Despite Britain’s continued growth into a great cycling nation and despite the likes of Sir Chris Hoy and Sir Bradley Wiggins being appointed Knights of the Realm, the Queen is apparently ‘not a fan’ of cyclists.

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The Queen made the comment during a royal photoshoot with celebrated photographer David Bailey and his assistant son, Fenton, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The comment was made as part of a conversation about the recent spate of cycling accidents in London during a portrait shoot in March. “She’s not a fan of cyclists… We were talking about the accidents. They did not surprise her,” Fenton Bailey told Telegraph diarist Tim Walker.

Her majesty’s comment means that there is slim chance of seeing her and Prince Philip on a tandem during this year’s RideLondon 100, which finishes outside Buckingham Palace in August. Seems a great shame.