Welcome to Tuesday's live blog, with Jack Sexty, Simon MacMichael and the rest of the team.
30/04/2019, 16:18
Rapha reveals Pro Team Lightweight Shadow Jacket
Eagle-eyed viewers might have spotted a new Rapha jacket being worn by members of EF Education First racing Liège–Bastogne–Liège on Sunday. The updated version of the Pro Team Lightweight Shadow Jacket is similar to the previous design but it uses a much lighter fabric.
"Our proprietary Shadow fabric is back, but not as you’ve seen it before," says Rapha. "Constructed using the same technique of stretch weaving yarns dipped in a durable water repellent (DWR) treatment, our new fabric incorporates threads that are just as strong but even lighter. Treated for a second time with DWR, the technique creates an out-of-the-pocket jacket whose feathery weight belies its incredible wind and water-resistant properties."
Unlike most fabrics designed to do a similar job, Rapha's doesn't rely on a membrane. Rapha reckons that this makes for exceptional breathability.
"The woven fabric also provides an element of mechanical stretch and wraps around a rider’s body to create a tight race fit. A full-length, two-way zip allows for easy adjustments on the fly while a reflective armband combines with reflective bands to vastly improve your visibility while riding through the gloom."
Tanel Kangert, Michael Woods and Simon Clarke were all spotted wearing the Pro Team Lightweight Shadow Jacket at the weekend.
We'll ask the nice people at Rapha if we can get one in for review.
30/04/2019, 15:13
Oxford promise to keep your chain minty fresh with launch of mint lubes
Why you would want or need to we're not sure, but you can now buy minty chain lube from Oxford Products. The range contains 75ml and 150ml bottle sizes and there are wet, dry and a general '365' version to choose from. You can search for your nearest stockist at oxfordproducts.com.
30/04/2019, 15:04
Pro tip: When showing off the new sponsor, maybe zip the jersey up?
Introducing Team Ineeoos ...
Ahead of the opening time trial at Tour de Romandie @GeraintThomas86 shows off our one-off kit for the race #TDR2019pic.twitter.com/NDX3CEmyDp
— Team INEOS (@TeamINEOS) April 30, 2019
30/04/2019, 13:59
“Get lights, wear bright colours and a helmet" - Skoda's safety message to cyclists
“Get lights, wear bright colours and a helmet and that will keep you safe” – that’s the message to cyclists in a video from Skoda’s We Love Cycling website that has seen the Czech car manufacturer accused of victim-blaming.
The video, called To Hell and Back on a Bike, attempts to point out to cyclists (and motorists) things they should and shouldn’t do to keep safe, and the first thing you’ll notice is that despite it being voiced in English by a certain ‘Paul’ it certainly wasn’t filmed in the UK – it was shot in Rijeka, Croatia.
That means that the video, in which the male cyclist is a professional stuntman, contains some advice that is contrary to the situation in the UK, given that in Croatia, as elsewhere on the continent, driving is on the right.
It’s accompanied by a three-level safety quiz on the website, and was flagged up by road.cc reader James, who said: “ Nice bit of victim blaming from Skoda under the banner of ‘We Love Cycling’.
30/04/2019, 12:28
So farewell then, Team Sky
So farewell then, Team Sky.
“This is the line ... ”
Yes, that was your mantra.
Some disliked Murdoch’s backing.
Jim Ratcliffe’s response?
“Hold my beer."
In a plastic cup.
(With apologies to EJ Thribb)
30/04/2019, 12:10
Labour MP Fabian Hamilton calls for Minister for Cycling in the cabinet at All Party Cycling meeting
This morning we are hosting a meeting in conjunction with @WeAreCyclingUK about ‘Funding for Cycling’ pic.twitter.com/KaYWZGNy2R
— APPCG (@allpartycycling) April 30, 2019
At the meeting in London this morning, Hamilton also said that says that Leeds has a population of 800,000 but has never received any significant funding for cycling. Cycling UK's Roger Geffen also spoke earlier, talking about Cycling UK's campaign to encourage people to write to their MP's to ask for more funding for cycling. Also discussed was a confusing graph made by the government that states a driver is worth more to the economy that cyclists, pedestrians and rail passengers.
Very interesting to hear @allpartycycling discussing the government's view that drivers' time is more valuable than cyclists.
Not many people realise that this isn't just an issue of perception, it's official government recommendation pic.twitter.com/8YuPHSfUY3
— Peter Stuart (@PeterStuart3) April 30, 2019
30/04/2019, 11:59
Nothing to see here...
"Move over amateurs...
...oh, and helmets are for cats!"pic.twitter.com/XfSmrPaXfL— Cycling Professor (@fietsprofessor) April 29, 2019
30/04/2019, 08:39
Sainsbury's refuse entry to man with a bike because it could "contaminate the food"... cue sarcastic responses on Twitter
@sainsburys hi! At Paddington Station with my bike. Nowhere convenient to lock my bike while I wait for my train so took it into your shop whilst I picked something to eat for dinner. Told I couldn't take my bike in. Congrats on losing a sale and a customer!
— Edouard Guidon (@edouardminh) April 29, 2019
Edouard Guidon questioned the supermarket on Twitter about them refusing him entry into their Paddington Station store in London. When asked to elaborate on why it was a hygiene issue, this was their response...
Unfortunately as we are selling fresh produce and other foods you wouldn't be able to bring your bike in. This is because the bike runs the risk of contaminating the food on the shelves and causing potential risk to customers buying the produce. Hope this helps. Thanks. Daniel
— Sainsbury's (@sainsburys) April 29, 2019
This left many folks questioning if such a policy actually existed; plus bikes aren't the only objects with wheels that could end up in a Sainsbury's shop, wheelchairs and their own trolleys being two examples...
It's unclear to me why a bike would be any less hygienic than, say, somebody's luggage or buggy or, hey, bare hands or shoes, but ok. If that's the case, could you speak to Network Rail about making it easier to leave my bike in a secure space near your supermarket?
— Edouard Guidon (@edouardminh) April 29, 2019
So your own trolley wheels are sterilised every day then? I had no problem taking my bike into your Darnley store yesterday morning so someone is telling porkies.
— Martin Porter (@TheCyclingScot) April 29, 2019
One reply questioned the complainant's failure to spot that there are in fact 380 bike racks in Paddington, however, to which he said Sainsbury's could have been a little more helpful in guiding towards the bike parking.
See, that's a sensible response - I'm still getting to know the station and the options for bike parking. If I'd been told that - either on here or by the security guard, in a courteous manner - it would have been fine. But I wasn't.
— Edouard Guidon (@edouardminh) April 30, 2019
To be fair to Sainsbury's we're not sure if the bike in question was brand spanking new or just back from a CX race, but even so banning anything with wheels from their stores would seem to be pretty unworkable... what do you reckon?
30/04/2019, 08:34
What the?!
Odd, funny, highly entertaining, perhaps a bit disturbing... the competitors in the video are apparently four years old. Such speed, desire and hunger to win at all costs must be down to god-given talent... that plus some very enthusiastic parenting no doubt.