Bike markings being removed from the road @SunriseCycleway... pic.twitter.com/ejq7XqR5Lz
— Paul G (@PaulGmedia) November 2, 2020
As announced by North Tyneside Council the Sunrise Cycleway, which they insisted was always a temporary measure, is being removed to make way for the resumption of two-way traffic. The decision is not without controversy with many local users lamenting the decision as a backwards step in the campiagn for more active travel infrastructure. Last week the council plugged their new fleet of electric cargo bikes on the cycleway without mentioning that they were keen to scrap the the project a week later. The council were also accused of misleading the public by changing their website to call the cycleway a temporary project. North Tyneside Council refuted these claims saying the word 'temporary' was added due to members of the public asking for clarification about the future of the scheme.
Cycling insurance company Laka have announced a crowdfuning campaign to allow people to invest in the business. Laka's collective-based business model has attracted praise from customers and the wider public alike with it winning the 'Best cycle insurance provider for three years running'.
Laka CEO Tobias Taupitz explained the move: "Following years of growth, we want to grow faster and bring the collective along with us. Laka has loads of potential - that’s why we’re crowdfunding."
Just picked up those now. @NTCouncilTeampic.twitter.com/8uWP6unoh2
— claire prospert (@claireprospert) November 2, 2020
After the disturbing news this morning that more than 100 nails had been found scattered across the Sunrise Cycleway, another cyclist has found nails elsewhere on the route. Claire Prospert tweeted the picture above which shows more nails collected from the cycleway near Tynemouth. Vigilante targeting of cyclists became concerningly common during the lockdown earlier this year with several instances reported of tacks being put down in Regent's Park and other popular cycle routes. In North Yorkshire, two pensioners were talked to by the Police after admitting to have deliberately moved rocks and branches to block a path.
Lizzie Deignan and Elisa Longo Borghini have committed to Trek-Segafredo until at least 2022. Deignan, who won La Course by Le Tour de France and Liege-Bastogne-Liege this year has been riding for the American team since 2019 and put off plans to retire at the end of 2020.
Deignan said: "It was a really easy decision for me to sign with Trek-Segafredo. I found myself to be really happy in the team, very comfortable. I know I’m very lucky to be in the position to re-sign with the team. I had always envisioned retiring after the 2020 Olympic Games, but I think the fact that I’m enjoying my job so much and experiencing such an enjoyable team environment means that I feel motivated to continue further and not just draw a line on my career next year. I don’t see a reason to stop when everything is going so well."
Lots of great changes in my neighborhood. A safe cycle lane being built, and today the new @ChiswickFlowers Market. Everyone friendly, socially distanced and wore masks (apart from the person in the yellow anorak with the placard saying the improvements are DESTROYING CHISWICK) pic.twitter.com/H1ZWG5OOlC
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) November 1, 2020
Family cycling past the Flower Market. No silly queues along the pavement this time. pic.twitter.com/ZFL1Re6Adr
— Chiswick Flower Market (@ChiswickFlowers) November 1, 2020
Jonathan Shubert broke the RRA Straight out 100 mile record in a provisional time of 2 hours 57 minutes 58 seconds giving him a staggering average speed of over 53km/h for the 100 miles. The course ran from Milton Keynes to Norwich, Shubert beat his own existing record of 3 hours 8 minutes 14 seconds with today's effort. During the attempt Shubert was supported by Michael Broadwidth following in the car to track his pace. Broadwith also holds an outstanding endurance cycling record of his own having set the Land's End to John O'Groats record in 2018.
A person riding unfeasibly quickly on a bicycle pic.twitter.com/L80tA4zmrH
— Mr Broadwith (@24HourMaths) November 2, 2020
Garmin-Tacx will provide all trainers for the inaugural UCI Zwift Cycling Esports World Championships. The partnership will see Tacx supply all participants with the Tacx NEO 2T Smart trainer. All participants will be competing on standardised equipment to create the fairest possible competition.
He was laying the foundations way back in 2005 when I met him first, by chance, while doing a photoshoot on Mont Ventoux. pic.twitter.com/C8YqDwzkOB
— Chris Sidwells (@ChrisSidwells) May 29, 2019
A stunning win at the Vuelta for 26-year-old Hugh Carthy on Angliru yesterday but it seems he's been practising that trademark gurn since a young age. Here he is scaling another of Europe's great climbs with no helmet and overshoes aged 11.
