northern rock cyclone

mattbass789
mattbass789 Posts: 355
edited May 2009 in Road beginners
first post so,
Hi to everyone, been the usual lurker on here for sometime now.

currently at university in newcastle a first year, live near hull in the holiday months, being in newcastle have heard about the northern rock cyclone, and have become increasingly interested. I'd plannd to get back on my bike in summer, and join the uni team in september and maybe gosforth road club to get out with more experienced riders who can teach me a thing or two.
but im having doubts, about the whole thing. not wanting to kill my enjoyment of cycling, but still wanting to do it competitively.

I want to go for the 100mile race but do people think that this is do-able with relatively little experience? i have been a keen cyclist over previous summers. Im of decent fitness now doing spinning and excersize bikes and general cardio. what are peoples experience or advice they can offer me to help me go for it. Got myself sorted with a good training diet and plan from numerous cycling plus mags. is it just a case of getting on the bike over summer and putting in the miles?

sorry for blabbing hope it should answer any questions.
Cheers.
Matt
“If you worried about falling off the bike, you’d never get on.”

@mattbeedham

Comments

  • LardLover
    LardLover Posts: 676
    If you haven't been cycling for a while Matt I'd seriously consider just entering the 60 mile loop. I entered the 60 last year, having been mountain biking for years previoulsy (endurance type events) and still found it a challenge (might have had something to do with setting off too fast :oops: ).

    Saying that, I enjoy a challenge ( :shock: ) and so this year have entered the 100, after meeting up with 636sean off this very site (he lives close by and he did the 60 last year a couple of mins quicker than me) he sort of talked me into entering the longer distance. I was going to do the 60 again to try and better my time, but wavered at the last minute entering online and accidently pressed the 100 button :roll:


    Anyhoo, we've both been out together pre-riding parts of the 100 route so that we don't get any unexpected suprises on the day. From what we've discovered, there are some proper big climbs but it's a fantastic route. If the wind is from the wrong direction however it will be a bit of head down and grind in places (here's hoping for a still day on the day- not much chance of that in windy Northumberland). We've had easterly winds both times we headed out and this made the return a slog (going out was great :D ).

    If you have to ask:
    I want to go for the 100mile race but do people think that this is do-able with relatively little experience?

    then I think the 100 would be too much. Better to stick to the 60 then leave the 100 for next year?

    If you want to get out and see what the terrain is like up here in Northumberland then you're more than welcome to join 636sean and myself on a ride.
  • mattbass789
    mattbass789 Posts: 355
    Thanks very much for that, probably right. Go for the 60 and enjoy it. it's still a hefty distance to cycle.

    Currently in the middle of exams so its all on a backseat at the moment, but when i come up in summer i may well take you up on that offer, cheers for the help. Real good to know there's such a community out there!
    “If you worried about falling off the bike, you’d never get on.”

    @mattbeedham
  • Marcosplace
    Marcosplace Posts: 103
    Think I'l do this next Year...I'm at a wedding on this date.... :(
    http://www.jacksbikes.com/contents/medi ... posite.jpg


    My bike
  • LardLover
    LardLover Posts: 676
    It's not a flat 60 miles. It is very scenic however, once you get to Forestburn Gate (downhill after the 1st feed station) you turn left for the 60 you'll know you've made the right decision. Turn right, and off into those big hills you can see in the distance :shock: (the Cheviots) if you do the 100 (but it is still worth it, even more scenic than the 60).

    How glad I was I chose the 60 last year.

    636sean and myself have rode the 100 route in 3 bits, the first bit to Elsdon (over a very big hill - not on the 60), then out from Elsdon to out past Bellingham (via very big hills - not on the 60), then we rode out to Chollerford and came back via Ryal (and that awful hill to finish - which you will ride on the 60). Each time we set off from Morpeth, averaged over 65 miles on each ride. Just where the other 35 miles comes from, after peicing it all together, has me scared (and Sean if he'd admit it :wink: ). How anyone can ride that in under 6hrs I don't know (oh, I do, they're a hell of a lot fitter than I am :( )

    If you want to try the 100 route when you come back then leave me a message, I'd like to think that I will ride the route again.

    :D
  • mattbass789
    mattbass789 Posts: 355
    sure thing, Getting in a full summers training will hopefully leave me with a good base to continue through winter on a turbo and getting out weather permiting, I've played rugby for 8years so cold sunday mornings are no stranger to me. :shock:

    thats one thing probably in the back of my mind the 8000ft of climbing, when ill be back with the parents over summer east yorkshire not amazing for it's hills. Might whip up to north yorks, get up rosedale chimney. Sutton bank maybe too much just yet.

    Ill definatley drop you a line when exams are out the way, and training can fully begin!
    cheers again.
    “If you worried about falling off the bike, you’d never get on.”

    @mattbeedham
  • wiffachip
    wiffachip Posts: 861
    Lardy, like you I've been testing the ride in bits, but starting from Wallsend.
    Clocked exactly 100 on Saturday doing it as far as Elsdon and then heading back via Winter's Gibbet

    The only bit I've not done is Troughend Common. How does that compare to Billsmoor ?
  • dg74
    dg74 Posts: 656
    Lardy - you bloody whore

    :D:D:D:D
  • mattbass789
    mattbass789 Posts: 355
    oh to clear up if there may have been confusion, im going for it in 2010. providing it's on, and may have just talked me old man into letting me get up to the highlands in scotland with my bike. so when im not climbing them by foot, i can be in the saddle doing the very same!
    lets see how much that kills me. :oops:
    “If you worried about falling off the bike, you’d never get on.”

    @mattbeedham
  • LardLover
    LardLover Posts: 676
    The only bit I've not done is Troughend Common. How does that compare to Billsmoor ?

    Troughend Common? where's that then? :oops:





    Lardy - you bloody whore

    :wink:
  • wiffachip
    wiffachip Posts: 861
    Troughend Common? where's that then? :oops:

    thats the highest point of the route, after Otterburn, before Bellingham
  • LardLover
    LardLover Posts: 676
    thats the highest point of the route, after Otterburn, before Bellingham

    Ah, now I know where you are.

    I didn't find it that bad to be honest, there's a false summit, some cattle grids, some wild ponies. Good fun coming over the other side though, especially if you come round a corner and there's a car in the middle of the road, that was a bit of a sphincter spasming moment :shock:

    I only hope there's not a strong westerly as it'll be a bit of a dog! It's very open, It was sunny when we rode it, with an easterly wind. I was sweating buckets.

    I'm looking forward to it now, it's a gorgeous route. I'll certainly not be challenging for the fastest time. If I can get round in under 8hrs I'll be a happy bunny :D
  • wiffachip
    wiffachip Posts: 861
    same here, anything starting with a 7 would be great.
    hoping winds will be light, but definitely prefer a westerly for some help in the second half
    well easterly to start with, changing to westerly later would be ideal. probably more chance of the toon avoiding the drop though

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