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Anti-cycling rant to local newspaper sabotaged by sensible comments; Bob Jackson Cycles reportedly saved; Freeman case delayed AGAIN; Round-the-world cyclist Josh Quigley in hospital after crash; RBKC cut emissions + more on the live blog

Dan Alexander and Jack Sexty will be chipping in for your cycling news fix on Wednesday's live blog...
Wed, Jan 27, 2021 09:07
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Anti-cycling rant to local newspaper sabotaged by sensible comments; Bob Jackson Cycles reportedly saved; Freeman case delayed AGAIN; Round-the-world cyclist Josh Quigley in hospital after crash; RBKC cut emissions + more on the live blogno cycling
27 January 2021, 20:00
Outbreak of common sense derails 'Time to crack down on cyclists' rant on local news website
road rage 2.PNG

You know the score... a venomous letter to a local newspaper or website surfaces online, and the various fallacies are then backed up with replies from equally angry proponents of licence plates for cyclists and 'road tax'. 

The letter from Phil Reay on The Argus' website - titled 'Time to crack down on cyclists' - states that cyclists "should be taxed, insured and have number plates". Mr Reay then says: "I know some cyclists have insurance (probably about two per cent) but if they hit something, it is what they hit that has to pay and surprise, surprise, it isn't always what they hit that is at fault.

"They use the roads and expect cycle lanes to be provided so, like other road users, they should pay tax, just like other vehicles. It doesn't have to be a lot and I would suggest something in the region of £10 would be sufficient.

"There is no way of identifying them if they break the law."

A number of replies to the letter don't quite go the way we'd have expected them to go, with one saying: "This idea [licensing cyclists] has been tried in other countries, like Switzerland, but as you say, it was impossible to administer and was abandoned. The only country that still has a scheme is North Korea. Phil thinks we should be more like North Korea."

Another shockingly reasoned reply says: "Cars have number plates and they still kill far more people than cyclists do each year, and car driver's kill more cyclists each year as well. It's one of the last non taxed modes of transportation you can have and it great fun!

"There will always be idiots on bikes number plate or not same as their will always be idots in cars."

One Argus reader, seemingly appalled by another sensible comment, replied: "What are you doing on the Argus comments page with your reasonable arguments and non-confrontational language? This platform is for angry small-minded bigots to vent their many frustrations, and this 'article' was posted for just that purpose. Go away."

In a world where there isn't much good news about at the moment, we'll consider this a small victory. 

27 January 2021, 17:47
27 January 2021, 17:14
Cyclist needs surgery after crashing into temporary cycle lane bollard

An Edinburgh cyclist needed surgery after breaking his elbow when he crashed and fell onto the concrete base of a bollard segregating a Spaces for People cycle lane from traffic. Dean Loughton struck the base of the bollard, which was covered by snow, when he swerved to avoid a pothole. "They are meant to be there for the safety of the cyclist but these things are outrageously dangerous," he said.

"If they were luminous yellow it would be better but they are black and it’s really hard to see them at night." A passing motorist told the Edinburgh Evening News that he was close to hitting Loughton following the crash. The 32-year-old cyclist underwent surgery on Monday at the Royal Infirmary in the city.

27 January 2021, 16:29
The Cycle Show set to be held at Alexandra Palace in June
The Cycle Show 2021

With races and events being cancelled left, right and centre already once again, the organisers of The Cycle Show promise their 2021 event will go ahead in a safe environment between 25th-27th June at Alexandra Palace in London. 

Highlights will include guests appearances from cycling heroes, and the usal array of bike porn from the likes of Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, Canyon, Ribble, Raleigh and more. Social distancing won't be an issue, as Ally Pally happens to have 196 acres of parkland that will serve as a demo area to test out any potential bike purchases. 

Tickets start from £16 and VIP packages start from £70 - you can grab your tickets here. 

