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“Victim-blaming” police advise cyclists – but not drivers – to “pay attention to road signs and red lights”; “So sick of drivers telling me where I should and shouldn’t be”; “No News November”: Movistar quash Cavendish rumour + more on the live blog

After domestique Dan’s impeccable lead out, a rested Ryan Mallon – who spent most of yesterday in the wheels, watching Movistar on Netflix – is back in the thick of things for the first live blog of November
Tue, Nov 01, 2022 09:56
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“Victim-blaming” police advise cyclists – but not drivers – to “pay attention to road signs and red lights”; “So sick of drivers telling me where I should and shouldn’t be”; “No News November”: Movistar quash Cavendish rumour + more on the live blogPolice Scotland (via Twitter)
01 November 2022, 10:55
Police Scotland accused of “victim blaming” after advising cyclists – but not drivers – to “pay attention to road signs, markings and particularly red lights”

It’s been a while (alright, two months) since the live blog last featured accusations of “victim blaming” aimed at a local police force.

But as Police Scotland launches its ‘Get Ready for Winter’ campaign, by issuing road safety advice to motorists, pedestrians and cyclists with the reminder that “we all have a responsibility to keep Scotland’s roads safe during the winter months”, some cyclists online noted one particular piece of guidance that appears to be solely directed at those on two wheels:

You can imagine the scene when this advice was being put together in Police Scotland HQ: ‘Now, remember to emphasise the red lights, lad. "Particularly red lights", that’ll make our intent clear…’

Other Twitter users weren’t too pleased that pedestrians and cyclists were also being encouraged to “dress for the weather” – not by wrapping up warm, but by wearing “reflective or bright-coloured clothing”, on top of having front and rear lights (for the cyclists that is, not pedestrians. Though I wouldn’t be surprised…).

While some were confused and bewildered as to why helpful tips such as “Cars can take twice as long to stop in wet weather” were included in the ‘Advice for Cyclists’ section: 

Thankfully, Andy was on hand to pithily sum up what everyone was thinking: 

01 November 2022, 17:19
01 November 2022, 17:03
Police Scotland’s winter road safety advice reaction: It’s a jungle out there…

While it’s all kicking off in the comments section about red lights (top tip: don’t get involved), the aptly named road.cc reader Safety has had their say on Police Scotland’s latest campaign to “keep Scotland’s roads safe”:

Let’s not be surprised by the latest approach by Polis Scotland. This is the same force who have not just been slow in introducing a portal for accepting videos but at every turn have filibustered and actively delayed its introduction.

Meanwhile, over on Twitter:

And finally, the inevitable, thoughtful counterpoint:

Ach, that ‘z’ in ‘criticized’ irks me. I can accept being called a self-absorbed leftist. But a self-absorbed American leftist? That’s where I draw the line…

01 November 2022, 16:42
Just in time for Police Scotland’s latest road safety advice…
01 November 2022, 16:14
‘We’ll have our Park Anywhere lights on, so it’ll be fine’: Leith Walk strikes again

Edinburgh’s Leith Walk appears to be the gift that keeps on giving at the moment – if by gift, you mean example after example of questionable driving, that is.

Following yesterday’s close encounter with a bike lane-mounting lorry driver, a delivery van was spotted this afternoon taking up the whole of the new bike lane and a decent chunk of the footpath:

01 November 2022, 15:29
Wat een finish! Lars van der Haar overcomes late crash to sprint to dramatic Koppenbergcross win

Today’s cyclocross drama at the prestigious Koppenbergcross certainly didn’t end with the women’s race and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s woes.

In an absolute corker of a men’s race, European champion Lars van der Haar tore up the final ascent of the Koppenberg to see off the Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal pairing of Michael Vanthourenhout and reigning three-time champion Eli Iserbyt.

At the very end of what was a feisty and sometimes volatile race (let’s just say that I’ve seen less bullying in 1990s school-based sitcoms), Van der Haar’s blistering turn of speed on the steep cobbled climb, a mainstay of the Tour of Flanders, completely blew away the Vanthourenhout-Iserbyt double act, and even came after the Baloise-Trek Lions rider crashed during the final lap, allowing Vanthourenhout to slip away for what looked like a nailed-on victory.

