Is he (Shaun of the) Dead wrong about cyclists? Simon Pegg slammed for ‘me passing cyclists’ skit, blasting people on bikes “riding two abreast” and “in the middle of the road”; Shock and awe as Pogačar pulls off epic Giro TT win + more on the live blog

Warning: The following story contains some truly awful, convoluted puns. Alright, deep breath…

After spending all that time with Tyres back in the day, you’d think Simon Pegg of all people would know to give Space(d) to cyclists, wouldn’t you? (I warned you about the puns.)

But the Hot Fuzz star has angered some in the cycling community with his latest (apparent) attempt at comedy – an Instagram skit featuring Pegg in his car “passing cyclists”.

And the reason I say ‘apparent’ is, despite the Ice Age voice actor’s clear comedic credentials, there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of a punchline, or even a witty, thoughtful observation throughout the clip’s 30-odd seconds.

Instead, it’s just a series of shots of an increasingly disgruntled-looking Pegg telling cyclists to “f*** off”, “get out of the way”, “just because you can ride two-abreast, doesn’t mean you f***ing have to”, and to “get out of the middle of the f***ing road, dopey”.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Simon Pegg (@simonpegg)

I don’t know what he’s so angry about, overtaking a couple of cyclists is hardly Mission Impassable, is it? (Just one more, I promise).

Or maybe he’s still bitter about Tyres, or being moved from his cycling cop role at the Met?

Now, before anyone throws ‘cyclists can’t take a joke’ at us, it would have been useful if Pegg had, you know, actually included a joke in the skit.

via GIPHY

Anyway, questionable comedic choices aside, the clip has baffled – and saddened – some cyclists on Instagram.

“Really sad to see this from one of my comedy heroes,” wrote Jay. “Just fuelling the anti-cyclist bullshit. People ride two-a-breast because being single file and tucked in means they’re not noticeable by dangerous fast drivers and more likely to be hit.”

“This f*** cyclists angle Instagram loves so much has made it increasingly dangerous for my husband to ride to work,” added Alexa.

“People see these things and are not smart enough to know it’s a joke and then turn it into road rage, trying to run cyclists off the road due to their own beliefs that they don’t feel like sharing the road.

“There might be some cyclists who don’t follow the laws and make it unsafe for everyone, but the message that comes across here is f*** all cyclists, and that has led to serious injuries to people that I love.”

Although Paul reckons (somewhat hopefully) that Pegg’s skit is a lot more meaningful than we first imagined.

“Are you trying to make fun of entitled drivers? Or maybe you're trying to advocate for separate and protected cycling infrastructure?” Paul asked.

Or maybe he’s just trying to lose friends and alienate people? (Yeah, I forgot he was in that, too).

Alright, enough of the puns, they’re a-Paul-ing…

> Warning government considering ban on floating bus stops “could stop new protected cycle lanes”

In the latest instalment of what’s becoming a depressingly common series, a north London cafe and deli owner set to close her business after nine years has blamed a major cycle lane project and says sales halved since it was installed as taxi drivers stopped visiting because they had nowhere to park.

Read more: > Cafe owner blames closure on Brexit and cost of living crisis, but mainly bike lane for “nightmare” 50% loss of sales

🇸🇮 @TamauPogi checking the tweets of the #GirodItalia account

(we think. we're not sure. He could be sending a late Bereal too) pic.twitter.com/ArJcgKjiUX

— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 10, 2024

The most bizarre – and ultimately unfounded – story of the Giro so far has taken another, ahem, unusual turn this afternoon, after Eurosport confirmed that Tadej Pogačar will NOT face disqualification from the Giro d’Italia for wearing his horrible, slap in the face to the entire Italian nation pink and ciclamino skinsuit during today’s TT.

And Pogi’s response?

How aero would that be? 🤔🤣 #GirodItalia pic.twitter.com/henRU5HJFH

— Katy M, Giro edition (@writebikerepeat) May 10, 2024

“Today I go naked.”

Bringing a whole new meaning to the term marginal gains, eh Tadej?

(Although you never know, in this era of stupidly huge TT helmets, if some wind tunnel expert in Switzerland reckons nude is the new aero, grand tours could soon turn into a three-week long Naked Bike Ride.)

What won’t be at all marginal, however, is Geraint Thomas’ gearing for his TT, with the Welshman set to roll down the ramp on a massive 66-tooth single chainring.

