A cyclist out for a leisurely spin got more than she bargained for when she happened across a bike propped against a wall on the outskirts of Camborne... as it quickly became apparent that someone else was being taken for a ride other than the bike's owner, when she claims to have witnessed "something like a cheesy porn shoot" taking place in broad daylight.
The woman known only as Lena told Cornwall Live that she saw two men on the path at around 4pm; one 'larger set' man was filming while the other, wearing a high-vis, was masturbating; which suggests that perhaps the bike was something to do with the plot of the film that Lena was unfortunate enough to catch a few frames of (no helmet was described, funnily enough).
She said: “I was out on a bike ride and came across the two men. I felt sick and it was disgusting.
“I’ve been up there before, walking and seen people lurking around the bushes, but this was in broad daylight on a public bridleway. It wasn’t even remotely funny, it was disturbing to say the least.
“I saw a bike perched up and at first thought it was someone going for a pee. It was lucky I didn’t have children with me.
"I ran to the road and called the police and was told local officers would go to the scene to check it out but I haven’t heard anything since.
“They were so close to the side of the path that I could see everything. It was like a cheesy porno shoot and definitely not what I was expecting."
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that they attended following reports of public indecency, but the culprits were not found after a search of the area. Hopefully no bikes were harmed in the making of the film, and as it was cut short hopefully it won't be coming to a cinema near you either...
The section of the Dumbreck Road trial has been missing protection for a week now and is a massive safety hazard for people on bikes. It needs fixed ASAP @AnnaLangside@GoBikeGlasgow#paintisnotprotectionpic.twitter.com/rkjv5BT4ll
— Chapman Crispfield (@isersmalone) July 8, 2020
Hello, I can confirm that cones were removed to divert traffic following an incident off the M77. When reviewing reinstatement, it was decided that this section will not be restored. Please see here https://t.co/NJyUNM0nEC for further information on this. Thanks ^G
— Glasgow City Council #StaySafe (@GlasgowCC) July 8, 2020
The scene of heavy motor traffic on the cycle lane has angered some Glasgow residents, who are questioning why cones were removed on the pop-up cycle lane. Glasgow City Council have already replied to say the lane "will not be restored" after cones were removed to divert traffic following an incident on the nearby M77; however the road is still left with signs that suggest it is a cycle lane.
This has been left stunningly dangerous. A dual carriageway contraflow cycle lane with no separation?
— James Bolivar diGriz (@Ichiboz) July 8, 2020
Horrific decision not to reinstate. Equally as bad to keep the paint now that it is not being reinstated.
— David Currie (@digmundfreud) July 8, 2020
New research: 40% of Londoners are cyclists and 25% regular cyclists. Likely to increase further as 9% of Londoners bought bikes during lock down🚲🚲🚲🚲 Our #StreetspaceLDN work is making London's roads safer to enable more people to walk and cycle.https://t.co/VsjQjjqJOE
— Will Norman (@willnorman) July 8, 2020
That's compared to 4.8% across the rest of the UK, according to new stats revealed to the Evening Standard by GlobalData. London is also said to have a larger percentage of cyclists overall according to separate data from Mintel, with 25% of Londoners cycling regularly compared to 17% nationally.
While it looks like a cross between an aerial and some kind of extraterrestrial arachnid, believe it or not this is actually a bike seat that is said to be pressure-relieving and prevents 'cycling energy loss'. It was spotted for sale on eBay by a member of the Zwift riders group on Facebook, and fellow Zwifters went to town with their observations...
While the Manta MS5 is priced at £33 on eBay, there's a bit of an ugly backstory here involving a squabble between the original creators of the saddle and the company that sells the Manta stock on eBay... on their website, the original Manta Design Ltd sell the current version of the MS5 for £149.99, and claim the eBay saddles are 'B-grade' and not intended for use except for demonstrations and indoor cycling. In an article titled 'eBay B-Grade', they say: "The batch we binned, for sale on eBay, is sold without realistic product description – we do NOT approve of any sales made on this basis."
The eBay seller 'mantabsaddle', on the other hand, say that the version they sell is perfectly useable, and their relationship with Manta Design ended when the owner demanded they increase the prices.
On the eBay listing description they continue: "A while back we rescued Manta from financial crisis. For reasons that could fill a book, we parted company not long afterwards. Manta couldn’t repay us, so the pragmatic debt recovery agreement was that we took ownership of all the previous model stock to sell without restriction and as we saw fit. It enabled Manta to carry on trading.
"Despite everything, we think the Manta is a great saddle and we’re happy to sell and support it while our stock lasts. What we think of Manta's owner is not fit for print."
We came for the gags, but it's safe to say things escalated quickly...
.@BrightonHoveCC@Bricycles@ShorehamByCycle@roadcc Why don't cyclists use cycle lanes? pic.twitter.com/uF50vGw8cI
— Adam Bronkhorst (@AdamBronkhorst) July 7, 2020
While it won't allow you to time travel, Sidi say the new Sixty Ltd shoe is inspired by Doc Brown's futuristic automobile because of its 'innovative solutions' such as the Tecno-4 closure system. The iridescent colour scheme is also "a one-way ticket for a dazzling time-journey" say Sidi.
