To all you piddle cyclists out there just a reminder:
Criterium du Dauphiné starts today for 1 week
Tour de France starts 6th July and runs to 28th July (that's almost a month of my life accounted for, then)
Quote from: Newportnobby on June 09, 2019, 11:15:03 AM
To all you piddle cyclists out there just a reminder:
Was wondering - then just got it - "pedal"!
Cheers Jon :)
Quote from: PostModN66 on June 09, 2019, 01:05:44 PM
Quote from: Newportnobby on June 09, 2019, 11:15:03 AM
To all you piddle cyclists out there just a reminder:
Was wondering - then just got it - "pedal"!
Cheers Jon :)
@PostModN66 (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=2671)
Unashamedly nicked from Officer Crabtree (the policeman) in 'Allo 'Allo
Bad news for any Chris Froome fans, [and Chris Froome :o] suspected broken leg and out of Le Tour https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/48612884 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/48612884)
oh hell, the roads will be full of lycra clad idiots who think they are in the TdF, ignoring cycle lanes, traffic lights and anything else :'(
Quote from: class37025 on June 12, 2019, 07:18:08 PM
oh hell, the roads will be full of lycra clad idiots who think they are in the TdF, ignoring cycle lanes, traffic lights and anything else :'(
The roads(?)! That's the last place I expect to find cyclists. :D
Quote from: class37025 on June 12, 2019, 07:18:08 PM
oh hell, the roads will be full of lycra clad idiots who think they are in the TdF, ignoring cycle lanes, traffic lights and anything else :'(
If they get on your nerves, why not have a go at trying to kill them?
This often happens to me when I'm out in lycra. Frequent methods are, overtaking too close then pulling in sharply and braking, pulling out of side streets at the last minute ignoring cyclist, going straight onto roundabouts with giving way to cycling already on roundabouts, driving at high speed into groups of cyclist while sounding the horn etc. You don't have to stick to these methods; be creative!!
If you miss, you can always shout abuse, and (only occasionally) flick lighted cigarette into cyclist's face. :D
Seriously, there are idiots on bikes and in cars. Although, I see more idiots in cars when I am on my bike than on bikes when I am in my car!!
All meant light-heartedly; but I guess I have one "near miss" per ride...
Cheers Jon :)
Owning cycles both pedal and motor I suffer from much of the above too :unimpressed:
Such a shame about Froome. Much of the interest in the TdF has gone for me now and we'll just have to wait for the 'glorious 5th' if he can make a full recovery :hmmm:
I will watch as I want to see how the new team does
CF was lucky in that he managed to crash next to an ambulance, early treatment = better recovery.
As for the Lycra mob, it really does annoy me that after a long campaign they built a million pound cycle path for them, near me, but do they use it NO they're on the roads. Similarly they invade the Norwich Distributer road (a 70mph Dual carriageway)when a fortune has been spent on cycle paths parallel to the NDR .
Quote from: The Q on June 13, 2019, 09:10:08 AM
As for the Lycra mob, it really does annoy me that after a long campaign they built a million pound cycle path for them, near me, but do they use it NO they're on the roads. Similarly they invade the Norwich Distributer road (a 70mph Dual carriageway)when a fortune has been spent on cycle paths parallel to the NDR .
I would imagine you'd be quite annoyed using a pedestrian path only to be constantly buzzed by marathon runners blasting past you. Cycle paths are for cycling (ie normal people getting A-B on their bikes), whereas the lycra brigade are cycle racing (or at least trying to be). It would be anti-social of them to be using cycle paths at speed.
it's been interesting to see the difference in how cyclists are viewed here in Spain vs the UK. There's a *lot* of racing cyclists in this part of the country (plus lots of fun mountain roads) but despite drivers here being somewhat vague on other aspects of the whole 'how to drive safely' concept, they're pretty solid about rule of treating a cyclist as another car in terms of the width they give them when overtaking and not getting too close behind while waiting.
Quote from: PostModN66 on June 12, 2019, 08:15:46 PM
why not have a go at trying to kill them?
