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BBC change headline claiming ambulance was "blocked" by cycle lane; Sweary cyclist claims he was nearly knocked off; Driver who 'overtook' cyclist + two kids had tooth knocked out; Pro cycling face masks; Contador breaks rib + more on the live blog

Welcome to Wednesday's live blog, with Jack Sexty in charge and Simon MacMichael adding some contributions later this evening...
UPDATED Wed, Jul 22, 2020 22:57
28
BBC change headline claiming ambulance was "blocked" by cycle lane; Sweary cyclist claims he was nearly knocked off; Driver who 'overtook' cyclist + two kids had tooth knocked out; Pro cycling face masks; Contador breaks rib + more on the live blogambulance blocked 3 - via bbc yorkshire on twitter.PNG
22 July 2020, 15:59
BBC amend article that claimed ambulance was "blocked" by new cycle lane after complaint

The article originally said that "an ambulance's path was blocked by a new cycle lane in Sheffield", with the accompanying tweet from July 8th (above) still remaining on BBC Yorkshire's account. At the time the BBC received an angry backlash from numerous people who argued that the ambulance was actually using the cycle lane to proceed because the other lane was blocked by motor traffic; there was the issue of removing the bollards, with some noting that this arguably took less time than trying to negotiate two congested lanes filled with cars. 

A road.cc reader subsequently contacted the BBC's complaints team, who responded: "After reviewing the article in light of your concerns we have since amended the headline, the text within the video and the summary text, to better reflect what this footage showed."

The headline is now "New Sheffield cycle lane slows ambulance's journey", and a clarification was also added to the bottom of the article, plus a response from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust. 

After receiving the response this afternoon, the reader told road.cc: "The headline and the article are still unacceptable as far as I'm concerned, so I'll be appealing to the BBC's complaints management."

22 July 2020, 15:58
Things an electric cargo bike can carry

A slight fail from the person who asked the question there...

22 July 2020, 15:35
Fizik adds its 3D printed technology to more saddle models, bringing the price down
2020 Fizik Antares Versus Evo R1 Adaptive Saddle 2

Fizik has extended its 'Adaptive' range of 3D printed saddles, adding the technology to the Antares Versus Evo R1 and R3. The price has come down too, with the R1 costing a cool £299.99 while the R3 is priced at £249.99.

We first saw the 3D printed tech on the Antares Versus Evo 00 which cost a whopping £370 when it launched earlier this year.

Fizik has partnered with a US company called Carbon to create the saddles. Its Carbon Digital Light Synthesis process, used to create the Antares saddle, uses a “digital ultraviolet light projection, oxygen-permeable optics, and programmable liquid resins to produce parts with excellent mechanical properties, resolution and surface finish.”

The two new models don't feature the faded green colour of the Evo 00. These come in a more classic all black design. The new saddles are available now.

fizik.com

22 July 2020, 13:53
Georg Preilder given 12 month suspended sentence for his part in Operation Aderlass blood doping scandal
georg preidler - via wikimedia commons.PNG

Former Groupama-FDJ rider Preidler has avoided jail after admitting to being part of a blood doping ring, uncovered last year as part of Operation Aderlass when athletes across various sports confessed to receiving blood transfusions from German physician Mark Schmidt. 

30-year-old Preidler was found guilty of serious commercial sports fraud at Innsbruck district court, receiving a 12-month suspended sentence and a 2,880 euro fine according to Zeit Online. 

Other cyclists implicated in the scandal were Stefan Denifl, who confessed, and the retired Alessandro Petacchi, who denied the accusations. Dr Schmidt's trial will take place in Munich from September. 

22 July 2020, 13:39
Man donating race bike for free to "any willing London cyclists"

Buena Patria is making the generous gesture because he is returning to Indonesia where the "road infrastructure isn't like London". He adds that the new owner must take very good care of the Cervelo S1 alloy aero racer with Zipp wheels, and also needs to "share all his/her cycling exploits" with him. 

Know anyone who could benefit in the London area?

22 July 2020, 13:16
That name change has proved popular then...

Plus some gold from UK Cycling Expert in amongst the moans. Read our full story on the Team Ineos renaming here. 

22 July 2020, 14:40
Looks like this offer has gone on the back-burner...
22 July 2020, 11:37
More pop-up cycle lanes imminent for Leicestershire

The county has been one of the big beneficiaries of pop-up cycle lanes during the pandemic, and more are on the way. From Wednesday 22nd July, new lanes on the A6 in Birstall and the A47 at Leicester Forest East will be installed, existing cycle lanes on Kettering Road in Market Harborough will be widened and there will be new 'Park and Pedal' sites with secure bike parking at Enderby and Meynell’s Gorse park and ride sites. All will be completed over an eight-week period, funded by the county's successful bid for a £300,00 slice of the government's £250m Emergency Active Travel Fund. Leicestershire County Councl are also making a bid for a further £1.2m to roll out more schemes.