27 January 2021, 15:40
Elia Viviani and Diego Ulissi cleared to leave hospital following heart scares
Diego Ulissi Giro d'Italia Stage 13 (screenshot)

Italian pair Elia Viviani and Diego Ulissi have both been discharged from hospital following their respective treatment and cardiological tests. Viviani underwent atrial ablation surgery after he noticed an irregularity in his heart beat while training near Verona. Viviani's former team doctor at Liquigas, Dr. Roberto Corsetti treated him initially, before he was admitted to Lancisi University Hospital in Ancona for surgery on the anomaly.

Ulissi has been sidelined since mid-December after doctors discovered an irregular heart beat during a routine check up. The UAE Team Emirates puncheur was diagnosed with Myocarditis, an inflamation of the heart muscle and told to rest. Despite the recent treatment, team doctor Michele De Grandi told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport: "there are reasons to be optimistic." 

27 January 2021, 15:38
27 January 2021, 15:19
Lime to trial electric mopeds in Paris and Washington DC this spring
lime ebike green

Green urban mobility company Lime are adding electric mopeds to their fleet, starting with trials in Paris and Washington DC. Lime, who are the world's leading operator of shared electric vehicles, have already powered over 200 million rides worldwide across 120 cities through their e-bikes (pictured above) and e-scooters. Now, their electric mopeds can also be hired via the Lime app with more cities expected to be added if the trial is successful.

"The addition of electric mopeds to our fleet of e-bikes and e-scooters is another major step in our goal of ensuring access to affordable, carbon-free shared transportation in cities around the world" said Wayne Ting, CEO of Lime. "We are a committed partner to over sixty cities in Europe and we continue to invest heavily in sustainable and safe product solutions municipalities and riders need. This is why we choose Paris as one of two cities in the world to pilot our e-moped service allowing riders to make longer trips than ever before using the Lime app, in a safe and clean way."

27 January 2021, 11:48
Auto Express slammed for 'high cost of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods' article

The motoring magazine, that once claimed three in four cyclists "break road rules", and whose columnist Mike Rutherford recently claimed that Covid-19 "is being used as a cover for an attack on the British motorist", is back with an attack on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods. 

The essay claims that various schemes have failed, and that LTNs are causing delays to emergency service vehicles; however this study on emergency response times in Waltham Forest, which has had an LTN since 2015, found that there was no evidence response times were affected inside low traffic neighbourhoods, using data from the London Fire Brigade. The Auto Express article does state that the Waltham Forest LTN has been hailed "a success" after intially being "met with resistance from the community". 

Auto Express also highlights the money "wasted" on LTN schemes that have been altered or reversed, which it calculates to be around £1 million; however as observed by Coventry's Bicycle Mayor Adam Tranter, the magazine (and The Times) has expressed no such outrage for the £49 million spent on a roundabout near the M49 that never happened... 

27 January 2021, 14:45
27 January 2021, 14:30
UCI confirms that Cyclo-cross World Championships will go ahead as planned this weekend
Wout van Aert cyclo-cross 2020/21 (screenshot)

The UCI has confirmed that the cyclo-cross World Championships in Oostende will go ahead despite concerns about an outbreak of the South African coronavirus variant in the Belgian town. Het Nieuwsblad reports that there will be additional restrictions at the event with all riders, media and organisers having to undergo additional PCR testing.

In a statement the UCI said they had agreed to a "reduction of accredited persons and toughening of sanitary regulations". The decision followed talks with the Flemish Ministry of Sport.

"I would like to thank the spirit of cooperation demonstrated by all the players, organisers and competent authorities, who have made it possible to safeguard the Championships for the benefit of the athletes, viewers, partners, and all fans of our sport despite the current very challenging circumstances," said UCI president David Lappartient.

The men's race has been highly anticipated with Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert set to renew their rivalry on the biggest stage in cyclo-cross on Sunday. The women's and U23 races will be held on Saturday.

27 January 2021, 12:15
Round-the-world cyclist Josh Quigley hospitalised again during winter training trip to Dubai
 

I’ve had a crash on the bike and ended up in hospital. 🚴🏻‍♂️💨🤕🚑 🏥 No cars involved, But I did come off the bike...

Posted by Josh Quigley on Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Just over a year after a horror collision with a driver in Texas which left Quigley with a puctured lung and multiple fractures, the 27-year-old from Livingston is in hospital again following a crash in Dubai. 