Unfortunately someone succeeded in doing just that to Chris Boardman's Mun very local to here. He got sent down for 2 1/2 years plus 18 months ban, hope it runs conseecutively.
it really is annoying when councils spend thousands of pounds to make cycle paths and the lyrca crowd don't use them, especially when it means less money to spend on repairing pot holes which damage cars, motorcycles etc.
perhaps cyclists should have to contribute, seeing as how they seem to get preference >:D
Generally the speed 'the lycra crowd' travel at would make them a danger to other cyclists on the cycle path, that and the sheer number of them that take over any space they travel upon. If they want to put themselves in danger by riding on our pot-holed roads rather than a decent cycle path then that's their prerogative/choice (witness big crash in the Ladies Tour yesterday) but I do wish they'd remember they do not own the road and should not travel anything up to six abreast when there's traffic queuing behind them :unimpressed:
Way back in the day when I lived in London, I bought a bike to commute to work, primarily to lose some weight. I lived in West Hampstead, and worked in the City. It was so unusual to commute on a bike that every day, usually around Regent's Park on the Marylebone Road, I would pass another fella on a bike going in the other direction. We got to waving at each other every morning.
I only came a cropper twice, once in a rainstorm when a car pulled out in front of me and I went over his bonnet because my brakes didn't work very well in the wet, and another time when I ran into the back of a bus in similar conditions.
I did run a barrister over in High Holborn one day when he stepped off the curb without looking and I bowled him over, briefs and all. My first thought was "cr*p, I've run over a lawyer" but he jumped up and apologized - "all my fault, old chap, so sorry".
My most embarrassing moment was at the traffic lights at the bottom of Holborn near the Old Bailey. I was strapped into my pedals (the days before clip-in bindings) waiting at the red light, and I was holding myself upright with my hand on the roof of a black cab. I was daydreaming and didn't see the light go green. The cab pulled away, I toppled over sideways into the street and was basically stranded like a tortoise on its back until a kind person on the pavement saw my quandary and pulled me upright. The bus stuck waiting behind me gave me an ironic cheer.
Quote from: zwilnik on June 13, 2019, 09:54:55 AM
Quote from: The Q on June 13, 2019, 09:10:08 AM
As for the Lycra mob, it really does annoy me that after a long campaign they built a million pound cycle path for them, near me, but do they use it NO they're on the roads. Similarly they invade the Norwich Distributer road (a 70mph Dual carriageway)when a fortune has been spent on cycle paths parallel to the NDR .
I would imagine you'd be quite annoyed using a pedestrian path only to be constantly buzzed by marathon runners blasting past you. Cycle paths are for cycling (ie normal people getting A-B on their bikes), whereas the lycra brigade are cycle racing (or at least trying to be). It would be anti-social of them to be using cycle paths at speed.
it's been interesting to see the difference in how cyclists are viewed here in Spain vs the UK. There's a *lot* of racing cyclists in this part of the country (plus lots of fun mountain roads) but despite drivers here being somewhat vague on other aspects of the whole 'how to drive safely' concept, they're pretty solid about rule of treating a cyclist as another car in terms of the width they give them when overtaking and not getting too close behind while waiting.
Round here you see every day the mamils in Lycra head down ,helmet on cycling to work ignoring the facilities provided for them.
Quote from: class37025 on June 13, 2019, 04:32:38 PM
perhaps cyclists should have to contribute, seeing as how they seem to get preference >:D
They already do, just as much as other road users, in paying income tax.
Road Vehicle Excise Duty (ie car tax) is a pollution tax, not anything to do with funding roads.
Quote from: The Q on June 13, 2019, 05:44:51 PM
Quote from: zwilnik on June 13, 2019, 09:54:55 AM
Quote from: The Q on June 13, 2019, 09:10:08 AM
As for the Lycra mob, it really does annoy me that after a long campaign they built a million pound cycle path for them, near me, but do they use it NO they're on the roads. Similarly they invade the Norwich Distributer road (a 70mph Dual carriageway)when a fortune has been spent on cycle paths parallel to the NDR .
