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Driver who called cyclist 'gay boy' and spat at him jailed for 8 weeks; Brussels bike thief jailed for ‘ecological crime’; Josh Quigley to get new bike from Shand Cycles; BEAT Cycling Club's 'Burning Brexit' ride + more on the live blog

Following a few minutes of negotiations, it's been decided Jack Sexty will be bringing you live blog coverage this morning. A transition period will follow later today, after which Simon MacMichael will provide a strong and stable presence in the evening...
UPDATED Sat, Feb 01, 2020 18:27
21

SUMMARY

31 January 2020, 18:32
Brussels bike thief jailed for three years for "ecological crime"

A court in Brussels has sentenced a bike thief to three years in jail – for committing an “ecological crime.”

Bike thief

The Brussels Times reports that the defendant, 41-year-old Charles S, was caught by police as he stole the bike from Hankar metro station last year.

At trial, the judge classified the offence as an “ecological crime,” pointing out that the bike’s owner would be forced to use a less environmentally-friendly way to get around.

“The time has come to punish the accused severely for offences which have grave consequences for the planet, given that the victim who was deprived of the bicycle had no option but to use means of transport which pollute more, and therefore contribute to climate change – and all that to allow the accused to buy drugs,” said the judge.

The sentence will be added to a total of nine years’ imprisonment previously handed down to the drug addict for a variety of offences – although the judge expressed disappointment that due to the Belgian legal system, he has yet to actually spend any time in jail.

31 January 2020, 18:16
Round-the-world cyclist Josh Quigley to get new bike from hometown firm Shand Cycles

Round-the-world cyclist Josh Quigley is back home in Scotland as he continues his recovery from the injuries sustained shortly before Christmas when a driver in Texas hit him from behind at 70mph – and when he gets back on the road again, he’ll do so on a custom-built bike being made for him by Shand Cycles, based in his home town of Livingston, West Lothian.

The 27-year-old, whose injuries included fractures to 10 ribs, his skull, pelvis and ankle, as well as a punctured lung, reiterated on Twitter his determination to complete his circumnavigation.

31 January 2020, 16:32
There's parking in the bike lane, and then there's this...

The hashtag says it all. So long as city planners only use paint to mark cycle lanes, motorists will continue to flaglarently ignore them.

31 January 2020, 15:32
Driver who spat at cyclist and called him 'gay boy': more details emerge

It's emerged that Faizal Alizada initially didn't turn up to court and pleaded not guilty to the assault charges against Mr Howard. He also had previous convictions for common assault and ABH. District Judge Samuel Goozee summed up: “I’m entirely satisfied that when you did it you were conscious, and that it was intentional on Mr Howard, as demonstrated by homophobic things you said and spat at him through the window.

“I do not believe your apology has genuine remorse, he still had to go through the ordeal of giving evidence.

“You committed this offence subject to a crown court order for offences of similar nature.”

Alizada claimed that prison would worsen his anxiety and panic attacks, but the judge refused to back down on a custodial sentence.  An extra week was also added for forcing Mr Howard to relive the ordeal by pleading not guilty and initially failing to attend the trial that was first scheduled for 10th January at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Alizada had to be lifted to the courtroom exit by two dock officers as his family members pleaded he be set free.He was also ordered to pay £150 to the victim plus costs. 

31 January 2020, 14:51
Driver who called a cyclist 'gay boy' and spat at him is jailed for eight weeks
statue-justice-old-bailey-licensed-cc-2.0-flickr-ronnie-macdonald

Court News reports that 23-year-old Faizal Alizada shouted "Oi gay boy!" at a cyclist wearing pink Lycra and spat at him. The cyclist, named only as Mr Howard, was abused on 27th March last year while he waited at traffic lights at Notting Hill Gate.

Police managed to trace Alizada from DNA he left on Mr Howard's clothing when he spat at him. Alizada was jailed for eight weeks.  

31 January 2020, 14:26
City monuments turn Pink to mark 100 days until the start of the Giro d'Italia
Budapest in pink for giro 2020- Piazza degli Eroi

This year the Giro will start in the Hungarian capital of Budapest. The Piazza degli Eroi has turned pink to mark 100 days until the start of stage 1 on 9th May, along with Italian landmarks that will feature when the race returns to home soil from stage 4 onwards. This will be the 103rd edition of the famous Grand Tour. 