Quigley posted to Facebook to give details of the crash, saying that no car was involved: "...I did come off the bike pretty hard whilst descending down a hill at about 35-40mph", said Quigley. 

"Not sure the exact confirmed injuries yet but looking like I have multiple fractures. 3 on my pelvis, 2 on my shoulder / collarbone area, 1 on my elbow and 1 on my spine.
Not able to walk and have any independent mobility and in a lot of pain."

Quigley thanked friends who helped him get to hospital, and said he's still "a bit shaken up". 

Quigley - who survived a suicide attempt and now hopes to inspire others through his travels - is no stranger to adversity during his previous cycling challenges, and has made no fewer than seven attempts to circumnavigate the globe by bike. During his doomed 2019 attempt, he had his bike stolen before even crossing the channel; previous to this, Quigley was fined for cycling through a pedestrianised area in Bedford. Quigley also abandonded a round-the-world attempt in 2016 after completing 10,000 miles. He finally tasted success in September 2020, breaking the North Coast 500 record by less than 5 minutes. 

Quigley says he is in Dubai for "some winter training and racing", and competed in his first competitive race on 23rd January. 

27 January 2021, 14:06
Bernie the derny

Yes they've been done to death, but Bernie memes are still raising a chuckle. 

27 January 2021, 13:59
Are times tough for Mr Armstrong?
27 January 2021, 11:23
Richard Freeman trial delayed again
Dr Richard Freeman (picture credit Team Sky)

As the old adage goes, only three things in life are certain: death, taxes and delays to the hearing into former Team Sky and British Cycling doctor Richard Freeman. 

While we heard last Thursday that Freeman's lawyers were seeking a delay so he could help with the COVID-19 vaccination rollout (this request was rejected) the BBC's Dan Roan says on Twitter that this latest hold-up is due to "unforeseen circumstances". 

On Saturday, we reported that Simon Jackson QC summed up by branding Freeman a liar who was prepared to put others at risk with his prescribing practices. For those of you who are still not familiar, Freeman is accused of ordering the banned substance Testogel while he was at Team Sky; however, he denies that he did so “knowing or believing” that they were intended for use by an athlete.

27 January 2021, 10:57
Bob Jackson cycles saved again, following two previous closure announcements
bob jackson bike - via bob jackson.PNG

After announcing its closure, being saved and then announcing its closure again, the Bob Jackson Cycles saga has took another turn, after fellow frame builder Woodrup Cycles reportedly stepped in to save the legendary brand. 

Less than three weeks ago, a Bob Jackson Cycles representative told road.cc that "the new buyers/management team who were due to sign and take over last Monday pulled out at very last minute"... however in an interview with Cycling Weekly, Tony Woodrup of Woodrup Cycles revealed that he is heading a group of local investors that will save Bob Jackson from closure, with its frames set to be made in a new Leeds factory by mid-2021. 

“My grandpa [Woodrup founder, Maurice] was in partnership with Bob after World War II,” said Woodrup.

“We’ve always had that connection even after we split. They’re a real iconic brand.

“The old factory needed massive investment to be fair. It wasn’t in a great state of repair. Even if we’d gone in there we would have had to gut the place. So we’ve already found a new building that will incorporate a state-of-the art paint shop and new tooling. We’re looking at opening in around six months.”

The Bob Jackson Cycles website still carries a message that says it has ceased trading with immediate [e]ffect... will their be another twist in the tale? We'll keep an eye out for updates of course. 

27 January 2021, 10:17
Flying along with Movistar

Someone at Movistar got a drone for Christmas...It does make you wonder about the possibilities for using drones to capture TV pictures at bike races. Pros: cheaper, greener, doesn't knock over race barriers, could get better pictures (probably) and they can fly closer to the bunch...I'm sold.

Team GB's BMX squad used drones with infra-red lamps and sensors before the Rio Olympics to collect data for staff to find ways to make their riders more efficient. Marginal gains...

27 January 2021, 10:11
Some cool cycling infra from the Netherlands

Dutch cycling infrastructure looking out for horses as well as cyclists. Even got a  little climb up to the top as well. It beats being stuck at a level crossing...For something closer to home, there's these new Dutch junctions in Manchester...CYCLOPS Junctions are designed to prioritise cyclists and pedestrians.

