“I love you guys, but come on”: Jeremy Vine films bin lorry blocking cycle lane AGAIN, as company promises to “keep all road users safe”; Black Friday comes early to Chain Reaction; Helmets and hi-vis, Dutch style; Kuss homecoming + more on the live blog

Considering the sheer scale of Jeremy Vine’s online database of cycling commuter clips and dodgy driving, which he publishes on social media on an almost daily basis, it’s understandable that a sense of déjà vu will creep in from time to time.

And that was certainly the case this week, when the pedalling broadcaster posted another snazzily edited video showing a bin lorry blocking a cycle lane in Camden – just over two months after Vine shared a clip of a driver working for the same company heading the wrong way down a cycle lane in, you guessed it, Camden.

> “Two wrongs?”: Jeremy Vine accused of jumping red light as he films bin lorry driver heading wrong way down cycle lane

While the waste collection company in question, Veolia, thanked the presenter last month for reminding their drivers of the importance of keeping bike lanes “clear at all times”, Vine claimed this week that they appear to be “quietly” resuming the “illegal and dangerous” practice.

September: rubbish collectors @VeoliaUK apologise for sending their vans the wrong way down cycle lanes in @CamdenCouncil.

October: they quietly start the practice again. This is illegal and dangerous.@sianberry @club_camden @WeAreCyclingUK @London_Cycling pic.twitter.com/sT8szvXGTf

— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) October 16, 2023

“Bin operators do a hard job with great dedication and I respect them… But don’t park in cycle lanes!” the Strictly alumnus wrote in the video.

During the clip itself, captured by the ‘drone’ flying over Vine’s head at all times, as he says (because why not, it keeps the internet on their toes), the broadcaster – upon noticing the lorry blocking the lane – mutters to himself, “And now I have to go out into oncoming traffic here”, before telling the operators: “Guys, you can’t park in a cycle lane, I’m really sorry. People have to pull round you and they could get hit here.”

Meanwhile, recognising the cyclist (I suppose the so-called ‘drone’ helmet camera is a giveaway), one of the workers joked, “Where’s your bike? Didn’t it get mangled?” – a reference to an incident from last month which left Vine desperately banging on the back of a van as the driver reversed over his bike having turned onto a stretch of cycling infrastructure.

> Jeremy Vine's lucky escape as bike run over by reversing driver who turned onto cycle lane

“Listen I love you guys, but really come on, it’s not safe,” Vine said, before departing.

While his post elicited the usual complaints on social media – with some noting that the operators would only be stopped for a “short period” and that stopping in the road and wheeling the bins across the lane would still prove an “inconvenience” – Veolia yesterday apologised and promised to review its procedures while collecting bins near bike lanes.

“We continue to work closely with Camden Council and their highways team to determine best practice that keeps all road users and our frontline teams safe when collecting along busy roads with cycle lanes,” a spokesperson said.

"Health and safety is paramount to the work we do and we want to ensure the crew have limited contact with both cyclists and vehicles. We apologise for any inconvenience caused as we develop the safest course of action.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Camden Council added: “We are clear that cycle lanes must not be used or obstructed by vehicles and we are working with Veolia to ensure that our waste and recycling vehicles follow their set routes at all times and that drivers understand the importance of keeping cycle lanes clear.

“Where cycle lanes are repeatedly being obstructed by lorries, vans, and other vehicles we will seek to add additional road safety measures that keep our cycle lanes clear and all road users safe.”

Anyway… Same time, same place in December?

British national cyclocross champion Cameron Mason has signed for pro Belgian team Cyclocross Reds (formerly Team 777), after four years at Trinity Racing.

The 23-year-old multidiscipline rider, who also finished ninth in his first elite world ‘cross championships in Hoogerheide in February, will make his debut for the Cyclocross Reds at this weekend’s Superprestige event in Overijse, where he hopes he can build on his promising performances in the British stripes on the biggest stage.

“I’m really excited to join The Cyclocross Reds team for this season”, Mason said in a statement today.

“To be in a top Belgian team with top riders, equipment, and knowledge would have been the dream of a young Cameron coming to Belgium for the first time as a junior. I’m looking forward to showing off my national stripes at the front of the biggest races.”

A Dublin cyclist who sustained serious head injuries after he rode through a red light and was hit by a taxi driver has been awarded more than €190,000 in damages.

The High Court in the Irish capital set the amount of damages the 64-year -old will receive after the parties to the action agreed that he was 80 percent to blame for the crash.

