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The famous Rás Tailteann — an Irish stage race first contested in the 50s — back for its first edition post-Covid culminated with stage five on Sunday. road.cc Ryan was there on the ground to catch the stage finish and see Daire Feeley win the race overall...
💛💛💛 pic.twitter.com/SIWjEC0yOo
Keep your eyes peeled for Ryan's colour piece on the race, and the joys of watching a bike race live from your doorstep, in the coming days...
How about part of passing a driving test includes having to cycle an hour locally -> to understand what it feels like to be on a bike on busy roads & how to drive in a safe way for cyclists too…
— Prof. Devi Sridhar (@devisridhar) June 19, 2022
Image: Thomas Pintario/Wikimedia Commons
In a preliminary vote passed last Tuesday Los Angeles City Council members approved a ruling to prohibit "the assembly, disassembly, sale, offer of sale, distribution, offer of distribution, or storage of bicycles and bicycle parts on public property".
It would also ban possession of "five or more bike parts" while on property "owned or managed" by the city. Curbed says the change — which wouldn't stop people fixing a single bike on the street (provided it's one bike, and is their own with the "sole purpose of repair" to "restore the bicycle to its operational form" and "resume riding the bicycle") — is an anti-theft measure against situations where bikes are disassembled and parts sold on the side of the road.
However, Curbed notes the rule could have an "ulterior purpose" and would "target people who are storing or repairing bikes on the street because that’s where they live".
Watford FC's chairman has spoken out about the club's now-former goalkeeper Ben Foster, who left the club at the expiry of his contract, saying the veteran shotstopper had "broken promises" about stopping his YouTube vlogs...
"I think some of the videos were disappointing," Scott Duxbury told the Watford Observer. "Our sporting director, Cristiano Giaretta, met with Ben and asked him to stop. He promised he would, but he didn't. He was fined. We want a culture of excellence at Watford. Those videos were not that."
Now we suspect the videos in question may be more football-related, Foster wore a GoPro strapped to his chest during some matches, not his cycling content...
We spoke to Foster in spring 2021 about meeting Tao Geoghegan Hart for a ride, Troy Deeney's Canyon, Zwift, Dirty Kanza and plenty more...
I haven't checked the comments to see if any of you are throwing tomatoes at me for this....
WE DID IT. GRAZIE SQUADRA. GRAZIE ITALIA. GRAZIE E TUTTI.💗🇮🇹 #PROVEDIT pic.twitter.com/PZcmP5lYXG
Leo Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers pro and Olympic gold medallist Ethan's little bro) won the 'Baby Giro' this weekend. The next big hope of British GC racing? Former winners of the U23 Giro?
UAE Team Emirates' Spanish prospect Juan Ayuso, Tom Pidcock, Aleksandr Vlasov, Pavel Sivakov, Gilberto Simoni and Marco Pantani. Decent company...but it doesn't get you out of Father's Day responsibilities...
Only Father’s Day message I’ve had so far 😂 https://t.co/q3LF9eWaZ7
🇳🇱 Mathieu van der Poel preparing for the Tour de France. 😁 (Instagram @mathieuvdpoel) pic.twitter.com/OSNuUQnFfE
In fairness, he wasn't just bombing it down trails. Over on Strava, Van der Poel called this ride: "The only way to make VO2 fun" so it seems he's doing some proper training. Yes, when I say proper training, I do mean — suffering (not just having fun)...
From the file, we're seeing: 15 minutes of warming up followed by five big ol' 30-second efforts with 30 seconds rest between. Oh...and then four five-minute efforts separated by some more resty bits...and almost two hours endurance to finish...'proper' training...
Agreed!! Went on Sunday and slow walked round it in 15 minutes! Oh well, at least the credit card came back intact 🤣🤣
It wasn't all bad...(although we suspect Dirk might not have actually attended...)
It wasn't all bad. I bought a new lawnmower and a set of caserole dishes.