27 January 2021, 09:35
Gone fishing
27 January 2021, 08:51
Kensington and Chelsea Council release plans to lower carbon emissions...

Ever thought about what Kensington and Chelsea Council are up to since ripping out the Kensington High Street cycle lane? It turns out they've drawn up green guidance plans to help boost air quality and lower carbon emissions in the borough...The irony hasn't been lost on those who saw the council's tweet announcing the news. Jeremy Vine replied: "I honestly feel like this account is trolling me." Another suggested: "You know what would really boost air quality? Putting the cycle lanes you ripped up back in. Just a thought."

On the council's website they say the current focus is on setting targets for developers building new homes or upgrading existing buildings...Councillor Johnny Thalassites said: "We have set our own ambitious targets to improve air quality, lower carbon emissions and keep our environment green – but we cannot meet them alone. The world has woken up to the climate crisis and we need to make sure our borough plays its part."

They've also launched a consultation period until February 23 for residents to give their thoughts...

Dan Alexander

Dan is the road.cc news editor and joined in 2020 having previously written about nearly every other sport under the sun for the Express, and the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for The Non-League Paper. Dan has been at road.cc for four years and mainly writes news and tech articles as well as the occasional feature. He has hopefully kept you entertained on the live blog too.

Never fast enough to take things on the bike too seriously, when he's not working you'll find him exploring the south of England by two wheels at a leisurely weekend pace, or enjoying his favourite Scottish roads when visiting family. Sometimes he'll even load up the bags and ride up the whole way, he's a bit strange like that.

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51 comments

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Bungle_52 | 3 years ago
0 likes

 

"Dean Loughton struck the base of the bollard, which was covered by snow, when he swerved to avoid a pothole. "They are meant to be there for the safety of the cyclist but these things are outrageously dangerous," he said."

Suely it's the pothole which is dangerous. Fix the pot hole, fix the problem. The good thing about fixing a pothole in a cycle lane is that it will stay fixed as heavy cars won't braking and accelerating in it. The next stage is to keep it free of debris and we're laughing.

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NZ Vegan Rider | 3 years ago
0 likes

Josh Quigley - terrible situation. Heal up well and fast. 

Maybe time to take life easier and give your body a rest (and your family and friends who care about you too). 

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ktache | 3 years ago
6 likes

Don't these motorists who seem to care so much about emergency services (and seemingly, the less than abled) realise that it's traffic that gets in the way.  Perhaps they could think about driving their motor vehicles a little less.  And of course not parking badly, or anywhere really.

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IanMK | 3 years ago
9 likes

So Auto Express think that 25% of cyclists don't break any road rules. What percentage of drivers do they think never break any road rules. NB going 71mph on the motorway IS breaking road rules.

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eburtthebike | 3 years ago
2 likes

Black obstructions on a black surface on a cycle route; what could possibly go wrong?  There have been many cases of cyclists crashing into similarly disguised things, and the problem is well known by anyone in the transport planning business, so how did these get put in?  Did they get the freshest graduate to do it, because it's "only cyclists" so not important.  I trust Edinburgh Spokes will be on the case.

I would suggest the injured cyclist has a very good case for sueing the council for negligence, and if I was in Edinburgh's transport department, I'd be getting that graduate out there with a tin of reflective white paint and a brush, pronto.

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Sriracha replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
0 likes

The thing he hit was not on or obstructing the cycle path, it was on the line demarking it from the motor traffic lane, rather like the kerb on the other flank demarking it from the pavement. If he has a case for suing, surely it is on account of the pothole which forced him to choose between cycling through the pothole, over the kerb or over the bollard support. The only thing "obstructing" the cycle path is the pot hole.

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eburtthebike replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
0 likes

Sriracha wrote:

The thing he hit was not on or obstructing the cycle path, it was on the line demarking it from the motor traffic lane, rather like the kerb on the other flank demarking it from the pavement. If he has a case for suing, surely it is on account of the pothole which forced him to choose between cycling through the pothole, over the kerb or over the bollard support. The only thing "obstructing" the cycle path is the pot hole.

