Thank us later, @OutOfCycling! 😏 pic.twitter.com/loqt9DSROa
— ABLOC Continental Team (@ABLOC_CT) February 11, 2022
Don't think this was part of the course? Somehow race organisers didn't manage to communicate that something was clearly occurring up ahead, and an oblivious peloton just about managed to steer itself over a grass verge and onto the other side of the road to avoid a major pile-up.
A cheeky impromptu gravel section or simply an organisational cock-up of the highest order? We reckon this just about sums up what happened during the route planning for this stage...
The stage route map: https://t.co/NchChW0OHppic.twitter.com/7GgLZtNlyd
— Belinda (@reallyspoketome) February 11, 2022
This Aussie cyclist was miffed to have to stop for a driver turning left into a side road, despite the pretty clear 'no left turn' arrow.
As you'll see from the rear camera in the second half of the clip, it looks like they were dealt with by an officer in the right place at the right time.
The poster added: "Unfortunately this enforcement is very sporadic and doesn't scale very well. That road goes to the freeway, so the cop can't just turn back and quickly do it again. They need to do a big loop so tend to only do it once or twice a day, probably at the end of their shift on the way back to the station."
Not meaning to overdramatise — but having properly looked at this video, I now think it's the closest I've come to dying on my bicycle since I started cycling in London ten years ago. And it shows that you can die without doing a single thing wrong, or ever knowing what hit you. https://t.co/HqDnIGTmQG
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) February 10, 2022
This is the argument I make often against the use of mirrors. Do you really wham to see what’s going on behind you? And would it make a difference?
— Righttobikeit (@righttobikeit) February 10, 2022
From the front view I thought you were being overdramatic. From the rear I see your point. I don't think he saw you late, it was just haste to undertake the lorry.
— James Metcalfe (@JamesMe08634687) February 11, 2022
Christ, that's horrendous. And not overdramatizing at all.
— Ellie Pyemont 🚢🧡 (@elliepyemont) February 10, 2022
The broadcaster's footage doesn't at first look like one of the worst pieces of driving we've seen in our Near Miss of the Day series over the years - but from behind it makes for particularly troubling viewing.
Another of Vine's recent recordings has been pulled from Twitter as the police are now involved. Hopefully they catch up with the driver in the above clip too...
Please note. This film has been removed because the driver is now subject to police action. pic.twitter.com/FjJKhDYeyT
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) February 10, 2022
On episode 18 we're chatting those all important Highway Code changes, and Mat gets to nerd out on cycling shoes with Alex Malone of Bont.
Simon also talks to Tim Lennon of the Richmond Cycling Campaign, who talks about the bizarre media coverage after this shocking video of a close pass on his daughter did the rounds on Twitter:
Why would anyone be this much of a shit to an adult, let alone a little girl?! Why is getting in front worth that?
(Video: @lucullus) pic.twitter.com/5avckGgfLD— Rory Meakin (@rorymeakin) February 2, 2022
Catch up with the episode over here.
This tongue-in-cheek addition to a sign encouraging Bolton locals to walk and cycle is in referenced to the region's underwhelming active travel campaign, after a widened cycle lane with wands segregating it was removed from Chorley New Road after it proved unpopular with angry residents/people who want to drive everywhere.
According to the Bolton News, the original sign was put in around the time the segregated cycle lane was installed with cash from the Emergency Active Travel scheme, that saw extra cycling and walking provisions built across the country as part of the pandemic response.
Unfortunately this one was an example of on that was ripped out due to a backlash, such as the Old Shoreham Cycle Lane in Hove. The council says it doesn't intend to reinstall the cycle lane despite the sign suggesting at least one resident thinks the removal is somewhat contradictory.
Cllr Andy Morgan told Bolton News: "Following the consultation in regards to the cycle lanes on Chorley Old Road, we removed the orca wands in light of what the majority of the public wanted.
"We weren't going to go back on doing it after people pushed for it to be removed.
"We encourage people to still cycle because cycle lanes are still there and are a lot bigger.
"The orca wands blocked the roads when turning right and cause a lot of traffic congestion.
"I have laughed about the sign though, which is quite comical."
Almost as comical as your active travel scheme, Cllr Morgan...
Photo: Henry Lisowski
If you're one of a lot of cyclists who has fallen victim to theft or vandalism when leaving your bike unattended at lacklustre facilities at your local train station, you might be looking on in envy at these new bike pods installed at Grand Central in New York.
Janno Leiber, the chair of New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority, says the pods will help encourage commuters to consider making that "last mile connection" by bike rather than using less efficient transportation.
The pods appear to have racks for multiple bikes, and users unlock it with their smartphone. Let's hope no particularly enterprising thieves decide to sign up and take their pick from what's inside...
Or should that be an alligator-hop?
💛 #TDF2022 team selection 💛
✅ The 18 UCI WorldTeams
✅ 🇧🇪@AlpecinFenix and 🇫🇷@Arkea_Samsic, 1st and 2nd placed UCI ProTeams in 2021
✅ 🇫🇷@BBHOTELS_KTM and 🇫🇷@TeamTotalEnrg, invited by the organizers.
🤩 See you in July! pic.twitter.com/WFbdyGUy1l
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) February 11, 2022
It seems to get earlier and earlier each year, but it’s that time already – the final two wildcard invitations to the 2022 Tour de France have been awarded!
