Two famous faces from the cycling world having a chat over a spin around the south-west of Glasgow, featuring, of course, the obligatory cafe stop...it wouldn't be a very good cafe ride without a refreshment stop, would it?
Pippa York is Matt Stephens' first guest back. Expect stories from the peloton, discussion on the inclusion of transgender athletes in sport, and Pippa's perspective on her new career in front of the camera and behind the mic.
A report which surfaced the week before Christmas in German newspaper Bild claimed 1997 Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich had been admitted to hospital after relapsing into alcoholism.
However, Ullrich has addressed the reports, telling the German news outlet, "I had a thrombosis and very severe blood poisoning. I escaped death again.
"To dispel all speculation: At the start of the treatment, I had a drug test done - and of course it was negative."
It turns out Ullrich spent time in hospital in Mexico and has continued his rehab on returning to Europe. The 48-year-old also thanked Lance Armstrong for his support.
"He was the first person who came to see me in the hospital. He helped me a lot. I want to thank him for that," Ullrich continued, before explaining his ongoing back problems have caused him to shrink.
"Three or four intervertebral discs have completely collapsed in the meantime. I'm only 1.81 meters now, I used to be 1.83 metres."
We can all play a role in reporting dangerous driving to @metpoliceuk using dashcams & headcams. @MikeyCycling has been a pioneer in using headcam tech to help make our streets safer for all
You can submit camera footage to the Met Police here: https://t.co/BDZXPKgKjVhttps://t.co/pH0aD4BGrY— Will Norman (@willnorman) January 5, 2022
The Guardian has done a feature with CyclingMikey (and kindly linked back to our story on his points victory over Chris Eubank)...
It's well worth a read for a look at what makes Mikey tick, and the story of why he started filming law-breaking drivers.
"I just like to think that with the power of one I’m trying to change a little bit of road safety," is a particular favourite from the interview. Have a read here...
Maxine Peake was on The One Show last night talking about her new BBC drama Rules of the Game...AND more importantly the Rapha Festive 500.
Maxine completed the challenge with seven rides, mainly around the Manchester area and down into Cheshire, averaging 71.46km per activity.
And before she began talking to Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas about her new show, the actress addressed the important business — riding bikes.
"It can get in the way of your Christmas a little bit," Peake admitted. "You're taking your bike everywhere and constantly checking your Strava to make sure you've made the miles, but it's good because it plateaus off the weight gain."
Anyone else complete the 500?
Elect people who bicycle.
— Mayor John J. Bauters (@JohnBauters) January 4, 2022
Wait for it...
Yes, yes … EXCEPT Boris Johnson. 🤦🏻♂️👎🏼
— Mayor John J. Bauters (@JohnBauters) January 4, 2022
World champion Mathieu van der Poel will not defend his cyclo-cross world title later this month, Alpecin-Fenix have announced. Van der Poel's winter has been blighted by injury, and following the latest flare up of his back injury, the 26-year-old has decided to prioritise recovery, hopefully in time for the spring Classics.
The news is not particularly unexpected. Yesterday, Van der Poel's father, Adrie, told Sporza that his son would not be competing this week and hinted that the remainder of his cyclo-cross season was in jeopardy.
This morning, in a team press release, Mathieu confirmed the news, "I can't say much about it, it is what it is. Because of that back pain I haven’t been able to reach my desired level since the Tour. I just want that to be in the past.
"The only remedy turns out to be a longer rest period. It would therefore be foolish to interrupt this period again and still try to make it to the World Championships. We all agree on that. Even though it is very bitter – I have participated in the World CX Championships 10 consecutive times – not being able to defend my title in the States is a real downer.
"I'm not worried about the future of my career, but of course it frustrates me now not knowing how long this rest period will last. We’ll only set a date and goals if we can do so in a substantiated manner. Until then, I'll do what I can."
One cyclist now has the perfect response to any online troll brandishing 'cyclists don't pay road tax' in defence of (usually) very bad driving...because he does pay road tax...well, not really, because the summon from India's Dibiyapur municipality has been scrapped and there is an investigation into why they were served the £1,500 bill...
Suresh Chandra from Sehud owns just a bicycle but was slapped with a notice to stump up Rs 1.5 lakh (roughly £1,500) as a motor vehicle tax between June 2014 and September 2021.
DNA reports the security guard took the note to his neighbours as he and his son could not read the letter, and were surprised to find out it had been issued in the name of his 16-year-old son, Sudhir.
An ARTO official said the notice had been incorrectly issued and that the matter will be thoroughly investigated and action taken against the persons responsible.
And they didn't even need a loophole-specialising lawyer to get them off the charge...