Manchester to Blackpool

92jon · June 2007

Hi,
Anybody else doing the sponsored run for Christies 8th July. Me and my mate are first timers to the run, we have logged our preperation here:
http://www.bikerides.dsracing.me.uk/black.htm

I am looking forward to the challenge!

Thanks
JON

Bike Rides Round the Greater Manchester Area:
http://bikerides.dsracing.me.uk

popette · June 2007

yes, me and my husband are doing it too - we've raised œ590 so far. It will be my second organised event. My first is the etape in Scotland next weekend (I'm only doing the intermediate run). My longest training ride to date is 52 miles so I'm feeling ok that we'll get to Blackpool. My husband hasn't put in the same amount of training as me so he'd better not let me down. I'm secretly planning a last gasp sprint to the finish so that I beat him! I'm already looking forward to chips in Lytham St Annes and I hear that there might be the possibility of a massage at the end?? will definitely be in the queue for that.
Good luck for the big day.

gkerr4 · June 2007

Hello - I'm doing it too - my work (the local education authority - in Blackpool!) have organising a team to complete it - I think there will be around 60 of us in total. It's been a good social event for me as we meet weekly and have a 25-30mile ride with a stop for a drink etc - very social - which is at odds to my usual training rides!

Akuma · June 2007

I'm planning on taking part, but I'm worried about the journey back to Manchester.

I've heard the pre-book coaches don't exactly take care of the bikes.
As for the train, I can't help thinking it's going to be so busy that I'd be
waiting hours to get on with a bike.

What to do.... hmmm

popette · June 2007

I heard just the same as you about care of the bikes. We're planning to drive to Blackpool the day before, leave our car somewhere in Blackpool and then drive home to Manchester with bikes on the rack following the event.

92jon · June 2007

Hi,
Great to hear from others doing the run, it sounds like a great day with plenty of people undertaking the challenge.

We have ran out a 37 miler - I struggled in the middle of that one, however I feel ok (ish) for the big push to Blackpool! We are runningf rom Reddish - down to Manchester, so that adds an extra 5 miles - great!

Well good luck all and I hope you raise lots of money.

I will be on a yellow bike with a blue T shirt on - so will 90% of the other cyclists!!!

JON

Bike Rides Round the Greater Manchester Area:
http://bikerides.dsracing.me.uk

Tako · June 2007

Is it 100km or 100 miles? Anyone riding back?!

longers75 · June 2007

It's about 57 miles isn't it?

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~
 I'm just going outside . . . I may be some time.

popette · June 2007

yes, 58 I think. One day I'll ride back but I'm not up to that just yet. [;-0]

Jonathan Mcp · June 2007

Great, thought this had been & gone. I might make an effort to get onto this, rode it a couple of years ago, busy, but good fun. It would be a good step in the right direction for me on the BHF ride in September (not too fit at the moment)

It isn't growing up that stops us playing, it is stopping playing that makes us grow up.

Go and see my bikes

Sponsor me for the Ride of the Roses BHF ride

Tako · June 2007

What is the terrain like? Not too hilly l hope as l'm doing it fixed!

popette · June 2007

i hear that it is only gentle undulations with a bit of a hill around wigan? never done it though.
how busy is it? I've been reading the L2B posts with interest and worry. I'm starting to think that I have been unrealistic in thinking that I could go for it on this ride and perhaps finish in under four hours. I would be really frustrated if I had to get off and walk because there were too many people around. Perhaps I need to reconsider that goal and just make my aim to have fun (and beat my husband).

Tako · June 2007

Cheers for that. Can't answer your question as l'm a M-B virgin.
Now.... where did l put that freewheel?!

92jon · June 2007

Hi,
We are new to the ride - we have been told it gets a bit Hilly, especially outside of Preston and then its steady all the way to Blackpool.
We are really looking forward to it. However I know it will be a struggle at the 40 mile mark as I havent rode that far yet!!!

Good luck all

JON

Bike Rides Round the Greater Manchester Area:
http://bikerides.dsracing.me.uk

Jonathan Mcp · June 2007

The hilliest bit is the area around Standish, near Wigan. After Preston it gets more rolling, but as anyone who has driven the M55 to Blackpool will say, there are no serious hills between Preston & Blackpool.