However, the last time up the Koppenberg proved one too many for Vanthourenhout, who could only watch as Van der Haar flew past in the closing metres, while teammate Iserbyt – the recent king of the Koppenberg – could muster very little by way of response.

European champ Van der Haar’s impressive win – his third and biggest of the season so far – also marks the first Dutch victory at the prestigious Flemish race since Mathieu van der Poel took the victory in 2017. No pressure then, Lars.

01 November 2022, 15:22
01 November 2022, 14:57
From Belgian fields to Belgian trains

According to a law passed by the Belgian parliament last week, all new trains in the country from 2025 will be equipped with a minimum of eight designated spaces for bikes, while refurbished trains will be required to have four bike spaces (from April 2021, all EU member states are obliged to include four places for cycle storage on all new or upgraded trains).

The new law forms part of the National Railway Company of Belgium’s train-bike strategy, which aims to increase the overall capacity for bikes on trains, provide more secure bicycle parking, and ensure clearer signage and information for travellers.

It’ll also make it a whole lot easier to take your bike to the cyclocross, which is what this is all about really…

01 November 2022, 14:31
Squints at screen… “Nope, still no Cavendish”
01 November 2022, 13:49
Mechanical #2 for PFP and Cobblestone Ducks

Oh dear, it really hasn’t been a great first outing for Pauline Ferrand-Prévot as an Ineos-backed rider – or for her new Pinarello Crossista F – at the Koppenbergcross today.

Despite picking her way through the field after that unlucky first lap mechanical and bike change, the French rider’s final lap was then derailed (excuse the pun) by yet more gearing issues.

Those pesky jammed gears (where’s Bauke Mollema when you need him?) forced the gravel world champion to run up the final ascent of the Koppenberg, her troublesome bike slung over her shoulder – which, in cleats, is a feat in itself to be fair…

There were no such issues, however, for the imperious Fem van Empel.

The prodigious 20-year-old Dutchwoman, who is set to join Jumbo-Visma for 2023, has been in scintillating form so far this ‘cross season, winning each of the four UCI World Cup events so far, and she stormed around the Koppenberg course to secure yet another resounding victory.

And what was Van Empel’s prize for such a dominant display?

An inflatable cobbled duck.

A. COBBLED. DUCK.

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe cycling may have peaked.

01 November 2022, 13:17
Marginal ‘cross losses for Ineos

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s much-anticipated first race in Ineos colours isn’t quite going to plan, as an unfortunate opening lap mechanical (due to a jammed chain) has left her a long way behind the dominant Fem van Empel:

However, it was the questionable response of PFP's new Ineos-branded pit crew as she rushed to change bikes that has raised a few eyebrows online:

01 November 2022, 13:06
01 November 2022, 12:38
Agony, ecstasy, and a rainbow at the National Hill Climb Championships

As Andrew Feather and Illi Gardner stormed to victory at the National Hill Climb Championships on Sunday, atop North Wales’ fearsome Old Shoe, Rod MacFadyen was once again on hand to capture all the grit, determination and beauty of hill climbing in the UK (and its fervent roadside support):

It almost makes me want to get back into hill climbing. Almost…

01 November 2022, 11:59
The duck is down, I repeat, the duck is down

As I noted earlier, the Koppenbergcross takes place this afternoon, providing cycling fans with both a preview of the winter of mud-spattered ‘cross goodness to come, as well as an early dose of the insanely steep, cobbled delights awaiting us in the spring…

The Koppenbergcross also marks the first round of the X2O Badkamers Trophy, the eight-race-long competition known primarily for its love of giant, inflatable rubber ducks:

Unfortunately, this morning the strong Flandrien winds of November have incapacitated one of cyclocross’s defining features (along with the chips and beer, obviously), prompting many – okay, one hardcore fan to argue that we should just call the whole thing off…

And who says cyclocross is cycling’s “silliest discipline”? 