22 July 2020, 11:23
Team Ineos to become Ineos Grenadiers - it's official
ineos grenadiers - July 2020

A press release just in from the team has confirmed the news, which says: 

Team INEOS has today confirmed they will switch to become the INEOS Grenadiers, effective from the start of the Tour de France on August 29th 2020.

The change will align the team with the Grenadier, a no-nonsense 4x4 vehicle designed, engineered and manufactured by INEOS Automotive. 

In 2017, INEOS Chairman, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a car enthusiast and experienced adventurer, identified a gap in the market for a stripped back, utilitarian, hard-working 4x4 vehicle, built on purpose. The Grenadier’s design was unveiled in July 2020 and will go into production in late 2021. 

The Team’s new name and brand will officially launch in the week leading up to the Tour de France in Nice.

Full story to follow. 

22 July 2020, 13:04
Worth the wait?
22 July 2020, 10:50
Team Ineos to become Ineos Grenadier for the Tour de France?

As well as trying to win the race, the French press are reporting that Team Ineos riders will also become car salesmen at this year's Tour de France by promoting the new Ineos Grenadier 4x4 on revamped blue jerseys. Full story to follow... 

22 July 2020, 10:35
Alberto Contador breaks rib after suffering accident at home

Contador doesn't really give anything away about how he managed to break his rib other than it didn't happen on the bike, saying it was "a hard hit at home and crack". Despite retiring from competitive racing in 2017, the Spaniard has clearly kept super fit as he smashed the everesting record earlier this month. Contador completed the feat in 7 hours and 27 minutes, taking over two minutes of Lachlan Morton's record set just a couple of weeks earlier. 

22 July 2020, 10:27
Pointless 'cyclists dismount' sign isn't very helpful

A 'cyclist dismount' sign "should only be used in relatively rare situations where it would be unsafe or impracticable for a cyclist to continue riding", according to Department for Transport guidelines on cycling infrastructure design - and as the above scenario demonstrates, they're often neither helpful or practical. 

22 July 2020, 10:13
Police appeal for information over assault, after driver who 'overtook' cyclist and two children had tooth knocked out
london road kessingland - via google street view.PNG

Suffolk Police are appealing for witnesses after a 78-year-old man was assaulted by a cyclist on London Road, Kessingland. 

According to the police appeal, the driver overtook a man and two children on bikes, after which the man made hand gestures and shouted at the driver. The driver pulled over to speak to him, then the suspect is then said to have leaned into the window of the car and punched the driver in the face, causing his tooth to fall out. 

The incident happened on Friday 3rd July at around 4.15pm, and the suspect is described as white, in his late 30's with long ginger hair. Anyone with information has been asked to contact the Neighbourhood Response Team at Lowestoft Police Station, quoting reference: 37273/20.

22 July 2020, 10:03
Cyclist 'abused for wearing mask' (watch until the end)
22 July 2020, 09:51
You can now buy a facemask featuring your fave pro cyclist
cycling face masks - via cycling souvenirs PNG.PNG

We've spotted these for sale on Cycling Souvenirs, so you can "become your favourite cycling legend" while doing your bit during the pandemic. 

22 July 2020, 09:44
£11k's worth of McLaren S-Works Venge for £5,000, anyone?

Launched back in 2011, the McLaren S-Works Venge was ridden by the likes of Mark Cavendish plus a few very wealthy cycling fans who bought one before it was discontinued. One of those has found its way into the Cycle Division store in Staffordshire, who are selling a full build for £5,000 featuring a Campagnolo Super Record EPS groupset, Zipp wheels and Rotor Q Rings. Faanncy... 

22 July 2020, 08:22
*WARNING: VERY STRONG LANGUAGE* Cyclist who launched into tirade against driver says he and his wife were nearly knocked off their bikes

In the video posted to Facebook last week, which has since gone viral, a woman can be heard saying to the cyclist "you was driving in the middle of the f**king road", before she wrongly states: "If you actually look in the Highway Code you can see that it's not allowed two abreast."  

The cyclist replies: "You can actually go double file on a 30mph road, you stupid c**t."

The person who posted it to Facebook claimed the driver was "pregnant and very distressed now because of this man" in an appeal for information, claiming the cyclist left "multiple scratches and dents along the boot and side" of the car. 

That cyclist has now been identified as 53-year-old Dave Parker, who told The Sun: "I don't want to talk about it. I am getting too much stick - it is unbelievable.

"All I can say is that they said I was screaming at a pregnant woman.

"Well, I wasn't. Initially, she nearly knocked me and my wife off our bikes. But it does not show all that. But I am the bad guy aren't I?"