31 January 2020, 15:08
#Whereswout? Bahrain Merida...

Chris Froome managed to locate his former teammate somewhere in Monaco. Wonder if Wout led him up a climb or two only for Froome to power ahead for the victory? 

31 January 2020, 14:31
2022 Road World Champs will leave 'lasting legacy' in Wollongong and boost cycling, says sports minister
Wollongong

The Illawarra Mercury reports that sports ministers in the Australian city are already investing in cycling more than two years away from the 2022 UCI Road Cycling World Championships. 

Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee announced a $760,000 Legacy Fund for initiatives to promote cycling within the community for residents, groups and businesses, plus a bike education program for 10,000 primary school children: "This will educate students about the benefits of cycling, will get them involved in the hobby or sport, and will teach them about the bike use safety.

"We want average people to engage with cycling so they can can change and live a healthy lifestyle."

Mr Lee said he wanted the funding to inspire changes that would make Wollongong a cycling city that is "renowned across the world."​

31 January 2020, 14:11
The Dutch are getting stoned

Well, strictly speaking, they're just digging massive rocks out of the World Championships cyclocross course which has been set up on a disused airfield in Switzerland.

The riders were doing their practice laps when they kept hitting something in a deep rut. It turned out to be a massive rock, so the riders will be worried about puncturing as the dirt turns to mud.

Here's a look around the (slightly dull) course from the head of pro rider Kerry Werner.

31 January 2020, 14:41
Funding boost for Highlands charity means more staff can cycle to work
highlife scotland

A Highland charity will be able to provide facilities for staff who want to cycle to work following a funding boost, reports the Inverness Courier. 

The grant from Cycling Scotland means High Life Highland have been able to install new racks for bike parking at both its Inverness and Dingwall offices.

Nathalie Libera of Cycling Scotland, said: "High Life Highland has been working hard to support more people to cycle, and these new cycle racks at the Inverness and Dingwall offices are just part of their journey to become a Cycling Friendly organisation."

31 January 2020, 13:58
Georgian authorities return bike stolen in Tbilisi to British traveller

Rowan Campbell left for Singapore after a temporary stay in the Georgian capital minus his bike, after it was stolen on January 25th. Georgia Today report that Mr Campbell's bike had two helmets and bags attached, and when police were notified it had been found they set about returning it to its owner. ​

Before it was found he also received gifts and a new bike from locals who took the case to heart, with Mr Campbell expressing gratitude to the Georgian people for their hospitality in numerous Facebook posts. ​

31 January 2020, 13:28
EPO doping ring funded by a clinic in Andalusia smashed by the Spanish Civil Guard
Syringe

El Pais report that a scandal which saw at least 260 athletes purchasing EPO over the internet has been shut down. 

The three year investigation uncovered that the EPO was shipped by a Serbian gang from a clinic in Andalucia before getting it sent out to athletes. The clinic in Cadiz has been funding the operation for a decade. 

Athletes caught reportedly include a former Spanish Olympian who is now a coach, cross-country and trail riders and numerous master's athletes. Those who consumed the EPO won't be pursued in criminal cases, but the courts have to send their names to the Spanish anti-doping agency, who are likely to publish names and hand out bans if they are sanctioned.  ​

31 January 2020, 13:12
Hull's St Stephens Shopping Centre accused of being heavy-hand with cyclists more than once
Screen Shot 2020-01-31 at 13.12.32

The shopping centre that banned a grandad from walking through with his bike to wash the oil off his hands (story below) apparently have previous for being heavy-handed with unwitting cyclists... should everyone just be more careful play by the rules, or should security operate a more laissez-faire approach in some situations?

31 January 2020, 11:50
Well oil be f**ked: Grandad wheeled out of shopping centre due to bike ban, but he just wanted to wash the oil off his hands

Hull Live reports on an unfortunate morning for 66-year-old Graham McDonald, who says his "rights were breached" because he was kicked out of St Stephen's Shopping Centre in Hull for entering with his bicycle. 

Mr McDonald went in to clean the oil off his hands because he had fallen off his bike and had to reattach his chain. Initially he claims he was told by a security guard that he'd be allowed to wheel his bike through the centre to get to the toilets, but was then pursued by two other guards who told him he had to leave. 

"I told them that the other security guard said I could. They said to me he didn't know the rules or that he was learning", said Mr McDonald. 

His day then went from bad to worse as Mr McDonald walked back around the centre to park his bike in the underground car park, then tripped trying to climb a broken escalator leading back up to the centre: "It's disgusting. It's totally unfair. In my opinion it was a breach of my rights", he said. 