— Dirk Kildair (@Dirk_Kildair) June 20, 2022
vthejk commented: "I've heard some mixed press about the cycling show from a group I am part of — MTB Colour Collective — who as the name suggests are very keen on getting people of colour and underrepresented Asian, Black British, Afro-Caribbean and Pacific communities, into cycling. The consensus was that it was good to see a wider range of BAME communities represented in the speakers. Dr Marlon Moncrieffe, Kye Whyte, Mildred Locke and Vedangi Kulkarni were notable examples. However, as mentioned there was the waiting around and travelling miles just to see a handful of speakers.
"I reckon the missed opportunity was not backing the excellent range of speakers up by snagging a wider range of quality British cycling brands, spotlighting local grassroots initiatives and making the rest of the stuff a bit more...grounded. Basically — the selection of speakers sends a message of diversity and accessibility, but the rest of the show didn't at least at face value."
AlsoSomniloquism added: "The Cycling Show that had been held in Birmingham for the last six years or so moved to Olympia in London. So I expect some people might have thought that was the same one and it wasn't (although that was shrinking as the 2019 one had less big brands and were in smaller halls with smaller test tracks).
"However, I had free tickets but didn't go as there didn't appear to be any bike brands represented at the time. I think Freewheel or another national website stated they were appearing with brands that they represented in the end but still would have been a smattering."
In response to this week's rail strikes, Brompton Bike Hire has announced it is offering free bike hire for the strike period. All customers have to do is join as a member (for a quid...so not completely free) and get five days of free hire using the code STRIKE.
The offer ends at 11:59pm on Friday 24th June and hire is £5 per day thereafter. For more info or to sign-up visit Brompton Hire...
Let's start with the positive — G's back winning WorldTour stage races... and with just a fortnight until the Tour de France...
Not bad company 🤣👌 https://t.co/oAsoO65pHT
Let's ignore the fact a third of the field, including Ineos leader Adam Yates and race leader Aleksandr Vlasov, abandoned due to Covid positives or being close contacts of Covid positives...
Say it quietly...could G be hitting form just in time for the big one?
He'll have to practise his rock paper scissor skills if he wants a second yellow jersey...
Rafaj Majka and Tadej Pogacar take a 1-2 at the Tour of Slovenia... decided by a game of rock, paper, scissors! 😅 pic.twitter.com/YfyujYGMkM
Yep, Tadej Pogačar and Rafał Majka continued their Tour of Slovenia domination winning a stage each this weekend as Pog took his home race overall. The pair won 80 per cent of the race's stages last week...
> Peter Sagan tests positive for Covid-19 – for third time in 18 months
That's the positive done...Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl's Yves Lampaert was on the naughty step yesterday, blocking rival Tim Wellens during the Baloise Belgium Tour's 'golden kilometre' — a crucial kilometre with three bonus second sprints — which decided the five-stage race. Lampaert's teammate Mauro Schmid and Wellens were tied on time going into the final stage when this happened...
This stinks - UCI rules need a clause that leads not only to DSQ for a move like Lampaert’s but also to a penalty for an individual who benefits from unfair actions of a teammate. It’s a team sport. pic.twitter.com/IFFVDFO4cq
— Robbie McEwen AM (@mcewenrobbie) June 19, 2022
GCN+ and Eurosport commentator Carlton Kirby called the celebrating riders, including subsequently disqualified Lampaert, "hyenas"...
Hyenas today sadly... https://t.co/20J27dphcR
The women's Tour de Suisse stage three fills the void without three races a day. Next on the men's agenda? National champs and the small matter of the Tour de France...
The first year of the National Cycling Show, hosted at the N.E.C in Birmingham this weekend, has received a cold reception from attendees who have flooded the event's Facebook page with one-star reviews and negative comments...