01 November 2022, 11:39
“So sick of car drivers telling me where I should and shouldn’t be,” says Ned Boulting after run-in with taxi driver

ITV commentator Ned Boulting here, currently touring the UK with his one-man show, pointing out one of many inherent flaws in the ‘cyclists should ride in the cycle lane’ argument favoured by some motorists: 

01 November 2022, 10:39
01 November 2022, 10:10
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot to make Ineos debut at Koppenbergcross

French off-road star Pauline Ferrand-Prévot – who has, you know, just the four world titles to her name in 2022 – is set to make her debut as the Ineos Grenadiers’ first ever female rider this afternoon, at the always-fun Koppenbergcross:

PFP has missed the last two ‘cross seasons to focus on mountain biking, so today’s hit-out on and around the famous Koppenberg – a Tour of Flanders favourite (granted, not for Jesper Skibby) – could provide an interesting, if somewhat early, indicator of her form in the fields of northern Europe as she aims towards a second career world cyclocross title in February. 

01 November 2022, 09:11
Mark Cavendish, British road race championships 2022 (Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)
“It’s No News November”: Movistar quash Cavendish rumour

There have been so many twists and turns in the ‘Where will Mark Cavendish end up in 2023?’ story that, frankly, it’s hard to keep up.

First, we had the Manx Missile’s controversial omission from Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl’s Tour de France squad in July, ending all hopes of that historic stage win number 35 (for this year, at least), followed by Patrick Lefevere’s confirmation that Cavendish would no longer be “part of our project” after the end of this season.

With Cav’s exit from Quick-Step confirmed, the rumour mill has been swirling wildly since July: first, there were the – albeit tentative – rumours of a move to EF Education-EasyPost, after the 37-year-old attended a Rapha (EF’s clothing sponsors) event in London.

Mark Cavendish Rapha (copyright Simon MacMichael)

Cav visits Rapha in July (Simon MacMichael)

French minnows B&B Hotels-KTM (who appear to be on the cusp of a major funding boost) then took the lead in the race for Cavendish’s signature, with team boss Jérôme Pineau’s hopes of securing a deal – a “50/50” prospect in August – appearing to rise steadily throughout the autumn, with many expecting the sprinter to be announced as the squad’s marquee signing at a grand unveiling in Paris last Wednesday.

> Team rumoured to be signing Mark Cavendish cancels press conference due to "absence of certain major players"

However, that big reveal was called off at the last minute, as Pineau reportedly struggles to secure the required funds, amidst uncertainty over the arrival of new, heavyweight sponsors.

Cavendish, meanwhile, has remained tight-lipped on the matter, telling Cyclingnews at the Tour de France Criterium in Singapore on Sunday: “When I know, then you’ll hear it”.

So, just when you thought things couldn’t get any more convoluted, in walks Movistar, everyone’s favourite chaotic Netflix stars and the unlikeliest of bedfellows for a thoroughbred sprinter like Cavendish.

Movistar riders at the AJ Bell Tour of Britain - Credit SWpix.com_.JPG

Movistar riders at the Tour of Britain (SWpix.com)

But according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Spanish band of climbers have emerged as a backup option if Pineau’s Parisian adventure falls through. The venerable Italian sports paper has claimed today that Movistar DS (and former GB rider) Max Sciandri is interested in securing his friend’s signature and aiming for No. 35 at the Tour next July.

A lead out train – consisting of Alex Aranburu, Imanol Erviti and Ivan Garcia Cortina – has even been touted, with Cav apparently set to share sprinting duties with old teammate and new Movistar signing Fernando Gaviria.

2022 Tour of Oman stage 1 Fernando GAVIRIA Mark CAVENDISH ASO Oman Cycling Association Pauline_Ballet (1).jpeg

Gaviria sprints against Cavendish at the 2022 Tour of Oman (ASO/Pauline Ballet)

But…

Just as we were all getting excited about the prospect of watching the volatile Cavendish and the squad’s impassive GC leader Enric Mas interact on the team bus on Netflix next year, the Spanish team took to Twitter itself to quickly quash any rumours concerning what surely would have been the shock signing of the winter:

“Can we please, kindly remind everyone that we’re at 30 riders on our men's team for 2023 (the UCI maximum) and this is just the desire of Max, who has been close friends with Cav for a long time,” the team’s social media manager wrote, in between fits of laughter I presume, this morning.

