Wannabe TikTok star sends cyclist sprawling; Alexandar Richardson rides London to Brighton + back at 39.5km/h; Kenny considering retirement; Khan warns of huge cuts to London cycle schemes; Manchester 'UK cycle commuter capital' + more on the live blog

It's been great to read your differing thoughts and opinions on our TikTok wipe-out story.

Like some of you say, we can only guess at the situation from that grainy clip, but do keep your comments coming as we read every one. 

It’s been a day to forget for cyclists in London after Sadiq Khan warned all new cycle schemes could be ditched as part of the transport crisis facing the English capital.

On Wednesday evening the UK Government published a 15-page briefing setting out the projects that could be affected, and the “Healthy Streets” cycling and walking schemes were among them. There was also the unwelcome news that the Boris bikes scheme will not expanded and e-Boris bikes will be limited to a 500-bike trial.

How much of a backward step do you think this will be for cycling in London?

We wanted to give a shout out to Michael and Johnathon Bulleyment this evening who are training to ride 350 miles next year in the Big Battlefield Bike Ride (BBBR) to raise money for Help for Heroes.

The father and son, who are both wounded veterans and ride recumbent bikes, had lost contact until cycling brought them back together again five years ago, and are now preparing to undertake this mammoth trek which them down the ‘Old Front Line’ – the Western Front during the World War I.

As well as them being only recently reunited, the ride will have even more poignancy as it takes them past the war grave of Michael’s great uncle George, who lost his life in The Great War.  

It will be the first time in BBBR history that a father-and-son, wounded-veteran pairing will be taking part together and Johnathon said: “The BBBR is one of the best events I’ve done. When I look back to where I was at the beginning of my recovery journey to now, I can’t believe the difference in me.

Michael added: “When we realised BBBR 2022 was going to the Somme we were delighted. I have got George’s medals and to be able to visit his grave will mean a lot to both of us.”

Find out more about the Big Battlefield Bike Ride here

As many of you will know, when you create an account on road.cc we ask you what bike(s) you ride - not so we can gather user data on you - but as an easy way to check you're a genuine person and not a robot who's trying to spam us.

We receive a whole hosts answers and this one from earlier today really captured our attention.

Huge kudos to the person who filled in such a detailed reply, and we have to say, we're more than a little jealous of your collection!

If you could only pick one of those bikes, which one would you go for? 

Who is this mythical cyclist who rides at night wearing black with no lights? He comes up in every article and comment section. pic.twitter.com/JArBkcZgzm

— Phil Gaimon (@philgaimon) November 18, 2021

You know how it goes... a news website publishes an article about cycling/cyclists or someone says something about cyclists on social media, and countless stories of the cyclist dressed all in black with no lights start to appear. It's something the former pro cyclist turned popular cycling Youtuber Phil Gaimon has spotted; and with Gaimon being on the other side of the Atlantic, this stealthy cyclist certainly gets about. 

Here's how this works. Every driver has, at least once in their life, come upon a cyclist who was hard to see. That's the one they remember. All the people on bikes that were easy to see and rode correctly don't merit remembering.

— What if (@trix_polly) November 18, 2021

I see the odd cyclist who rides in the evening without lights & dark clothing. But it is a very rare occurance. I would say I see more drivers who have forgotten to turn their lights on driving along the road.

— Tynmar (@storey966) November 18, 2021

Could it perhaps just be that on the rare occasion a cyclist is spotted without lights or safety gear, these are the ones that stick out in the memory? You could try telling that to the folks in the comments section of your local paper's website, probably to little avail unfortunately... 

Koo Eyewear is now offering spare variable tint Photochromic lenses (£79.99) and an Optical Clip attachment (£49.99) for use with its Demos and Spectro sunnies. 

The Photochromic lenses are designed to quickly change to match varying light conditions (69 to 12%) while offering 100% UV protection. 

“When exposed to the harshest of light, the lens provides a light reduction effect, turning a dark pink,” says Koo. “Under low level light conditions, the lens fades, offering a brilliant increase in contrast and clarity.”

Then there’s the Optical Clip which is designed specifically for riders to attach prescription lenses to the Demos and Spectro sunglasses. Constructed using 3D printing technology, Koo says this allows for a flexible and discrete form, barely visible through the sunglasses, and it weighs just 1.8g.

“It is quick and easy to install and allows those with ophthalmic lens needs to use single lens sunglasses and experience the same world class ergonomics, precision Zeiss lenses and incredible debris protection,” says Koo. 

kooworld.cc

The last time Alexandar Richardson made the news round here, it was because he had been violently robbed of his bike in Richmond Park... this time he ensured no thief would be able to catch him by riding from London to Brighton and back in a little over four hours, at a phenomenal average speed of 39.5km/h (24.54mph). 

> What can be done about the latest spate of bikejackings? Episode 9 of the road.cc Podcast

For most of us, London to Brighton is enough (this journey even has its own very popular sportive)... but for the Alpecin-Fenix man it was straight back to London again, with the total elapsed time on his Strava file revealing that he only paused his Garmin for ten minutes during the whole ride; that could well have just been the time waiting for lights, so it's unlikely he stopped for a quick lunch. His loop made the trip a total distance of 178.7km (111 miles). 

In the comments, Alexandar confirmed that the ride was solo and definitely not motor paced; in the past some pros have had their suspiciously fast rides (even for pros) flagged by Strava sleuths who suspect motor pacing. He added: "…this ride was not motor paced nor with other riders and was on a road bike in a conventional position. You’ll have to work the rest out yourself ! Happy riding"

He also says that his power averaged 303 watts, with a normalised power of 332 watts. Ready to claim your free meal? See you back in London in four and a bit hours!