A spokeswoman for St Stephen’s shopping centre commented: "We welcome and encourage people to travel to St Stephen’s on their bike.

"We don’t allow shoppers to bring their bikes inside the centre for health and safety reasons, but have more than 40 dedicated cycle bays where our customers can securely leave their bikes free of charge."

31 January 2020, 11:36
Cycling campaigners victorious in Cambridge campus barrier dispute

The Cambridge Independent report that a chicane recently installed on a guided busway bridge at Cambridge Biomedical Campus will be replaced with a bollard, after cyclists and councillors raised safety concerns.   

A petition was launched by local Liberal Democrats after three incidents in which cyclists either hit the chicane or had near misses with cars, attracting 1,400 signatures. Cambridgeshire County Council has now promised to swap the barrier for a bollard until a longer term solution can be found.

Cyclists and some councillors said the barrier didn't meet legal requirements, and complained about a lack of consultation. Queen Edith councillor Colin McGerty commented: "This has been an unfortunate example of the council not utilising the skills available to us in the local community and in groups like Camcycle. We must ensure they engage with people better to avoid this kind of mistake.”

31 January 2020, 11:08
Rare vintage 19th century cycling posters to be auctioned, with some set to fetch up to $15,000
edward penfield orient cycles poster

Swann Auction Galleries have posted numerous lots of rare 19th century cycling posters, featuring prints from artists such as Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec, Adrien Barrere and Edward Penfield. Penfield's 'Orient Cycles/Leader of the Leaders' (above) has an estimated sale price between $8,000-$12,000, and Alphonse Mucha's 'Cycles Perfecta' from 1897 could go for as much as $20,000. 

The auctions are set to begin on 8th February - you can check out all the lots here. 

31 January 2020, 10:37
Cameron Wurf takes a break from triathlon to sign for Team Ineos
cameron wurf team ineos 2020

The multi-talented Australian, who rowed in the 2004 Olympics before moving on to pro cycling and then long course triathlon, has temporarily signed for Team Ineos. 36-year-old Wurf will fill the void left by Vasil Kiryienka, who was forced to retire due to a cardiac issue, making his debut in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race on Sunday. He will ride for Ineos throughout most of the cycling season before switching his focus back to triathlon ahead of the Ironman World Championships in October. 

Wurf has been known to train with Ineos riders such as Chris Froome and Gerain Thomas regularly, and is known for his brutal training regime which sees him riding as much as 700km a week, run over 100km a week and swim around 30km a week during his biggest training blocks. On Instagram Wurf said of his new role: "Be careful what you dream for. One day, it might just come true. I'm absolutely over the moon to join Team Ineos."

Ineos coach Tim Kerrison said: “Cameron will be joining the team to continue to pursue his Ironman career. The combination of his physical strength and versatility on the bike, his flexible schedule, and past experience racing at WorldTour level makes this an interesting and unique proposition for the team and for Cameron.

“For the first part of the season he will be always ready and available to race as required, while for the months leading into Kona his focus will shift back to Ironman, with the aim of improving on last year’s fifth place with the full support of the team."

31 January 2020, 10:57
100% launch Mathieu van der Poel limited edition S3 shades
100% mvdp ltd edition

Van der Poel will debut them at the Cyclocross World Championships this weekend, with the neon orange colours paying homage to his Dutch roots. If you fancy a pair, they're £180 and available now at Sigma Sports. 

31 January 2020, 08:53
Dutch cycling team BEAT Cycling's 'Burning Brexit' ride begins today, to find out if it's "total anarchy the other side of the North Sea" yet

BEAT Cycling Club are mostly renowned for their track and pro continental teams... but to mark Britain leaving the EU, they're braving our isolated island to embark on a 145km 'Burning Brexit' ride through East Yorkshire. Anyone was able to book tickets and the ride is fully guided. Why are they doing this? Let BEAT explain: 

"Brexit. A piece of world history. At midnight on the 31st January 2020, it will finally happen. Nobody knows how it ends. Will everything stay the same? Or is there total chaos and anarchy on the other side of the North Sea? The best way to find out is to investigate yourself.

"On the night that Brexit begins, we leave the safe mainland of the EU with 16 heroes and take the brave boat trip to the other side, and we invite you to join us. The moment the British awaken to their harsh reality, we make our first exploration together in the now-separated Great Britain; however, the question is whether we can return home on the boat afterwards... or will we get stuck?