Read more: > Dublin cyclist who rode through red light and was hit by taxi driver awarded €190k damages

In his latest comment-provoking article, VecchioJo passes judgement on what should be a simple matter, but one that often drifts into what he calls “unnecessary bellendery” (now there’s a phrase for a Friday afternoon) – the etiquette of overtaking, or the lack of it among some cyclists…

Read more: > We need to talk about overtaking: All things must pass, so be nice about it on your next bike ride 

While already thanking the many officials and volunteers who made the event such a success, seeing so many spectators around the circuit and especially at the finish for a National B was quite unbelievable 👏👏👏👏@BCSouthRegion @velouk @BritishConti @PortsmouthNECC pic.twitter.com/IbTYknAreh

— Perfs Pedal Race (@PerfsPedalRace) February 16, 2023

After we reported on yesterday’s blog comments from Yomp Bonk Crew founder James Hawkins – a new kid on the block when it comes to organising bike races in the UK – calling for volunteers to help revitalise the country’s ailing racing scene, it was confirmed that one of Britain’s oldest races, the Perfs Pedal, will not go ahead in 2024, bringing an end to its 60-year history.

First held in 1964, the Perfs Pedal National B race – which took place near Portsmouth, often in foul February conditions – quickly established itself as the annual curtain raiser of the British racing season, and lists Sean Yates and Alex Dowsett among its illustrious list of winners.

Jack Rootkin-Gray led home an ominous Saint Piran 1-2-3 at the 2023 edition which, organiser Mick Waite revealed yesterday, will be the legendary race’s last.

Perfs Pedal Race no more: Mick Waite says "After nearly 60 years of organising Perfs Pedal Race, I have taken the difficult decision to stop running this event. Suffice to say that organising a National B Road Race has become more complex over the recent years."#gutted pic.twitter.com/eAowzUTB5O

— British Cycle Sport (@VeloUK) October 19, 2023

“After nearly 60 years of organising Perfs Pedal Race, I have taken the difficult decision to stop running this event. Suffice to say that organising a National B Road Race has become more complex over the recent years,” the 77-year-old told Velo UK.

“I have only been able to keep Perfs going with the help of my family, friends, and many volunteers. I have great memories from this event over the years and I am pleased we have managed to keep it running for so long.”

Posting on the race’s own social media account, Waite added: “It’s been a great run and there are far too many to thank who have assisted over the decades.”

> “Instead of going to Twitter and whining about it, get involved and try to make it better”: British race organiser says volunteers and people “giving back” essential to keeping domestic scene alive

No, you didn’t black out and lose a month of your life.

While normal Black Friday – that American black hole of consumerism and sweet, sweet deals that has loomed over our shores in recent years – isn’t set to take place until the end of November, Chain Reaction has decided to jump on board a month early, in what appears to be an attempt to stem the financial troubles currently plaguing the cycling retailer.

> Wiggle reportedly heading towards administration due to parent company funding woes

Yesterday we reported that Wiggle Chain Reaction Cycles looks set to enter voluntary administration in the wake of a funding crisis that has engulfed its parent company, Signa Sports United, after the company that controls it announced that it would be no longer be providing a promised €150 million in funding to the business over the next two years.

Recent Companies House reports by Wiggle and Chain Reaction indicate that the company relies upon the troubled SSU for funding, without which the “group’s ability to continue as a going concern” would be subject to “material uncertainty”.

Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group is currently considered the most likely candidate to buy Wiggle CRC should it be put up for sale.

We’ll have more on this development over the course of the morning, but what is clear for the moment is that Black Friday has commenced early at Chain Reaction.

The retailer will certainly be hoping that particular moniker only applies to the deals and big savings it’s offering…

America’s newest cycling star, 2023 Vuelta a España winner Sepp Kuss, returned home to a hero’s welcome in Durango yesterday, as thousands packed the small Coloradan mountain city to celebrate the country’s first grand tour winner for a decade.

The festivities included speeches, GC Kuss t-shirts (obviously), and a massive group ride led by the red jersey winner:

Celebrating Sepp Kuss! Share your favorite picture from today’s celebration in the comments below! pic.twitter.com/YjZwITaxyo

— City of Durango (@CityofDurango) October 19, 2023

Oh, and the very American tradition of – checks notes – signing babies…

The Sepp Kuss parade was so good. Even had a baby signing. pic.twitter.com/bwrA5Mu0TI

— Caley Fretz (@CaleyFretz) October 20, 2023

I have no idea either.