I would imagine you'd be quite annoyed using a pedestrian path only to be constantly buzzed by marathon runners blasting past you. Cycle paths are for cycling (ie normal people getting A-B on their bikes), whereas the lycra brigade are cycle racing (or at least trying to be). It would be anti-social of them to be using cycle paths at speed.
it's been interesting to see the difference in how cyclists are viewed here in Spain vs the UK. There's a *lot* of racing cyclists in this part of the country (plus lots of fun mountain roads) but despite drivers here being somewhat vague on other aspects of the whole 'how to drive safely' concept, they're pretty solid about rule of treating a cyclist as another car in terms of the width they give them when overtaking and not getting too close behind while waiting.
Round here you see every day the mamils in Lycra head down ,helmet on cycling to work ignoring the facilities provided for them.
or equally common round here, helmet hanging from handlebars.
perhaps that's why some are such t***s, brains still in helmets, not heads :smiley-laughing:
[gmod]We can do without singling out any particular section of humanity to vent spleens on, thank you. Whether cyclist, biker, motorist, lorry driver etc we all have to share the facilities we're given and due respect should be given to all. Yeah, I know. That just doesn't happen a lot of the time but, hey, there's good and bad in all walks of society so sadly we've got to live with it[/gmod]
I believe there is a national advisory* speed limit of 15 mph on cycle paths in the UK. Cyclists who wish to go faster are advised to use the main vehicular carriageway. Richmond Park does have enforceable speed limits for cycling.
*Advisory, so going faster is not an offence.
The problem is, on some roads, that they have specifically been narrowed to add cycle paths and so there is insufficient room for vehicles to pass cyclists that are on the road. That's not such a problem with a speedy cyclist or a relatively slow road, but it is with a slower cyclist or a faster road.
We had an incident here near where I live recently where a young motorist yelled abuse at two cyclists on a shared road.
Bad move. They were off-duty policemen.
He was in court last week.
Anyway, the OP was about competitive road races, mainly the TdF, but seems to have morphed into something which is sort of off-topic.
Hopefully when the TdF begins, we will see some discussion about that, which I think was NewportNobby's intention in the first place.
Well a damage free day for Adam Yates, who retains his four second lead.
Quote from: Bealman on June 13, 2019, 10:21:52 PM
Anyway, the OP was about competitive road races, mainly the TdF, but seems to have morphed into something which is sort of off-topic.
Hopefully when the TdF begins, we will see some discussion about that, which I think was NewportNobby's intention in the first place.
Sorry, Bealman. Maybe there should he a topic named "MOT" or "Morphed off Topic" which I think is a splendid term. You, Nobby and Tank can shift all the conversations over there.
It's like when you're in the bar and your topic disappears into the ether while it degrades into some argument about Liverpool FC, whether Oasis ripped off the Beatles, whether Steve Jobs was brilliant or a charlatan, and whose round it is.
I'm genuinely looking forward to the Tour, but with genuine sadness that Paul Sherwen will not be part of the hitherto excellent coverage.
Yep, it's important to stick to the topic.... especially when it concerns whose round it is! :beers:
Having said that, I'm guilty of morphing!
Back to cycling! :thumbsup:
Going back on topic then, a couple of times a year they hold time trials on open roads near me, with the cyclists set off at intervals. but of course they rapidly bunch up.
It causes me great delight when I'm sticking to the speed limit in a near by village to find a bunch of them speeding down the slight slope behind me and getting stuck behind my landrover. (PS I don't go out looking for them).
They are of course breaking the law by"riding furiously" over the speed limit.
[mod]By "getting back on topic," I meant discussing the road racing sport, as the thread is meant to be about. It is not the place for venting spleens about cyclists in everyday road conditions.[/mod]
It gets worse for Chris Froome, reports now in that he has a neck fracture and will be in hospital for at least 6 weeks :worried:
Adam Yates starts today's penultimate stage still wearing yellow. Today ends with a punishing climb at Pipay, which lasts for 19km with an average gradient of 6.9%. I expect to see Tejay Van Garderen (+6 secs) attacking on the climb.
