Slack Randoms: Another Cyclist Falls Through the Ice, A New Suspension Stem & More

Feb 28, 2021
by James Smurthwaite  
We use Slack as our workplace communication tool at Pinkbike and we have a #randoms channel which we use to share an assortment of videos and stories from all corners of the cycling world and beyond... We thought a couple of the moments from the past week were too good not to share with a wider audience, so here are some of the highlights.




Another Cyclist Falls Through the Ice


Just a couple of weeks after we posted a video of EWS racer, Vojtěch Bláha, falling through the ice, now another cyclist has done it. This time it's a vlogger, Lucas Brunelle, a bike messenger who spends his time drafting lorries and weaving in and out of traffic. He made it about 800 feet into his ride on the Charles River before the ice gave way and his riding partner fell in too trying to rescue him. We probably don't need to repeat how it's not a wise move to be cycling on ice unless you're sure it's thick enough but that message probably won't get through to Brunelle who told Boston.com, "I ride my bike the same way I trade stocks. It’s my nature to take high risks and high return."

RST Resurrects the Suspension Stem

Suspension stems are nothing new from the Girvin Flex Stem to the Redhisft Shockstop but the latest to have a go at reducing vibrations via the stem are RST. Their Stem Shock has just been awarded a Taipei Design and Innovation Award. Primarily designed for gravel bikes, it plugs into your steerer tube and allows you to mount a standard stem.

This does add 50mm to your stack height but provides 20mm of travel to dampen vibrations and also offers an adjustable angle of 0 or +/-4°. The Stem Shock weighs in at a claimed 380g.

More info, here.
photo

Zachary Kulp's Huge Stair Gap


Zachary Kulp hit this huge 45-foot stair gap on the Tampa Riverwalk last weekend and it looks like there's a full edit to come, we can't wait.

A Bizarre Crash from the UAE Tour


We're still scratching our head as to what happened when Antonio Tiberi skidded across the line on Tuesday's UAE Tour time trial.

Pro Mountain Bikers' POVs Gets Turned into Video Game


If you've got some time to kill this weekend, how about trying this new game that features real POVs from pro riders. The game is called Overplay and Andrew Neethling, Scotty Laughland, Glynn O'Brein and more all feature on various terrain. The game is available on the App Store and Google Play, more info, here.

Petr Vinokurov Gets a Headshot


$1,200USD Fines for Speeding Cyclists in Australia


Searching for the Fastest Descents in Southern California


Safa is about as badass as it gets.

Author Info:
jamessmurthwaite avatar

Member since Nov 14, 2018
1,770 articles

198 Comments
  • 281 6
 It’s idiots like those guys who put first responders at risk when they do stupid shit like that. You could tell right away the ice wasn’t safe.
  • 159 1
 That guy is a major tool.
  • 77 2
 What a bunch of Idiots, hope they do not reproduce.
  • 79 1
 Growing up in New England (Vermont), I was taught that you don't go on Rivers. Only non-moving (extremely slow moving) bodies of water.
  • 42 5
 @VTwintips: growing up anywhere people should have the common sense not to f*ck around with sub zero water. Awareness of cold water shock should be much greater, lots of people die every year from it.
  • 40 2
 @inked-up-metalhead: it's called natural selection LOL
  • 37 2
 @inked-up-metalhead: I mean, ice fishing and skating are definetely a thing where you f*ck around with sub zero water. Skiing in avalanche terrain is the same thing. Its more about knowing how to do it than to not f*ck around.
  • 18 3
 He knew what he was doing taking a shot / knackered bike there. Czech had got it bad right now and this c*nt isn’t helping. Charge him every cent for the services time and an extra 10000 just for being a complete twunt
  • 11 3
 @VTwintips: yeah that's fair enough, those things aren't really a big thing in Britain so I didn't consider them, but it's still a case of don't risk dropping through ice into cold moving water. From what I've seen of ice fishing, a lot of it requires some form of post hole boring tool, because its done where the ice is massively thick, which obviously makes a high difference. As you say, knowing what your doing is the difference, I don't so I stay well away from any outdoor water if I can help it (even in summer, I know I'm bad for shock so I just won't risk it, I know people who have died swimming in abandoned quarries in the local area).
  • 7 1
 @resuetool yes, these guys are oxygen thieves for sure
  • 3 0
 @inked-up-metalhead: All disciplines are the same when humans are involved. Nervous nellies through to darwin award contenders in the ice fishing world.
  • 3 0
 @ATV25: Funny but 100% true. Why do we save the stupid?
  • 6 0
 "the bike was the number 1 priority", lucky bike.
  • 17 2
 If you think you hate him now, watch the 'live fast, die last' video on the front page of his youtube channel. What a monumental c*nt...
  • 80 0
 "I ride my bike the same way I trade stocks. It’s my nature to take high risks and high return."
Someone will have to explain to me where the high return is when riding on flat ice, 'cause I'm just not seeing it.
  • 2 0
 @BaldBilly: THANK YOU !
  • 39 1
 Lucas Brunelle is an a*shole. I was a courier in NYC for a long time and he'd come film alleycat races and totally push the "lets do dumb dangerous shit for content" vibe. Complete Type A douchebag racer personality.
  • 15 1
 both are complete wankers. They actually are PROUD they went under water and carry ICE SPIKES i am speechless. I hope they both suffer they deserve the crappy bikes they are trying to impress us all with. Complete tools should have ridden on solid ground there is plenty of places and paths to ride.
  • 4 0
 The ice on that river (or any river) is rarely thick enough to ride on safely. Just don’t do it.
  • 11 2
 I have a sticker "Idiots Die just not fast enough"
  • 4 0
 The only thing they did right was have ice picks with them. It was basically a look-at-me video of what not to do.
  • 8 0
 @pbuser2299: Please don't. They don't deserve the attention or any encouragement to do more.
  • 17 0
 Honestly wish Brunelle woulda got debilitating hypothermia from this, such a POS in how he acts towards others AND rides.

