Jeremy Vine and Laurence Fox clash over riding two abreast video; Will Carling's two pennies; Overtaking lessons with Cycling Mikey; Jason Kenny undecided on retirement; A closer look at Sebastian Vettel's bike; Penny Farthing epic + more on the live blog

It it wasn’t for the motor vehicle there wouldn’t be roads for cyclists to ride on

— Kano (@_Kano_P) August 8, 2021

Not a great advert for the Twitter verified account badge... 

They’re slowing the traffic but definitely not calming it JV. 😄

— Paddy McGuinness 💙 (@PaddyMcGuinness) August 8, 2021

Shut up.

— Charlie Lawson (@charlie_lawson1) August 9, 2021

This is why people hate cyclists. https://t.co/fl222iH0G6

— Cernovich (@Cernovich) August 9, 2021

Nobody gives a damn if your ride is “pleasant and sociable” you roadway parasite. Get out of the way. https://t.co/jncfsFQufv

— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) August 9, 2021

Nothing calms me down like being forced to do 15 on an otherwise empty country backroad. I can feel the calm washing over me just thinking about it. https://t.co/7MIVvvsDP3

— Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) August 8, 2021

What would it take for you to ride this bicycle 1,000 ft in the air? The death-defying attraction is located at a theme park in central China. pic.twitter.com/hGV0XMj6yM

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) August 8, 2021

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by DAVID FOX-PITT MBE (@davidfoxpitt)

David Fox-Pitt MBE has raised £12,000 to fund places at Glenalmond College for children who would not otherwise be able to attend the school. An epic Penny Farthing challenge was his chosen money-raising method. The parent of two pupils at the school completed 175km (108 miles) on his big-wheeled machine over 14 arduous hours in the saddle.

Fox-Pitt set off through Stirling, heading north through Crieff, Braco and Comrie before ticking off Lochearnhead, Killin, Kenmore, Aberfeldy and Caputh on the way back to Glenalmond. A mechanical issue after 25km threatened the challenge and some characteristically unpredictable Scottish weather meant he finished the ride with a soaked kilt.

"Our thanks go to all those who donated and helped us to raise such an excellent total which will go towards bursaries to support more young people to attend Glenalmond," Mr Fox-Pitt told the Daily Record.

If you think David's ride was epic, how about Richard Thoday who in 2019 successfuly rode from Land's End to John O'Groats on a Penny Farthing in four days 11 hours and 52 minutes to break a 133-year record...

AMAZING NEWS 👏🏻💞 BMX HAS A BIGHT FUTURE 🇬🇧 #bmx https://t.co/riTxBkXmdE

— Charlotte Worthington (@chazworther) August 9, 2021

British Cycling is targeting more success in BMX freestyle off the back of a strong debut in Tokyo. Aimed at nurturing the grassroots of the sport, British Cycling hopes to build on the inspiration of Olympic champion Charlotte Worthington and bronze medallist Declan Brooks with a million-pound investment in community facilities. 

The investment will see facilities in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Corby and Darwen improved, as well as deciding on a long-term home for the Olympic standard park in Telford which was used by Worthington and Brooks in preparation for the Games. 

Dani Every, British Cycling Delivery Director, said: "BMX freestyle, thanks to the heroic performances of Charlotte and Declan at the Tokyo Olympics, has captured the attention of the whole country so I am delighted to be announcing our ambitions for this exciting discipline of cycle sport. 

"With the support of a commission which features expertise from the BMX freestyle community across facilities, coaching, judging and former elite riders, we have begun the serious business of ensuring the hard-earned achievements of Charlotte and Declan deliver a long-term legacy."

Last Thursday the blog included a clip of Sebastian Vettel rocking up to the Hungarian Grand Prix by bike, while most of the other drivers were chauffeur driven in sponsor cars. 

J.Laverack Bicycles got in touch with all the juicy deets about Vettel's ride, which they built up for the F1 star. The R J.ACK Disc 54cm Race geometry frame was put together with full Shimano DuraAce Di2, Pro Vibe carbon bars and one of ÆRA's forks and carbon seatposts. The 700c carbon wheels also come courtesy of the UK brand and are hand-built with Chris King R45d hubs, Sapim CX-Ray spokes and brass nipples. For a little extra comfort, Vettel's build is finished off with 28mm Conti GP5000 tubeless tyres, a Brooks C13 saddle and Fizik soft touch bar tape. What a machine.

I am a cyclist. Simple rule - we are smaller than cars - so be polite, ride single file when holding up cars. Understand people are busy etc Do not go thru red lights/ pedestrian crossings. But also do ask drivers to be careful when passing? Please. https://t.co/bAP3mfVDYZ

— Will Carling (@willcarling) August 9, 2021

Thoughts on Will Carling's "I am a cyclist" thoughts? Cycling Mikey tried to explain why it is more considerate to ride two abreast as it reduces the overtaking distance while also making things much safer for the riders...Anyone got any theories about why riding two abreast winds up some motorists so much?

It’s more considerate to ride in a bunch like this as it shortens your overtake, and it’s *MUCH* safer for the cyclists. You’re supposed to be changing lanes anyway, even for a single cyclist, not squeezing past dangerously closely in the same lane. Pls retweet this correction. pic.twitter.com/5WxSiGklFP

— CyclingMikey tired of road crime. 🇪🇺🇳🇱🇿🇼 (@MikeyCycling) August 9, 2021

People who cycle in the country should be encouraged to ride 2, 3 and 4 abreast like this. For the following reasons:

1. It calms the traffic behind them
2. It makes it less easy for bad drivers to attempt dangerous passes
3. It is more pleasant and sociable for them. pic.twitter.com/vqi4dsuUSs

— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) August 8, 2021

No surprises Jeremy Vine has been preaching sensible ideas about cycling again. Perhaps no surprises either that Laurence Fox has not...

It started when Vine shared the video above showing a group ride travelling two abreast. The presenter and broadcaster is in the passenger seat and tells the camera: "Sunday morning in the country. Absolutely no problem with this at all, exactly how cyclists should ride.

"They're calming the traffic behind them and we won't overtake unless we have a really wide amount of clearance. If we want to go at 70mph, we can go and find a motorway - this is absolutely fine. There is no need for us to be going any faster than this and we wish them well."

If only Lozza saw it that way too...

If only the Mamils afforded the same respect to horsemen and women on country lanes. I was bucked off on the way into Lodsworth a few years ago after a bunch Tour de France wannabes zoomed out of the shadows. Showing the usual zero respect for other road users. https://t.co/sO61JGIob4

— Laurence Fox ✌🏼🇬🇧✌🏼 (@LozzaFox) August 8, 2021

The former London mayoral candidate jumped on the opportunity to have a pop at "Mamils" and "Tour de France wannabes" showing horse riders "the usual zero respect". And is wasn't just Laurence...

You’re just trolling us now!

— Cristo (@cristo_radio) August 8, 2021   

Now, I don't know about you but I'd say it's fairly uncontroversial for all road users to act respectfully around horse riders. I'd be surprised if too many here did not.

If you want some more background on Fox's attitude towards cyclists, here's his 2017 take on Room 101...