Purely my opinion but if Nairo Quintana doesn't do something soon I think he might need to consider retirement (I haven't seen yesterdays programme yet)
Quote from: Newportnobby on June 15, 2019, 11:42:37 AM
Purely my opinion but if Nairo Quintana doesn't do something soon I think he might need to consider retirement (I haven't seen yesterdays programme yet)
I agree, promised a lot but has failed to kick on from his Giro win in 2014 and 2016 Vuelta victory, maybe a change of team may help?
Maybe since he became a father he has other priorities?
Mick,
I have a suggestion...
When the TDF gets going, how about a daily explanation of who is doing well and not so well, and what the various teams may do the next day?
The reason for this is, although I am a practical cyclist (ride my bike quite a lot and have done big adventures across the Pyrenees and Alpine passes), I don't know Nibbyl's from my Quintanas.....and I find it hard to understand the technicalities of who is behind by so many seconds but is in a strong position because the next stage is a mountainous one, or a time trial, all that kind of stuff..
What do you think?
Cheers Jon :)
For me it's less a case of Quintana failing to deliver, and more a case of commentators/press over-hyping him. I think he's had more success than his abilities deserve.
I think he does very well considering he probably has the shortest legs in cycling :)
Best regards,
Joe (5' 6")
Quote from: PostModN66 on June 15, 2019, 03:41:11 PM
Mick,
I have a suggestion...
When the TDF gets going, how about a daily explanation of who is doing well and not so well, and what the various teams may do the next day?
The reason for this is, although I am a practical cyclist (ride my bike quite a lot and have done big adventures across the Pyrenees and Alpine passes), I don't know Nibbyl's from my Quintanas.....and I find it hard to understand the technicalities of who is behind by so many seconds but is in a strong position because the next stage is a mountainous one, or a time trial, all that kind of stuff..
What do you think?
Cheers Jon :)
Happy to have a go at it, Jon, although I know not much more than you. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing, they say, but as long as folks are happy to correct me when I'm wrong then I'll give it a bash.
Just watched yesterday's Dauphiné and the conditions were appalling with torrential rain along with thunder & lightning (very, very frightening)
Descending the climbs must have have had the sphincters going 2p-5p.
On a separate note, huge congrats to Lizzie Deignan for winning the Women's Tour of the last week :claphappy:
Quote from: Newportnobby on June 16, 2019, 05:45:01 PM
On a separate note, huge congrats to Lizzie Deignan for winning the Women's Tour of the last week :claphappy:
Seconded Nobbie - with all the understandable concern for Froomie her victory seem to have slipped under the radar.
I suspect there will have been a few pints of good Yorkshire ale supped in Otley over the weekend
Haven't watched yesterday's CdD highlights yet, nor today's. Don't know the final results yet so please use the Spolier button if you post any results or comments on same. :beers:
Really disappointed that neither Eurosport nor ITV4 have had any live coverage over the weekend! >:(
Quote from: Newportnobby on June 16, 2019, 05:45:01 PM
Just watched yesterday's Dauphiné and the conditions were appalling with torrential rain along with thunder & lightning (very, very frightening)
Mick I know you like all kinds of rock music but I didn't know you were a fan of Gilbert O'Sullivan :)
Quote from: Newportnobby on June 16, 2019, 03:18:07 AM
Quote from: PostModN66 on June 15, 2019, 03:41:11 PM
Mick,
I have a suggestion...
When the TDF gets going, how about a daily explanation of who is doing well and not so well, and what the various teams may do the next day?
The reason for this is, although I am a practical cyclist (ride my bike quite a lot and have done big adventures across the Pyrenees and Alpine passes), I don't know Nibbyl's from my Quintanas.....and I find it hard to understand the technicalities of who is behind by so many seconds but is in a strong position because the next stage is a mountainous one, or a time trial, all that kind of stuff..
What do you think?
Cheers Jon :)
Happy to have a go at it, Jon, although I know not much more than you. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing, they say, but as long as folks are happy to correct me when I'm wrong then I'll give it a bash.
Potentially happy to pick up that mantle; I know far more about bike racing than I do trains! Minor caveat that I start a new job on the 8th, so my presence on the forum may sharply drop off, I can hear the cheers from here.