"Participation is at your own risk. BEAT is not liable for unexpectedly being unable to return to the Netherlands because of the unclear consequences of Brexit with regards to free movement of people and resident's rights."

BEAT recommend attendees and anyone who wants to join them (it's an open invite on the roads) should have already started training for the Grand Prix Boris Johnson intermediate sprint... although they warn us it's highly likely this will be postponed several times. 

For 145 euros those travelling from Rotterdam will have a return ferry ticket, accommodation and get to take part on the picturesque hilly ride on February 1st, before returning to mainland Europe on the 2nd assuming all goes well at the border. Find out more about the route details and the itinerary here. 

31 January 2020, 09:19
"Here the subject ends": Argentinian journalist draws line under sexism row

In case you missed it yesterday (read the full story on yesterday's live blog here) former cyclist-turned journalist Sven Spoormakers appeared to claim that Argentinian journalist Belén Mendiguren was dressed inappropriately during an interview at the Vuelta a San Juan, saying she "knows exactly what she's wearing".

Mendiguren has now made it clear she wants to draw a line under the incident, saying the furore began because of "misplaced comments about my physical appearance/dress."

Spoormakers hasn't posted further comments on Twitter since he attempted an apology yesterday, to which Ms Mendiguren called him a "Brontosaurus."  

31 January 2020, 08:50
4 minutes > 20 minutes

Ride your bike, Londoners! 

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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21 comments

Avatar
eburtthebike | 4 years ago
2 likes

Well, just when you think you've seen everything, someone puts up a bench in the cycle lane.  No lights, no high viz, and it's black but cyclists are supposed to be able to see it perfectly clearly, unlike drivers who can't seen things even when they are lit up like a christmas tree.

What would have happened if a cyclist had ridden into it and been injured?  Would the owner of the bench be prosecuted for obstruction of the highway and crass stupidity?

Avatar
Rick_Rude | 4 years ago
11 likes

Kill a cyclist. No jail.

Call them gay. Jail.

Justice served

Avatar
ktache replied to Rick_Rude | 4 years ago
6 likes

Rick, whilst I understand the rightous rage, the actions of this scrote was deliberate, involved spitting which is assault (watching Police Interceptors (catching Wrong'uns in cars) the officers say they would rather be punched than spat upon) and included hate speech.

He really didn't help himself either.

Previous convictions for violence too.

Avatar
bike_food replied to ktache | 4 years ago
8 likes

Least we can all laugh at the fact he had a temper tantrum as he was taken away

Avatar
eburtthebike replied to bike_food | 4 years ago
1 like

He obviously has some pretty serious issues of his own, whatever they may be, and without excusing them, perhaps he needs some understanding.  He didn't kill anyone, or endanger them, but he gets sent to prison while killer drivers go free, and no mention of any treatment for whatever he is suffering from.  While I can't condone his actions, does he really deserve prison?

Avatar
Zebulebu replied to eburtthebike | 4 years ago
1 like
eburtthebike wrote:

He obviously has some pretty serious issues of his own, whatever they may be, and without excusing them, perhaps he needs some understanding.  He didn't kill anyone, or endanger them, but he gets sent to prison while killer drivers go free, and no mention of any treatment for whatever he is suffering from.  While I can't condone his actions, does he really deserve prison?

He's a cunt. End of story.

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to Zebulebu | 4 years ago
2 likes

That description could be applied to any number of people, yet they're not in jail.

Avatar
Xena replied to Zebulebu | 4 years ago
0 likes
Zebulebu wrote:
eburtthebike wrote:

He obviously has some pretty serious issues of his own, whatever they may be, and without excusing them, perhaps he needs some understanding.  He didn't kill anyone, or endanger them, but he gets sent to prison while killer drivers go free, and no mention of any treatment for whatever he is suffering from.  While I can't condone his actions, does he really deserve prison?

He's a cunt. End of story.

your quote above has me intrigued,is it possible you could publish the full story not just the end bit . 
 May  I mention that I own 2 helicopters a small horse and a griffin and may well be a man  ?  Fucking Boooo to this sort of thing and it's definitely  time for facial recognition and intimate strips searches and police with special brain wi fi to arrest us just in case we do something bad or say the Queen is a robot and the real queen died 33 years ago or something .  

Avatar
eburtthebike replied to Xena | 4 years ago
3 likes
Xena wrote:

your quote above has me intrigued,is it possible you could publish the full story not just the end bit . 

