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Live blog: Irish Senator who complained about cyclists goes for ride after being challenged to on Twitter; Frozen Froome turns to Cryotherapy; No Viagra in Testogel package; Boardman encourages active travel to lift burden off NHS +more

All today's news from the site and beyond.....
Fri, Nov 15, 2019 20:18
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Live blog: Irish Senator who complained about cyclists goes for ride after being challenged to on Twitter; Frozen Froome turns to Cryotherapy; No Viagra in Testogel package; Boardman encourages active travel to lift burden off NHS +moresenator gerard craughwell - via twitter.PNG
15 November 2019, 16:10
Senator Craughwell gets on his bike after being challenged over anti-cycling tweet

You may recall from Wednesday's live blog the story of Senator Gerard Craughwell, who was challenged to go for a ride around Dublin after posting the above tweet complaining about cyclists. Senator Craughwell said "I might just do that" -  and even though he admitted to not having ridden a bike for 50 years, today he kept his promise!

Senator Craughwell said it was "scary" and mentioned that he found delivery vans parking in cycle lanes a nuisance, which forced him into traffic. In another reply, he said: "I guess it would have been wrong to speak on cyclists & cycling without giving it a go."

He was accompanied by I BIKE Dublin members, and says he will be back out on Monday as part of his own personal project to see Dublin by bike for himself. 

It's refreshing to see Senator Craughwell was willing to change his perceptions, and hopefully he can use his political influence to improve cycling infrastructure in Dublin after his experiences. 

15 November 2019, 16:47
How far is too far? The dilemma of long commutes
 

Our forum has come alive after cycle.london asked what the longest feasible commute is, with his new round trip journey after moving house being 44 miles a day. Do you put in some serious mileage to get to work and back, and what distance can you realistically do day-in-day-out and still have energy for other stuff? Take part in our poll and let us know your thoughts, as we're keen to crowdsource some info and tips from other super commuters for a future article on dealing with long bike commutes. 

15 November 2019, 16:05
Steven Burke retires
Steven Burke (second left) on London 2012 podium (copyright Britishcycling.org.uk)

Steven Burke MBE (second left in this photo from the 2012 Olympics) has announced his retirement after a 14 year career with British Cycling. Burke was an integral member of the team pursuit squad who claimed the gold medal in both the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and in Beijing 2008 he won bronze in the individual pursuit aged just 20. He also won three elite European titles and one elite world title during his career.

Via a statement from British Cycling, Burke said: “Firstly, I would like to thank all of my team mates throughout the Great Britain Cycling Team. I have enjoyed working with them all. It has been an epic journey achieving Olympic gold with Geraint Thomas, Brad Wiggins, Pete Kennaugh, Owain Doull and Ed Clancy and I will look back on some great moments with them.

“Although I have retired from international duty and looking forward to new challenges, I still plan to race in the Six Day events, help out the local riders in Team SB Hub and Cycle Sport Pendle, and to ride my bike for years to come."

15 November 2019, 13:07
First cupping, now...

It appears every trick in the book is being used to help Chris Froome recover from his latest surgery - this time it's cryotherapy, which involves freezing or near-freezing temperatures, so whatever he's standing in it won't be warm. 

15 November 2019, 14:19
Freeman case adjourned until next Wednesday at 9.30am
Phil_Burt_Image

Today's evidence was shorter than the previous days, where the lead physiotherapist at British Cycling Phil Bury was the witness. As detailed below, he said what else was in Richard Freeman's 2011 order from Fit4Sport that contained the Testogel, and also referred to a falling out Sutton had with Freeman over an expensive flight ticket fromthe track world cup in Australian in 2015. 

15 November 2019, 12:24
The full contents of the infamous Testogel order

Giving evidence at the tribunal today, Dr Phil Burt has confirmed all five contents of the Testogel order made by Richard Freeman. It was said yesterday that British Cycling ordered Viagra to help with some riders' 'nerve issues', but Steve Peters denied it was used for the benefits of performance enhancing. 

The hearing continues...

15 November 2019, 14:31
Tom Pidcock leaves some massive skidders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sliding into tabor World Cup like.... Thanks for the tyres @challengetires

A post shared by (@tompidcock) on

15 November 2019, 11:38
Freeman tribunal: there was no viagra

According to The Times' Matt Lawton, the tribunal has just confirmed that there was no Viagra in the disputed package containing Testogel. You can catch up on yesterday's events at the tribunal here. 

15 November 2019, 11:44
Police tape (CC licensed by freefotouk on Flickr)
Police not to blame for death of cyclist killed by fleeing burglar during pursuit

Gary Lynch reversed into Arthur Bourlet while trying to evade officers.

