Weird Mamnick gun ad breaches code; gravel riding still on the up; more accidental Partridge; sock review causes mayhem; distracted drivers; tenuous political references + more on the live blog

Never one to leave a team on good terms, new Jumbo-Visma rider Rohan Dennis has aimed a not-so-subtle dig at his former employers Ineos.

"I noticed when I was with Ineos that they were copying Jumbo with a lot of stuff,” the two-time world TT champion said during Jumbo-Visma’s team presentation earlier today.

“And I thought, well why would I want to be in a team that is copying a team on the other side of the fence? Why not go join that team and be on the front foot, not the back foot. So basically I want to move here because technically it is a better team.”

Ouch. Let’s hope Dave B and Rod Ellingworth weren’t listening too closely. It seems like the super team phony war of 2022 has already kicked off…

If I ever find myself needing to conduct a ride by shooting I'll take a look at their kit. https://t.co/YDNq8YmTkV

— Clarissa (@MisanthropeGirl) January 11, 2022

This morning we reported that the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority has decided to censure the Sheffield clothing firm Mamnick for their deliberately provocative gun-toting cycling jersey ad.

Unsurprisingly, the response was almost entirely critical of Mamnick’s conduct, the company’s laddish persona, and its response to the ASA’s decision.

One reader also went to the trouble of digging up a NSFW photo featured on the company’s website. Let’s just say I’m glad I didn’t undertake that particular bit of research myself.

Here’s a selection of some of your comments:

I have two takeaways from this story. The initial kerfuffle passed me by, so not mega effective. Reading the responses from the firm has put me off ever using them as they sound like pricks and if that's how they engage with criticism how will they deal with product issues?

I guess what Thom Barnett and Mamnick are really trying to let us know is that their clothing can't justify itself on its own merits so they need this ludicrous advertising to attract any kind of customer for the kit. Just a thought.

My suspicion is that the intersection between those who think Rapha is cool and those who think guns are cool is a small one.  Especially in the UK.

That grey top is awful. Dull and tarmac coloured. And what team in the World Tour has used their kit?

We may all be missing their trick here - actually cycle industry supply issues mean they are trying to hugely supress demand in order to meet delivery timelines.

Alas, I think Thom is maybe just an edgelord and has previous for being 'anti-SJW' and a bit of a bully. Best ignored and not given the oxygen of publicity. 

And finally:

Middle Aged Man Not In Correct Kit

— Jon Cope (@MrJonCope) January 11, 2022

On the subject of cars parking in bike lanes, here’s an interesting one from Gower Street in Bloomsbury, central London:

Cycling Twitter, where does one report parking in a cycle lane? Is it the Met or @TfL? This is on the A400 just down the road from UCL but not sure if it's a red route... @London_Cycling @citycyclists @humantravl pic.twitter.com/1bqqrRU9gV

— Guy Dorrell (@guydorrell1) January 10, 2022

As some pointed out in the thread, the van driver is actually permitted to park there as it is a clearly marked loading bay.

Both the van driver’s decision, and whether or not a loading bay should be located in the middle of a cycle lane, sparked a bit of a debate. What do you think?

By the logic that its apparently OK to stop in a roadway - In the middle of the main road?
Around the corner? Somewhere that doesn't present a danger to others?

— Stephanie (@StePansar) January 11, 2022

Of course, and that is the issue really - that cars/vans are prioritised at all costs and that all other road users and pedestrians constantly have to yield and/or risk their safety

— Stephanie (@StePansar) January 11, 2022

While not technically the case in this instance, one reader helpfully pointed out that our earlier examples, which highlighted a combination of poor planning and inconsiderate decision making by motorists, are not just a hindrance to cyclists but “show why walking can be difficult in the UK. And as for using a wheelchair...” 

Following on from our discussion about ‘murder strips’ yesterday, some of you have been pointing out instances where cycle lanes – while technically segregated from cars – may as well not be there.

Tim Holman sent us this particularly galling example, with the caption “one for the hall of shame”. It’s not like the cycle lane was clearly marked near where the car was parked or anything…

Here’s another one, this time from Twitter, which led one user to sigh (I’m employing poetic license here, obviously they were typing and I have no way to tell what else they were doing): “Ah, the old extra parking space cycle lane. I know them well.”

But why don't cyclists use the cycle lanes?@graveshambc pic.twitter.com/wwLqKjn113

— Gazza Biker (@gazzabiker) January 11, 2022

Have you got any other examples of might-as-well-be-invisible bike lanes?

