Yet another assault on a cyclist; Gumtree ‘entrapment’ bike seller jailed; Strava artist's 3-headed sketch; Pedal Me discounts to "help fight off flood of motor vehicles"; Video: cows attack cyclist; CCC still searching for new sponsor + more on live blog

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following an assault near Datchet.

At 2.35pm on Sunday 31 May, two cyclists were travelling south bound on the B3021 Southlea Road from Datchet to Windsor.

A person in a white pick-up truck, travelling in the opposite direction towards Datchet, threw a drinks bottle which hit the first cyclist in the chest.

The victim received bruising and inflammation to his chest, he did not require hospital treatment.

Investigating officer PC Alexander Massey from the Windsor and Maidenhead Smarter Resolution Team, said: “This was a frightening experience for the two cyclists, and I am appealing to anyone who has any information about this incident to come forward.

“If you were driving or cycling in the area at the time and saw anything, please get in touch.

“You can contact us using the online reporting form, quoting reference number 43200160762. If you cannot report online, call the 24 hour non-emergency number 101.

“Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Since this morning, the Tredz website now says: "After more than five successful years, our sister company Cycle Republic has ceased trading and has closed down its website. Tredz is part of the same 'Performance Cycling' family as Cycle Republic, offering an even greater choice of the very best in bikes and cycling accessories, so we’re sure to have what you need."

Halfords have also got in touch to reiterate that Cycle Republic orders will be fulfilled by "the remaining Cycle Republic team."

Mr Hoyte's previous work has included a giant snowman sketched from an 87 mile ride around London, a group of birds that took him 7 hours and 51 miles to complete and a face that required 78 miles of riding around Cardiff... and now he's struck again with what he describes as his most ambitious ride yet.

The 52-year-old spent almost five hours riding around his hometown of Cheltenham creating the three-headed Strava masterpiece, and told Gloucestershire Live that for obvious reasons, he had plenty of time to put into this project: "Because of lockdown, I couldn't go anywhere so I thought this would concentrate the mind.

"I stared at the maps a bit more along Cheltenham and I actually ended up using one of the faces from my previous drawing and I added the two figures from either side."

Some have theorised that the face on the left is Worzel Gummidge and the one in the middle is Boris Johnson; although Mr Hoyte claims they don't represent anyone in particular. He plans to strike in Manchester and Milan next, as well as returning to ride out some more sketches in London.

ICYMI - Cycle Logistics companies across the country have slashed their prices to help fight off the flood of motor vehicles hitting our towns and cities.

We're leading the way with 1/3 off all jobs for at least the next month. https://t.co/3X72gCNKZA

— Pedal Me (@pedalmeapp) June 8, 2020

The London-based e-cargo delivery firm have extended their offer - which was initially a third off for their taxi service - to deliveries, with riders able to carry a 150kg load on-bike or up to 200kg towing a trailer.

They claim this is to fend off the increasing numbers of motor vehicles returning to the streets as the lockdown begins to lift, saying: "After implementing the 1/3 off discount for passenger jobs yesterday, we started to think that we could do more to help London to bridge the gap to become a truly cycling friendly city.

"To help to keep the city moving more efficiently we need to think about logistics and how cargo is moved. It's vital that we maintain the momentum of the shift from vans to more environmentally friendly delivery methods. Pedal Me is perfect for this so we have reduced cargo jobs by 1/3 as well.

"We have to reduce the numbers of motor vehicles on London's streets. Pedal Me is cheap, efficient, fast and environmentally friendly. We have highly trained riders who can carry 150kg of load on a single bike, as well as the possibility of towing 200kg on a trailer as well. We can take advantage of the manoeuvrability of bikes and the access to faster routes that bikes can take."

As we previously reported, Halfords Group PLC have now shut down Cycle Republic's online store, and are in the process of handing over a number of their high street shops to electric scooter specialists Pure Electric. Cycle Republic's website has ceased operations today, with the page now directing to Tredz, which is also under the Halfords umbrella. 

Cycle Republic customers with outstanding orders have now been informed that everything will be taken care of via this web link, which says:

"We will fulfil all orders placed on cyclerepublic.com.

"Information for orders placed by account holders will remain viewable here. For any orders placed on a guest account please refer to your order confirmation email.

"Any existing warranties or cycle care plans will be honoured by Halfords."

Video evidence that even cows hate cyclists🚴‍♀️ 🚴‍♂️ 🚴‍♀️

pic.twitter.com/qQ2EExNH6w

— Vusi Sambo (@VusiSambo) June 7, 2020

We're not sure where this (fortunately very rare) incident took place, but the caption on this clip and some of the gleeful comments underneath are also pretty distasteful - luckily, it looks like the cyclist was ok.

We reported on a more positive cow-related incident back in 2017, when a cyclist on a bike ride with friends in northwest Spain stopped to deliver a calf after spotting a pregnant cow in distress. Moo-ving stuff indeed...