Anyone seen the video of him rocking up to a group ride and the ride leaders telling him he wasn't welcome to ride with them?

I’ll give you one guess as to whether he respected that, or whether he joined the ride anyway and drafted cars.
  • 1 0
 @commental: its in clicks.
  • 44 0
 I read Pinkbike everyday for the last bunches of years. I don't comment too much, but please Pinkbike, do not post anymore Lucas Brunelle anything. He's a ridiculously "look at me" bro. The way he acts for his age is baffling.
  • 21 0
 Brunelle is an ass and has been for decades. First time I saw one of his videos was probably 15 years ago when he and his messenger buds were doing Alley Cat races.

The complete disregard for the safety of others is astounding. They make it out as though it's cyclists vs cars, but in reality a group of 10 drunk cyclists would run red lights straight through crowds of pedestrians on cross-walks.

They are all skilled riders, but they're complete jerks and give everyone else a bad name.

e.g. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xphlt0i0Lz4
  • 9 1
 @commental: And he’s obviously doing well with that stock strategy seeing as he’s a bike messenger. Methinks not because he’s wealthy and retired from trading stocks.
  • 11 0
 @igxqrrl: He’s a total ass. I actually did that race many years ago in my courier days and I think it’s honestly why I hate racing. He pushes the “win at all costs” mentality, and definitely fetishizes danger. Most of us riding were here to have fun and then get drunk at an after party (though you’re right that some folks didn’t wait for the after party) Unfortunately it’s also a mindset I’ve found a lot in the racing scenes which is a bummer. I will say however Austin is a super nice guy, definitely super competitive (he’s a red bull athlete after all) but very humble and welcoming. But yeah, brunelle can f*ck off and die.
  • 4 0
 Stupid games win stupid prizes.
  • 4 1
 I went to yt just so I could give this stupid video a thumbs down.
  • 10 0
 Looks like they did this on purpose as they were already prepared with hand spikes. What a couple of idiots looking to get attention. As stock traders, I'm sure they can afford $10k bikes. Those were shitty bikes they were bringing just to go get a soak in freezing cold water. They could've done that in the town's annual polar dip.
  • 2 1
 @commental: no kidding, but then guys like him don't get high returns on the stock market either.
  • 2 0
 @VTwintips: What I've learned growing up in New England (New Hampshire)...in addition to don't walk on moving water... is that Boston isn't a very cold place. I can't believe anyone would think that the Charles could ever freeze thick enough to ride on!
  • 4 0
 I agree, same here in Easter Canada. There’s water everywhere with the Saint John river and lakes all over. I actually do ice rescue training as a fire firefighter this time of year annually and it’s still really unpredictable, him saying he’s trained is a joke. We get calls for this stuff because people make stupid decisions and get in trouble. @TBaldwin90:
  • 3 0
 Eastern not Easter LOL
  • 7 0
 I have lived in MA my whole life, that river NEVER stops flowing - what a bunch of dick bags
  • 11 0
 Same kind of fucking selfish idiots that go climb a mountain with incoming weather. I think their bones should be found during spring thaw, but I'm an insensitive prick according to almost everyone.
  • 4 0
 @commental: I guess the high return means look-at-me, look-at-me "likes" and "thumbs up" on social media. Lol.
  • 1 0
 @VTwintips: It’s pretty intuitive, right? A swiftly moving body of water isn’t going to freeze as evenly or thickly. These guys just wanted to prove their badassedness. And just think, since quarantine, so many of those people have moved up to VT.
  • 8 0
 @JockoJones: anyone uses their stock trading habits as an an analogy for their shitty riding is a lame ass kook geezer in my book
  • 6 2
 @me2menow: Nowadays, the riskiest stocks are performing the best. Solar and electric car companies with extremely poor financials are up hundreds of percent in past few years when strong companies with strong financials have not close to performing as well comparably. Perception of stocks is more relevant than strong financials nowadays, which is backwards.
  • 4 2
 @tacklingdummy: okay who gives a shit this is a biking website
  • 3 0
 Throw that guy a life preserver filled with rocks!
  • 3 0
 @me2menow: To be fair, I should not of just tagged you. I was just commenting in regards to all the other comments about the stocks above.
  • 3 1
 @me2menow: haha, right on man. Such a d-bag
  • 2 0
 Even I know you don't go on ice and I live in a country where our lakes and rivers don't turn to ice in winter.
  • 3 0
 At first I thought everyone was overreacting. Guy does dumb thing, luckily gets out alive, lesson learned. No first responders involved. No harm, no foul.

