"It just needs a tune up...": Bike shop shares rust-ridden "tetanus express" that no amount of WD-40 could cure; Jeremy Vine engages stealth mode; Groundhog Day GPS art; Hedge cutting "a danger to cyclists", council warns + more on the live blog

As far as exciting names go, the "tetanus express" isn't the most appealing for casual weekend spin. Also, as per a quick Google search, the ol' tetanus/rust connection is apparently a bit of a myth, but hey, it's a fun name, let's not let the science get in the way of a good time...

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by trench_tales (@trench_tales)

As a long since departed Instagram user, checking Trench Tales' brilliant documentation of life in a bike shop periodically for live blog crackers is just about it for that particular app. But if there was one account likely to keep me coming back, it's them. Well worth a follow if you like your mechanical mishaps messy and just generally want to feel slightly better about the state you keep your pride and joy in.

Despite the bicycle abuse on show in every post, it's really hard to look away...remember these?

> Is there any rubber left? The impossibly worn tyre that earned bike shop visitor a standing ovation from mechanics... after he only came in "for a tube"

> Can it be real? Mechanic shares double cleat horror set up 

Yep, two Trench Tales classics. Anyway, today's caused the page's growing following the usual disbelief and amusement at what a mechanic is meant to do when an expectant customer arrives with THAT in tow...

One speculated the line delivered was: "IT JUST NEEDS A TUNE UP. I USED TO WORK IN A SHOP"

Another that it was just in for a "flat repair and rear brake adjustment. Only."

Someone else asked if it had been salvaged from the Titanic. Well played...

Crime Alert - Theft of cycle On Wednesday 18/01/2023 between 09:10 hrs to 10:00 hrs unknown suspect stole victims bike with large black saddle bags locked and secured to bike rack O/S,BLAGDON ROAD,MALDEN CENTRE,NEW MALDEN,KT3 4TA #community #Lock #Secure https://t.co/Ch9ZsDDrOO pic.twitter.com/1dKS47R6fO

— New Malden Village Police (@MPSVillageSW) January 19, 2023

We are noticing an increase in theft of bikes secured and unsecured . It is solely the owner’s responsibility to insure they secure and lock bikes to bike rack using a good D locks rather than a cheap basic padlocks which thieves can easily cut through. Regards PCSO Griffith

— New Malden Village Police (@MPSVillageSW) January 20, 2023

Unsurprisingly the have a pop at victims approach to tackling crime didn't go down spectacularly well...

If im shoplifting, is it the shop owners responsibility to have adequate security?

— Bike Rogers (@bike_rogers) February 2, 2023

So it is the cyclist's fault? With rechargeable grinder cutters now, even Good d-locks are easy meat, it seems. But hey ho, it is our fault for having expensive bikes (not). Yet again 'blame gaming' in Action!

— Cyclist_With_Attitude (It/trouble/nutter/mad) (@CyclistAttitude) February 2, 2023

Do you say the same to car or homeowners when they are burgled, or to shops when a shoplifter robs them? 🤔

— Ryan D (@RWDWirralGreens) February 1, 2023

Is this @Sandford_Police ? pic.twitter.com/2wrALSFAKg

— Glasgow Fietser (@FietserGlasgow) February 2, 2023

Holy moly that's a big crash...

Les commissaires neutralisent la course à 22km de l'arrivée après une importante chute dans le peloton des piégés. Plusieurs coureurs sont encore à terre. #EDB2023 pic.twitter.com/EY99BxkK1H

— Le Gruppetto (@LeGruppetto) February 2, 2023

The stage has been neutralised while the race staff, doctors and riders pick through the pile of bikes and bodies. Let's hope everyone is as well as they can be after a pile up like that. 

Horrendous scenes at the #EDB2023, hopefully everyone is safe, including the Total Energies rider literally hanging on to a bridge 🙏🙏

— Guillaume (@GuillaumeWatt) February 2, 2023

La position de Valentin Ferron sur le pont au moment de la chute. 😳#EDB2023 pic.twitter.com/qowreJ6MKP

— Le Gruppetto (@LeGruppetto) February 2, 2023

We'll bring you more details as we get them here on the live blog... 

Just serviced my niece's bike which had been outdoors in Oban for a year. Chains, cables and freewheels are consumables.

OK that hub needs work but rust always looks a lot worse than it is. Takes more than this to really kill a bike. https://t.co/a5dwJ5gVBn

— 𝙾𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛 (@overlandertheb1) February 2, 2023

Patrick9-32: "As someone who has four bikes, three of which currently have punctures I haven't got round to fixing yet, I don't appreciate the poor maintenance shaming." You're welcome, Patrick. If it's any consolation, I've only got one but still haven't got everything under control. Give me some sunshine for motivation...

JustTryingToGet...: "If it makes you feel better, I rarely bother sorting mine now unless it's urgent, I wait for issues to accumulate and then get the whole thing sorted... I'm so lazy someone comes to my house to collect the bike! I quite like this maintenance shaming as I've never let a bike get that bad!"

Global Nomad's got a simpler outlook on maintenance... "As long as the wheel goes around when I pedal."

[📷: SWPix.com/Zack Whitehead]

Ethan Hayter has undergone successful surgery in Australia for a fractured collarbone sustained at last weekend's Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. The talented young Brit will now travel home but will not be competing at next week's European Track Championships in Switzerland, Ineos Grenadiers confirmed to Cyclingnews.

The 24-year-old's wins have been getting steadily bigger during his WorldTour career. Last year he added a British national TT championship and the Tour of Poland to his growing palmares and finished fourth in the World Championships TT.

*Will Phil see his shadow?#PunxsutawneyPhil! #GroundhogDay! #stravaart #GPSdrawing #GPSbaltimore! pic.twitter.com/zr3LazZVQo

— WallyGPX (@WallyGPX) February 2, 2023

Saw @theJeremyVine on Tuesday, and he was so alert. He knew exactly what I was doing so only waved and didn't call out so as not to alert the two drivers I was about to catch. I love that cycle lane, btw. It's excellent. I'm only out of it because of catching phone drivers. pic.twitter.com/1cIJsePvN2

— CyclingMikey (@MikeyCycling) February 2, 2023

Don't tell Jo about this...

> Opinion: No, I don't wave at other cyclists when I'm out for a ride... isn't a simple nod of acknowledgement enough? 

Anyway, cyclists recording law-breaking road users has been a hot topic this past week, with an Edinburgh rider who caught 12 drivers in one hour subsequently deactivating his social media accounts due to abuse. Well, we spoke to Mikey about the issue and he told us "people need to see justice being done" and the abuse only comes because some motorists "feel they have the right to drive how they want".

The full interview can be read here...