The set up began this morning for the show this weekend… we can’t wait for the doors to open at 9am tomorrow morning!🚴 😃 #nationalcyclingshow pic.twitter.com/ZZoBNM9WyF
— The National Cycling Show (@NatCyclingShow) June 17, 2022
The event was billed as "an immersive retail experience enabling consumers to try and buy everything from bikes to accessories", with the aim of "normalising" cycling and attracting new audiences.
However, as per some unanimously unimpressed attendee reviews on Facebook, the show failed to deliver, with several calling it a "waste of time", and others expressing disappointment at the lack of bikes on display and questionable vendor choices.
"You'd be better off nipping down your local bike shop"
One disgruntled visitor said: "You'd be better off nipping down your local bike shop than going to The National Cycle Show, hardly any bikes mostly about gels and hydration." While another said it was "full of tat"...
"Total waste of time, full of tat. If you want a massage machine or even some hair straighteners (I kid you not) your luck is in. But as for bikes and accessories/parts not much on offer. You even get to pay £16 for parking which, at an event you can easily walk around in an hour, is disgraceful. The only positive is there are some good speakers including Sir Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny but there is no way you can hang around all day just to listen to them. Extremely poor show."
The event has attracted 13 one-star reviews on Facebook, at the time of writing, as well as a string of negative comments under posts about the event.
One called it a "huge disappointment" before writing: "If you want a cycling show, focus on businesses that have cycling at their heart ... not those who tack on cycling as an afterthought. Sorry, but your organisers need to consider cyclists and what they want."
Another said they had travelled 180 miles to an event they only spent an hour at. "It was mainly supplement-based. Would have wanted to see more bikes and accessories. This event will need to grow before I go back."
So how did the National Cycling Show reply?
In reply to one, the National Cycling Show responded: "This is our very first event, launched during a pandemic and we did our best to deliver a great experience for you guys. We didn't have any drop-outs — you can view the list of 135 brands, all of the feature activations and speaker sessions that we had on show here. Believe me we take every comment seriously and to heart. Thank you for taking the time to write to us and hopefully you join us again next year, where the show will be bigger and better." We have also contacted the organiser for comment, and will update if/when we get one...
Here are some more of the one-star reviews: "Too many irrelevant stands not enough trade and dealer merchandise. Had list of things wanting to buy came away with nothing."
"More massage guns on display than bikes and a stall with hair straighteners. Not at all like the previous shows that have been there. Very disappointing."
"The worst cycle show I have ever been to. Absolute rubbish, nothing but a collection of tat vendors and a single bike manufacturer. Pathetic."
"I was really looking forward to looking at new bikes but it was a disappointment. The main players were absent from the show, one small hall with more charities, massage stands, food stands than bike-related equipment. Where were Trek, Specialized, Giant, BMC, Cannondale, Scott, Focus, Canyon, Ribble? I am really sorry but the organisers of this event need to rethink their strategy for attracting bike and equipment manufacturers and retailers for next year. I would NOT recommend this event unless you want to increase your contributions to charities, purchase some hair straighteners, some flapjack or brownies. Complete waste of time and money."
Not everyone commenting on the event's posts was as disappointed as the reviewers...
One reply said: "Loved everything at the show!!! Great for all the family!!! Can't wait for next year!!" While someone else said: "We had a good time, it may not have the big brands, but lots of smaller businesses that were passionate about cycling and knew their product and were really helpful."
Another satisfied visitor replied to a negative comment: "For the record my husband and I really enjoyed The Show. We thought the talks were excellent and we enjoyed talking to the vendors and charities and trusts alike."
Did you go to the National Cycling Show? What was your experience? Would you consider going again in the future? Let us know in the comments...
New bike season is here...
Is this the new Giant Propel? Tony Martin set tongues wagging after posting photos of himself on a mysterious new bike. Elsewhere on road.cc this weekend...
