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Can cyclists and pedestrians co-exist on towpaths?; Primoz Roglic wins thrilling summit finish at La Vuelta; Movistar rider shares crazy picture of veiny legs; Driver crashes £260k Ferrari - narrowly missing cyclist + more on the live blog

Dan Alexander will be taking you through the middle of the week on Wednesday's live blog...
Wed, Oct 28, 2020 08:28
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Can cyclists and pedestrians co-exist on towpaths?; Primoz Roglic wins thrilling summit finish at La Vuelta; Movistar rider shares crazy picture of veiny legs; Driver crashes £260k Ferrari - narrowly missing cyclist + more on the live blogTowpath cyclists (CC BY-NC 2.0 Tom Blackwell:Flickr)
28 October 2020, 16:37
More on the towpath debate
28 October 2020, 16:24
Primoz Roglic wins stage eight but Richard Carapaz keeps race lead

Primoz Roglic won a thrilling summit finish on stage eight of La Vuelta a Espana, beating race leader Richard Carapaz by 13 seconds with Irishman Dan Martin in third, 19 seconds back.

On the steep slopes of the final climb, Roglic and Carapaz exchanged attacks having caught lone attacker Alexandr Vlasov within the final two kilometres.

Carapaz kept the red jersey but has seen his advantage to Roglic slashed to just 13 seconds.

28 October 2020, 16:08
Carthy and Kuss lead with 3km to go
28 October 2020, 15:49
Can cyclists and pedestrians co-exist on towpaths?
River Cam towpath (CC licensed by Paul Oldham via Flickr)

The news that Henley Town Council have reversed the ban on cyclists riding the towpath through Mill and Marsh Meadows in the Oxfordshire town has reignited debate over whether cyclists and pedestrians can safely co-exist on such narrow routes.

The town council introduced a ban on cyclists during the summer but have decided to allow bikes access again, with warnings that those doing so should ride responsibly and give pedestrians right of way.

Councillor Laurence Plant said: “I’m a really keen cyclist and I think the two groups can co-exist apart from a few who are ill-mannered and lacking respect for others."

"There’s the odd issue but most of the time things flow seamlessly. We don’t want to explicitly encourage people to come and cycle here but we should encourage good behaviour in those who do.”

It is understood the ban on cycling was introduced following an altercation between a cyclist and member of the parks services team.

What do you think? Can cyclists and pedestrians co-exist safely on towpaths?

28 October 2020, 15:21
28 October 2020, 15:09
Another day, another laptop

British Cycling have introduced a fifth laptop to proceedings at Dr Richard Freeman's medical hearing in Manchester.

As per Sean Ingle, the fifth laptop has "uploaded material from the server" and has been brought forward for Freeman to look at.

The whereabouts and condition of laptops has become a running theme of the hearing with Freeman claiming he had one stolen in Greece and destroyed a second device over fears about hackers accessing data.

Freeman also claimed he could not get data off a third laptop, while the fourth device brought into proceedings was not charged.

Yesterday Freeman was accused of attempting to have another doctor removed from Team Sky following a dispute over whether the team should change its policy on intravenous recovery methods. 

Freeman insisted his issue with Dr David Hulse in fact stemmed from his care of Txema Gonzalez, the Team Sky staff member who died at the Vuelta a Espana in 2010 following a bacterial infection.

28 October 2020, 14:49
Wales and Northern Ireland top the pile for search data research into interest in cycling
Leisure Lake data

Research by Leisure Lakes Bikes into search data suggested that Wales was the area of the UK where cycling is most popular.

"Across the UK we've seen huge increases in bike sales as people seek out outdoor activities to support their mental health through lockdown.  The search data for the various terms has highlighted that Welsh people really enjoy cycling," Ben Mercer of Leisure Lakes Bikes explained.

Northern Ireland was close behind in second for total searches per 100 thousand people, with Scotland third.

