Chris Froome mistaken for 'leisure rider' on French TV after being turned back due to forest fires; Presenter Storm Huntley hit by driver; Vigilante arsonist?; Schrödinger's cyclist; Vuelta team news; LTN thoughts + more on the live blog

"Ce randonneur à vélo"
Euh c'est juste Chris Froome qui a gagné 4 fois le Tour de France sur la même chaîne. @France2tv

Poke @DansLaMusette pic.twitter.com/SVZS0mGEhv

— Johan Rouquet (@JohanRouquet) August 11, 2021

Poor Chris Froome. All it takes is a couple of bad years and now he's being mistaken for just a 'leisure cyclist' by a French TV report. Stopped by a marshall because of a risk of forest fires in the area near his Saint-Raphaël home on the Mediterranean coast, Froome was told he cannot pass in a clip caught on local news...the voiceover calls him "Ce randonneur à vélo", which we believe loosely translates to 'leisure rider'...

That randonneur has won four Tour de France titles, I'll have you know - all of which were broadcast on your TV channel. Perhaps it was the lack of Israel Start-Up Nation kit which threw France 2 off...or maybe the disc brakes...has Chris come round to the tech?

Froome did not seem too perturbed by the understandable road closure, giving a very French sounding "Okay". Earlier this week, French residents in at risk areas were warned to stay away from forests. 

It's not the first time Froome has been mistaken for an amateur rider...back in 2018 at the Tour de France a policeman called the then Team Sky rider to a halt as he descended back down the summit finish at Col de Portet. Maybe Start-Up Nation should make him a special 'I've won the Tour de France four times' hi-vis jersey?

 

 

 

 

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Over on the forum Brooksby asked for help getting a sheared mudguard bolt out...our favourite helpful suggestion was, "buy a new bike". That's the answer to everything, isn't it. 

As it turns out, a trip to the local bike shop and some cable ties were all that was required...

hirsuite remained unconvinced, preferring their new bike suggestion. Any other handy workshop uses for cable ties? 

Look at this terrible behaviour, over 100 drivists driving two and three abreast, clearly impeding the faster road user. Why aren’t they pulling over to let me through? pic.twitter.com/2POpDOae3A

— Rendel Harris (@Rendel_Harris) August 10, 2021

I wonder what Angela Epstein would make of this? Presumably, based on yesterday's logic, these drivers should all pull over single file and allow the faster moving mode of transport to get to where they need to go...after all, what was it you said yesterday, Angela? Oh, that was it..."what gives them the right to block the road when there is a 30mph limit?" 

Somehow I don't think we'll be hearing her thoughts on this one...

@willcarling let's hope these drivists do the polite thing & pull over to let faster road users past, eh?

— Simon (@BarryShawkins) August 10, 2021

I’m sad to say I was knocked off my bike cycling home from work by a car turning left who hadn’t seen me.

My helmet is cracked but at least it wasn’t my skull!

If I wasn’t wearing my helmet this could have been a very different story.
Please wear a helmet!! pic.twitter.com/nLa4GnIpa6

— Storm Huntley (@StormHuntley) August 9, 2021

TV presenter Storm Huntley, who co-hosts Channel 5's Jeremy Vine show, was hit by a driver as she cycled home from work in London on Monday. Huntley told the programme on Tuesday that she hit her head on the pavement after the driver collided with her - cracking her helmet on impact. The driver reportedly cut across her to make a left turn.

"If I wasn't wearing that, that crack wouldn't be on my helmet, it would be on my skull, so I would not be here this morning," Huntley said. "The driver was shaken, there was no aggression, there was nobody being competitive on the road, it was an accident. Accidents happen, please put your helmets on, and even if you think you're a good driver, double check."

The broadcaster said her partner has encouraged her to give up cycling after seeing the damage to her bike and helmet. Huntley's co-host Jeremy Vine said people should not be put off cycling, adding the motorist is "a shocking driver" who "shouldn't be on the road." 

In a tweet, Huntley urged others to wear a helmet: "I’m sad to say I was knocked off my bike cycling home from work by a car turning left who hadn’t seen me. My helmet is cracked but at least it wasn’t my skull! If I wasn’t wearing my helmet this could have been a very different story. Please wear a helmet!"

Thank you so much for all your kind messages. I am absolutely fine, just a bit sore this morning.
I simply can’t reiterate enough the importance of a helmet. 💋

— Storm Huntley (@StormHuntley) August 10, 2021

Some have questioned the presenter's helmet comments...Pompey Cyclist said: "Very unlikely that your skull would crack from an impact that merely did that to your helmet. Your skull is around 10 times stronger than a polystyrene hat. It’s a bit like wrapping a brick in a tissue to protect it. People like you stating anecdote as if it’s fact is dangerous."

No it's not but wearing a helmet to prevent head injury is just common sense. If you wanted to wear one whilst walking then I don't think anyone would object to that. Just do you....

— Joe Broadway (@Joebroadway85) August 10, 2021

Just got back from shopping. If anyone tries to tell you it's not about infrastructure - they're wrong. ANYONE can cycle here... and it's a joy.

Thanks @Sustrans @ibikebrighton pic.twitter.com/JzfIs2fzdV

— Si Mcfarlane 🌍 🚴‍♂️ (@BikeBishopstone) August 10, 2021

I was just waiting for the lane to come to an abrupt halt, chucking riders out into the path of oncoming traffic... 

Reports of a metaphor sighting in downtown Denver pic.twitter.com/Gtl6gTzDly

— Chase Woodruff (@dcwoodruff) August 9, 2021

What do we have here? Vigilante cyclists setting light to bike lane blockers? Or was the flaming SUV moved into the cycle lane to get it 'out of the way'? Or, was it already there when it caught fire another way? The cyclists of Denver, Colorado, have been speculating if they have a vigilante arsonist in their midst. One dubbed it "justice via flames"... 

And while of course we can't recommend setting vehicles alight, regardless of where they're parked, the visual karma is strong in this one. Denver Bike Lanes, a page supporting cycle infrastructure in the city, replied to reporter Chase Woodruff's video calling it "SUV-towing-SUVs-parked-in-bike lane karma". While an LA-based photographer went for "The Beginnings of the Bike Lane Uprising".

Viva la revolución! https://t.co/PhdxyM10P9

— avid motorist (@cargobk) August 10, 2021

I support setting cars on fire that park on bike infrastructure. 🔥 https://t.co/Osx9ZJUaEq

— Brandon Lust (@AmericanFietser) August 10, 2021

This is what you get for parking in a bike lane 🤷‍♂️ https://t.co/KWPDZzayhD

— Indy Bike Lane Defense (@IndyBikeLanes) August 10, 2021