My favourite actor, Gene Hackman, 91, with his new bike! Cycling, the secret to a long and happy life! #keeptappingitout pic.twitter.com/U0JO9XasVr

— Michael Smiley (@mrmichaelsmiley) January 10, 2022

While he may be famous for starring in one of the most iconic and dangerous car chases in cinema history, it turns out Gene Hackman is a big fan of two wheels.

Yesterday Northern Irish comedian and actor Michael Smiley shared a photo of the French Connection and Unforgiven star, who turns 92 at the end of the month, when he bought his new Trek e-bike a few years ago.

Hackman has been a keen cyclist for many years. In 2012 he was struck by a driver in a pickup truck when cycling in the Florida Keys, an incident which fortunately has not dented his enthusiasm for riding his bike.

For anyone who has doubts about the place of e-bikes in the cycling world, Smiley had a simple response:

When people ask me if riding an ebike is cheating. Here is my answer, Gene Hackman rides an ebike! So stick it up yer tail pipe! https://t.co/SWHPe1kXze

— Michael Smiley (@mrmichaelsmiley) January 10, 2022

Take me to the Rue de Rivoli now, please...

Freedom 🚲

🎥 @EmmanuelSPV
pic.twitter.com/ZucFq6egWh

— Jonathan Berk (@berkie1) January 11, 2022

Whoever knew wool could be so divisive? We were just minding our business yesterday when we realised that quite a lengthy debate had started over on a review of the Albion Winter Socks published over the weekend. The thread is now at 71 comments and counting... 

One of those comments was from our Community Editor Simon, noting that we're currently cooking up a feature on the use of Merino wool in the bike industry, whether it's sustainable and what brands are doing to mitigate their carbon footprint while producing Merino clothing. What do you think? Don't be sheepish... 

According to Garmin, and anyone who has been paying attention, we’re gravel riding more than ever before.

The tech company released its 2021 Fitness report which reveals that gravel riding massively grew in Western Europe last year, with 59.86% more gravel cycling rides logged in 2021. This trend was mirrored across the globe, but at a slightly lower rate, with all regions across the world reporting at least a 29% increase in logged gravel rides.

While adventure riding is on the rise, so is not leaving the house apparently. The number of indoor activities logged by Garmin users interestingly increased by twice as much as outdoor activities year over year.

Fitness sessions that took place indoors also rose considerably, by 20.54% in 2021 over 2020, with Pilates and yoga leading the way with a 108.30% and 45.55% year-over-year percentage increase respectively.

This is one of the new jerseys we are introducing to the AW21 CC.Mamnick range of cycling kit. Expect the first few pieces to be available tomorrow. Produced in very small numbers, the most exclusive kit in the world today and proven at UCI World Tour level 🌍 #keepyompin pic.twitter.com/7WyuBQPZlP

— Mamnick™ (@Mamnick) October 25, 2021

Anyone remember this, shall we say, interesting advertisement from Sheffield-based cycling clothing firm Mamnick?

In case you missed it, in October Mamnick released a new range of jerseys which were accompanied by a controversy-courting, gun-featuring Twitter ad.

(Of course, drawing parallels between bike riding and military combat is hardly a novel idea – just listen to any cycling commentator.)

When the complaints inevitably started flooding in, the brand attempted to keep up the edgelord vibe with a series of un-PC, “damn the consequences” replies.

They also kill bad guys like Osama Bin Laden, so it’s not all bad news.

— Mamnick™ (@Mamnick) October 25, 2021

Sorry to disappoint you, Joanna.

We will decide what is appropriate when it comes to marketing and taking marketing risks. We will deal with the consequences (if there are any) of doing so.

Will we also not cower or by summoned by the Twitter-mobs of the eternally offended.

— Mamnick™ (@Mamnick) October 26, 2021

 Well, it turns out there are consequences. The Advertising Standards Authority got in touch, informing Mamnick’s owner Thom Barnett that the ad breached UK advertising code.

According to the letter, Barnett has until 17 January to withdraw the ad. Predictably enough, Mamnick posted the confidential letter on their Twitter account, along with the offending promotional photo (I bet American teen sitcom characters from the eighties think this guy’s the coolest).

The latest from ASA regarding the attached image for those interested ... pic.twitter.com/jdjaxFZ7T3

— Mamnick™ (@Mamnick) January 10, 2022

While it appears that this is exactly what the clothing company wanted to happen when it published the original ad, I wonder if they will be maintain their ‘edgy’ persona when the sanctions start rolling in.

Or maybe they’ll change tack completely and claim that it was biathlon jersey all along…