In England the south east and east of the country had the highest proportion of searches - however London had the poorest number of searches per 100 thousand people

28 October 2020, 14:42
28 October 2020, 12:07
Department for Transport reject calls for road closures, ‘school streets’ and new cycle lanes to be scrapped

The Department for Transport has rejected calls to reverse temporary traffic measures, such as road closures and new bike lanes, brought in during lockdown to reduce crowding.

The petition claims: "Although well intentioned, the experiment has failed. Government guidance supporting such measures, and funds for them, should be withdrawn immediately."

Thankfully the Department for Transport's reply was strong in its support for these schemes and offered a comprehensive explanation for why such measures should remain.

It said: "Evidence also shows that investment in cycling and walking is supported by the majority of people in local communities. Although some schemes have attracted negative attention, this is still only a small minority of the people living in those areas."

"The more people that cycle and walk, the more road space is freed up for those who really need to drive. Encouraging more cycling and walking is a key part of the Government's efforts to reduce harmful emissions from transport, as well as to help make people healthier."

28 October 2020, 14:10
Former world champion in the break at La Vuelta

Rui Costa is up the road on stage eight of La Vuelta. He's accompanied by six other riders including Remi Cavagna and stage winner in last year's edition Angel Madrazo.

28 October 2020, 12:58
Giro d'Italia street art

It's often said the Giro d'Italia is the most beautiful of the Grand Tours and Italian electricity provider e-distribuzione have continued that legacy with these sub-stations decorated to celebrate the race route.

28 October 2020, 12:51
Obstruction in the bike lane...
28 October 2020, 12:48
28 October 2020, 10:47
Jose Joaquin Rojas' legs

We all know how hard professional cycling is but Movistar rider Jose Joaquin Rojas has provided another reminder with this Instagram post.

The picture was taken after stage seven of the Vuelta on the day Rojas' teammate Alejando Valverde finished third on the stage and moved back into the top ten of the overall classification.

After Pawel Poljanski posted a similar picture at the 2016 Tour de France we did some digging to answer the question of why pro cyclist's legs are so veiny?

28 October 2020, 11:58
28 October 2020, 11:40
Richard Freeman latest
Dr Richard Freeman (picture credit Team Sky)

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service hearing for former Team GB and Team Sky doctor continues in Manchester this week.

Yesterday Freeman was accused of attempting to have another doctor removed from Team Sky following a dispute over whether the team should change its policy on intravenous recovery methods. 

Freeman insisted his issue with Dr David Hulse in fact stemmed from his care of Txema Gonzalez, the Team Sky staff member who died at the Vuelta a Espana in 2010 following a bacterial infection.

28 October 2020, 11:23
Driving on the Big Screen
Jardine infographic

Jardine Motors have crunched the numbers to find out just how bad the driving in our favourite films is.

And it turns out 007's greatest villain could well be the humble speed camera.

James Bond would have lost his licence four times in just a two minute sequence in Skyfall had his driving been performed on the open road.

28 October 2020, 10:22
Tom Dumoulin abandons La Vuelta
28 October 2020, 10:07
Driver crashes £260,000 Ferrari into London bridge - narrowly missing cyclist

This shocking footage shows the moment a driver crashed the £260,000 supercar into Lambeth Bridge.

The driver can be seen accelerating sharply before losing control of the Ferrari as it ploughed into the wall on the side of the bridge.

A cyclist rides past the driver just seconds before the car veers to the right on the 20mph stretch of road.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are investigating the incident.

28 October 2020, 09:54
Worst cycling kits ever made
hairy nude cycling jersey front - via.PNG

 

Primoz Roglic has got us thinking... we've had a trawl through the archives and found three other woeful cycling kits for your amusement.

First up, the Hairy Nude kit which comes with the promise to "get motorists looking twice".

How about this Pirate Juice number...

Pirate Juice 4

Finally, this bizarre Giro Toscana kit which was described by one Twitter user as: “Worst designed garment of clothing in the history of the human race.”

Worst women's cycling kit ever

Let us know, what's the worst cycling kit you've seen?

28 October 2020, 09:35
More Roglic laughs

It seems Twitter isn't finished with the Slovenian national champion just yet.

