it's hard to see what would warrant putting Oxfordshire on the positive side of the line. On the other hand, if it's the record of the current administration, I'm not sure how you'd judge it, given that they've only been in office a few months - and that would presumably go for a fair number of other councils as well.

Avatar
Chris Hayes | 2 years ago
0 likes

I have no interest in Mousers, from Texas Instruments.  I will NEVER take a cycling tour with PedalTripr. Not do I care what Cricut makes. I have no interest in Tableau, Wayrite’s shitty clothes, Chubb insurance, or Nicorette FFS.  
I subscribed to road.cc to help you make it a better site: ad free to subscribers.  When are you going to fulfil your side of the bargain?
 

Avatar
Hirsute replied to Chris Hayes | 2 years ago
5 likes

Have you got the box ticked? When renewal came round you had to retick the box or untick, save and retick, save. Maybe logout and login after too.

 

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Global Nomad replied to Chris Hayes | 2 years ago
0 likes

maybe use an adblock...

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Secret_squirrel | 2 years ago
11 likes

On the bright side given the Male/Female ratio of cyclists she'll be spoilt for choice for the next date.

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Captain Badger | 2 years ago
6 likes

Missed a keeper there.....

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Type17 replied to Captain Badger | 2 years ago
11 likes

In a similar vein, we were sounding out different estate agents to sell our late parents' house, and it was down to two local agents with good reputations - one guy showed up and got our tour of the house, but when we mentioned that we were cyclists growing up and that the garage was handy for storing bikes, he went off on a 30-second rant which was almost a full bingo-card, including road tax, two-abreast, needless cycles lanes that are always empty, etc. His sales offer/commision was identical to the guy that we eventually chose, so his rant cost him around £14,500.

Avatar
Steve K replied to Type17 | 2 years ago
6 likes

Type17 wrote:

In a similar vein, we were sounding out different estate agents to sell our late parents' house, and it was down to two local agents with good reputations - one guy showed up and got our tour of the house, but when we mentioned that we were cyclists growing up and that the garage was handy for storing bikes, he went off on a 30-second rant which was almost a full bingo-card, including road tax, two-abreast, needless cycles lanes that are always empty, etc. His sales offer/commision was identical to the guy that we eventually chose, so his rant cost him around £14,500.

I hope you told him why he didn't use him.

Avatar
Type17 replied to Steve K | 2 years ago
1 like

It's small town, so sadly we decided not to, but it was extremely tempting...

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eburtthebike | 2 years ago
26 likes

Single and friendless I would imagine.  At least Sara found out what a tw*t he was  before wasting any time getting to know him.

As the old joke goes Q: "Why do people take an instant dislike to me?"

A: "It saves time."

Avatar
andystow replied to eburtthebike | 2 years ago
10 likes

Exactly. So considerate of him to immediately reveal himself as a wanker and minimize the waste of her time. Well worth the price of a drink.

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andystow replied to eburtthebike | 2 years ago
5 likes

Sadly she has deleted her Twitter account. I wonder if she got an anti-cyclist pile-on, or just too much unwanted attention.

https://twitter.com/robynjournalist/status/1446189962060345346

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Nikolai replied to andystow | 2 years ago
0 likes

It's unlikely he really hates cyclists. For whatever reason, he obviously needed an excuse for a quick getaway.

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Steve K replied to Nikolai | 2 years ago
5 likes

Nikolai wrote:

It's unlikely he really hates cyclists. For whatever reason, he obviously needed an excuse for a quick getaway.

Why is it unlikely he really hates cyclists?

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Nikolai replied to Steve K | 2 years ago
0 likes

I mean that its a bit unlikely that was his reason for leaving. He surely had other more compelling reasons.

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andystow replied to Steve K | 2 years ago
4 likes

Steve K wrote:

Nikolai wrote:

It's unlikely he really hates cyclists. For whatever reason, he obviously needed an excuse for a quick getaway.

Why is it unlikely he really hates cyclists?

Nikolai is suggesting he did not find her attractive.

 

Or perhaps had a sudden attack of diarrhoea.

Avatar
AlsoSomniloquism replied to andystow | 2 years ago
0 likes

Probably put it private as it garnered too much publicity (and said unwanted attentions as well I guess.) I though Jose Been had deleted hers when she was getting the backlash for daring to not like Trump but she reactivated a couple of weeks later. 

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