Responses on Facebook were mixed, with a number disapproving of Mr Parker's reactions but noting that his riding would have been perfectly legal. 

fb comment.PNG

 

22 July 2020, 08:00
The #TourdeMyGarden: a miniature Tour de France replacement

To make up for the distinct lack of Tour de France, cycling fan Peter Martin has been recreating stages using 1,200 miniature figurines he has collected during his 22 years of visiting Le Tour. 

He told the BBC that the response to Tour de My Back Garden has been "phenomenal", and that he was  "inconsolable" about the Tour de France being postponed. From his all-star peloton, it was Mark Cavendish who took the victory ahead of Eddy Merckx and Robbie McEwen on stage 21...

Jack Sexty

Jack has been writing about cycling and multisport for over a decade, arriving at road.cc via 220 Triathlon Magazine in 2017. He worked across all areas of the website including tech, news and video, and also contributed to eBikeTips before being named Editor of road.cc in 2021 (much to his surprise). Jack has been hooked on cycling since his student days, and currently has a Trek 1.2 for winter riding, a beloved Bickerton folding bike for getting around town and an extra beloved custom Ridley Helium SLX for fantasising about going fast in his stable. Jack has never won a bike race, but does have a master's degree in print journalism and two Guinness World Records for pogo sticking (it's a long story). 

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28 comments

Avatar
roubaixcobbles | 4 years ago
0 likes

Good to know the R1 saddle is now only £299, I'll get half a dozen, they'll make nice stocking fillers at Christmas. I'm mug enough to fall for most shiny expensive bike things, but what for many people is a week's wages for two bent bits of metal, a plastic shell and a bit of foam padding? Not for me, thanks.

Avatar
Rome73 | 4 years ago
3 likes

"You was in the middle of the road' (sic) The idiot, bully's mantra. 

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LetsBePartOfThe... | 4 years ago
6 likes

"BBC amend article that claimed ambulance was "blocked" by new cycle lane after complaint"

For goodness sake. Why can't they just say "ambulance was blocked by stationary traffic, but quick-thinking crew switched to the cycle lane instead"  

I was one of the original complainants. It's only words on a website, but I'm going to complain again - as they are simply rewording their distortion at present.

 

Avatar
eburtthebike replied to LetsBePartOfTheSolution | 4 years ago
2 likes

LetsBePartOfTheSolution wrote:

"BBC amend article that claimed ambulance was "blocked" by new cycle lane after complaint"

For goodness sake. Why can't they just say "ambulance was blocked by stationary traffic, but quick-thinking crew switched to the cycle lane instead"  

I was one of the original complainants. It's only words on a website, but I'm going to complain again - as they are simply rewording their distortion at present.

Me too.  Let's keep the pressure up so that at least they'll think twice before being quite so stupid again.

Avatar
peasantpigfarmer | 4 years ago
1 like

Driver having a rant at masked cyclist must have been having a baa-aaa-aad day.

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pockstone | 4 years ago
1 like

Ranty man & Roadside dentist: Moral...ask for afters...get afters...with extra custard.

(Not condoning violence, obvs.)

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Zebulebu replied to pockstone | 4 years ago
0 likes

Yeah. My heart bleeds. Though not as much as his mouth...

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mdavidford | 4 years ago
2 likes

Quote:

funded by the county's successful bid for a £300,00 slice of the government's £250m Emergency Active Travel Fund

Well they're certainly making that go a long way - I would have thought just putting the bid together would have cost them more than three hundred quid...

Avatar
Miller | 4 years ago
7 likes

I didn't think it was possible to dislike Ineos as a sponsor more than I already did but, hey, they've managed to make themselves even more unlikeable.

Avatar
Richard D replied to Miller | 4 years ago
6 likes

"In 2017, INEOS Chairman, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a car enthusiast and experienced adventurer, identified a gap in the market for a stripped back, utilitarian, hard-working 4x4 vehicle, built on purpose."

How does one build a 4x4 by accident?

And does anyone else think that it looks a lot like a face-lifted Land Rover Defender 110?  I wonder where the tooling ended up when production ceased at JLR ....

 

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Nick T replied to Richard D | 4 years ago
0 likes

They refused to sell him the tooling so just copied the design instead

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EddyBerckx | 4 years ago
7 likes

The mask video is brilliant. Cheered me up after the holy driver vs evil cyclist one!

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sparrowlegs | 4 years ago
10 likes

Pity the video doesn't show the full story then we can make our own minds up. But then again a big nasty man shouting sweary words at a pregnant woman means he's in the wrong even though she's clearly wrong about how cyclists can ride 2 abreast and had no right to use her horn. After being on the end of loads of drivers that think they are in the right and comitting pinishment passes or horn blaring as they go past or simply throwing rubbish I can relate to him losing his temper, especially that his wife was also with him but that doesn't count, because she's on her bike and she's not pregnant.

