Campagnolo launches "groundbreaking" second front disc brake; Regent's Park velodrome; National Supertuck Champs; Around-the-world cyclist reunited with stolen bike two years later; High traffic neighbourhoods; April Fools gags + more on the live blog

 

 

 

 

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 Another incredible announcement saved for April 1...SmartDisc Technology takes the innovative step of allowing a rider to add or remove a second front disc brake to the bike for when your route requires extra braking power. Designed in collaboration with Team UAE Emirates and Colnago, the SmartDisc will feature on the new V3RS DV (Double Ventoux) model and should come into its own at the Tour de France on the double ascent of the legendary mountain where riders will reach frightening speeds on the downhill. The logical choice, Campag says, is "to add a second front disc brake for incredible braking power".

"We’ve invested years of research into improving performance on the climbs and in TTs but perhaps we’ve been missing the bigger picture," they continued. "We’ve always neglected the downhills, where bigger time gaps are possible nowadays. So we’ve worked hard all winter with Colnago and Team UAE Emirates, both on the road and in the lab. The result: the groundbreaking SmartDisc Technology that we are pleased to present today."

Campagnolo changing the game forever...Now check the date.

The British Pilgrimage Trust, Cycling UK and Sustrans have come up with a new 2,000-mile Cathedrals Cycle Route linking all 42 Church of England cathedrals between Newcastle and Truro. If you fancy a pilgrimage with a difference or just want to get some post-covid mega miles in, the route will be launched fully with a relay ride starting at Newcastle Cathedral on May 30 as part of Cycling UK's Bike Week.

Pray you've got good legs if you want to ride between all 42 or take a shorter route between two or three. One member of the relay team, Shaun, thinks the route is exactly what people need after the past year. "The Cathedrals Cycle Route is about connecting our historic cathedrals and enjoying the spaces between them.

"Now more than ever, after a year of living with the coronavirus pandemic, this is a way to support people’s mental and physical health and promote the mission of England’s cathedrals through pilgrimage, wellbeing and heritage."

 

 

 

 

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Charlie Condell was 102 days into his cycling world record attempt, trying to become the youngest person to cycle solo across the globe, when his bike was stolen. He was left with just the clothes he was wearing when his bike, kit and passport were all taken from the hostel in North Queensland he was staying at. However, Charlie, who is now 21, recently found the bike on a Townsville buy, swap and sell Facebook page...

"I joined that when the bike first got nicked, but I've been on that group ever since it seemed … I never got rid of it and the bike came around. It popped up and I sent it into the police and they sent an officer around and I believe it's all looking good, so I must say I was over the moon," he told ABC.

A 46-year-old man was charged for being in possession of the bike as well as possession of drugs and carrying a knife in a public place. At the time of the theft, an inspector started a fundraiser to buy him a new bike so he could finish the challenge before his 19th birthday, covering 30,000km in 248 days.

Andy Murray used cycling to stay active during lockdown last year, getting out for some rides in the Surrey Hills. He told Gentleman's Journal, "I was doing a lot of cardio work and, for the first time, I did some road biking. I really enjoyed it, actually. I think, when I finish playing tennis, cycling is something I want to do more of. I live 20 minutes south of Wimbledon, in Surrey. So I cycled around Box Hill, where they did some of the Olympic road racing.

"I had two or three routes I was doing consistently. And, because I’m competitive, I was seeing if I could beat my times each week, to see if I was getting fitter. I enjoyed going up the hills—so tough, but I really loved it."

Loulou is home 👍#DDV21
Photo: @BeelWout pic.twitter.com/xKHhZxd6mz

— Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) March 31, 2021

Okay, let's do some proper news this afternoon...It wasn't just Mathieu van der Poel who seemingly had a bad day in the heat at Dwars door Vlaanderen yesterday, Julian Alaphilippe says he wasn't great either. The Frenchman finished 22nd, safely in the peloton, but wasn't as prominent as you might expect in the final race ahead of the Tour of Flanders this Sunday.

"From a personal point of view, I didn't do much," he told L'Equipe. "We really felt the heat, I tried to help the team as best I could. We had Florian in front, but when I blew up on one of the climbs, I didn't have much information about what was going on. I didn't ride economically today. I wanted to see where I was, how I had recovered from the Italian races which really tired me."

Alaphilippe also admitted he hasn't felt good in training recently either. "When I started training again, the feeling was not incredible. That's why I was here without stress, without pressure. But it was OK. I enjoyed myself, even if there was no result at the end. I hope to have better feelings on Sunday."

While I can't promise this is the last April Fools content on the blog today, we should be moving on to some proper news after lunch...First, meet the monospoke, a 52mm deep rim wheel with a single spoke. Coming in at just 1003g for the pair, the rim brake, tubeless ready wheel has all the aero properties to rival disc brake models and all the stiffness you could ever need. They're not cheap at $1888 but you'll be promptly refunded as they don't actually exist....Just the thing for riding around the new velodrome in Regent's Park...

British Cycling can today announce that the inaugural @HSBC_UK | National Supertuck Championships 🇬🇧 will take place on the 31st June 2021 🗓#NatSupertuckChamps

🔴⚪️🔵 pic.twitter.com/lVWrC0Msuo

— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) April 1, 2021

Here we go...It's the big one, forget the Tour de France, there's a new king in town. In a huge bit of news, conveniently released on April 1, British Cycling are up for some UCI rulebreaking. We imagine all the British riders will exit the Tour after its first week to race at this prestigious event...The early market from the bookies has Chris Froome favourite...

A scheme to ban bikes and pedestrians and make more space for cars? 🚘🚳

We've obtained leaked proposals for new 'High Traffic Neighbourhoods', which are to be designated in towns and cities across the country.

Read the story: 📄 https://t.co/gNDwajmoZD pic.twitter.com/0XbLz8zj2P

— Cycling UK (@WeAreCyclingUK) April 1, 2021

This is all fun and games until it turns up as a genuine suggestion from a local councillor in a few months' time...Cycling UK has put some very believable details in this one. The high traffic neighbourhoods will give "cars total priority over other road users. The HTN scheme is believed to be a reaction to complaints in the media about pop-up traffic lanes and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), which aim to encourage cycling and walking by taking back space from motor vehicles."

We're talking: removal of grass verges and footways to allow an extra lane of traffic, at least 30 per cent of urban parkland to be paved for parking, abolition of 20mph speed limits with 30mph limit to be "reviewed" and best of all...

Fines for cyclists in HTNs, and for pedestrians unless they can demonstrate they are on the way to or from their vehicle...Brilliant.