But then I watched the end. I’m pretty sure no lessons were learned. In fact, I’m fairly convinced they did it on purpose, which is why they had the old, crummy bikes and the ice picks. A piece of work, this guy.
  • 4 0
 @gnarlysipes: He's not though, he's a tech-bro trying to hang onto his glory days of messengering in the 80's and 90's. Don't know what he's up to these days but in the 00's he ran a computer consulting business and hired some hilariously shifty messenger buddies of his. Used to see him a great deal as our (bike) sales manager was a similarly-aged and intentioned guy.

Definitely a great example of how now to be.
  • 4 0
 @commental: apparently he trades stocks recklessly and with the expectation that someone will come and bail him out
  • 7 0
 I was a volunteer fire fighter for 5 years. Ice rescue was my specialty (because I was lighter than all the fat guys) and more than half the time it was "recovery" not "rescue". There really is no such thing as safe ice, especially on a river.
  • 1 2
 @igxqrrl: good lord thank you for posting that one was one the f*cking sickest clips of riding ever.
  • 1 7
flag lucas-fucking-brunelle (Mar 31, 2021 at 6:14) (Below Threshold)
 @commental: U don't know dick about risk and return ????♞
  • 1 7
flag lucas-fucking-brunelle (Mar 31, 2021 at 6:41) (Below Threshold)
 @boogereater42069: Sounds like you suck as much as your mediocre life
  • 1 7
flag lucas-fucking-brunelle (Mar 31, 2021 at 6:42) (Below Threshold)
 @commental: cause you're an idiot
  • 1 7
flag lucas-fucking-brunelle (Mar 31, 2021 at 6:42) (Below Threshold)
 @dorkbike: priorities ;>
  • 1 7
flag lucas-fucking-brunelle (Mar 31, 2021 at 6:43) (Below Threshold)
 @stuie321: "Saving lives and f*cking wives" is my job on LinkedIn so we'll steal your wife
  • 1 7
flag lucas-fucking-brunelle (Mar 31, 2021 at 6:44) (Below Threshold)
 @madmon: U know shit about bikes, Fat Chance - suck on it. On solid ground suck my 8=======>
  • 1 7
flag lucas-fucking-brunelle (Mar 31, 2021 at 6:46) (Below Threshold)
 @mnorris122: Joined the ride and doubled down, f*cked with them.
  • 1 7
flag lucas-fucking-brunelle (Mar 31, 2021 at 6:47) (Below Threshold)
 @mashira: "The way he acts for his age is baffling." compliment of the week, Thank you, Lucas
  • 1 7
flag lucas-fucking-brunelle (Mar 31, 2021 at 6:50) (Below Threshold)
 @gnarlysipes: My trading strategy contrary to common sense, I lose money on 98% of high risk small cap/penny stocks I buy but the gains from two or three stocks that return 10,000%+ make up for all of the loses. Stomach losing most days and weeks and it's possible
  • 1 7
flag lucas-fucking-brunelle (Mar 31, 2021 at 6:50) (Below Threshold)
 @barp: Thank you barp, L
  • 1 7
flag lucas-fucking-brunelle (Mar 31, 2021 at 6:52) (Below Threshold)
 @plyawn: We either lose big or get very high returns, honestly any idiot could've made big in the market in 2020 and this spring
  • 1 7
flag lucas-fucking-brunelle (Mar 31, 2021 at 6:54) (Below Threshold)
 @me2menow: beat my my riding and trading skillz, let's place bets.
  • 2 7
flag lucas-fucking-brunelle (Mar 31, 2021 at 6:55) (Below Threshold)
 @tacklingdummy: I went to business school, worked on Wall St., traded for decades, and I've never seen markets like this, I had to unlearn all of my past experience and yeah "Perception" wins
  • 1 7
flag lucas-fucking-brunelle (Mar 31, 2021 at 6:56) (Below Threshold)
 @jbravo: Challenge accepted
  • 1 7
flag lucas-fucking-brunelle (Mar 31, 2021 at 6:57) (Below Threshold)
 @Clavdivs: what I lack in analytics I make up for in recklessness
  • 6 1
 @lucas-f*cking-brunelle: no one thinks youre cool, or smart, or good at riding. You're a tryhard. And you're desperate for validation (clearly demonstrated by your 50 replies). Welcome to pinkbike lmao.
  • 3 0
 @me2menow: grabs popcorn.......this should be interesting. Based on the profile name, I'm guessing site ban won't take long.
  • 4 0
 @lucas-f*cking-brunelle: Haha, you're a c*nt mate. It was already obvious, but thanks for reinforcing it.
  • 61 3
 How fucking stupid can you be to ride your bike up that river, the ice doesn't even look fully frozen across on the shot. These idiots should be banned from riding bikes, or even just being with the rest of us. That was infuriating to watch.
  • 6 0
 Pretty stupid - especially saying "save the bikes first". My brother in law fell through the ice on Friday snowshoeing on a lake with his wife. Nearly killed him if it wasn't for some bystanders who gave them their clothes and warmed them up.
  • 38 0
 @azawad: "Save my $40 bike from 1998 first!"