Oh, I don't know; that bollard support is the same colour as the road, practically invisible in low light conditions, and it very definitely is a serious hazard to cyclists, literally an accident waiting to happen.  Surely anything like that should be flush with the road surface?

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Sriracha replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
1 like

The colour does not help, but of course the bollards do mark the line and position of the blocks.

Here is a pic of a cycle lane in France, created by running a kerb along the tarmac to section off a width of road for cycle use. It is white, but then it doesn't have reflective bollards marking its line.

The whole point of the kerb is that it's not flush, it keeps the cars out and the bikes in. I guess it's just as much a hazard to cyclists as is the pavement kerb if your front wheel strays onto it. If the guy had veered the other way and come a cropper against the kerb, would we be saying they should be "luminous yellow"?

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eburtthebike replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
0 likes

Sriracha wrote:

The colour does not help, but of course the bollards do mark the line and position of the blocks. Here is a pic of a cycle lane in France, created by running a kerb along the tarmac to section off a width of road for cycle use. It is white, but then it doesn't have reflective bollards marking its line. The whole point of the kerb is that it's not flush, it keeps the cars out and the bikes in. I guess it's just as much a hazard to cyclists as is the pavement kerb if your front wheel strays onto it. If the guy had veered the other way and come a cropper against the kerb, would we be saying they should be "luminous yellow"?

Interesting, but those mounting blocks aren't a kerb, and the kerb you show is very clearly a different colour to the road, so easily distinguishable; so apart from being completely different, they're exactly the same.

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Secret_squirrel replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
1 like

I'm with Sriracha on this one.  Surely if he was close enough to clip the base he was also close enough to hit the bollard?  There may be mitigating factors but it seems like he has put himself at risk and is looking for someone to blame?

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eburtthebike replied to Secret_squirrel | 3 years ago
0 likes

Secret_squirrel wrote:

I'm with Sriracha on this one.  Surely if he was close enough to clip the base he was also close enough to hit the bollard?  There may be mitigating factors but it seems like he has put himself at risk and is looking for someone to blame?

But he hit the block not the bollard, so it clearly is possible to hit that without hitting the bollard.  Can you think of any other situation where a practically invisible block would be placed in the carriageway?

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Sriracha replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
0 likes

No. Because it is not in the carriageway. No more than the kerb on the other side is in the carriageway. Both mark the boundary.

I think the problem here is not that the boundary was not visible - it was marked by a line of black and white reflective bollards after all.

The problem was he thought he was free to ignore it and cycle across it, albeit in an emergency. He would not have made the same mistake with the kerb, not because it is anymore visible, but because he already knows that would not work.

So yes, making the blocks white might have helped. But it was snowy, so maybe white would not help. You could remove the blocks, but that reduces the protection against cars veering in, a bit like removing the kerb would reduce the protection for pedestrians.

I still think the answer is to make the cycle carriageway itself cyclable - so that evasive action is not required. Rather than pushing for other compromises to accommodate the existence of the pot hole.

In time cyclists will learn that there is a kerb both sides of their lane.

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mdavidford | 3 years ago
2 likes

Quote:

The motoring magazine [...] is back with an excluse on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods.

Is that like a sorry excuse for an exclusive?

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Gkam84 | 3 years ago
2 likes

Can we stop calling him round the world cyclist? He's never gotten around the world. WTF is he doing in Dubai anyway, it's not essential for him to be there. There are a number of professional riders who aren't travelling for training camps because it's not essential, but that tube always has to be centre of attention.

Someone needs to take the bike off him, slap him about the head and wise him up a bit. Too many people blowing smoke up his arse making him feel like some sort of champion.

Also, the ride he took part in isn't a competitive race, but a social ride which helps organisers determine your start positon for a sportive taking part in March.

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mdavidford replied to Gkam84 | 3 years ago
4 likes

Gkam84 wrote:

Can we stop calling him round the world cyclist? He's never gotten around the world.