And in any case, Movistar tells us, if they could have an extra man in their squad, it would of course be the now-retired Alejandro Valverde:

Well, they don’t call it the silly season for nothing…

Ryan Mallon

After obtaining a PhD, lecturing, and hosting a history podcast at Queen’s University Belfast, Ryan joined road.cc in December 2021 and since then has kept the site’s readers and listeners informed and enthralled (well at least occasionally) on news, the live blog, and the road.cc Podcast. After boarding a wrong bus at the world championships and ruining a good pair of jeans at the cyclocross, he now serves as road.cc’s senior news writer. Before his foray into cycling journalism, he wallowed in the equally pitiless world of academia, where he wrote a book about Victorian politics and droned on about cycling and bikes to classes of bored students (while taking every chance he could get to talk about cycling in print or on the radio). He can be found riding his bike very slowly around the narrow, scenic country lanes of Co. Down.

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38 comments

Avatar
Patrick9-32 | 2 years ago
15 likes

The internet has been around for like 25 years now. Its time to learn that no matter how much you argue and how convincing your points are, if you are engaging with a troll they are winning. What they are looking for is the engagement and the arguement, they don't care about being right or being wrong or coming out of it looking right, all they care about is your attention.

The best and only way to deal with them is to ignore the post. Stop feeding them and they will go and look for food elsewhere. Right now this board is a rich trough of swill on which they can gorge their hunger for attention. 

Avatar
Hirsute | 2 years ago
1 like

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-63474122

Hardcastle, of Hertford, was given a six-month suspended prison term for causing death by careless driving.

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Rendel Harris replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
3 likes

hirsute wrote:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-63474122

Hardcastle, of Hertford, was given a six-month suspended prison term for causing death by careless driving.

I was just about to post that myself. I'm divided about the efficacy and point of actually sending people to prison for that type of offence, i.e. (as far as I can see) a terrible and tragic mistake but not exacerbated by phone use, speeding etc, but the two year driving ban is a joke. If you accidentally killed someone with a shotgun you most certainly would be banned from ever having a shotgun licence again; kill someone with a motor vehicle and your privileges will be restored after two years. Yet another indication that deaths caused by drivers are regarded as inevitable and acceptable collateral damage by the authorities.

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Hirsute replied to Rendel Harris | 2 years ago
5 likes

Previous reports say

Prosecutor Giles Beaumont said Ms Garratt-Quinton, who had been in the cycle lane, was in Hardcastle's line of sight for "24 seconds" prior to the collision.

24 seconds is a hell of a long time when on the road.

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Rendel Harris replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
2 likes

hirsute wrote:

Previous reports say

Prosecutor Giles Beaumont said Ms Garratt-Quinton, who had been in the cycle lane, was in Hardcastle's line of sight for "24 seconds" prior to the collision.

24 seconds is a hell of a long time when on the road.

Yes, terrible. Just to be clear, I'm not saying making a mistake like that is too minor to be sent to prison, but for me the main purpose of prison is as a deterrent and I'm not sure you can deter people from making mistakes, even shocking ones like this. In the case of phone driving, drink-driving et cetera, people make a positive choice to use their phone when driving or to drive drunk, so a prison sentence could be a good deterrent, nobody goes out and thinks I'll make a mistake, oh hang on, I might go to prison, I won't. Hope that makes sense.

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nosferatu1001 replied to Rendel Harris | 2 years ago
0 likes

It can also act as a deterrent to others.  Make people realise that driving is dangerous and you have to pay attention. 

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Awavey | 2 years ago
0 likes

Why do people think PFPs mechanics are new ? And not just the same ones shes always used wearing different sponsor kit and just having a bad day ?

Theres no sense imo in Ineos having their own cx crew for one rider.

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Rendel Harris replied to Awavey | 2 years ago
0 likes

Awavey wrote:

Why do people think PFPs mechanics are new ? And not just the same ones shes always used wearing different sponsor kit and just having a bad day ? Theres no sense imo in Ineos having their own cx crew for one rider.