28 October 2020, 08:13
Twitter in meltdown over Roglic's multicoloured kit

Poor Primoz Roglic isn't having much luck with clothing at La Vuelta.

First it was losing time on stage six because he couldn't put his rain jacket on and now he has united Twitter in horror at his stage seven green and yellow monstrosity. 

The Slovenian's green points jersey matched with yellow Jumbo-Visma kit has left fans, pundits and team managers shocked at it's, well, brightness...

Even manager of the EF Pro Cycling, Jonathan Vaughters, got involved suggesting humorously that the UCI should take action.

EF Pro Cycling were fined by the UCI during the Giro d'Italia for failing to clear in advance their striking Rapha and Palace kit.

28 October 2020, 08:46
You're on camera
Cyclegaz

This great idea from cyclegaz lets all road users know in no uncertain terms that they're being recorded.

28 October 2020, 08:38
Brutal summit finish on stage eight
Vuelta stage 8

Stage 8 sees the peloton take on another summit finish, with this looking the hardest of the race so far.

The final climb of Alto de Moncalvillo is officially 11.3km @ 7.6%, but most of the final 7km is above 9%.

A big day for the GC guys.

Dan Alexander

Dan is the road.cc news editor and joined in 2020 having previously written about nearly every other sport under the sun for the Express, and the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for The Non-League Paper. Dan has been at road.cc for four years and mainly writes news and tech articles as well as the occasional feature. He has hopefully kept you entertained on the live blog too.

Never fast enough to take things on the bike too seriously, when he's not working you'll find him exploring the south of England by two wheels at a leisurely weekend pace, or enjoying his favourite Scottish roads when visiting family. Sometimes he'll even load up the bags and ride up the whole way, he's a bit strange like that.

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22 comments

Avatar
Sriracha | 4 years ago
3 likes

Can cyclists and pedestrians share a towpath? Well, most can. A few people of all locomotions suffer from arrested development and never learned to share at primary school.

But this makes zero sense:

Quote:

It is understood the ban on cycling was introduced following an altercation between a cyclist and member of the parks services team.

Would they ban all people wearing parkas if the dick in question happened to be wearing a parka? Why punish people due to the infractions of another, based on how they travel (or what they wear)?

Avatar
HarrogateSpa | 4 years ago
1 like

"We don’t want to explicitly encourage people to come and cycle here but we should encourage good behaviour in those who do."

Feck me, and people wonder why cycle infrastructure is in such a shit state in this country.

Avatar
the little onion replied to HarrogateSpa | 4 years ago
6 likes

Dont' forget that the Canal and Rivers Trust, who run Britain's waterways, and thus their towpaths, are perfectly happy to take millions of pounds each year in taxpayers money for the creation of cycle routes.

 

They like the money from cyclists, but they don't want cyclists on the towpaths.

 

Here in West Yorkshire, Canal and Rivers Trust has taken about £10 million in taxpayers money in the last 6 years to 'upgrade' towpaths as part of funds to boost cycling. This has been spent on installing barriers narrower than the width of a set of handlebars, building speedbumps (which has resulted in several incidents of broken limbs from cyclists), and coating the towpath in loose flint chippings. The council are happy because they can say they are providing funding for cycling, without actually questioning whether it is fit for purpose.

Avatar
Organon | 4 years ago
6 likes

I am going to say it: I don't care about Dr Freeman. Why are we still hearing about this? Report when there is a verdict and leave it at that.

And as for Rog's kit, it's fine; it is red and green that should never be seen.

Avatar
mdavidford replied to Organon | 4 years ago
0 likes

Mother be quick - I'm gonna be sick

And lay me down to die

https://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=5016

Avatar
leipreachan | 4 years ago
3 likes

I belive police is going to "talk to the driver". There will be some "some recommendations" and the driver probably will be fined. Up to 250 quid + taxes.

Court? I doubt this. Even so, it'll be something like "a month of self-isolation".

I see drivers who race like this every. single. day.

Avatar
Gd29 | 4 years ago
0 likes

It seems that it wasn't that the Ferrari driver accelerated that much, it looks like he had the throttle down somewhat in a highish gear, asked the car to downshift but didn't lift off at all. If electronic driver aids are off and you try such a mechanically unsympathetic action, driven wheels experience massive change in torque and will break traction.