Full story here.

15 November 2019, 11:33
Non-handed Penny Farthing cyclist sets three world records

To celebrate Guinness World Record Day, Neil Laughton rode for what we think was an hour on a Penny Farthing non-handed - he cycled 26 kilometres in an hour, and on the way to that he also rode the fastest non-handed Penny Farthing 10km and the fastest average speed over 10 seconds. He was congratulated by fellow world record holder Mark Beaumont, who cycled the fastest hour on a Penny Farthing with hands allowed earlier this year.

15 November 2019, 11:09
Melbourne drug addict jailed for 11 years after killing Dutch cyclist

The family of Gitta Scheenhouwer travelled to Melbourne to see 28-year-old Michael Panayides sentenced for causing her death. Panayides was on his way to buy drugs and travelling at twice the speed limit in a stolen Mercedes-Benz when he hit Ms Scheenhouwer, 27.

Panayides ran away, before later pleading guilty to culpable driving causing Ms Scheenhouwer's death. He will serve a minimum of eight-and-a-half years, with the prosecutor labelling his driving as "incomprehensible". The judge said: "It's a serious case of negligent culpable driving emanating from blatant disregard for the life and safety of others on the road.

"Failing to stop in these circumstances is a despicable and cowardly act.

"Mr Panayides, each of your victims has had a profound, senseless, needless loss at your hands."

15 November 2019, 10:13
Weird...
15 November 2019, 09:59
'Why don't you use the cycle lane?' continued

This time in Edinburgh, it's because of a massive truck laying concrete blocks on it, thus rendering the cycle lane unusable. Councillor Lesley Macinnes has promised to 'follow up' today...

15 November 2019, 09:18
Chris Boardman on Question Time: Active travel and "moving more" can lift burden off NHS

Although Manchester's Walking and Cycling Commissioner wasn't given a great deal of airtime - with most of the programme focussing on something beginning with 'B' - he did chip in during a discussion about the NHS. Boardman talked of the £8 billion the NHS spends every year treating patients who have illnesses related to inactivity and obesity, and said we need to get more people walking and cycling in an attempt to ease the burden. He cited the Netherlands and Denmark as examples of nations who are already far ahead of us, with over 60% of commutes in those countries taken on foot or by bike. 

On the 'B' issue, Boardman said: “I think it’s crazy to have three years of learning and then treat the population as children”, and is in favour of a second referendum on Britain leaving the European Union. 

15 November 2019, 09:38
New research reveals North East as cycling capital of the UK
Newcastle Civic Cycle Ride (image courtesy of Newcycling Flickr stream)

A survey of 7,600 adults carried out by sports retail giant Decathlon has found that the North East is the most popular region for cycling, with 16% of residents 'regularly participating' in cycling for sport. The researchers say the facilities on offer at Middlesborough Velodrome could be a strong contributing factor. 

Elsewhere, 39% of Londoners run, 27% of Scots enjoy swimming and 34% in the North West regularly hit the gym. 

15 November 2019, 09:09
Wout van Aert's recovery steps up a notch

Van Aert suffered a horrific crash in the stage 13 time trial at this year's Tour de France, and finally looks to be making some decent progress towards recovery. Initially this was hampered by a flawed operation immediately after the crash in France, before he had further surgery to correct it in his native Belgium. 

15 November 2019, 09:30
Way ahead of his time...

This might be our favourite video of the week! Honestly, who needs an office when you've got the Winnebiko and can just type in binary code?

15 November 2019, 09:04
A $750 pump (and it's not even the whole pump)
AirPressureStation_16

Enve's new $750 Air Pressure Station is intended to be super accurate and precise to .5% PSI, make tubeless inflation easier and be quick and convenient to use - and for that wad of cash you don't even get an actual air compressor! Read all about it here.

Jack Sexty

Jack has been writing about cycling and multisport for over a decade, arriving at road.cc via 220 Triathlon Magazine in 2017. He worked across all areas of the website including tech, news and video, and also contributed to eBikeTips before being named Editor of road.cc in 2021 (much to his surprise). Jack has been hooked on cycling since his student days, and currently has a Trek 1.2 for winter riding, a beloved Bickerton folding bike for getting around town and an extra beloved custom Ridley Helium SLX for fantasising about going fast in his stable. Jack has never won a bike race, but does have a master's degree in print journalism and two Guinness World Records for pogo sticking (it's a long story). 