I'm sure you're right, INEOS don't officially have a cyclocross team and Tom Pidcock (I believe still) officially races CX as an independent, despite wearing Grenadiers kit. Certainly INEOS simply took over paying the wages of his CX staff when he signed for them rather than setting up a new team for him.

That said, the guys doing the bike switch did make a complete pig's ear of it, particularly the guy holding the new bike who looked as if he had never done it before. Maybe for some reason some of PFP's regular team couldn't make the race?

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Wingguy replied to Rendel Harris | 2 years ago
0 likes

.

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Wingguy replied to Awavey | 2 years ago
0 likes

Awavey wrote:

Why do people think PFPs mechanics are new ? And not just the same ones shes always used wearing different sponsor kit and just having a bad day ?

AFAIK this is Pauline's first pro 'Cross race since Neff wiped her out in 2018 when she was on Canyon Sram, two team transfers ago. I doubt she's had her own personal mechanics sitting on retainer ever since.

 

Then keep in mind that Ineos do already employ loads of mechanics, and they do already employ loads of soigneurs, and they do already employ loads of whoever else you need to stand around at a CX race - it's just that standing around at a CX race isn't usually their day job. Hence, exactly what you just saw makes perfect sense with Ineos staff being there.

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Rendel Harris replied to Wingguy | 2 years ago
0 likes

Wingguy wrote:

AFAIK this is Pauline's first pro 'Cross race since Neff wiped her out in 2018 when she was on Canyon Sram, two team transfers ago. I doubt she's had her own personal mechanics sitting on retainer ever since.

But she's been racing gravel and MTB XC, for which she presumably uses the same staff.

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Wingguy replied to Rendel Harris | 2 years ago
0 likes

Rendel Harris wrote:

But she's been racing gravel and MTB XC, for which she presumably uses the same staff.

Mountain bike teams employ their own staff. The race mechanics she'd have had last year are almost certainly employees of Absolute Absalon, not her. Even Nino Schurter's race mechanic works for Thomas Frischknect and Scott-Sram, not Nino.

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Awavey replied to Wingguy | 2 years ago
0 likes

It's just IME CX racers pit crew even at the elite level, unless you are on like a super focussed well funded Belgian squad,but individual riders crew are just basically friends or family of the rider.

Marianne Vos isnt turning up for CX races with a Jumbo Visma crew, it's going to be her friends or family helping her, wearing Jumbo Visma kit just because that's who she is sponsored by and that's the deal they have.

So it would be the same for Pauline i think and just thought it was weird people immediately presumed its an Ineos thing they're mucking up because they're only roadies.

Avatar
Safety | 2 years ago
3 likes

Let's not be surprised by the latest approach by Polis Scotland. This is same force who have not just been slow in introducing a portal for accepting videos but at every turn have filibustered and actively delayed it's introduction.

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Clem Fandango | 2 years ago
10 likes

Red lights.  London.

I see you've hooked our resident troll Ryan. Kudos.

He'll be banging on about "established" red lights before you know it.

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brooksby | 2 years ago
0 likes

Ah, that wacky Road Policing Scotland... 

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rjfrussell | 2 years ago
4 likes

Having spend a couple of days in London, (a) great to see so many people on bikes, even in pretty shitty weather but (b) I have not seen any cars drive through red lights, and I have not seen any cars driving on the pavement while (c) I have seen lots of bikes go though red lights- really, almost at every junction, someone will do it.  And even if there are 30 bikes waiting patiently, it is the one that draws attention (especially when compared with zero cars) ;  and there are, I am afraid to say, lots of people riding dangerously on pavements too.

I fully agree that "advice" from police like this is frustrating, but I think we might better serve the cycling community by being honest about the fact that there are plenty of people on bikes who don't follow the law, who give everyone a bad name, and create risks for all.  Calling them out too would not do any harm.

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AlsoSomniloquism replied to rjfrussell | 2 years ago
13 likes

Not London, and less bikes, but on a 2 mile walk back from the bike shop, I noticed two cars jump red lights, including a nurse who sped up when the light turned orange and went through 2 seconds after it went red to turn right, had a car parked on crossing markings so they could go and get a Greggs, and had to negotiate past two vans who decided that they should be fully on the pavement rather then on the road. 