Almost as dumb as his quote from below the video:

Brunelle who told Boston.com, "I ride my bike the same way I trade stocks. It’s my nature to take high risks and high return."

What exactly was the high return here of riding your bike on ice Mr Brunelle?
  • 8 1
 @warmerdamj: a WSB retard got out onto the ice ahaha
  • 5 0
 There was a perfectly good trail on land a few yards away.
  • 4 35
flag phops (Feb 28, 2021 at 12:01) (Below Threshold)
 Not any stupider than Pinkbike commenters.
  • 6 39
flag baca262 (Feb 28, 2021 at 12:15) (Below Threshold)
 @warmerdamj: what a massive f*ggot hope he ends up homeless
  • 12 0
 @warmerdamj: I think Boston.com misquoted him, he likely actually said, "I ride my bike the same way I trade STONKS..." What a tool. I hope his high-risk trading consisted of cashing out all his savings and selling his bikes to buy GameStop at $350. "Wooo bro, these stonks are going to infinity!"
  • 2 16
flag popcornfart (Feb 28, 2021 at 19:51) (Below Threshold)
 @baca262: proper use of f*ggot. Much respect.
  • 2 2
 Seriously?
  • 5 0
 If you think he’s a tool for that, you should see his other vids. Holding onto the back of random people’s cars, then getting defensive when they confront him.
  • 2 1
 @warmerdamj: big boomer energy
  • 2 2
 @GeoMurph5: I had GME for years actually, sold 280 shares at $120, wuz like "I never thought I'd get $120 for these shares" jajaja
  • 33 0
 "I ride my bike the same way I trade stocks. It’s my nature to take high risks and high return." lmao!! riding your bike on some ice wow bud your so cool. how the heck is riding in a straight line on a flat surface high return
this guy is a fricken bean
  • 11 0
 Warm clothes with flotation underneath, he planned to go through, and as such I'm sure he believed the risk was low. Depending on the view count for the vid...the return might be decent.
  • 4 0
 Cringed so hard. Something only an unskilled tryhard would say.
  • 4 0
 upvoted for "fricken bean"
  • 1 0
 @stalkinghorse: yeah... gets my vote damn.
  • 30 2
 Pinkbike should take that ice video down. That was totally setup and they knew exactly what they were doing. Pinkbike should not be giving promoting this content.
  • 22 0
 Going through the ice in this vid was clearly intentional for publicity. Obviously poor ice conditions, a junk bike, plenty of warm clothing. Additionally you can tell by how high is in the water that he is also wearing flotation. Good job Pinkbike for giving his YouTube view count a boost.
  • 79 58
 Australia can flat out f*ck right off. What a stupid nanny state country. An enormous country that used to be famed for their hard working, hard charging attitude and somehow now they seem to love it when the state slaps them down.

