"Maybe it’s not the perfect pro image but f*** it": Luke Rowe enjoys beer with his brother while riding the Tour of Britain; "You shall not pass": Cyclist stops escaping cows with bare hands; Evenepoel coffee masterclass at Vuelta + more on the live blog

What a day, what a final stage!

After a week dominated by discussions around the Tour of Britain's sedentary, the race finally erupted on its penultimate day (which home hero Tom Pidcock was unfortunately unable to be a part of due to his, ahem, three balls), before culminating to its grand finalé atop the Caerphilly mountain.

But as the race effervesced along the two diabolic laps of the climb, albeit aside the heavenly views of the lofty towers of the biggest castle in Wales, Luke Rowe was busy having his own 'party'.

Tour of Britain 2023, Caerphilly (image: Adwitiya Pal)

The rider born just a few miles off the finish line in the Welsh capital of Cardiff, was met by his brother who handed him a bottle of Corona and ran alongside him as they both chugged the drink.

"Imagine this, your best mate is your brother, I support him, he supports me. We meet on the last climb of the race and sink a beer together. Maybe it’s not the perfect pro image but f*** it. We have to enjoy these moments," wrote Luke Rowe on Twitter.

Imagine this, your best mate is your brother, I support him, he supports me. We meet on the last climb of the race and sink a beer together. Maybe it’s not the perfect pro image but fuck it. We have to enjoy these moments 👊🏻👌🏻🍺 https://t.co/yONSNoOP7x

— Luke Rowe (@LukeRowe1990) September 10, 2023

Spanish rider Íñigo Elosegui from UCI ProTeam Equipo Kern Pharma, also riding in the Tour of Britain, seemed to have attained an affinity for Wales and its people too, saying: "Man, this is what makes cycling special and these are the kind of moments that will live for ever in your memories.

"And that’s what really matters! It was great to climb there by your side and feel how everyone was cheering. From now on I have to love Wales and its people."

People in the comments were overjoyed at the sight and the moment, everyone showing their admiration for the 33-year-old and tipping their hat for giving his all and keeping fans entertained.

I saw this and it made my day. I was hoping your mates would uphold the tradition of Caerphilly Mountain and I was not dissapointed.

— Y Rhys Olaf (@RhysCaerdydd) September 10, 2023

That’s amazing! I love it and cycling needs more of this- it’s such a tough sport sometimes that you need to let your hair down

— Peter. ✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿🚴‍♂️(he/him/his) (@PBCycleWrites) September 10, 2023

It's moments like that, that you'll look back on fondly when retired.

I love it, and would say it is the perfect pro image.

— Andy O (@andyo83) September 10, 2023

To hell with the idea that this is the silver lining for missing the Vuelta. This is gold, through and through. Chapeau to you and chapeau to family ❤️ 🚲 🍺

— Gilbert Miller (@Gilberator) September 10, 2023

Although the day began with showers and the stage was neutralised owing to an unrelated crash resulting in serious injuries for a motorcyclist, the race picked up soon after, with Great Britain's Stephen Williams and Carlos Rodriguez braving against the odds to keep the two-man breakaway going.

However, Williams would soon be caught by the chasing group, but Rodriguez was defiant, going all-guns blazing, on his own, on the tough climbs in the valleys of South Wales.

In the end, it was an epic solo ride by Carlos Rodriguez who would hold on to take the win at Caerphilly (your live blog host was also in attendance!).

Carlos Rodriguez, Tour of Britain 2023 (image: Adwitiya Pal)

A dogfight ensued behind the Spanish, with the leader Van Aert fully aware that he wouldn't be helped on by anyone around him, and having to do most of the work to keep Rodriguez within 28 seconds to seal off his GC title.

After two laps of the Caerphilly mountain, it was a sprint which would decide the GC top spots, contested by Van Aert, Damien Howson of Q36.5, Tobias Johannessen of Uno-X, and Magnus Sheffield of Ineos Grenadiers, the latter unfortunately missing out on the podium places despite just being off three seconds from the leader.

Tour of Britain 2023 podium (image: Adwitiya Pal)

We’re launching 65km of new 20 mph speed limits across the capital.

The new limits will be introduced on sections of roads in the following boroughs in 2023.

🚗 Royal Borough of Greenwich
🚙 Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
🚗 Lewisham
🚙 Southwark
🚗 Wandsworth
🚙… pic.twitter.com/2msUTWYTA6

— TfL (@TfL) September 11, 2023

After months of delays and cyclists pleading for it, the Bristol City Council has finally announced that the project in the city centre is beginning today.

The new link will be built between the Old Market roundabout and the existing cycle path through Castle Park, often singled out by many cyclists as a key gap in the cycling route through Bristol city centre.

The £1.2 million project is being funded by the West of England Combined Authority through a grant from the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund.

Currently cyclists and pedestrians coming off of a segregated route through the roundabout have to share a pavement and cross over two roads before reaching the path in the park. Campaigners welcomed the new plans which they said include their suggestions.

Improvements include a segregated cycle route on Tower Hill with protected pedestrian spaces that connect Old Market roundabout and Castle Street; wider and safer crossing points for people walking and cycling; high quality surfaces with consistent paving; and more plants and trees in and around the junction.

> Calls for safe infrastructure after Bristol cyclist killed in lorry crash

Ian Pond, chairperson at the Bristol Cycling Campaign, said: "We were glad to have been involved in the design phase of this project with officers and we're very happy to see that the suggestions we made have been incorporated in the final design of this piece of the city centre cycling infrastructure."

