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Dog eats bike (no, really); Cycling banned on Hampstead Heath because of coronavirus; No Mark Cavendish at the Tour de France; Tour boss calls for all spectators to wear masks; Sheffield bike shop hit twice by same thief say police are ‘uninterested’+more

Today's live blog with Alex Bowden (daytime) and Simon MacMichael (evening)...
21 August 2020, 15:45
Cycling banned on Hampstead Heath because of coronavirus

We're very much looking forward to an explanation for this one...

21 August 2020, 15:34
Adam Yates signs for Ineos

It's all go this afternoon.

More to follow.

21 August 2020, 15:20
Mark Cavendish (picture credit Bahrain-McLaren).PNG
No Cav at this year's Tour

Mark Cavendish will not be racing the Tour de France.

The last time he rode was 2018.

The last time he finished was 2015.

Speaking in May, team principal Rod Ellingworth -  who coached Cavendish as a teenager as he came up through the British Cycling system and later masterminded his 2011 road world championship victory - said: “He doesn't have automatic selection and he doesn't want it.

“He doesn't want it just handed to him. But we made an agreement that if he was winning races that would be enough to go to the Tour.

“Unfortunately that changes, and with so little racing beforehand it cuts his chances of being able to prove he’s back at a decent level.”

21 August 2020, 11:04
Dog eats (through) bike

Imagine having to write that insurance claim…

21 August 2020, 15:05
“Riding a bike didn’t help me, but the people I met riding did”

This film was made for MR PORTER Health In Mind, an initiative dedicated to helping men lead happier lives.

In the film, Cerrone wears a jersey from MR PORTER’s collection from Rapha. All net profits from the sale of this collection will be donated to MR PORTER's Health In Mind fund, powered by Movember.

More on Cerrone’s story and the Rapha + MR PORTER Health in Mind collection here.

21 August 2020, 14:24
Dauphine (via YouTube)
Tour de France boss calls for all spectators to wear masks

L’Equipe reports that Christian Prudhomme, the director of the Tour de France, has a simple message for those intending to attend the race at the side of the road this year.

“For the spectators, on the road, there is clearly no question. I love cycling, I love the Tour. Common sense indicates that you have to wear a mask, even if the formal obligation to do so depends on the prefects of the 32 departments the race passes through.”

Speaking earlier in the month at the Route d'Occitanie, Trek-Segafredo’s Julien Bernard had observed: "People do not realise that when they come to shout to encourage us from 40 away, there is a risk."

21 August 2020, 13:35
Yet another reminder that cycle lanes are HELPFUL for the emergency services
21 August 2020, 12:37
Watford’s goalie praises cyclists for helping coronavirus appeal and says he hopes more people will travel by bike now

The Watford Observer reports that Ben Foster has praised those who took part in bike share firm Beryl Bikes’ ‘Ride for Watford’ campaign after it raised over £2,800 for the town’s Covid appeal.

Every trip on a Beryl Bike in a two-week period saw 50p donated on the rider’s behalf to the Watford Helps Covid-19 Charities Appeal.

Users covered 18,925 kilometres in 5,676 rides during the period.

“I’d like to offer a massive thanks and congratulations to those who got behind this unique and worthwhile campaign to help vulnerable people in Watford,” said Foster.

“Your efforts will go a long way in making a real difference to local charities that are working to get vital money to where it is needed most.

“Cycling is a great passion of mine and I hope this initiative has spurred on residents of Watford to take more journeys by bike where possible.”

21 August 2020, 11:15
laboratory-2815641_1920
Another AG2R rider tests positive for coronavirus

AG2R's Larry Warbasse has tested positive for coronavirus. He was symptom-free and tested as part of the systematic monitoring of riders and staff.

Warbasse is the second AG2R rider to test positive for the virus after Silvan Dillier was withdrawn ahead of Strade Bianche at the start of the month.

Warbasse's last race was the Tour of Lombardy last Saturday. The team says it has decided to take precautionary measures following the test result.

Geoffrey Bouchard, Axel Domont and Ben Gastauer will not ride the final stage of the Tour du Limousin – Nouvelle Aquitaine today; while Domont, Clément Champoussin and Geoffrey Bouchard will not ride the French National Road Race Championships on Sunday.

Earlier today we reported how teams who report two positive coronavirus cases will be removed from the Tour de France. This will only apply to riders within the Tour 'bubble' from August 23, however, and so does not apply to Warbasse's test.

21 August 2020, 10:32
Your feelings on South Yorkshire Police's response to the attempted theft

We're not entirely sure. It's very subtle. Do we detect just the very faintest whiff of broader cynicism in your comments about the police response to the attempted theft from Giant Store Sheffield?

Comment 1
Comment 2

 

 

21 August 2020, 09:49
Illinois woman demands black cyclists show 'passes' to sit on public pier

“A verbal dispute turned physical over what appeared to be a disagreement of the need for a Winnetka beach pass,” said police about an apparently racist incident in Illinois where a woman confronted three cyclists who she didn’t feel should be allowed on a public pier.