Backdoor into your cell phone for the government to snoop, Australia's fine with that.

Lockdowns and police beating you down, Australia's fine with that.

Now $1200 fines for cyclists because they are bored with beating up on covid deniers I guess.
  • 25 0
 I wonder if it's really that bad, or if the algorithms are just sending us an unusually high percent of authoritarian videos from Australia?
  • 46 0
 Yo dude, come to Czechia, see the true essence of shitfuckery. Oh, right, you can't, they won't let you in.
  • 6 3
 @YanDoroshenko: shitf*ck*ry
  • 61 6
 To be fair. It’s a pedestrian path. They shouldn’t be cycling on it in the first place. But yeah, going a bit too fast should be ok, but 35km with all those pedestrians is asking for it.
  • 23 9
 @mitochris: To be faaaaaaaiiirrrrr.....
  • 8 8
 What I can’t stand is when you call out your pass or ring a bell the pedestrians always move “out of the way” right where you’re passing
  • 10 25
flag noplacelikeloam (Feb 28, 2021 at 9:56) (Below Threshold)
 Yeah well Canada isn’t that much better. Ever been pulled over at your own border? They demand your cell phone, all passwords immediately or get arrested. Then proceed to download your entire contents.

Don’t get me wrong. Your country is awesome generally. But. Every country has its pain points.
  • 5 0
 @noplacelikeloam: Arrested for what?
  • 17 5
 @noplacelikeloam: that nonsence started on your side. Do some research.
  • 23 18
 Ohhhhh no sounds like someone’s Facebook algorithm is full of Australian Sky News videos (for anyone not in Australia, Sky news is owned by Murdoch’s News Corp media, and is the Australian equivalent to America’s Fox News, basically a right wing echo chamber/propaganda channel, the hosts especially the ones on after dark, that somehow manage to pop up on people’s feeds across the other side of the world are flat out anti science, climate change denying, Covid denying, pseudo science loving kooks, it wasn’t the lockdowns that has made Covid bad here but these complete and utter morons using their platform to undermine health professionals and the advice of scientists/epidemiologists.
  • 17 0
 The path in Southbank on the edge on the CBD is a shared cycling and walking path. It probably shouldn't be. There are other roads for cyclists to commute along, and there are so many pedestrians along there, riding would actually be a pain in the ass if you ask me.
  • 16 2
 Chill out man. You getting a bit carried away there with your totalitarian police state vision there. The speed cameras are all pretty embarrassing, but that section on the south bank is a shared path and as busy as f**k. And you know dickheads will be dickheads.
  • 4 0
 @noplacelikeloam: same on your side. You dont get arrested if you refused you just get turned around and deny entry.
  • 2 0
 What’s the fine if you speed in your car vs on a bike, I’m curious
  • 3 0
 @mnorris122: I don’t know. I never go faster than 10km/h????