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HoarseMann replied to sparrowlegs | 4 years ago
1 like

Don't worry, the DM will run an article doxing the driver soon. I'm sure they will want to explore how someone without good knowledge of the highway code can possibly be driving.

An exclusive expose interview with her driving instructor, photos of her home decor scraped from fb and of course her job, salary and property value, maybe.

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Durin90 | 4 years ago
7 likes

Shit behaviour from driver doesn't make it right to yell and scream at someone like that. 
Yes, I have lost the plot in similar way in the past. Now I'm trying to keep my wits and explain to the driver what they did wrong. Most of the time it's like explaining to my newborn that he can't just shit every 10 minutes but well, I'm trying.

Clearly, she (regardless if pregnant or not) has no clue about the "Highway code". 

Avatar
Velophaart_95 replied to Durin90 | 4 years ago
8 likes

Durin90 wrote:

Shit behaviour from driver doesn't make it right to yell and scream at someone like that. 
Yes, I have lost the plot in similar way in the past. Now I'm trying to keep my wits and explain to the driver what they did wrong. Most of the time it's like explaining to my newborn that he can't just shit every 10 minutes but well, I'm trying.

Clearly, she (regardless if pregnant or not) has no clue about the "Highway code". 

She is like the majority of road users then; hasn't looked at the HC since learning to drive. 

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John Smith replied to Velophaart_95 | 4 years ago
2 likes

"Then when bibbed at because was holding cars up he was throwing up hand signals"

Sounds very much like he lost his temper at an agressive driver.

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OldRidgeback | 4 years ago
5 likes

The moral of the story is, no matter how stupid and idiotic someone drives, don't swear back at them. If you've footage, send it to the cops. 

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eburtthebike replied to OldRidgeback | 4 years ago
18 likes

OldRidgeback wrote:

The moral of the story is, no matter how stupid and idiotic someone drives, don't swear back at them. If you've footage, send it to the cops. 

Easy to say, but when an arrogant, misinformed driver tries to run you and your wife off the road, you're probably going to get a bit emotional.  As someone to whom this has happened, I can confirm that adrenaline takes over, and despite being a relatively peaceful person, you're ready to take on anyone.

As for playing the "but I'm a pregnant woman" sympathy-demanding card, just irrelevant.  If she's going to continue driving, she needs to learn the law and how to share the road.

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David9694 replied to eburtthebike | 4 years ago
13 likes

+1

bullies are the world's greatest victims.

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HoarseMann replied to eburtthebike | 4 years ago
13 likes

yep, the pregnant driver is the first to get sweary with 'you were in the middle of the effing road' - hardly calming the situation they created through their poor driving

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OldRidgeback replied to eburtthebike | 4 years ago
1 like

eburtthebike wrote:

OldRidgeback wrote:

The moral of the story is, no matter how stupid and idiotic someone drives, don't swear back at them. If you've footage, send it to the cops. 

Easy to say, but when an arrogant, misinformed driver tries to run you and your wife off the road, you're probably going to get a bit emotional.  As someone to whom this has happened, I can confirm that adrenaline takes over, and despite being a relatively peaceful person, you're ready to take on anyone.

As for playing the "but I'm a pregnant woman" sympathy-demanding card, just irrelevant.  If she's going to continue driving, she needs to learn the law and how to share the road.

It's easy to say indeed. I've been there and done that in the past I admit. But the fact is that shouting and swearing does you no favours at all. The only effect is to turn the perpatrator into the victim. You will gain absolutely no psychological benefit from swearing.

If you must speak to the person, don't swear, don't shout. Take photos of their vehicle. Move to the side and keep out of their way.

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David9694 replied to OldRidgeback | 4 years ago
1 like

OldRidgeback wrote:

If you've footage, send it to the cops. 

...who will do what?

 

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Hirsute replied to David9694 | 4 years ago
2 likes

My last 4 submissions have returned Status: Course or conditional offer

The latest one was a driver under instruction ! Hmm, wonder what course they will be on ...

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David9694 replied to Hirsute | 4 years ago
0 likes

Sounds positive. Which force? 

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Hirsute replied to David9694 | 4 years ago
1 like

Essex

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HoarseMann replied to David9694 | 4 years ago
1 like

David9694 wrote:

OldRidgeback wrote:

If you've footage, send it to the cops. 

...who will do what?

The one time I sent footage in, the driver got taken to court and issued with 5 points and a ~£200 fine.

Avatar
anagallis_arvensis replied to OldRidgeback | 4 years ago
2 likes

OldRidgeback wrote:

The moral of the story is, no matter how stupid and idiotic someone drives, don't swear back at them. If you've footage, send it to the cops. 

 

Who will firstly lose it and then when given it again, do nothing... or is that just Hampshire Police?

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