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The Accountant replied to rjfrussell | 2 years ago
0 likes

This is quite correct. I know not so much the position in Scotland, but in London everyone knows that cyclists have a problem with jumping red lights and being rude. It is a known fact, even a child knows this. Cars are also rude, but I do not see such an issue with red lights.

Giving out advice to drivers and cyclists and also pedestrians on their most common failings is very sensible. I approve.

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Hirsute replied to The Accountant | 2 years ago
12 likes

More trolling.

The thing with trolling is you have to remember what you wrote yesterday in order to have a semblance of being a valid poster.

hawkinspeter wrote:

 

Seems like you find all Londoners rude and all Germans have clipboards and look for trouble.

You should have a look at yourself as you are clearly the problem

 

Avatar
The Accountant replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
2 likes

I do not care for what you say. If you do not like me, I do not care I will write the truth. A child knows that there is problems with cyclists on pavements and red lights in London, I cannot speak for Scotland because I do not visit there but I live and work in London.

Avatar
Hirsute replied to The Accountant | 2 years ago
13 likes

Yesterday you wrote

"I don't know what it is like in England"

Yet you claim today to be in London.

So much for the truth.

Which PBU are you ?

Avatar
The Accountant replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
1 like

London is not England. London is a big city not so much like the rest of England where people behave very differently. A child knows this. When I go cycling I am lucky enough to ride in Kent, Surrey, Essex. These are all pleasant places.

This is all very simple. If cyclist stopped riding through red lights and on pavements they would not be asked to obey red lights and to stop riding on pavements. If car drivers maintained their cars properly they would not be asked to check their cars. If pedestrians looked up from their phones they would not be asked to look where they are going. We call this cause and effect, very logical.

I do not understand what you mean on PBU but I will go back to work now. 

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Hirsute replied to The Accountant | 2 years ago
8 likes

So you do know what is it like in England in order to describe how the rest of England is different from London. So much for truth.

Another troll to ignore.

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giff77 replied to Hirsute | 2 years ago
6 likes

My money is on a reincarnation of Nigel

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nosferatu1001 replied to The Accountant | 2 years ago
6 likes

ah, but yesterday you weren't in England.... and the day before you were... your trolling is really subpar.  

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Clem Fandango replied to The Accountant | 2 years ago
9 likes

Rakia wrote:

Cars are also rude.

There are more sentient vehicles in London than anywhere else, even a child knows this.

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Clem Fandango replied to rjfrussell | 2 years ago
13 likes

I do agree with you about calling out idiots (whatever their mode of transportation) that ignore traffic signals.  But if you haven't seen cars (or buses, trucks, vans etc) going through red lights in London (let alone ignoring box junctions etc etc) you've either been spectacularly unlucky with your sample set, or haven't been looking for long.  My experience from regular commuting in & out of London is that a lot of drivers still seem to subscribe to the "two through on a red" principle.  They don't seem to generate anywhere near as much attention in the public psyche, whereas any person riding a bike that goes through a red light can be seen from space by every consumer of right-leaning meeja, who will then repeat that experience ad infinitum at any opportunity.   

 

Avatar
nosferatu1001 replied to Clem Fandango | 2 years ago
6 likes

pretty much that.  On my short half hour cycle thriugh London, of which half of it I'm in parks so don't even see a red light, I see red light jumpers half a dozen times at least. 
 

Wellington arch roundabout, and the a4 leading onto it, every single lane has two red light jumpers on every sequence.  Every day.  

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Rendel Harris replied to nosferatu1001 | 2 years ago
3 likes

nosferatu1001 wrote:

Wellington arch roundabout, and the a4 leading onto it, every single lane has two red light jumpers on every sequence.  Every day.  

It's so bad there now that several times recently I have had to shout warnings to tourists on hire bikes who foolishly assume that the lights turning red for cars mean that it's safe to cross. Black cabs and police cars particularly seem to be regular offenders there.

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