We haven't seen them pop up for sale in the UK yet, but you can buy the Sixty in numerous other colourways already priced at £330.
Ahead of the Women's Festival of Cycling between 11th-31st July, Cycling UK have used the comparison to highlight that cycling is relatively safe compared to other daily activities. They say that according to NHS stats, 150 times more people visited A+E for falling out of bed than those who had been hit by a bus or lorry while cycling between 2018/19. The stats also reveal cycling doesn't figure at all in the top 20 reasons for hospital admissions.
Cycling UK's head of engagement Helen Cook commented: “There is a mistaken belief among many people – but particularly women – that cycling is not a safe option for short journeys to work or for leisure. That could not be further from the truth and these NHS admission figures do show just how safe going for a ride is in relation to other activities.
“The Women’s Festival of Cycling was created to celebrate female cyclists and to encourage more women and non-binary people who are currently under-represented, to experience the healthy lifestyle and fantastic fun that cycling offers. We hope more women will be inspired throughout July to get out cycling and build up their confidence on two wheels.”
You can find out more about the Women's Festival of Cycling here.
Over 13 weeks up to the 3rd July, the retailer saw their cycling business enjoy a 57.1% boost compared to the same period last year; but a 45.4% drop in the motoring arm of their business equated to sales that were 2.8% lower in the frst quarter compared to 2019.
CEO Graham Stapleton commented: “The start of the current financial year has of course been dominated by the impact of Covid-19, and our status as an essential retailer was a clear endorsement of the wider role that Halfords has to play in keeping the UK moving.
“Having responded quickly and decisively to cater for the surge of popularity in cycling during lockdown, we are now seeing increased demand for motoring services and products as people start using their cars regularly again, having not done so for the last few months.”
The hearing for the former British Cycling and Team Sky doctor will now take place between Tuesday 6 October – Thursday 26 November 2020. There have been several delays to the proceedings due to Freeman's mental health issues, and eventually it began in October 2019 after an eight month delay.
Freeman was accused of ordering testosterone for Team Sky cyclists in 2011, however in his tribunal in November last year he claimed that he was "bullied"into getting sachets of testogel to treat Shane Sutton's erectile disfunction. Former British Cycling and Team Sky head coach Sutton denied those claims, and so far Freeman has admitted 18 of the 22 charges against him, including ordering the patches, but denies that they were intended for use by an athlete.
The one transportation choice where the journey is at least as good as the destination. pic.twitter.com/BcEZxfIbEq
— Michael Napiorkowski (@MichaelNapiork) July 7, 2020
One hell of an angle captured by Michael Napiorkowski from his trusty cargo bike here... chapeau!
“You don't need take up the middle of the road."pic.twitter.com/6fy0z4LQh5
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) July 7, 2020
The broadcaster often shares instance of bad driving from his commutes around London, and in this latest clip he is accused of being in the middle of the road as he overtakes another cyclist. The driver of the silver Audi is then shown driving over a crossing inches away from two pedestrians.
Vine inevitably catches up with the driver after he has overtaken and says: "What's your problem?"
The driver replies: "You don't need to be in the middle of the road. You don't need to take up the middle of the road."
Utterly unacceptable on so many levels... please report via https://t.co/J8zOmwY4Zh
The team will be keen to review this. Thank you!#RoadSafety#Cycling#London
— Andy Cox (@SuptAndyCox) July 7, 2020
Im sorry but he is right, he wants to go faster than you are cycling and can safely overtake you if you just moved to the left a bit. This is giving cyclists a bad reputation I’m sure most would be considerate and cycle on the side so cars can pass
— Lily ~ Stay home, Protect the NHS, Save lives ~ (@BrightandSoul) July 7, 2020
Typical behaviour from cyclists with cameras, deliberately frustrate drivers, provoke confrontations, so they can post on social media. The guy was way over on the right 100+yards before he went to overtake, deliberately blocking the driver clearly.
— Alemco Don (@chozusMachavell) July 7, 2020
While the broadcaster has been urged to report the incident by a police superintendent, not everyone agrees; and some even say he was being deliberately antagonistic by 'taking the lane'. Do you see anything untoward with Mr Vine's cycling in this instance?
Kids are now safely playing on roads in Lee Green where last week thousands of vehicles sped past each day bringing noise and pollution.
This is what Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are all about. pic.twitter.com/U6Opl2ljgh
— James Rathbone (@JamesARathbone) July 7, 2020
As more LTN's appear across the UK, children are reaping the benefits by having the street to themselves to ride bikes without the constant worry of rat-running traffic.
Earlier this week, the Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton Rupa Huq puzzled social media by saying that terrifying footage of a tree falling inches away from a bystander makes plans for a Low Traffic Neighbourhood in the area "even more ludicrous". It's fair to say not everyone agreed with her...