Tweets of the Week: Love letters to a bike, and a special Valentine's Day jersey
Charlotte Kool is the modern day Jane Austen in this week's social media round-up
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

In case you missed the billboards, TV adverts and general consumer frenzy, this past Tuesday was Valentine’s Day. It’s a time for celebrating love and recognising those dearest to you - mostly through exchanging heart-shaped tat - and the cycling world dived into it headfirst.
It makes sense, really. Professional cycling teams are intrinsically bound to their sponsors. The relationships may be commercial at their core, but they’re married with love, passion and a joint ambition for success.
It shouldn’t have come as a surprise, then, when earlier this week, Team DSM’s Charlotte Kool penned a gushy love letter to her Scott Foil RC aero bike - the same one that carried her to two sprint victories at the UAE Tour Women.
“Dear Scott,” the Dutchwoman wrote. “I’m addicted to you. I will never tire of you. Through the ups and the downs, my heart is chained to yours, and nothing can foil our love.”
Who knew the sprinter was as quick with word play as she is on the bike?
Let's hope there's more romantic prose to come, a series of love letters addressed to a different cycling item. Keep an eye out for future works, including Ode to the Chamois and I Love You, Clipless Shoe.
Elsewhere on social media this week, Alex Dowsett pulled on a special new jersey, Josie Knight lost a hand and Soudal Quick-Step’s Ilan van Wilder joined the premature celebration club.
1. Shall I compare thee, my road bike, to a summer's day?
A #ValentinesDay love letter to our @bikeonscott Foil RC 🚲𝓢𝓲𝓰𝓷𝓮𝓭, @charlottekool 🥰 #KeepChallenging #WinEveryRide #FoilRC pic.twitter.com/hRuXSOaZWyFebruary 14, 2023
2. Long sleeves in the desert is a brave idea, but a necessary one when you leave your skinsuit at the hotel
Du vent, du sable et à l’avant dans les bordures ! 💨 🤭 Oups, le maillot manches longues et le cuissard de @M_ColesLyster parce que j’ai oublié ma combinaison à l’hôtel. Mais l’habit ne fait pas le moine, on peut quand même être devant 😜#UAETourWomen l @ZaafCyclingTeam pic.twitter.com/avDS89oeu8February 10, 2023
3. There was a flying Dutchman at the European Track Championships
pic.twitter.com/LwEW0SxMLiFebruary 12, 2023
4. Josie Knight added to her medal tally, but sadly lost a hand in the process
Who stole my other hand!!! https://t.co/ETb8ICdyFfFebruary 11, 2023
5. Ever wondered which biblical figure Mark Cavendish would be? The answer, it turns out, is Elijah
Should be working. But instead... pic.twitter.com/k1JfN2XevvFebruary 12, 2023
6. That smile. That damned smile
🫡 pic.twitter.com/JpZoX5oaPMFebruary 13, 2023
7. Jumbo-Visma Women went the whole hug with their Valentine's Day post
In good times and in bad times, in wins and in setbacks, inside and outside cycling: LOVE IS ALL! 💕Happy Valentine's Day! pic.twitter.com/SC2DDYWYr1February 14, 2023
8. Introducing the leader of the romance classification...
And with that, another Valentine's Day draws to a close. It was a special one being able to spend time with my one true love (bike) as well as @chanelchannel__ with the stage 5 clinger jersey. A real leaders jersey from the folk at @nopin pic.twitter.com/PTzfONOuTyFebruary 14, 2023
9. There's a club for everything these days, including one for those who have celebrated second across the line
I’ll pass the baton to another Belgian 😇 Welcome to the club @IlanWilder. Your day will come soon 🤜 https://t.co/jrZzgR0R31February 16, 2023
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Tom is one of Cycling Weekly's news and features writers. In 2020, he started The TT Podcast, covering both the men's and women's pelotons and featuring a number of British riders.
An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.
He's also fluent in French and Spanish and holds a master's degree in International Journalism.
-
-
'The darkest day in British cycling' - British riders mourn loss of AT85 Pro Cycling
Matt Bostock says Tim Elverson run squad ‘gave him confidence’ to take next step in his career, Alex Richardson says British Scene has lost ‘a platform’ for young riders to develop
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Customers of failed cycle firm told to claim from credit card companies
Moore Large entered administration earlier this week after over 70 years in business
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Tweets of the week: Chris Froome on a pump track, Tom Pidcock goes off road, and Uno-X go Star Wars
The tweet wheel keeps on turning, on a simple line, day by day
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tweets of the Week: The EF sock debate continues, and Tadej Pogačar pops a wheelie
Remco does yoga, and there's WVA/MVDP content from the cyclo-cross worlds
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tweets of the week: When cycling goes mainstream, George Bennett loses his bike, and the sandy Saudi Tour
Two unknown cyclists went viral last weekend, it's a shame that we will never know their identities. All that, and more
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tweets of the Week: David Gaudu and Arnaud Démare fight, Cadel Evans the caddy, and snow cycling for some
A roundup of the best of cycling social media over the past seven days
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tweets of the Week: Patrick Lefevere returns to Twitter, Mark Cavendish drawn badly, and Biniam Girmay has fans
The racing season is here, at last, and it is desperately needed
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tweets of the week: Thomas De Gendt wants music tips, and Geraint Thomas gets the right coloured glasses
SD Worx are really nailing their social media content at the moment, and Nicolas Roche has a bike to sell you
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tweets of the week: Peter Sagan topless on the slopes and Zoe Bäckstedt's adorable cousin
It's a new year but the social media pipeline keeps churning out content, here's some of the best for your enjoyment
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tweets of the week: Ineos Grenadiers' three wise men, team jersey déjà vu and World Cup celebrations by bike
Here's our social media round-up, featuring a cycling all-star nativity
By Tom Davidson • Published