Labour Councillor Don Alexander, cabinet member for transport, said: "It’s a key priority of this administration to continue to make our roads safer and more accessible for all, to encourage more people to travel actively and improve their health while helping us to cut congestion and air pollution in the city. This is one of a series of projects that we’re progressing to make cycling and walking throughout Bristol a safer and more pleasant experience."

Greens also welcomed the decision, but questioned the delay and lack of urgency from the Labour council. Green Councillor Ed Plowden said: "It's excellent news that work will finally be starting on this ‘gap-fill’ cycle path — the designs are very good. However, it could have been done years ago as the designs have been in place for many years and the funding for over two years.

"Although the Green Party accepts that infrastructure isn’t built overnight, it does feel that the Labour administration are still moving at a snail’s pace when it comes to building new cycle routes and connecting existing ones — it’s been over two years since the nearby segment of this route on the roundabout was finished.

> "There's a car park 20 metres away": Cyclists slam cycle lane parking putting riders in danger

"How long will Bristolians have to wait for a network of safe, connected cycling and walking routes? We’ve known for years that this could transform transport in Bristol, and help us tackle the climate emergency — it would be good to see more urgency to get it done.

"We are also concerned that this lack of pace and ambition for investing in Bristol’s active travel could put future funding at risk. While in opposition, we will be doing what we can to make sure that the mayor is investing government and other funding effectively and efficiently."

"This has to be the strangest thing to ever happen to me on a bike ride", were the words of Andrew O'Connor. Well, I can confirm this is the strangest thing I have seen happen to someone on a bike ride, and with this job, I can tell you I have seen some really strange things...

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Andrew O'Connor (@andrewon2wheels)

As he was taking a break at the bottom of the Great Dun Fell mountain in the North Pennines, eating his bar and changing his GoPro batteries, lo and behold, a horde of cows come swarming out on the road, walking at a steady pace towards him.

On the corner of the frame, a farmer comes running on the side, screaming at the top of their lungs, "Stop them!"

A bewildered O'Connor asks with the bar in his hand, "What am I supposed to do?!"

Out of a movie (or a video game), I know!

But kudos to the cyclist, who doesn't spare a second's breath and jumps in the middle of the road and commands, "Stop, stop!", while holding out both his hands, palms out.

The cows, who, as some people in the comments pointed out, might have been plotting their escape for months, came to a halt and looked at each other in confusion. "Who is this human and why is he ruining our plan?"

The farmer soon caught up and gave a hearty "Well done" to the cyclist, who still held fort, standing in Gandalf's iconic "you shall not pass" posture and replying: "A bit out of my comfort zone here!"

Ah well, I guess that's a side quest completed for O' Connor! Thibaut Pinot would be proud.

The All Party Parliamentary Cycling and Walking Group's report "Road Justice", published this morning, has quickly become the talking point.

> “Dangerous driving is a choice”: Cycling and walking MPs call for tougher sentences for motorists driving larger cars, as well as strict enforcement of speed limits

The cross-party group’s report advises that motorists who commit driving offences while behind the wheel of larger, heavier cars should receive tougher penalties, with the size and weight of the vehicle seen as an "aggravating factor" when it comes to sentencing.

It also calls for speed limits to be strictly enforced, with the current tolerances for inaccurate readings scrapped, along with recommending that anyone who is banned from driving for a period should be forced to undertake a fresh driving test, while criticising those who use the "exceptional hardship" excuse to avoid bans.

APPG Road Justice Report

In reaction the report, Sarah McMonagle, Cycling UK director of external affairs said:

"Cycling UK is urging the Government to take up the very sensible recommendation from MPs and review urgently penalties for driving offences, including disqualification powers to ensure those who present a risk to others are banned from driving, and can’t drive again until they’ve proved they’re safe to drive.

> Judges told killing a cyclist now an 'aggravating factor' for driving offences, could lead to longer sentences

"It's almost ten years since the Justice Secretary promised that the Government would carry out a full review of all driving offences and penalties, but we’re still waiting and that’s not good enough. It’s imperative that the current Justice Minister Alex Chalk reads this report and reflects on his own contribution as co-chair of this All-Party Group back in 2017, when he called on the Ministry of Justice to look at the declining use of disqualification powers and how the offences of careless and dangerous driving, and the penalties for those offences, were being used.

"Ten years on, it’s time the Ministry of Justice moved forward with a Government commitment that had widespread cross-party support at the time. To continue to delay would be a huge betrayal of the victims of road crime."

Just this morning, British Cycling also released a statement calling for end to "hazardous leniency" in sentencing of drivers who kill or injure cyclists, joining forces with law firm Leigh Day to sponsor the report.

Apologies for getting on the weekend roundup a bit late, I'm still on a high (and a hangover, maybe) after all the fun at yesterday's Tour of Britain in Caerphilly! So you know the drill, all the good work from the weekend, here it goes.

> “I’ve got three balls, anyone need a spare?” Tom Pidcock laments Tour of Britain abandon due to infected saddle sore

> Campaigners blast “hugely disappointing” decision to abandon “failed” cycling schemes, four years on from hosting world championships

> New barriers on infamous ‘car park’ cycle lane vandalised, as councillor calls for “robust” protection “before someone gets seriously hurt”

> Raising the bar: Annemiek van Vleuten, one of cycling’s great revolutionaries, retires

> “Dangerous driving is a choice”: Cycling and walking MPs call for tougher sentences for motorists driving larger cars, as well as strict enforcement of speed limits

> UPDATE: Near Miss of the Day 806: Driver escapes punishment after reversing at cyclist and running over dog

"Greater consistency in the way police deal with incidents on the road": The governing body has joined forced with law firm Leigh Day to sponsor an All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking report which will be published in Parliament today...

> British Cycling calls for end to "hazardous leniency" in sentencing of drivers who kill or injure cyclists