It's like starting a max effort on the bike and then shifting down on the front derailleur....

Avatar
Rik Mayals unde... replied to Gd29 | 4 years ago
0 likes

It's the usual case of imbecile with plenty of money and no skill or respect for the car. I used to work for a renowned supercar dealer and drove Ferraris, Bugattis, Porsches etc every day. These cars demand great respect. To put your foot down in them requires a great deal of skill and fast reactions. The 812 is a ferociously quick car, the driver put it into a sport mode which accentuates the exhaust note but switches off the traction control.

Avatar
Mungecrundle | 4 years ago
4 likes

Ferrari driver obviously deserves massive respect for skillfully avoiding both ped and the cyclist in an otherwise uncontrollable situation.

Avatar
andystow replied to Mungecrundle | 4 years ago
5 likes

Mungecrundle wrote:

Ferrari driver obviously deserves massive respect for skillfully avoiding both ped and the cyclist in an otherwise uncontrollable situation.

That was nothing but luck. He had zero control over where the car went. If he knew what he was doing he could have recovered it.

Avatar
STiG911 replied to andystow | 4 years ago
12 likes

1 - Pretty sure Munge was being sarcastic

2 - If the driver knew what he was doing, he wouldn't have been driving like a massive cockwomble in the first place.

Avatar
Mungecrundle replied to STiG911 | 4 years ago
3 likes

For the avoidance of doubt, I was engaging in the lowest form of wit.

Avatar
Stebbo replied to andystow | 4 years ago
2 likes

If he knew what he was doing, he wouldn't have lost control in the first place.

Avatar
eburtthebike | 4 years ago
9 likes

Ferrari + Dickhead = trouble. 

I'm just glad he didn't hit the pedestrian on the left or the cyclist on the right.  I hope the car was seriously damaged and the police prosecute for exceeding the speed limit and dangerous driving.

Avatar
OnYerBike replied to eburtthebike | 4 years ago
2 likes

eburtthebike wrote:

I hope [...] the police prosecute for exceeding the speed limit and dangerous driving.

And I hope that I find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. I know which I think is more likely...

Avatar
Gd29 replied to OnYerBike | 4 years ago
3 likes

My question is how did that video get out?

Avatar
PRSboy replied to Gd29 | 4 years ago
7 likes

Because someone stupid enough to crash a car for no apparent reason in a straight line is also stupid enough to post a video of it on social media.  Why would you disable the traction control on a car like that in a city...

I just hope the airbag gave him a good smack in the mouth.

Avatar
Awavey | 4 years ago
14 likes

Be interesting to see if cyclegaz finds that makes an impact, seeing as the overwhelming evidence from experience is that drivers dont see cyclists at all...except when it's dark & they have no lights or jump red lights.

Avatar
OldRidgeback replied to Awavey | 4 years ago
8 likes

That's an interesting idea Cyclegaz has there. I've seen him around town a few times. 

The video of the Ferrari driver on Lambeth Bridge is worrying. My wife cycles across there regularly to get to work. The roundabout is notoriously dangerous and I've asked her to use a different route, but it's the one she likes. That the Ferrari driver can't even control the car in a straight line in a 20mph limit shows just how inadequate the person's driving skills are.

Avatar
jollygoodvelo replied to Awavey | 4 years ago
3 likes

I suspect - and hope I'm wrong - that the most notable impact will be even more drivers punishment passing him.

Avatar
HoarseMann replied to Awavey | 4 years ago
2 likes

What's needed is a police backed scheme similar to 'Neighbourhood Watch', maybe 'Road Watch' with a sticker/sign to put on bike/car that shows other road users that you're keeping 'em peeled for wrong'uns behind the wheel (or handlebars - but mostly wheel).

Avatar
Luca Patrono replied to Awavey | 4 years ago
2 likes

I wouldn't be surprised if many drivers know that many police forces do nothing even if you have evidence, and will thus drive no differently.

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