The porridge went flying across the room the other morning when I read that the Tour de France was shortening a stage because of LSD. Psychedelic cyclists? Surely not, I was full sure the cycling authorities had sorted out any issues with performance enhancing substances. It was quickly cleared up once I found my glasses.

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), or nodular dermatitis to give it its scientific title, was discovered in some cattle along the route of Stage 19 of the tour.

As the cattle had to be culled, the tour organisers felt the farmers concerned had enough stress to deal with it, so they shortened the gruelling mountain stage by 35km. I’m sure a few cyclists were glad of that too.

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