A classic of the Bikes on Trains live blog genre here, posted on a local active travel Facebook group by cyclist Karina as she travelled from Southampton to Brighton yesterday evening.
Apparently all the passengers squeezing past were “very understanding”. The bins, not so much…
Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Cox has joined the discussion on number plates for cyclists, saying he welcomes the media's road danger coverage... but suggested they would be better served "focusing on the primary causes of road death" which, he added, "is not cycling and it's not the issue of cyclist registration plates"...
I’d really welcome more road danger media coverage, especially if that focussed on the primary causes of road death. Btw, this is not cycling and it’s not the issue of cyclist registration plates. https://t.co/ngwqpMaudq
— Andy Cox (@AndyCoxDCS) June 12, 2023
A comment that sparked calls for Good Morning Britain to get in touch next time they need someone to 'debate' Howard Cox...
This all comes after the Partridgian heir Richard Madeley, the aforementioned Fair Fuel UK founder Cox and Timmy Mallett covered the topic in a rather rushed Good Morning Britain segment on yesterday morning's show.
In a series of events you can probably already predict, Cox claimed... cyclists "don't contribute anything financially to the roads". He also hit "running riot", running red lights and riding on pavements in a strong early anti-cycling bingo contender for this week.
So, yes, have a scroll back through yesterday's live blog if you wish, in the meantime, if Mr Cox is correct, it seems we can all claim back that tax we've been paying...
New name, same team, same values...introducing Team dsm-firmenich 🤩
We're excited to debut our new look at the @giro_donne and @LeTour! 🙌🏻#KeepChallengingpic.twitter.com/F46tjHnNuH
— Team DSM (@TeamDSM) June 13, 2023
Out with the old Team DSM, in with the new Team dsm-firmenich…
The name change for the Dutch team, which boasts Romain Bardet and the talented young British duo Max Poole and Pfeiffer Georgi, reflects the merger between health multinational DSM and Firmenich last month, and will make its debut at the upcoming Giro Donne and Tour de France.
(Eltoromediadotcom)
As well as the new name, DSM also revealed its new (kind of, I suppose) kit, complete with updated logo and – apparently – “blue” colour scheme.
Or, as Father Ted might say:
https://t.co/wXHlunXP95pic.twitter.com/iC2PR4qu53
— Mathew Mitchell (@MatMitchell30) June 13, 2023
And the entire peloton breathes a sigh of relief…
Today’s one-day race on Mont Ventoux has been shortened by 55km, with the second and final ascent of the Giant of Provence cut from the route due to the risk of storms this afternoon.
🔴En raison des mauvaises conditions météorologiques, l'arrivée sera jugée au sommet de la première ascension du Mont Ventoux. pic.twitter.com/X5c70svLiw
— Équipe Cycliste Groupama-FDJ (@GroupamaFDJ) June 13, 2023
Chris Froome and co. were originally set to tackle a double ascent of the legendary mountain, but thanks to the threat of storms later in the day on the exposed, lunar-like landscape of the Ventoux, the organisers have decided to shelve the final, tougher climb from Bedoin.
The race will still finish on top of the Ventoux, however, and will cover 99km instead of the planned 154km. With the climb from Bedoin – the side traditionally used in the Tour de France for summit finishes – scrapped, the new finish will see the riders ascend from Sault, a longer and less severe variation on the mythic climb, averaging five percent over its 24.3km.
“Due to adverse weather conditions, the finish of the race will be taken at the summit of the Ventoux after the first ascent,” the race organisers said in a statement.
“We have taken this decision to ensure the safety of the riders, which is our priority. We are naturally a bit disappointed, as the organisers, not to have the route we initially set out, but this decision is the wise one.”
But don’t worry too much, as we’ll still be treated to some classic Ventoux action this lunchtime. The final six kilometres will still take in the iconic, barren section after Chalet Reynard and, combined with the shorter distance and (relatively) less taxing approach, should result in some explosive racing.
Just don’t expect any running this time, eh Froomey?
But what if I need to transport 200 mixed weight free range eggs? Can't do that by bike, can you?
When the design of your cycling infrastructure takes everyone into account, not only the young and fit, you see all kinds of people using it, with all kinds of cargo.
How else are you going to transport 200 eggs? 😁 pic.twitter.com/EGLqUgCUCf— Amaury (@AmauryJBxl) June 12, 2023
Ah summer... stifling heat, downpour-sodden commutes, tan/burn lines, planning your route around water. Add overgrown cycle lanes to the list of inconveniences... (I'm well aware I moaned all winter about the cold and rain, we're based in the UK, it's what we do)...
"Why don't cyclists use the cycle lanes?" Well, this, I kid you not, is the designated cycle lane on the busy A4074 between Wallingford & Benson. Narrow, overgrown, unpleasant and unsafe. Come on, @OxfordshireCC, we can do better than this! @psud12@AndrewGant3pic.twitter.com/v6dZcrKyiy
— GreenAndrea (@AndreaJPowell2) June 12, 2023
Elsewhere...
Abingdon Road near Culham has a similar feel pic.twitter.com/8YkqxqfvrS
— Ben Poole (@_ben_p) June 12, 2023
Less permanent than this at least...
Post pics of shit cycling infrastructure hashtag #ShitCycleLanes. pic.twitter.com/utvXaQ86Iv
— CycleNotts² (@CycleNott) January 16, 2023
Roll up, roll up, get your running jokes...
Froome returns to scene of THAT Quintana-crushing 2013 stage win (and THAT 2016 jog) for today's fifth edition of the Mont Ventoux one-day race. Two ascents of the famous mountain on the cards, although perhaps Froome's teammate Michael Woods is a better tip all things considered?
Time will tell. Elsewhere on the startlist: in form Spanish climber Cristián Rodríguez, Giro stage winner Einer Rubio, his Movistar teammate and fellow Colombian climbing wizard Iván Sosa, French prospect Lenny Martinez, 2019 winner Jesús Herrada, plus enigmatic double Dauphiné stage winner from 2021 Mark Padun.