> UCI downgrades RideLondon Classique due to "unacceptable lack of respect" for teams and riders
Joe Biden took a tumble after getting all tangled up in his toe straps when he stopped to greet a crowd of well-wishers while out for a spin in Delaware.
Closer to home, a Labour MP was the victim of an attempted bike theft as a brazen angle grinder-wielding thief in London fled the scene after being approached by staff from a restaurant.
In April, the City of Edinburgh transport convenor confirmed changes would be made to Leith Walk's protected cycle lane following criticism. I'm sure some would ask if said 'changes' are simply: ripping it up, designing something better, and starting again...
> ‘Moronic’: Edinburgh Council to make changes to bizarre zig-zag cycle lane after social media backlash
Here's how it feels to ride it, thanks to Dave McCraw for filming the chaos...
Almost 20 years and £1bn+ in the making, you'll never forget your first time on the Leith Walk strategic cycle corridor. pic.twitter.com/JGq7FGsgUp
— Dave McCraw (@david_mccraw) June 18, 2022
Or rather, THIS is how it feels to ride it (without camera stabilisation)...
The surface is extremely bumpy, with camera stabilisation turned off: pic.twitter.com/43b2DQBJoZ
— Dave McCraw (@david_mccraw) June 18, 2022
So, what else is wrong with it? (Bar the blatantly obvious)...
You can come out of the supermarket and walk onto the cycle super highway without crossing any tactile paving (!) and visually, it might trick a pedestrian into not realising there's a cycle track at all due to the weird materials change: pic.twitter.com/rUEV6ZIyNs
— Dave McCraw (@david_mccraw) June 18, 2022
And the pavement is absolutely, OBSCENELY narrow for a boulevard that is wider than the M8 most of the way down... pic.twitter.com/AP5zr9vJhM
— Dave McCraw (@david_mccraw) June 18, 2022
To a backdrop of criticism and social media jibes, transport convenor Lesley Macinnes said: "No-one is happy with the current situation but this is a far from finished part of the overall project. There are clear issues in how the design has been applied during construction and these have been raised as defects."
I still cannot believe this is actually being built. We really spent limited tax funds on this. Someone was PAID genuine money to create this design and then somehow, thinking people approved it. Was the project remit create accidents and make Edinburgh look moronic? #Edinburgh pic.twitter.com/7jGkWfrJFl
— Allasan Seòras Buc 🦓🌻 (@Airisaiia) April 6, 2022
It's not finished and I hope it can be improved but the Leith walk cycle path looks terrible, the tactile paving inconsistent, ultiity covers badly placed and the pavement too narrow. This is the 2nd path put in in last few years, very frustrating if it's inadequate again. https://t.co/DLxz06ndAF pic.twitter.com/rRd2qFLasa
Dan joined road.cc in 2020, and spent most of his first year (hopefully) keeping you entertained on the live blog. At the start of 2022 he took on the role of news editor. Before joining road.cc, Dan wrote about various sports, including football and boxing for the Daily Express, and covered the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for The Non-League Paper. Part of the generation inspired by the 2012 Olympics, Dan has been 'enjoying' life on two wheels ever since and spends his weekends making bonk-induced trips to the petrol stations of the south of England.
I don't think anyone doubts that they do waste a lot of time on trivial things (often in government-sponsored business, never mind what private...
Mikey does it to keep us all safe.
I purchased a Ribble on Jan 6th 2022 and it finally arrived on the 22nd June 2022....A painful wait!
🤣🤣🤣 The benefit is my bikes now live in the back room so they are less likely to get stolen.
And then they turned off making no real progress. I feel dizzy watching that !
And just like that, probably not PBU but another of the same set of drive-through opinions did precisely that on t'other thread.
This is quite right , frankly I don't think the plod want to be bothered with these pesky cyclists, they actually have the affrontery to take up...
The porpoising problem experienced by some F1 teams isn't due to the innacuracy of CFD; porpoising isn't a purely aerodynamic effect. Suspension...
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