I expect it’s actually similar, but they were only handing out leaflets. There be all packed up on gone the next day, maybe checking on old folk in those crazy buggies they ride on.
  • 4 0
 @mnorris122: It's the same, it's classified as speeding in a vehicle so doesn't matter if it's human, electrickery or dead dinosaur powered.
  • 5 4
 @ethan23: You need to get outside and get some fresh air or maybe a nap.
  • 2 1
 @noplacelikeloam: they only do that if they have reason to suspect you may be up to something elicit. I've crossed the border hundreds of times and never have I had border patrol either side even ask for my phone.
  • 11 0
 @mitochris: Definitely, but there usually is a cause why people are cycling on the pedestrian path, mainly, because:
1. Cycle path being treated as extended parking space (even by police)
2. Cycle paths being generally unsafe, because they are just put there to say: "We have made x kilometers of cycling path, look how great and eco-friendly we are." We need good, wide and maintained cycling paths ffs, not that rubbish painted on line!
3. There being no f*cking cycle path in the first place.
  • 4 1
 @YanDoroshenko: I hope the Thought Police don’t pick you up for that comment.
  • 14 1
 @nouseforaname
Not a far off assessment of Oz. Australians in general are very apathetic towards politics, an over a generation have blissfully allowed the country to turn into a revenue raising mild authoritarian police state.
  • 1 0
 @azawad:
  • 9 0
 Tabloid click bait nonsense. The first commenter questions her need to even watch where she’s going. With a shared path comes shared responsibility.
  • 10 5
 @ethan23: Scientists, what scientists? Since this whole thing started I haven’t seen an actual scientist ON ANY of these networks, right or left, just a bunch of stuffed suits trying to peddle a narrative.
  • 10 4
 @SlodownU: And when the real scientists recommend something it’s either ignored or taken way too far. Examples: 1) Masks—WHO said to wear masks when we can’t maintain proper social distance yet somehow that translated into: Wear masks all the time, everywhere, even in your car. 2) School closures—the CDC *months ago* said the data showed that schools were not spreading COVID as they initially feared and yet California and many other US states and countries have refused to open up schools. Baffling.
  • 12 1
 @mitochris: You have to understand the place on Southbank in Melbourne. It is a short little area with lots of old tourists meandering along there. Its often hard enough to walk through that area without bumping in to people. There are some idiots that just go for it. Just consideration of environment in the first place. An oldie that gets knocked down and brakes a hip is much more likely to die in the next year. Prevention is better than cue.

As far as lockdown. That is working great. Most people are out and about (rides the last 4 weekends, driving around the state for work, etc) It might sound bad from elsewhere but the lockdowns initially were bad, but it means now we are free to get on with life now.

As far as backdoors to cell phones and police violence, a majority of us are not good with that. That sort of stuff is being pushed through by the right leaning government.

perhaps it is best not to comment on countries which you don't know much about.
  • 4 0
 @nouseforaname You should go live in Clown-Town, it would be perfect for you. Its not some lame nanny state, in Clown-Town its fine to bike on slushy rivers and its cool to mix it up with pedestrians at high speed.
  • 1 0
 @YanDoroshenko: Shitf*ckery. My favorite new word in the world. Thank you Yan. Thank you. you made my day.
  • 1 0
 Can we all please look at the dude 15 seconds into the video and chill.
  • 1 0
 @oscartheballer: What dude? The Gatorade bottle?
  • 3 0
 Thanks for your concern for our wellbeing.

$1200 fines for going over 10km/h would be a bit of a joke, but as other commenters have mentioned all they're actually doing is handing out leaflets warning people that the maximum fine for speeding is $1200, and the whole purpose is a bit of free media.

Lockdowns - yeah, we actually _are_ fine with that.

As a result of those "go early, go hard" lockdowns, life is pretty much back to normal where I am. Seeing someone wearing a mask in public is as rare again today as it was 12 months ago, I went in a mass participation fun-run on the weekend and don't think I saw a single person wearing one.
  • 2 0
 @A1990ToyotaHilux:
Or often people just cycle on them because it's the shortest most convenient way - who wants to do a big loop around on a bike path or road when you're actually heading somewhere that's right on the pedestrian path?
I'm not defending the state of cycle paths in Australia or anywhere else, the problems you're pointing out with them are manifestly true, but simple convenience is usually my #1 factor in selecting a route.
  • 1 0
 @dsut4392: Yes! This is definitely a valid point, the selecting the most convenient route applies to me too. But I do think, the more we expand cycle paths, the more convenient they get, because they become more frequent and make joining the traffic flow easier. I believe there is a point where dodging pedestrians becomes less convenient, than simply joining the bicycle traffic flow even when you only have to go like 300 meters or so.
  • 2 0
 @A1990ToyotaHilux: the only problem I have with the push for more bike paths is that non-cyclists then take the attitude that cyclists should only ever ride on bike paths. Of course this is no more true that suggesting that cars should only ever be driven on freeways instead of taking suburban streets, but it's a real consequence of pro-bike path militancy.

To get home from work, I have a choice between a road that goes right past my front door that is a nice steady climb, or a flat bike path that goes past only two blocks further away, from which it's a short steep climb to my house. I almost always choose the road, and getting abuse "use the bike path!" is not uncommon, even though it's completely hypocritical of them given there's a freeway two blocks past the bike path which they should be on...

What we really need more than bike paths is for everyone to treat everyone else with proper care, courtesy and respect...
  • 1 0
 The thing to keep in mind about that section of sidewalk is that it is in a huge tourist and restaurant area, not just another city sidewalk.