My legs hurt just thinking about that. And other things hurt thinking about Pogačar’s TT kit backup plan.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Tadej Pogačar (@tadejpogacar)

With a flying Filippo Ganna (with the help of a laidback Astana driver providing some unintentional slipstream assistance for the Italian) tearing up the course, Tadej Pogačar meanwhile will be attempting to extend his lead in the pink jersey during today’s 40km Giro time trial with the help of some new prototype time trial bar extensions from Enve.

“The goals of the project were to allow greater adjustability and reduce weight compared to the leading brands on the market,” Enve’s Director of Marketing, Neil Shirley, told Cycling Weekly about the new bars, which the Slovenian has been spotted warming down on during this year’s Giro ahead of today’s TT showdown.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Eurosport Cycling (@eurosportcycling)

“The moulded carbon parts are made in-house and although we're still in the very early stages of collecting feedback from the team, we're excited by the results and believe the initial goals have been achieved.”

Yes, because that’s what Pogi needs right now, more aero gains…

Speaking of Northern Irish cyclists…

I don’t fully believe it either, but in Belfast – arguably the most left behind major UK city when it comes to cycling infrastructure, as regular live blog readers will know (I do bang on about it a bit, I confess) – plans for a new protected cycle lane are set to be put to consultation.

Yes, miracles can happen.

Belfast Live reports that the much-maligned Department for Infrastructure will be hosting a public consultation event next week regarding plans for the new infrastructure on the Ravenhill Road, which will see a proper, two-way protected bike lane installed from the Ormeau Embankment to the Rosetta roundabout.

Welcoming the long-awaited proposals, Green Party councillor Brian Smyth said: “This is a great opportunity for the road to become an active travel corridor in South East Belfast, which will complement plans for a new bridge across the River Lagan at the Gasworks.

“I would like to encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation and let their voices be heard, as these plans could be groundbreaking for the area which has suffered from a lack of transport links over the past 20 years.

“I also hope that if these plans proceed, it will lead to the further expansion of the Belfast Bikes network in the area in order to further enhance the active travel corridor.”

The Ravenhill Greenway will stop at Ormeau Embankment, but don't worry, there will still be the existing "magic paint" bike lanes to get you to the proposed Gasworks Bridge and the Albertbridge Road. 🤦@SeamasBelfast @Briansmyth99 @garymckeown @CllrMichaelLong https://t.co/FxRn4qBEPv pic.twitter.com/KgifspVfls

— CircleLineBelfast (@CircleLineBT) May 8, 2024

However, because it’s Belfast, we shouldn’t get too carried away.

And as the Circle Line Belfast Twitter account noted, the latest proposals put forward by the DfI fail to feature a 600m section originally included in the scheme as part of the 2022 Belfast Cycling Network Delivery Plan – where cyclists will be forced to subside on the fading paint that passes for protection throughout most of the city (if you’re lucky).

I suppose two sections out of three ain’t bad, eh?

It seems the leaked drawings for the now-official (finally) Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe Tour de France kit are doing the rounds again this week, and I can’t help but think that, while the team’s finances have certainly been boosted by the energy drinks company’s increased involvement in cycling, the jersey has suffered a serious downgrade:

Who knows? Maybe bland, boring kits offer a route to grand tour success? I suppose it’ll be easier for Primož Roglič to sneak up the road in a break clad in dark navy than the team’s current green-yellow look, anyway…

And no, it’s not Snake Pass this time.

Instead, it’s the A59 at Kex Gill, which has been closed by North Yorkshire Council while £750,000 worth of repairs are carried out on the landslip-prone road, after a crack appeared in its verge back in February.

@100Climbs now then Simon. We all love a closed road,especially with a hill involved, & I HIGHLY recommend the A59 from Bolton Abbey nr Skipton to Kex Gill atm- 3-4miles, 4/7% and no bloody cars! Be quick though as it re-opens end of June pic.twitter.com/USw8gXc7Ax

— Dan Aldersley (@Danoval) May 10, 2024

And just as the weather is getting warmer, too…

🇮🇹 #GirodItalia

Our mechanics helping @lonardigiovanni to find the best position on the TT bike after his crash on Wednesday 🙌 pic.twitter.com/vEd7PtogEf

— Team Polti Kometa (@TeamPoltiKometa) May 10, 2024