Seems a bit harsh. Do you complain when there are reports about 'round-the-world sailors' having to be pulled out of the ocean because they've sunk halfway? Or 'polar explorers / adventurers' who've had to give up without reaching the pole?

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Gkam84 replied to mdavidford | 3 years ago
1 like

mdavidford wrote:

Seems a bit harsh. Do you complain when there are reports about 'round-the-world sailors' having to be pulled out of the ocean because they've sunk halfway? Or 'polar explorers / adventurers' who've had to give up without reaching the pole?

If I used sites which reported on them, yes. He can identify as an around the world cyclist if he wishes, it doesn't mean it should be reported that way. I've cycled on 5/7 continents. Does that mean I can claim to be an around the world cyclist as well? NO, only those who have actually cycled around the world should claim that, making it back to their start location. Otherwise, it just makes a joke of those who have completed such a feat.

I would suggest, if they really wanted, they could call him a record-breaking cyclist after his NC500 record. I understand that in under investigation though, because of the drafting he received on certain sections of the route from a member of his team in a motor vehicle. The videos of which were posted on his social media channels and were quickly deleted.

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mdavidford replied to Gkam84 | 3 years ago
1 like

Gkam84 wrote:

mdavidford wrote:

Seems a bit harsh. Do you complain when there are reports about 'round-the-world sailors' having to be pulled out of the ocean because they've sunk halfway? Or 'polar explorers / adventurers' who've had to give up without reaching the pole?

If I used sites which reported on them, yes. He can identify as an around the world cyclist if he wishes, it doesn't mean it should be reported that way. I've cycled on 5/7 continents. Does that mean I can claim to be an around the world cyclist as well? NO, only those who have actually cycled around the world should claim that, making it back to their start location. Otherwise, it just makes a joke of those who have completed such a feat.

Fair enough. I think you may be swimming against the tide (cycling against the headwind?) a bit on that one, though. Pretty much the entire rest of the world seems to think that it's the attempt that's the important factor. But hey, if that's the hill you want to die on....

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Sriracha replied to mdavidford | 3 years ago
1 like

Hmm... So how many people have climbed on Everest? Plenty more than ever made it to the top. But if you say you've "climbed Everest", I think it's generally understood that you got past Base Camp!

But, I suppose you could call them all "mountaineers", even if they never made it.

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mdavidford replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
0 likes

Saying someone had 'climbed Everest' would be more equivalent to saying someone had 'cycled round the world'. Calling someone a 'round the world cyclist' would be more equivalent to calling someone an 'Everest climber', but there isn't really a common term for that.

There are quite a lot of 'Premier League footballers' out there, but only a fraction of them have 'won the Premier League'.

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Gkam84 replied to mdavidford | 3 years ago
0 likes

mdavidford wrote:

Saying someone had 'climbed Everest' would be more equivalent to saying someone had 'cycled round the world'. Calling someone a 'round the world cyclist' would be more equivalent to calling someone an 'Everest climber', but there isn't really a common term for that.

There are quite a lot of 'Premier League footballers' out there, but only a fraction of them have 'won the Premier League'.

If you've played in the premier league, you are a premier league footballer. If you have won the premier league, you are a premier league winner...

By the way, I wish him a full recovery, because I do think he might have a bit of talent to race domestically in the UK. He does need a dose of reality though, he's not going to be riding up the Champs in 2026 having just completed the professional Tour de France. Let alone his goal of winning it.

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mdavidford replied to Gkam84 | 3 years ago
0 likes

Gkam84 wrote:

he's not going to be riding up the Champs in 2026 having just completed the professional Tour de France. Let alone his goal of winning it.

On that bit, I suspect you're probably right.

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OnYerBike replied to Gkam84 | 3 years ago
3 likes

My two cents: when he was hit the first time in Texas, it was legitimate to describe him as a round-the-world cyclist (as per this news story https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-50886714) given that, at the time, he was engaged in a round-the-world ride.