Quote from: njee20 on June 16, 2019, 10:42:36 PM
Quote from: Newportnobby on June 16, 2019, 03:18:07 AM
Quote from: PostModN66 on June 15, 2019, 03:41:11 PM
Mick,
I have a suggestion...
When the TDF gets going, how about a daily explanation of who is doing well and not so well, and what the various teams may do the next day?
The reason for this is, although I am a practical cyclist (ride my bike quite a lot and have done big adventures across the Pyrenees and Alpine passes), I don't know Nibbyl's from my Quintanas.....and I find it hard to understand the technicalities of who is behind by so many seconds but is in a strong position because the next stage is a mountainous one, or a time trial, all that kind of stuff..
What do you think?
Cheers Jon :)
Happy to have a go at it, Jon, although I know not much more than you. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing, they say, but as long as folks are happy to correct me when I'm wrong then I'll give it a bash.
Potentially happy to pick up that mantle; I know far more about bike racing than I do trains! Minor caveat that I start a new job on the 8th, so my presence on the forum may sharply drop off, I can hear the cheers from here.
As the TdF starts on the 6th and I'm here relatively frequently( :angel:) how about we both chip in on the tour? Good luck with the new job.
Quote from: joe cassidy on June 16, 2019, 09:11:07 PM
Quote from: Newportnobby on June 16, 2019, 05:45:01 PM
Just watched yesterday's Dauphiné and the conditions were appalling with torrential rain along with thunder & lightning (very, very frightening)
Mick I know you like all kinds of rock music but I didn't know you were a fan of Gilbert O'Sullivan :)
I was thinking more along the lines of Queen or Thin Lizzy ackshully :)
Gilbert O'Sullivan was just a 1970s pop singer
The first record I ever bought was "Himself" by Gilbert O'Sullivan.
I still listen to it.
He was a "singer/songwriter" rather than a pop singer.
Quote from: joe cassidy on June 17, 2019, 09:58:42 AM
The first record I ever bought was "Himself" by Gilbert O'Sullivan.
I still listen to it.
He was a "singer/songwriter" rather than a pop singer.
He had great hair Joe. Not too dissimilar to Ronald's! Would've hindered any career as a pro cycle racer though - to keep on topic :D
When he started out he was marketed as an urchin from the back streets of Dublin and they made him appear on top of the pops wearing shorts with braces, an "8 piecer" cap, and a "pudding basin" haircut.
He then got re-launched with "the hair", shirt buttons undone etc.
He wrote some great songs and his voice was poignant with a slight Irish accent, a nice change from the fake American accents of the time (Suzi Quattro excepted).
Be assured I didn't mean 'pop singer' to be derogatory. just to differentiate between rock/folk/soul singer etc.
I'll get me bike (in a feeble attempt to get back to the topic)
Just watched the inaugural Mount Ventoux Denivele Challenge. Another chance for Romain Bardet to show his tactical naivety and he didn't disappoint.
Argh! The (Virgin TV) guide and Eurosport 2HD channel info, tell me I'm watching 'Critérium du Dauphiné Cycling' but my eyes and the commentary tell me I'm watching the Tour of Hungary! :censored: :veryangry:
I've now seen the results and, well, my mood isn't really improved any by them. :veryangry: :veryangry:
I feel your pain! I recorded it yesterday on Sky, but what I got was tennis. Sat down to watch it again today, and like you was the tour of Hungary. Fortunately it was on straight after. Nice to see Aliphilippe blow up and let someone else win something.
:'( Aaaarrggghhhhhh! No Cav in this year's TdF. :'(
Sadly, since his illness and crashes he had, I don't think he is the force he once was, shame.
Hardly surprising. Emotionally I'd like to see him racing, but he's just not got the form or fitness.
Team Dimension Data seem to be backing Edvald Boasson Hagen in the sprints this season.
A shame but, as has been said, poor health and lack of fitness would probably lead more to embarrassment than any result :(
Been a good start to this years tour, with some popular stage winners.
Geraint is going to have a hard job winning this one.
Shame about Cav. :'(
Iain