Even the hills early on are not too bad, you can't say it is a flat ride but I wouldn't describe it as hilly either.

It isn't growing up that stops us playing, it is stopping playing that makes us grow up.

Go and see my bikes

Sponsor me for the Ride of the Roses BHF ride

flyer · June 2007

I am new to the ride, it's my first. My average is about 50 mile Beverley - Flamborough and back. I live on the east coast, so we are driving over on the Saturday night, I hope I get a good nights sleep in the travel inn???

I hate hills...................fingers crossed there are not too many?

œ180 so far.

Good luck to everyone

Cheers

Ian

flyer · June 2007

I am new to the ride, it's my first. My average is about 50 mile Beverley - Flamborough and back. I live on the east coast, so we are driving over on the Saturday night, I hope I get a good nights sleep in the travel inn???

I hate hills...................fingers crossed there are not too many?

œ180 so far.

Good luck to everyone

Cheers

Ian

de_sisti · June 2007

Quote from Jonathan M 

"Even the <s>hills</s> slight undulations early on are not too bad, you can't say it is a flat ride but I wouldn't describe it as hilly either."

Compared to riding in the Cotswolds, the route is flat (IMO). [;)]

Jonathan Mcp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by maander

Quote from Jonathan M 

"Even the <s>hills</s> slight undulations early on are not too bad, you can't say it is a flat ride but I wouldn't describe it as hilly either."

Compared to riding in the Cotswolds, the route is flat (IMO). [;)]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thats OK compared to the pennines the Cotswolds are flat too [:D], but the route isn't Norfolk Fen flat.

Its a relative term, there is a climb to haigh hall, and then nothing much else, excpet the undulations between Preston & blackpool may be the last straw for tired first time legs. Certainly many of the once a year good cause riders suffer by the last few miles.

It isn't growing up that stops us playing, it is stopping playing that makes us grow up.

Go and see my bikes

Sponsor me for the Ride of the Roses BHF ride

92jon · June 2007

Hi,
Thanks for the hill updates! Im also not a big fan of the hills!! Looking at them yes, riding up them - No!
Its getting closer to the ride, from a fitness point of view ive been trying to get regular practice in the saddle, mainly quick 10-15 mile local runs. Will this be sufficent running up to the event?
We have done some bigger 30-35 mile runs but not for a few weeks. I thought it best to keep it local and not push too hard before the actual event?
Any advice?

Thanks JON
PS - Good look to all riders in the event

Bike Rides Round the Greater Manchester Area:
http://bikerides.dsracing.me.uk

Unknown · June 2007

When you go through Haigh Hall be careful on the descent as the corner at the bottom is usually wet and slippery, its under trees in the shade.
There are some hay bales making a chicane to slow you down, please do so. Nearly every year someone comes off down there.

After Preston the slopes become long drags for those who are not too fit, and there is quite a bit of bunching making it hard to pass. Car drivers start to get frustrated.

Have a great time, nice to see so many doing it.

someone asked if anyone was riding back..
I ride down from Preston, set off about 5 30, do the ride and then cycle back home to Preston. On the way back I see so many riders struggling those last 10 miles. Mostly as they have knobbly tyres on their bikes, the bikes are not set up correctly...saddle height etc, and the riders seem not to have bothered to do any training.

Have fun.

george

_________________________________
Trip
www.pedalpatagonia.co.uk

2 Bikes
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/imjibi/Bikes

popette · June 2007

I did the etape in Scotland at the weekend as warm up for the blackpool run. lots and lots of hills!! it was great actually - well worth the œ25 entrance fee and I'll be going back next year, hopefully to do the long course. The roads were closed so we didn't have to worry about cars or stopping at junctions etc. It also gave me a bit of a taste of riding in a group, although I think it'll be much busier on the way to Blackpool. I beat my husband quite comfortably, which was very enjoyable!
raised about œ1300 so far so well chuffed with that.
Good luck!