A second lockdown is coming this week with widespread restrictions coming into play on Thursday. This is how the new National Restrictions will impact cycling. Let us know your thoughts in the poll below...
Sadly today's incident in the north-east isn't the first instance of cyclists being targeted with traps. Back in May these nail traps were hidden under soil on a trail in East Cleveland in the north-east. On the same day we reported that pins and nails had been deliberately spread in Regents' Park.
The first lockdown earlier this year saw a spike in vigilante attacks against cyclists with two pensioners in North Yorkshire spoken to by the police after rocks and branches were found blocking a path to stop cyclist using it.
There's a new Kickstarter going round hoping to make cycling safer. The Weelight vest claims to be the smartest safety vest on the market and has indicators, brake lights and LED lights. However, as many cyclists have pointed out the safety features of the entire £135 vest could be achieved simply by having lights and using hand signals.
Whilst I appreciate that some cyclists can have problems indicating with their arm as it involves taking a hand off the bars. This isn't a product that most people will need.
The solution to their original problem is clear, buy some bike lights, indicate with your arm.— CycleGaz™ (@cyclegaz) November 1, 2020
It starts off with the guy saying how vulnerable he feels when cycling at night.
It might be because you don't have any lights! pic.twitter.com/9Qbq99f6Cg— CycleGaz™ (@cyclegaz) November 1, 2020
It's not the first time we've seen some questionable cycling tech claiming to improve rider safety. These indicator lights received £45,000 worth of investment from Nick Jenkins on Dragons' Den.
The Sunrise Cycleway has gained a great deal of attention in recent weeks with the segregated bike lane, that was introduced earlier this year, set to be scrapped by North Tyneside Council. This morning, Alison Stenning highlighted that the cycleway had been targeted by vandals - who scattered nails across the road surface.
She said: "Making the most of the last hours of Sunrise Cycleway
and found these scattered on the path. Whatever your feelings about cyclists and the cycleway, this is violent and dangerous."
Last week North Tyneside Council received criticism for promoting their new fleet of electric cargo bikes on the cycleway.
122 tacks collected on @SunriseCycleway between the Grand Hotel and Cullercoats, plus some that others took. There were children cycling, people jogging in the cycle lane, dogs crossing it, and lots of people like me just trying to get somewhere or get some exercise. pic.twitter.com/Zb1W2QQg7r
— Alison Stenning #2metres #givespace (@alisonstenning) November 2, 2020
Yesterday's Vuelta stage featured the climb most often named as the toughest climb in the sport - the Angliru. Officially 13.2km at 9.4% but with the final 6.2km at 13.7% and regular pitches to nearer 25% suggests the Angliru certainly has a strong claim to the title of toughest climb in the world.
Monte Zoncolan, a regular feature in the Giro d'Italia, has some calf-shredding slopes too and boasts an average gradient of 12.4% for 9.5km, with five kilometres north of 14%.
Back in 2017 we covered another Italian climb with some incredible percentages.10.2km at 18% sounds horrible but that's exactly what the Pozza San Glisente offers.
"The worst thing I've ever encountered in my life."@Harrytanfield94 summing up the brutal Angliru 🏔👀#LaVuelta20pic.twitter.com/KQfUYHX7Hd
— ITV Cycling (@itvcycling) November 1, 2020
Widely regarded as the hardest climb in the sport, the Angliru is a brutal test even for the professional peloton. The climb hosted yesterday's summit finish at the Vuelta which was won by EF Pro Cycling's Hugh Carthy ahead of Alexandr Vlasov and Enric Mas. Before a downhill run to the line, the climb ascends for 6.2km at 13% with gradients closer to 25% in places.
Chris Froome described the Angliru as "savage".
"When you say Angliru I just think of relentless pitches. Especially in some of the corners it's over 25% - the TV cameras really don't do it justice,"he explained to ITV.
British rider Harry Tanfield was the last man home, almost 39 minutes behind stage winner Carthy and stated afterwards that the climb was "the worst thing I've ever encountered in my life".
Of the riders who uploaded their rides to Strava Jumbo-Visma climber Sepp Kuss posted the fastest time, taking the KOM with a 44 minute ascent. By contrast, Tanfield spent one hour seven minutes grinding his way to the finish line.
Here's where we are heading to! The Alto de l'Angliru is here! ⛰
IT. IS. STEEP! 😯 pic.twitter.com/iQscniUqau
— Mitchelton-SCOTT (@MitcheltonSCOTT) November 1, 2020