Live blog: Introducing the Dutch Headwind Cycling Championships; Driver complaining about Bristol traffic told to get a bike... by his own wife; Brighton proposes car ban; Tour de Yorkshire routes; Ribble launch 'Live In-Store' retail experience + more

Each year, on the windiest day of the year, the Dutch Headwind Cycling Championships take place on the Oosterscheldekering Storm Surge Barrier.

Over 200 competitors ride the 8.5 km course against 100+ km/hr winds on upright single-speed bikes. Watch more: https://t.co/h2sVb6819Tpic.twitter.com/OIU0iVTiUd

— Dutch Cycling Embassy (@Cycling_Embassy) January 17, 2020

There's been a pretty strong westerly wind blowing across most of the UK today... and if you're heading west on the way home and fancy spicing things up with some cycling colleagues, how about devising your own Headwind Cycling Championships?

The Championships take place on 'the windiest day of the year' annually on the Netherlands' Oosterscheldekering storm barrier (we're not sure if they just wait for that day or guess which one will be windiest prior to the date) and competitors must ride the entire 8.5km course against winds of more than 100km/h on standard issue, upright single-speed bikes. 

Around 200 individuals take part each year setting off at intervals in a time trial format; there is also a team event. The inaugural race was won by Olympic mountain biker Bart Brentjens in a time of 17 minutes and 51 seconds, which is still the course record. 

In part two of today's luxurious custom bike brand financial news, purveyors of featherlight£450 handlebars Schmolke have bought THM Carbones, purveyors of similarly weightless carbon brakes and stems. 

THM Carbones was owned by 3T since 2016, and the new takeover began on the 1st January: "This takeover will create a full range supplier for carbon bicycle components made in Germany at highest level of quality", say Schmolke. 

Shouts out to the man in Audi SQ7 having a go at me for “taking up the whole road”. BRUV LOOK AT THE SIZE OF YOUR CAR.

It’s cool though as you said you were cyclist too so you know. Bet your mum is your bike with that inbred irrational. Clown. pic.twitter.com/GkxM1OsdjF

— AlecBriggs/ Pedaler (@Alec_Pedaler) January 17, 2020

Crit specialist Alec Briggs was also subjected to "I'm a cyclist too", but unfortunately the driver forgot to mention 'road tax" in his game of anti-cycling bingo. 

The Argus reports that Brighton and Hove City Council will be debating a proposal that could see private cars banned from Brighton city centre if implemented. 

The proposal was put forward by Green Councillor Amy Heley, who requested that council officers access the viability of a car ban and what any exemptions would be. It reads: “The climate emergency, the environmental and public health crisis caused by air pollution, and dangerous roads can and must be tackled by drastically reducing private car use in the city centre”.

As the only place in the country with a Green Party parliamentary seat (Brighton Pavilion, that Caroline Lucas won with a landslide in December) it might come as no surprise such proposals have come from Brighton; although they have come after similar announcements from York, Birmingham and Bristol in the past few weeks. 

The proposal will be debated by Brighton's environment, transport and sustainability committee on Tuesday next week. 

Oh, the irony... didn´t get a job once because in their words... "I didn´t get the lad banter" now patting themselves on the back for all the work they do for women in sports

— Laura Scott (@Laura_Scott) January 16, 2020

Scott hasn't mentioned who the potential employer was, but claims they are now "patting themselves on the back for all the work they do for women in sports." 

You'll find details of the pro races below, and above is the course for the sportive on 3rd May. It will start and finish in Leeds city centre, with the 132km long route taking in the 'Cote de Cow' and Calf climbs (new for 2020) and old favourites such as Greenhow. The medium route is 81km and the short 50km, and a special edition Rapha jersey made specially for the event has also just been released... 

5,000 riders are expected to ride the sportive, which takes place a few hours before the pro men and women begin their final stage. 

This year! It's nearly ready. The NorthRoad Wolf with in built hydration is a matter of weeks away. A British designed and built Tri bike to compete with the best.

For more info and ordering details just dm.#cycling#buybritish#bemorewolf#triathlon#tt#ironman#aatrpic.twitter.com/DkCWJluHwD

— NorthRoadCycles (@NorthRoadCycles) January 17, 2020

It could probably do with a saddle, handlebars and a drivetrain, but when those bits are sorted it looks like NorthRoad Cycles are launching their very non-UCI legal Wolf tri bike imminently. 

If you don't like shopping in shops but still want all the benefits of shopping in shops, Ribble Cycles may have the solution for you... they've just launched 'Live In-Store', which gives customers using Ribble's website the chance to interact with a member of staff live from a physical Ribble store, all from the comfort of their own homes. 

Ribble say they are the first in the bike industry to offer such a service, with dedicated and trained Live In-Store experts giving you the chance to browse the shelves, see things in more detail and get extra advice via your phone, tablet or computer. It's all being made possible by the Go Instore customer engagement platform, who are handling the technology side of things for the Ribble experts to broadcast themselves to customers. Go Instore's Co-founder Andre Hordagoda said: “As a keen cyclist and having been through the consultative process of buying road bikes over the years, I fully appreciate the need for professional support in getting sizing and configuration just right. From the early conceptual days of Go Instore we always felt we would work well with a leader in this category - so it’s great to be partnering with an award-
winning brand such as Ribble and we are excited to deliver their excellent customer
service to consumers worldwide”

Live In-Store will be offered by the team at Ribble's Preston shop, and will be rolled out in their other locations if successful. Audio is two-way and video is just one-way (they can't see you), good to know for those who have just rolled out of bed and fancy a new bike. The service will also be offered with extended 'opening' hours, including evenings and Sundays, and you can head over to Ribble's website for more info. 

What with big name bike shop chains such as Cycle Surgery and Evans in turmoil, is this the way forward? Let us know your thoughts as always...