Jonathan Mcp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by popette

I did the etape in Scotland at the weekend as warm up for the blackpool run. lots and lots of hills!! it was great actually - well worth the œ25 entrance fee and I'll be going back next year, hopefully to do the long course. The roads were closed so we didn't have to worry about cars or stopping at junctions etc. It also gave me a bit of a taste of riding in a group, although I think it'll be much busier on the way to Blackpool. I beat my husband quite comfortably, which was very enjoyable!
raised about œ1300 so far so well chuffed with that.
Good luck!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The M2B also attracts a lot of pure charity riders, and there is sometimes a little animosity between the once a year charity bods and the faster more regular cyclists - probably needs more caution on the part of the faster riders as there is such a large number of riders you can be caught out by a slower rider (or riders) moving across in front of you. Last time I rode thr M2B one guy was brought down when a slower rider "wobbled" into him, resulted in minor injury, but I seem to recall some slightly nastier incidents over the years as well.

It isn't growing up that stops us playing, it is stopping playing that makes us grow up.

Go and see my bikes

Sponsor me for the Ride of the Roses BHF ride

DuncSF · June 2007

I'm doing this M2B as well and have done it twice before on a mountain bike weighing about 2 stone more than I am now, in the pouring rain one year and stopping at several pubs another year and managed the hills and all the hazards - take it steady, relax and enjoy the ride. There are no real hills and it is a lot of fun!

Haigh Hall is wet and slippery and will be this year with all the rain so just take your time on that stretch.

Just make sure you eat some good carbs before and take plenty of liquids

Tarmac Chewer

92jon · June 2007

Thanks again for the advice and information -
We have both got Camel packs (I think thats their name) - the water backpacks which we intend to keep well stocked.
Weather could be interesting - I am based near Manchester and yes its been wet, but we have not had the rain like Yorkshire. Still dont know what to expect a week on Sunday for the ride. I would prefer overcast - just nice - not too hot.

Carbs - I was informed that Jam Butties and Energy bars are a good source - and they are easy to transport on the bike. Is this correct?
I was also told to put some cordial in my water pack - give it a bit of flavour.
Thanks again
JON
PS - Should be out after work with my mate up in the hills around Bury - Affetside and back through Tottington. A nice run. Lets hope its dry!

Bike Rides Round the Greater Manchester Area:
http://bikerides.dsracing.me.uk

popette · June 2007

I quite like soreen malt loaf with a too thick layer of butter. I also have oat and honey granola bars which are quite nice. I always put in a splash of cordial into my water bottles as I don't like plain water quite so much so consequently, I don't drink enough of it. My husband tried out some energy bars (SIS) and a gel at our weekend ride. The gel was like frog spawn and he ended up spilling it all down his hand and onto the hoods. The energy bar was rock hard and not awfully nice.
My back is killing me and I'm worried about whether I'll be ok for next weekend. I'm seeing an osteopath this afternoon to find out whats wrong. I don't feel any pain on the bike so I hope it's not related. I may be dosed up on ibuprofen when I go to blackpool.

92jon · June 2007

Hi,
I like Soreen so I think that will be making its way in to my bag.
Energy gel - frogspawn - doesnt some that nice, think I will give that a miss.
Maybe a trip to my local Holland and Barret is called for - maybe go for the classic - Kendal Mint Cake - lots of sugar!

We took a nice 13 miler last night - sadly my seat worked loose, after we had tried to move the seat up. We took in quite a few hills around Bury and Bolton. The weather broke last night and it was a beuatiful bright evening. The views across to Manchester were amazing.
I will post the details of where we went on our site - once I get the details from my mate.

Thanks
JON

Bike Rides Round the Greater Manchester Area:
http://bikerides.dsracing.me.uk

Unknown · June 2007

You might have passed me last night 92Jon, two blokes past me on the hills near Afferside, I'd decided to extend my commute home as it was a nice evening. I was wearing a pink jacket.

92jon · June 2007

trio25
Yes that was us!! Small world eh!
I was the one suffering at the back!!! My fault for messing with the seat height!
My friend (who was running at the front) is from Bury and he knew where we were going - he took me around the area - its a lovely part of the world - great views (which were enjoyed while going down hill!)

trio 25 - are you running in the M to B ride?

Thanks
JON

Bike Rides Round the Greater Manchester Area:
http://bikerides.dsracing.me.uk

Tynancp · June 2007

first time L2B a few weeks back, two weeks of commuting 12 miles each way

pasta for dinner, porridge for breakfast, three bananas and an apple and lots of water saw me through fine, a cookie near the end and a few boiled sweets

Unknown · June 2007

What time are people starting?

please smile as you go past me!!

george

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Manchester to Blackpool

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