Evans’ U-turn on above-RRP turbo prices; BoJo is watching YOU on Strava; Pro cyclist’s Strava art – Ride alone or Stay home; Bike Project's free virtual lessons for front-line workers; NHS 'only accepted volunteers who drive'; Towpath advice + more

Lotto-Soudal’s Joris Nieuwenhuis has used a training ride in and around his home village of Zelhem in the eastern Netherlands to send essential advice to fellow cyclists via Strava.

Under the heading ‘Ride alone or’ his 27.1 kilometre ride sketches out the word’s ‘Stay home’ on the social network for athletes.

It’s perhaps not the most intricate piece of Strava art we’ve seen, but in these unprecedented times it’s certainly one that conveys an important meaning.

After taking an excellent 8th place in the U23 Men's race the day before, Trinity Racing's Cameron Mason captured what would become the best performance by a British Male Elite rider at the World Cyclocross Championships.

Cameron's team mate, British National Champion Tom Pidcock, caused the shock of this race, blasting away from a group of Belgians to take silver. No one could match pre-race favourite Van der Poel though, who finished a staggering 1minute 20 seconds clear of the field.

Above all, there is some excellent footage here and it's well-worth a watch if you're missing racing.

That's right, simply take your birth month and birth day and you'll be faced with a gloriously silly scenario that you will be sharing with a cyclist or famous cycling enthusiast. Have fun, I'm off to have a post-(Zwift)race piss-up with Jeremy Corbyn... 

As well as continuing to offer bikes to refugees by raising funds to deliver them by van during the pandemic (see further down the page) the Bike Project are also offering up their Dr Bike virtual maintenance lessons for free to front-line workers. 

An example the Bike Project give is Katie - an ICU nurse from London - who has started cycling to work to avoid public transport during the pandemic. 

CEO and founder of the Bike Project Jem Stein said: 

“The Bike Project have seen a huge increase in sales over the past few weeks and March has already smashed our previous record for total sales in one month. We at The Bike Project realise how crucial bikes can be for everyone during this difficult time. Cycling can help you to exercise, get access to vital supplies such as food and medication, and to avoid public transport if you still need to work.

"From today, we are launching Virtual Dr Bike sessions to help teach people basic bike maintenance and repair to ensure your bikes are kept in tip-top condition during the outbreak. These will be one-to-one sessions delivered by our team of experienced mechanics. We are offering free Virtual Dr Bike sessions to all NHS staff to keep our fantastic front-line workers safe and mobile during this time."

You can find out more and sign up for the lessons here, and you can donate a tenner to the Bike Project's cause here. 

Cyclists are making the big behaviour changes to protect our health and care systems and to save lives.
We're keeping 2+m of personal space in all directions . We will get through this #mindthegap #keepcycling
Video from @theroyalparks Regent's Park this morning on a solo ride. pic.twitter.com/rbIOSBwuFD

— London Cycling Campaign (@london_cycling) March 24, 2020

As we spotted in Regent's Park earlier this week, the vast majority of cyclists are respecting the rules and staying well clear of each other; and the London Cycling Campaign have also noted the big behavioural changes made by cyclists in London's Royal Parks. 

See our guide to riding responsibly in the pandemic, updated to reflect the latest government measures, for more details. 

Why doesn't the @NHSEnglandLDN NHS Volunteer Register accept bicycles as mode of transport? Only car drivers are welcome- I can collect and deliver a lot of local prescriptions with my bike panniers and especially with a trailer attached. Much healthier. https://t.co/DjV4RVB2Vg

— Streets for people (@BrendaPuech) March 24, 2020

Last night, Brenda Puech tweeted to say that it wasn't possible to put 'bike' as a mode of transport option. The NHS Volunteer Responders page says that those without 'access to transport' would only be offered telephone support roles; some commented back to say they could be plenty of use with their bikes equipped with racks and panniers, and full cargo bikes... 

Yes and I have a massive trailer that can transport people who are in a wheelchair... (That's my son). pic.twitter.com/kH5vlVX9Bg

— Damian “Wash your hands and don’t touch your face” (@bigdamo) March 25, 2020

I applied last night with intent to use my bike+backpack/panniers/trailer. I also have thermal bags for food delivery that would be better for more temperature sensitive meds.
Maybe they can afford to turn volunteers away? Perhaps @WeAreCyclingUK can have a word?

— steve abraham (@steve_abraham74) March 25, 2020

We're told that the site has now been updated to include 'push bike' as a mode of transport, and are waiting for clarification; either way if you think you can help as an emergency responder, here's that link again. 

off.road.cc have rounded up some bike industry brands who are switching production from their normal products to the manufacture of components for ventilators, making of face masks or the production of hand sanitiser gel. Read more here. 

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As the author says, these are strange times... and if you want to recap the most recent cyclocross season and support a photography business that is undoubtedly facing uncertain times, then you can pre-order the Cyclocross Album now for delivery in just over six weeks' time. It also includes three feature articles in amongst the 192 pages of glossy muddy goodness, and you can opt to have a name printed inside if it's for a gift - you can pre-order here. 

A long long time ago, back when we could go for a ride together, our tech editor Mat Brett conquered Rapha's 1910 Tour de France Challenge - and now it's made Rapha's round-up of their top films from their sizeable archive! See the full list here and watch the video below... 

This is the moment, the final hole is laced. A quick look ahead as the mailman drops the letter in the box and clears the two metre mark. He's gone, cleats clanging on the gravel, but what a catch, the letter had hardly settled in the box. He's back - just trash mail! Phil https://t.co/nztHUwzpK5

— Phil Liggett (@PhilLiggett) March 25, 2020

In case you didn't know Mr Liggett was a bit of a legend, he responded to the call to commentate someone's life with much aplomb. 

SRAM has officially introduced AXS Web, a web tool designed to allow riders who use data-enabled devices – including power meters, tyre pressure sensors and electronic shifting – to collect and display ride info uploaded through Garmin head units. Compatibility with Wahoo devices is on the way. AXS Web was previously in beta development.

Get the full story here.

Here’s Ep.5 of ‘Matt’s Soup Revue.’ It’s a double length feature!! Bursting with flavour it features Baxter’s French Onion! Sacré bleu! Enjoy! And share! #Soup #Croutons #France 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/PnGbjNYKVS

— Matt Stephens (@RealStephens) March 24, 2020

French-influenced soup in this episode of course, in the form of Baxter's French Onion delivered outside the Eurosport presenter's door. While commenting that it's a little on the thin side, Stephens says the flavour is "absolutely amazing"... Sacré bleu!