 May  I mention that I own 2 helicopters a small horse and a griffin and may well be a man  ?  Fucking Boooo to this sort of thing and it's definitely  time for facial recognition and intimate strips searches and police with special brain wi fi to arrest us just in case we do something bad or say the Queen is a robot and the real queen died 33 years ago or something .  

Have you tried putting more water with whatever you're drinking, or sniffing the powder a little less?  Have you sought help for your addiction?

 

Avatar
brooksby replied to Rick_Rude | 4 years ago
3 likes

Is it still homophobic abuse if you (the person being abused) aren't gay?

(I still remember the time I was walking near my office one lunchtime in a suit, black overcoat, and a black homburg hat (which admitted I later decided didn't really suit me, but hey...) and some passing bloke shouted at me and called me an f-ing Jew).

Avatar
AlsoSomniloquism | 4 years ago
8 likes

Hmmm, Health and Safety reasons for not allowing someone to push their bike through a shopping centre. Yet double prams, shopping trollies and powered wheelchairs are no problem. 

Avatar
brooksby replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 4 years ago
6 likes
AlsoSomniloquism wrote:

Hmmm, Health and Safety reasons for not allowing someone to push their bike through a shopping centre. Yet double prams, shopping trollies and powered wheelchairs are no problem. 

Or if it isn't H&S but "dirt", well then think of all those people walking in there with the same shoes they wore outside!  I mean, the centre should really provide those blue bags like on Silent Witness...

Avatar
ktache replied to brooksby | 4 years ago
2 likes

I aquired a handful of those blue shoe covers from my last place of work, they were for the contractors doing ground work, they make excellent saddle covers when leaving leather saddles parked up when it might rain.  They weigh virtually nothing (3.0g) and stuff very easily under the saddle.

Avatar
Jetmans Dad | 4 years ago
4 likes

Being from Hull I am well acquainted with St Stephens and, to be fair, it isn't too bad as shopping areas go, but the security personnel are neither use nor ornament. A few years ago, my wife used their "secure" bicycle parking when out on her brand new bike for the very first time (it being a replacement for one stolen a few weeks earlier) and two St Stephens security guards stood and watched as someone cut through both her locks and made off with it. 

The centre never even apologised. 

Avatar
Bungle73 | 4 years ago
1 like

Re the shopping centre. Which "rights" were breached exactly? A shopping centre is private property, so if they say no bikes it means no bikes.

Avatar
ktache | 4 years ago
7 likes

That Cambridge barrier is shocking.

I wish I could easily post a picture of it.  

To me it looks like a mid-estate footpath barrier that would have a No Cycling roundall sign with it.  Very 1970s.  Not on a 4-5 metre wide shared use route on a brand new development in Britians cycling capitol.

The motorists in that huge queue, they sit in that every single day.  Some days worse, occasionally slightly better, summer school holidays account for most of the better ones.  Never their fault.  It's others, especially the cyclists slowing them down.

We all know roads like this, and I cycle past and through them never understanding it, no matter how cold or wet it is.

And people staring at smartphones make it worse.  There the ones who take an extra 5 or 10 seconds to start moving off.  Staring at their groins because they don't wat to get caught, totally unaware of their surroundings let alone what is going on right in front of them.

 

Avatar
EddyBerckx | 4 years ago
10 likes

Wonderful trolling by the BEAT Cycling club. An almost perfect example of British style piss taking (or did we steal it from the Dutch?). Bravo! ;P

Avatar
efail replied to EddyBerckx | 4 years ago
8 likes

To mark the leaving of the EU just done the opposite of Beat cycling club. No charge for tickets. Interesting that I started from a village called St Beat in France. Cycled through two international border crossings without hindrance. Thank you European Union. Please keep up the good work and don't blame all of us.

Avatar
mike the bike replied to efail | 4 years ago
1 like

I don't think much has changed in the last forty years.  Back before we had even joined the EU* I would regularly drive through European border posts and find the guards asleep or reading a book and even the conscious ones would often just wave us through.  Human nature and all that ....

* Or Common Market as it was.

Avatar
Rome73 replied to mike the bike | 4 years ago
1 like

How old are you - if you don't mind me asking? 

Avatar
efail replied to mike the bike | 4 years ago
1 like

It was just a symbolic gesture. I'm just hoping that some sense comes out of it, and as an 'Englishman abroad', that the free movement doesn't get interrupted. I remember those days of real borders. Where I drive now the police are after drugs and contraband.

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