Otis Campbell told the Chicago Tribune that he, his cousin and a friend had just finished a 15-mile bike ride at Winnetka Pier when Irene Donoshaytis approached them and asked them for their passes.

“She says, ‘This is America. This is America, you can’t do this. I’m from Winnetka. You need to go back where you’re from,’” he said.

She then went over to the Winnetka Park District attendant monitoring the beach to take the matter up with her.

The attendant told her that while the beach was private, the pier was public. Donoshaytis asked her to call her manager.

In a video shot by Campbell, she can be heard saying, “It’s not public. For people who live in Winnetka and we pay for it.”

When Campbell laughs, she says to him, “Are you crazy? What, you want to kill me? No? It feels like it.”

“Why would I want to kill you? Is it because I’m black?” asks Campbell.

“Yes,” says Donoshaytis.

At the point at which the video ends, Campbell says Donoshaytis hit his arm twice, leaving a bruise.

Winnetka police arrived and Donoshaytis was arrested and charged with battery.

Campbell believes that based on her comments, Donoshaytis’ charges should also include hate crimes.

He also said that he was disappointed that responding officers didn’t approach him first but instead went to Donoshaytis to see if she needed help.

“It’s not saying that they didn’t do their job right. It’s just showing the world that this is an extremely toxic place when it comes to race,” he said.

What appears to be the start of the confrontation was caught in a video shot by someone else.

21 August 2020, 09:22
Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 - 1
Reports that teams who record two coronavirus cases will be out of the Tour de France

Reuters is reporting that two positive coronavirus cases within the same team will result in the whole team being removed from the Tour de France.

“The measure was announced to us at the Criterium du Dauphine,” said one sports director, speaking anonymously because the policy has not yet been officially announced by Tour owners Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) which declined to comment on the story.

Tour director Christian Prudhomme said yesterday that a rider testing positive for coronavirus would be required to isolate, along with his roommate – but he said this would not lead to the abandonment of the whole race.

Riders will be tested for the coronavirus twice before the race starts and there will also be a mobile testing lab.

At the start of this month, Sylvan Dillier of the AG2R La Mondiale team was withdrawn from the Strade Bianche start list following a positive coronavirus test.

Dillier questioned the test result, saying: “I am the healthiest person in the world. I have had several tests in the past few days and they were all negative. Even with a blood test, all values were good.”

More recently, Astana’s Hugo Houle had to sit out the Tour of Lombardy following a positive coronavirus test. 

21 August 2020, 08:42
Zagreb's Refuse Collector’s Bicycle Race

Yes please.

21 August 2020, 08:40
Car use in London almost back to pre-lockdown levels

We reported on this yesterday.

Here's a visual.

21 August 2020, 08:31
Giant Store Sheffield (via StreetView)
Sheffield bike shop hit twice by the same thief say police are ‘uninterested’

A Sheffield bike shop hit twice by the same thief in 10 days say they are bewildered at the lack of action by South Yorkshire Police after they ‘virtually handed the case on a plate to officers’.

The Star reports that CCTV cameras at Giant Store Sheffield twice captured footage of the same man trying to steal a carbon mountain bike worth £4,000.

After cutting a hole in the fire door with an angle grinder at around 4am on July 6, the man was unable to dislodge the bike from its stand and fled with the alarm ringing.

He returned on July 16 but was unable to get in because of enhanced security measures.

Both incidents were reported to South Yorkshire Police along with a clear CCTV image of the suspect’s face and the registration plate for a white VW caddy van he was seen driving.

South Yorkshire Police say it is an active investigation, but business owner Chris James – who says he has spent at least £5,000 on repairs and improving security – doesn’t feel enough is being done.

“We feel absolutely amazed and bewildered. The heartache and the damage caused, the worry of being attacked again has been horrible.

"I can’t believe we have done so much to give the police information to hopefully sort the criminal out and it just seems to have been ignored and not acted on.”

A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “This is very much an active investigation. Officers conducting enquiries have carried out extensive CCTV trawls to identify the suspect and locate the vehicle involved.

“We have kept in regular contact with the victim and kept them updated of all developments since the initial report was made. Burglary enquiries can be lengthy but we will always try our best to ensure those responsible are brought to justice and our victims are supported.”

However, store manager Andy is unimpressed.

An officer told him police had identified a suspect and invited him to attend a voluntary interview – but later cancelled it due to other priorities.

"It’s just been a farce,” said Andy. “Trying to get some progressive communications off them has been very, very difficult.

"We’re concerned it could be a weekly thing because our industry, over the last three months, has been massively successful.”

He added: “We did all the investigation work. The frustration we feel is at any time this guy could come back and have another go at us.

"We’ve been left out on a limb. You just feel the police aren’t interested. Enough’s enough, we are incredibly frustrated.”

21 August 2020, 08:01
Caspar Hughes (via Twitter)
Why protestors D-locked themselves to Regent's Park gates yesterday

Yesterday we reported how protestors enraged at motor traffic in the park had D-locked themselves to the Regent's Park gates.