And to the great surprise of many, two French teams – TotalEnergies and B&B Hotels p/b KTM – have filled the remaining non-WorldTour slots in the 22-team Tour peloton. Pro-Conti Alpecin-Fenix and Arkéa-Samsic were already automatically confirmed as wildcards owing to their position in the UCI rankings.
TotalEnergies, who have raced their home grand tour every year since 2000, were strengthened over the winter with the arrival of Peter Sagan, while Franck Bonnamour and new signing Alexis Gougeard will be under pressure to deliver for a now Bryan Coquard-less B&B Hotels.
Though the selection of two French squads by Tour organisers ASO is hardly a shock, some pundits and fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment that Uno-X missed out on a starting berth at cycling’s biggest race.
I think everyone agrees that Uno-X would be more attractive at the moment but yes French team, French race. Its the law
— José Been (@TourDeJose) February 11, 2022
The Norwegian team has eight Danish riders on its roster and, with the Tour’s Grand Départ taking place in Copenhagen this year, was targeting a spot on the start line after a strong 2021. As a consolation prize, ASO has invited Uno-X to June’s Critérium du Dauphiné, the traditional Tour warm-up race.
How am currently feeling… pic.twitter.com/ycxhoLqCO9
— Thomas O. Cornwallis (@UrbanistTOC) February 11, 2022
Ladies and gentlemen, @MarkCavendish's 157th pro victory!
Photo: @GettySportpic.twitter.com/FBDaIB3mhB
— Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team (@qst_alphavinyl) February 11, 2022
That didn’t take long, did it?
After being thwarted by Fernando Gaviria in yesterday’s opening stage of the Tour of Oman, Mark Cavendish made sure that lightning didn’t strike twice, taking his first win of 2022 – and the 157th professional victory of his career – with what appeared to be a convincing victory on stage two.
I say ‘what appeared to be’ because – apart from a short video taken on the line by journalist Sophie Smith – we didn’t actually see any of the stage. While the helicopter missed the shot of the finish line yesterday, today it missed the entire race, meaning there was no live footage available for us online diehards.
Mark Cavendish wins stage two of the Tour of Oman. #TourofOmanpic.twitter.com/qrlNrsJ8mr
— Sophie Smith (@SophieSmith86) February 11, 2022
Still a win’s a win, whether it’s on TV or not, and Cavendish will be pleased that his form appears to be on track as he attempts to convince QuickStep-Alpha Vinyl boss Patrick Lefevere to pick him for what could be a very historic Tour de France.
The omens look good: today’s stage in Oman was the Manx Missile’s earliest win since 2018 (or 2013, if you go by number of race days) and, with Gaviria finishing fourth on the day, means Cavendish takes over the race leader’s jersey.
The road to 35 might well now be under way – it’s just a pity barely anyone could see the beginning of it…
Not meaning to overdramatise — but having properly looked at this video, I now think it's the closest I've come to dying on my bicycle since I started cycling in London ten years ago. And it shows that you can die without doing a single thing wrong, or ever knowing what hit you. https://t.co/HqDnIGTmQG
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) February 10, 2022
Just when you thought a taxi driver throwing a glass bottle at a cyclist would be the worst thing Jeremy Vine caught on camera this month…
The pedalling presenter’s commute to work, now captured on his 360 helmet cam, has acquainted him with many a dodgy driver over the past decade.
However, this near miss from yesterday morning, Vine says, is “the closest I've come to dying on my bicycle since I started cycling in London ten years ago”.
The footage – which is particularly shocking when viewed from the back – captures a driver speeding past a lorry in a 20mph zone as they approach Vine in the same lane. The motorist, who only seems to spot the broadcaster at the last second, dramatically swerves, narrowly avoiding both Vine and the lorry.
According to the Radio 2 presenter, this alarming near miss “shows that you can die without doing a single thing wrong, or ever knowing what hit you.”
We all know a particular kind of motorist, the one who usually pops up in the Daily Mail comments section or on talk radio to pontificate about how cyclists are always breaking red lights, riding 73-abreast, not paying road tax, and generally causing a menace on our roads and frightening defenceless, law-abiding car drivers.
Well, thanks to active travel campaigner Adam Bronkhorst, we now have a handy catch-all term for these motorists – ‘carsplainers’ (although I’m sure you could think of a few other terms).
According to Bronkhorst’s definition on Urban Dictionary, carsplaining is “when someone who never rides a bike explains road safety to cyclists”.
His example sentence is pretty spot on: “He doesn't ride a bike but said, in true 'carsplaining' fashion, that 'all cyclists need to do to be safe on the roads and avoid any 'accidents' is to follow the Highway Code'.”
I made another submission to @urbandictionary
CARSPLAINING - When someone who never rides a bike explains road safety to cyclists. pic.twitter.com/m1Sg7EvPvD
— Adam Bronkhorst (@AdamBronkhorst) February 10, 2022
It seems Adam’s definition immediately pushed the buttons of a few carsplainers:
Great example of the kind of nasty stereotyping that is used to belittle cyclists, and just helps create animosity on the roads thereby making them less safe.
— Adam Bronkhorst (@AdamBronkhorst) February 10, 2022
Others suggested helpful additions to his example sentence (presumably taken from the Big Book of Cycling Bingo beloved by road.cc readers):
You missed off the bit where they begin the sentence with “as a cyclist myself” 😅
— ALF (@Falco_ALF) February 10, 2022
Think it’ll catch on? And what other examples can you think of for carsplaining?