'Mr Loophole' says cyclists shouldn't ride two abreast because they "don't keep up with traffic"; Jonathan Shubert's sub-3hr 100 miles Strava; Roglic in red after Vuelta stage 13 win; £11.8m for 'UK first' cycling + walking network + more on the live blog

Exactly.Two cyclists abreast equals width of a car-but they`re not a car.They don`t keep up with traffic.And they prevent other cars from keeping up with traffic.Ergo single file as per Highway Code is the safe & sensible way for traffic to run smoothly.And keep cyclists safe

— Nick Freeman (@TheMrLoophole) November 2, 2020

After saying that Highway Code rules allowing cyclists to ride two abreast are currently "being abused" last week, the lawyer Nick Freeman, who calls himself 'Mr Loophole', has now added to that by claiming cyclists shouldn't ride two abreast because they "don`t keep up with traffic". 

Replying to Jeremy Vine on Twitter, who pointed out that two cyclists abreast were similar in width to a car, Freeman added: "And they prevent other cars from keeping up with traffic. Ergo single file as per Highway Code is the safe & sensible way for traffic to run smoothly. And keep cyclists safe". 

Nick, you're a bad driver. You're supposed to change lanes to pass even a single cyclist. Grouping up is more considerate because it makes your overtake shorter and more likely, and it's safer for the cyclists. Here's what happens when we ride single file:https://t.co/q4a7S7IvSY

— ⚫ CyclingMikey #BlackLivesMatter 🇪🇺🇳🇱🇿🇼 (@MikeyCycling) November 3, 2020

Highway code rule 163 is clear that if you can't pass two cyclists abreast, then you shouldn't be attempting to pass a single cyclist, either.

— JT (@HootsyJT) November 3, 2020

Cyclist are traffic. You really should know this.

— Freddie Jackson (@John_Clarke_79) November 3, 2020

It's fair to say not everyone agreed with Freeman, with some pointing out that according to Rule 163 of the Highway Code, motorists are supposed to "give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car". 

The 'two abreast' subject has surfaced numerous times recently due to a Department for Transport (DfT) consultation on proposed changes to the Highway Code, which has just closed. In it, the wording on riding two abreast would change from “You should … never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends”, to “You should … ride in single file when drivers wish to overtake and it is safe to let them do so. When riding in larger groups on narrow lanes, it is sometimes safer to ride two abreast.”

Dame Sarah Storey, British Cycling and others have recently urged people to respond to the consultation, asking for it be made clearer that cyclists are allowed to ride two abreast – and to emphasise that they often should for safety reasons.

Richard Carapaz is the last rider off the start ramp..all the GC favourites are on the course, let's see how things stand in 45 minutes time.

Officially amazing! Most elevation cycled in 48 hours -
30,321.18 metres! Full story - https://t.co/W8lA4H0FvW @GWR @Team_JMC @Half_arsedRacer pic.twitter.com/1VlwCZTRQY

— Alan Colville (@alancolville) October 19, 2020

Back in September we covered some of the most impressive and maddest cycling world records. Now Alan Colville has added his name to the roll of honour by besting the previous record of 29,623m of vertical ascent in 48 hours. Remarkably Alan beat the previous mark by more than 500 vertical metres to set a new Guinness World Record of 30,321.18 m (99,478 ft 9.3 in). To put that in perspective, it is the equivalent of completing three and a half Everests or climbing Alpe d'Huez 27 times.

Jonathan Shubert having his Strava activity flagged is one of the more bizarre things we've seen this week. Anything to protect those KOMs I guess... We spoke to the new RRA 100-mile record holder this morning and he was pretty amused by the whole situation: “I think maybe it’s someone just being a bit of a troll! Because of the speeds it might seem a bit unbelievable so I can understand why someone might do that."

The second rest day of the final Grand Tour of the year thankfully passed without any positive tests for COVID-19. All 151 riders will take to the start ramp for today's stage 13 ITT. The race's organisation Unipublic has recieved credit from riders and staff during the first two weeks of the race for their strict protocol and thorough approach to protecting rider safety. The praise comes in contrast to the Giro d'Italia where EF Pro Cycling asked for the race to be stopped over concerns the protective bubbles had been compromised.

Our new boxes through Hyde Park are starting to be put in! All part of making the area safer and greener! Everything still accessible by car but by preventing rat running we can lower air pollution and encourage cycling and walking. pic.twitter.com/HVlUPNJRO5

— Jonathan Pryor (@Jonathan_Pryor) November 3, 2020

Labour councillor Jonathan Pryor shared these pictures of new LTN infrastructure in the Hyde Park area of Leeds. The green boxes prevent cars from rat running while also allowing cyclists, pedestrians and other forms of active transport priority.

"Our new boxes through Hyde Park are starting to be put in! All part of making the area safer and greener! Everything still accessible by car but by preventing rat running we can lower air pollution and encourage cycling and walking," Pryor explained.