If you are trying to get from point A to point B from the south bike path past the Casino into the CBD, there are like 5 bridges to take well before the sidewalk gets really narrow. Including a dedicated super wide foot bridge. (Did I mention Casino/shopping tourist foot traffic?) The bike path on the north side of the river doesn't have all those restaurants and tourist traffic.

If you want to go fast on a bike in that area, you need to be on Main Yarra trail going the other way past the boat houses, or going south on the dedicated bike paths out past the beach towards St. Kilda. If you really have to power through that area fast, there is always City Road south of the river.

If you want to go fast, either go north, or stay further south. Otherwise let up for a few blocks and join the tourists at tourist pace through a major tourist attraction past the casino and chill out and relax a bit and keep it under 10.

If you are doing a Moonee Ponds Creek/Royal Park/Inner City Trail/Merri Creek/Yarra loop, ya just have to know you are going to have to get off you bike and climb a long set of steps, and you are going to have to go slow for a couple of blocks when going past the tourists. Both are just part of the local flavor.
  • 21 0
 User error is definitely not out of the question, but the UAE crash vid isn't available in my territory.
  • 1 0
 Same here. I guess I don't really need another crash vid anyway. Smile
  • 6 0
 Viewable at this link, at time of posting: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzG7e8scXMk
  • 2 5
 Well he is looking at the ground. Lol. First rule of riding, look where you want to go.
  • 13 0
 @krisrayner: Get in touch with his team pronto! Professional cyclists could use your kind of insight.
  • 2 3
 @fullfacemike: I’ll get on that, pronto. Lol
  • 5 0
 I watched that video maybe 20 times and still don't understand what happened
  • 2 0
 @mtbracken: Thank you, nice find.

Anyway, I think that this is traction related. It looks a lot similar to how a motorcycle high side goes. I wonder if he broke loose or washed out on a big enough spot of grit or sand on that straight (it is a desert after all) with the power being put down. Mechanical doesn't look obvious enough and that big cloud of dust when he touches down lends some credence to my theory.
  • 2 0
 @iammarkstewart: I'm with you. Hard to tell, but it looks like he got just squirrely enough (pushing hard and with the awkward weight distribution of TT bikes) to lose traction and highside. If I had to put money on it, I'd say not mechanical.
  • 17 3
 *buys a gravel bike but decides its too uncomfortable to ride what is essentially a road bike on the gravel*
*slaps suspension or pseudo suspension on bike*

What's next, adding 29" wheels and fatter tires?
  • 2 2
 Nah they are using 650b
  • 4 0
 700c wheels are pretty much standard... (though some people swear by a 650b x 2.1")
  • 15 1
 700c and 29" are the same thing. Don't get too worked up over gravel bikes brah.
  • 7 0
 Welcome to GMX as in gravel monster cross. Laughably wide drop bars, 29" assegais, suspension droppers, I've seen it all... Part of me wonders why they didn't just buy a XC bike (I guess some people thought the gap was too wide between XC and road) but I gotta admit that these things look fun as shit.