Here's an explainer on why they did that.

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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16 comments

Avatar
ktache | 4 years ago
2 likes

Err, obviously cyclists cause coronovirus, but what on earth has clearing up dog poop got to do with this worldwide pandemic, or any government guidance meant to prevent it?

And litter and BBQs....

Avatar
eburtthebike replied to ktache | 4 years ago
5 likes

ktache wrote:

Err, obviously cyclists cause coronovirus,...

I think it might be that coronavirus is, according to that unimpeachable source, Donald Trump, the China virus; most bike frames come from China, and are therefore infected, so preventing cyclists from riding on the heath is saving the human race. 

Clear?

If not, drink wine until it is.  Or it isn't; like I care.

Avatar
Rome73 replied to ktache | 4 years ago
7 likes

The sign on Hampstead Heath: depends where it is as most of the Heath is out of bounds to cycles. If it's on one of the sections where cycling is permissible then I shall sort that out myself. During the early lock down the Residents' Association on a road adjacent to Hampstead Heath which is used by many cyclist as a quiet, safe route put up some huge yellow, professionally made signs (and I mean big) that said all the usual 'save the NHS', 'save lives' by . . . . "Cyclists do not spit, cyclists do not ride ride more than 10mph, cyclists ride in single file, cyclists care for other road users. If you don't like it take your bike elsewhere. Protect our NHS"

I first saw this sign when i was riding a cargo bike full of repair gear as I had just been servicing bikes for NHS staff in central London (unpaid).  I was effing furious. Unlike these nasty locals I was doing something to help not putting up signs 'blaming' cyclists for spreading Covid. Anyway, I went and got some spray paint. And decorated the signs. They were cleaned the first time - but then they had to give up as I kept decorating the signs. 

Avatar
mdavidford | 4 years ago
15 likes

I guess the dog misunderstood when it was told "Stay!".

Avatar
eburtthebike replied to mdavidford | 4 years ago
3 likes

mdavidford wrote:

I guess the dog misunderstood when it was told "Stay!".

Steel frames for dog owners?

Avatar
Sriracha | 4 years ago
7 likes

Regarding the Sheffield bike shop repeated attempted theft - they need to understand that it was at worst a "near miss" since nothing was taken and nobody died. Moreover, as to their CCTV footage, that just makes them a "witness" so I'm surprised the police even bother talking to them. Honestly, what do they expect? /s

Avatar
Cupov replied to Sriracha | 4 years ago
5 likes

"After cutting a hole in the fire door with an angle grinder at around 4am on July 6, the man was unable to dislodge the bike from its stand and fled with the alarm ringing."

So no crime committed?
 

Avatar
AlsoSomniloquism replied to Cupov | 4 years ago
8 likes

Criminal Damage. 

Trespass

Attempted Burglary

Three there for starters...

Edit, and I missed the question mark on the reply....

 

Avatar
visionset replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 4 years ago
3 likes

AlsoSomniloquism wrote:

Trespass

Please don't perpetuate the myth that trespass is criminal. People fought long and hard to make that not so.   What you mean is breaking and entering.

Avatar
brooksby replied to visionset | 4 years ago
7 likes

visionset wrote:

AlsoSomniloquism wrote:

Trespass

Please don't perpetuate the myth that trespass is criminal. People fought long and hard to make that not so.   What you mean is breaking and entering.

But there is a consultation on making trespass criminal rather than civil, isn't there?  (mainly to allow the police to get involved in unauthorised Traveller stops, I suspect).

Avatar
HoarseMann replied to brooksby | 4 years ago
0 likes

consultation has closed and it's being considered. let's hope it doesn't end up a sledgehammer.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-police-powers-...

Avatar
AlsoSomniloquism replied to visionset | 4 years ago
1 like

In thought there was a Criminal Trespass, but thanks for putting me right. Although my intitial post wasn't needed anyway as I thought the poster was denying crimilaity occured but was instead questioning Sriracha's post not noticing that was sarcastic. 

Avatar
OnYerBike replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 4 years ago
2 likes

Trespass in itself isn't (currently*) a criminal offence, but there are numerous criminal offences in which trespass is an essential element - see https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/trespass-and-nuisance-land

*There was a consultation on expanding police powers with regards to trespass. As I recall it was puported to focus on traveller encampments but as many organisations noted at the time, some of the proposed powers would have criminalised other forms of tresspass, wildcamping etc. As far as I can tell, we are still waiting for the results of the consultation (and any subsequent actual law changes). https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-police-powers-...

Avatar
visionset replied to AlsoSomniloquism | 4 years ago
0 likes

AlsoSomniloquism wrote:

sure  1

Avatar
Tom_77 replied to Cupov | 4 years ago
5 likes

Think you missed the /s

Avatar
nniff replied to Sriracha | 4 years ago
5 likes

You are, of course, quite right - he probably didn't see the door in front of his angle grinder and then didn't steal the bicycle.  He might have been using a phone too, but that would have been hands free because he was holding an angle grinder.  So that's alright too.

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