This time round, I'm not convinced that title is justified since he neither has cycled round the world nor was he currently engaged in that activity... Indeed the Beeb just call him a "record breaking cyclist" which seems sufficient and accurate to me (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-55825290)

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Rendel Harris replied to OnYerBike | 3 years ago
0 likes

OnYerBike wrote:

My two cents: when he was hit the first time in Texas, it was legitimate to describe him as a round-the-world cyclist (as per this news story https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-50886714) given that, at the time, he was engaged in a round-the-world ride.

This time round, I'm not convinced that title is justified since he neither has cycled round the world nor was he currently engaged in that activity... Indeed the Beeb just call him a "record breaking cyclist" which seems sufficient and accurate to me (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-55825290)

Fair point but they probably just used what he's best known for - just as if Chris Bonnington was knocked down in the street in London they'd still say "mountaineer Chris Bonnington knocked down" despite the fact that he wasn't actually mountaineering at the time!

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FrankH replied to mdavidford | 3 years ago
3 likes

mdavidford wrote:

Fair enough. I think you may be swimming against the tide (cycling against the headwind?) a bit on that one, though. Pretty much the entire rest of the world seems to think that it's the attempt that's the important factor. But hey, if that's the hill you want to die on....

Then he's a suicide, not a suicide survivor.

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Rendel Harris replied to FrankH | 3 years ago
1 like

FrankH wrote:

mdavidford wrote:

Fair enough. I think you may be swimming against the tide (cycling against the headwind?) a bit on that one, though. Pretty much the entire rest of the world seems to think that it's the attempt that's the important factor. But hey, if that's the hill you want to die on....

Then he's a suicide, not a suicide survivor.

Wow. Proud of yourself for that one?

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NZ Vegan Rider replied to mdavidford | 3 years ago
0 likes

mdavidford and I are riding into the headwind together then 3

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Simon E replied to Gkam84 | 3 years ago
2 likes

Gkam84 wrote:

He can identify as an around the world cyclist if he wishes, it doesn't mean it should be reported that way.

Keith, have you been skipping your medication? Between the female ex-pro story and this one you've really been maligning people without good reason.

If you don't want to call him a RTW cyclist that's perfectly fine but everyone else can use the term if they deem it appropriate. To me, if he was cycling round the world at the time and/or had made his name doing so then he is a RTW cyclist. It's not something you can do in a day or a week, it takes so long, even for the best, that it can justifiably be described as an occupation. Accusations about drafting during his NC500 record-breaking ride aren't even relevant. Please relax, none of it is your problem.

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Rendel Harris replied to Gkam84 | 3 years ago
2 likes

Gkam84 wrote:

Can we stop calling him round the world cyclist? He's never gotten around the world. WTF is he doing in Dubai anyway, it's not essential for him to be there. There are a number of professional riders who aren't travelling for training camps because it's not essential, but that tube always has to be centre of attention.

Someone needs to take the bike off him, slap him about the head and wise him up a bit. Too many people blowing smoke up his arse making him feel like some sort of champion.

Also, the ride he took part in isn't a competitive race, but a social ride which helps organisers determine your start positon for a sportive taking part in March.

Gosh you're an angry sort of cove, aren't you? Extra negativity is of course what we all need for these times. The feller got 16,000 miles into his 18,000 target before he got knocked off in Texas, that's good enough to be called an RTW cyclist in my book. He's also a suicide survivor who has done his best to raise awareness of mental health issues. But hey, let's pick on him, denigrate his achievements, including a world-record-breaking ride, and say he needs to be slapped about the head.

I'm not sure you're a terribly nice person.

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NZ Vegan Rider replied to Rendel Harris | 3 years ago
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They may not be a "terribly nice person" but a truthful one not surcumbing to your guilt trip. 

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Rendel Harris replied to NZ Vegan Rider | 3 years ago
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NZ Vegan Rider wrote:

They may not be a "terribly nice person" but a truthful one not surcumbing to your guilt trip. 

What bit of his "truth" do you like? The bit where he claims (untruthfully) that the guy's world record is in question? The bit where he nitpicks about nomenclature because the guy only managed 16,000 miles out of 18,000 before someone knocked him off his bike at 70mph and left him in hospital for six weeks? Or the bit where he says that someone with mental health issues should be slapped round the head to teach him a lesson?

Take your pick and stay classy, eh?

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