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13 comments

Avatar
KarlM77 | 5 years ago
1 like

This entire thread is heartbreaking.

https://twitter.com/ormondroyd/status/910244326567006211

Avatar
ktache | 5 years ago
1 like

I don't know about Ireland KarlM77, but in the UK I think that 4 abreast cycling cannot be as bad as the worst driver, for me that's Gary Hart, killed 10 on a train by bad driving.  Anyone got anything worse?

Avatar
KarlM77 | 5 years ago
1 like

The Irish Senator couldn't help resorting to type though. 

"... As bad as the worst driver."   FFS !!!

 

"My taking to the bicycle was to experience hazards for myself. I admit that on a bicycle cars can only be described as weapons of mass destruction. The road is for all of us so the cyclists who were 4 abreast on the Enidkerry road this morning are as bad as the worst driver"

 

https://twitter.com/GCraughwell/status/1196040925488832512

Avatar
brooksby | 5 years ago
3 likes

On that Edinburgh concrete blocks story, Bristol council put concrete blocks across lots of the cycle lanes approaching the centre, as an anti terrorist thing before the remembrance Sunday stuff last week. Apparently they were worried about an attack. Only the cycle lanes, though: not the roads or the footpaths... And, they were still there on Wednesday.

Avatar
burtthebike replied to brooksby | 5 years ago
2 likes

brooksby wrote:

On that Edinburgh concrete blocks story, Bristol council put concrete blocks across lots of the cycle lanes approaching the centre, as an anti terrorist thing before the remembrance Sunday stuff last week. Apparently they were worried about an attack. Only the cycle lanes, though: not the roads or the footpaths... And, they were still there on Wednesday.

That seems fair; everyone knows that all cyclists are terrorists.

Avatar
Philh68 replied to burtthebike | 5 years ago
4 likes

burtthebike wrote:

That seems fair; everyone knows that all cyclists are terrorists.

better than terrorists, we don’t actually have to do anything to terrify drivers. They’re already terrified by us - terrified that we will scratch their precious car, terrified that we will take their space, terrified that we might get in front of them… terrorists can only wish for that kind of influence!

Avatar
slappop replied to Philh68 | 5 years ago
1 like

Quote:

...there were five items: Testogel, Logynon (contraceptive pill), Montelukast (asthma drug) , Noxil ("for acne" says Burt. PanOxyl maybe?) and Valoid (antihistamine)

Dr Strangelove said it best:

"Shoot, A Fella’ Could Have A Pretty Good Weekend In Vegas With All That Stuff"

Avatar
Derk Davies | 5 years ago
0 likes

Chris Boardman showing what a sensible gent he is.

Avatar
ChrisB200SX | 5 years ago
1 like

Viagra was used to give certain athletes nerves of steel... and definitely not used to "enhance their performance" 4

Avatar
kt26 | 5 years ago
1 like

Stay up to watch Chris on QT last night, glad to see him there and his message got one of the stronger receptions on the from the audiences. Highlighting the link between obesity and the NHS and the role an active mode of transport can play in that is an important message and one often not found in the MSM.

Avatar
burtthebike replied to kt26 | 5 years ago
3 likes

kt26 wrote:

Stay up to watch Chris on QT last night, glad to see him there and his message got one of the stronger receptions on the from the audiences. Highlighting the link between obesity and the NHS and the role an active mode of transport can play in that is an important message and one often not found in the MSM.

I saw it too and appreciated his attempt to get this very important subject discussed, but it was ignored by the chair, the panel and the audience.  I rang the radio prog which was talking about the issues on QT, but they didn't call back.  Similarly, R5 had Boris on this morning on a phone in, but they had a long discussion about transport without once mentioning active travel.  I rang in again, but they weren't interested.

Avatar
kt26 replied to burtthebike | 5 years ago
4 likes

burtthebike wrote:

I saw it too and appreciated his attempt to get this very important subject discussed, but it was ignored by the chair, the panel and the audience.  I rang the radio prog which was talking about the issues on QT, but they didn't call back.  Similarly, R5 had Boris on this morning on a phone in, but they had a long discussion about transport without once mentioning active travel.  I rang in again, but they weren't interested.

I think that may be largely an issue with the format of QT, speaking time is only really given to those to offer contrasting views, agreement only seemed to be shown by audience applause which - to which there was a generally postive response to Chris' point.

As to you experience with the Radio, very frustrating and disappointing. It always looked a bit of a token gesture to have Chris on the show, but what a token he is to have. Hopefully he has given some people food for thought.

Avatar
hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
7 likes

For those that missed it (including me): https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000b9f5/question-time-2019-14112019

(and a barely disguised excuse to post Saint Chris)

 

 

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