www.instagram.com/p/CLAWAA6H40X/?igshid=6vn6jjs08g7w
www.instagram.com/p/CDqGF7vHrXc/?igshid=qq8y43q9q1ti
www.instagram.com/p/CGeUpjpn5rI/?igshid=k7ng15o3uaeq
  • 5 0
 @warmerdamj: I like my gravel bike, but have zero illusions that it's just a road bike with wider tires and disc brakes...which kinda helps on...gravel.
  • 3 0
 @spaceofades: "... but I gotta admit that these things look fun as shit" Smile
  • 14 0
 wonder what happens when that descent dude discovers goin down the mountain on dirt.
  • 3 0
 My thoughts! Mind blow coming...
  • 11 0
 The Charles River will always have soft spots, even at 20 below. Many of the college and government buildings are heated with steam lines that vent into the Charles. It wasn't just stupid to ride on the ice that day... it's always stupid to ride or walk on the Charles.
  • 7 0
 It was planned, he even checked his camera angle after going through the ice.
  • 11 0
 Some of those Cali road descents are no joke. Full gassing them like Safa is... wowzers.
  • 11 3
 Imagine getting fined $1200 for riding your bike faster than 6mph
  • 16 5
 Imagine you're tired of being hit by dipshits on bikes going entirely too fast to be on a sidewalk or path filled with pedestrians.
  • 6 1
 Ice biking 101.... Ice which is cloudy has a lot of air bubbles trapped in it, and is weaker than ice that is a clear with perhaps a nice dark blue tint (prussian blue if you're a Bob Ross fan).
  • 8 0
 1600 dollarydoos?
  • 2 0
 Cyclepaths Explained
  • 2 0
 Crazy right? they should spend more effort on more important issues.
  • 5 0
 @jamessmurthwaite I would not promote that POV app. From what I've seen, they use the footage regardless if they got permission from the rider/creator.
  • 4 0
 Yep they stole my footage without permission as well as another rider/filmer I know. Pretty lame!
  • 6 0
 TT crash caused by sand on the road?
  • 5 1
 After watching it a few times my best guess is that he got too far forward on the saddle and it slipped past his leg which made him lose his balance? certainly bizarre.
  • 3 0
 Think he had a mechanical failure of some kind
  • 2 0
 @OpeSorryAbootThat: it’s definitely a head scratcher.
  • 2 1
 Bang on. Sand.
  • 1 0
 @wee-eck: He was riding in a perfect straight line,how could his wheel slip like that?
  • 7 1
 I need suspension for my suspension
  • 6 0
 Agent Sidebottom how could he be taken seriously...
  • 3 0
 No less than Constable Sideboob, I’d wager
  • 2 0
 24.5mm only good for gravel bikes on a mountain bike site. An awesome find maybe I can develop a new conversion standard and call it taper-butt. And those river riders deserve to suffer from exposure for the learning curve to work. All they needed was some bigger STUDS to really cut through the ice a little faster.
  • 6 0
 What a drone pilot
  • 3 0
 Yeah mate! What a sniper! nice job!
  • 5 0
 Best COD kill cam I’ve seen in a while
  • 4 0
 Safa Brian is a great account to follow on Instagram, golden hour descents on a road bike look pretty fun not gonna lie
  • 3 0
 Wearing a drysuit and other paddling (not cycling) gear seems more like a cheap stunt, not high risk athleticism. Not impressed, but still, they got my view...!
  • 1 0
 Having been to Australia many times to see family, I still don't really understand the countries Zeitgeist. It was a pioneer country and still plays on the myths of hard yakka, common sense and freedom. Yet of all the western countries I have been to it seems the most rules are rules, pc, nanny state I have been to, in complete contrast to its origins, maybe a knee jerk reaction to its past. The police certainly lack any sense of humor. I still cannot figure out what the real place is.
  • 4 1
 So RST essentially took specialized's idea and worked around the patents...
  • 3 0
 Fuck yeah, Safa and Bucky Sacrilege on Pinkbike. Nice to see a little pavement radness on Pinkbike.
  • 4 0
 Another dipshit falls through the ice.
  • 2 0
 So... RST manufactures Specialized's Future Shock and finally got around to producing a universally compatible knockoff that doesn't violate any patents?
  • 3 0
 Hear a Darwin story and get irate about it...
  • 5 2
 Lucas Brunelle isn't a bike messenger.
  • 1 1
 One of the best actually
  • 1 0
 @lucas-f*cking-brunelle: your style of riding is pretty different from mine, but I always enjoy your videos. The Leo Rogers one in particular was excellent. Music, content, cinematography, the lot. Stay safe.
  • 3 0
 What the hell is high return about riding on ice?
  • 4 0
 Cryotherapy and attention
  • 2 0
 Who made up the rules ? Yeah Dude !
  • 5 0
 That's a great line. For the last ten years Iv'e given up racing and I've just been riding lots and having fun. It's much more enjoyable, and creates a better balance in my life.
  • 1 0
 people die trying to cross the Charles river all the time. It doesnt matter how frozen it is, never walk on it.
  • 1 0
 If the current had pulled him past the hole. That's it... Dead.
How they could think this was a good idea??? beyond idiotic
  • 1 0
 Dudes in the ice video should have used gorilla glue to gain traction while climbing out of the water.
  • 2 0
 It always looks like 1982 in Australia.
  • 1 0
 The first video is called Survival of Долбодятлов
  • 3 2
 Idiot pedestrians need to shoulder check before making turns etc...
  • 1 0
 Anyone notice the weed grow?
  • 1 0
 What a bunch of morons lol
  • 1 0
 Stick to day trading Bitcoin mate, ya get me ?
  • 2 0
 I don’t think ya get me. I don’t think ya get me at all.
  • 1 0
 Well the tool bag got what he wanted. Attention. What douchebags.
  • 2 0
 muppets
  • 1 0
 High risk, high return? Looks like high risk, low return to me.
  • 1 0
 High risk, penis and sack return to toddler times
  • 1 0
 Safa Brian is gonna be in sooo much trouble with the UCI.







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