MCR to Blackpool and errr... back again?

CRAIGO5000

Here's my story:

I'm quite fit, 70KGs, 5'10'' and since Feb bought a Trek hybrid and started commuting 7 miles each way to work per day. I saw my averages go from 13mph of a week to up to 17 mph per week which I didn't think was too bad since I don't RLJ and have to weave around cars.
I've recently bought an Allez and love it and my averages are around 18mph and climbling slowly but the best bit is that it's easier to ride for long periods and much more comfortable.

I also throw in a mid-week run of 40 miles and try to get out at the weekend too for another 30-40 miles.

The Manchester to Blackpool 60 mile charity run is this Sunday and I can't wait to take part and do my bit BUT me and a mate haven't bothered sorting out transport for the journey home. I jokingly said "we'll just ride back" and he took me seriously and has now talked me into it. (to be fair, my mate isn't as fit as me and will also be riding a hybrid, not road bike)

Am I mental to undertake the challenge or should I mtfu? I initially want to get to Blackpool in under 3.5 hours if possible (average of ~17.5mph) and then just make it home without bonking really so any advice would be gratefully received!

I have 2 x 800ml bottles and some orange Torq energy powder (which I've not tried yet!) Oh and 1 gel that was donated to me Should I take more powder so I can make mixes for the return leg and/or take food too i.e. flapjacks/bananas in my rear pockets?

I'll essentially be doing over 135 miles that day so any advice would be brilliant. The most I've ever done in one day was 66.5 miles but was over canal tow paths on a hybrid and the pace was slow.

I currently have: , bank card, spare tube, pump, levers, repair kit, multi-tool, food, 2 x energy bottles, 1 x gel.

Cheers,
Craig

freehub

Just do it.

Don't aim for average speeds just ride at a pace you can actually do for 135 miles and make sure you keep fueled.

You could do with a chain tool and some quick links in your inventory. It does not happen often but it's not nice when it does, I did the Ryedale rumble and stuck at the bottom of this valley was a cyclist with a snapped chain, no chain tool, no quick links, he'd be stuck there for quite abit!

HiMoz

We were discussing doing this on my club ride yesterday, apparently the course is quite flat aside from a slight lump towards the end. You could also cut of about 5 miles on the way back by deviating from designated course slightly. Just take it in turns to sit on each others wheel on the way back if your feeling tired and you should be fine.

Cleat Eastwood

its really flat and mad full, its a really friendly ride you should enjoy it.

You need only take enough food for the ride back as there are foodstops all over the place and loads stop at pubs or cafes.

ANd theres a kind of festival tenty thing with food/barbecue etc so you could easily fill yer boots, you get a goody bag and a bottle of water too not much in it but of you want it as a souvenir its a bugger to carry.. if you finish it before12 say, you simply retrace the route as you'll see thousands of riders still showing you the way. I'm going to be riding back to liverpool so i feel your pain.

ollyridesfirst

The rise is fairly flat aside from a bit of a climb near Wigan i think....

You'll be hard pushed to do it in under 3.5 hours though....I know in normal circumstances it's easily do-able, but the sheer volume of other cyclists and road users will put stop to this. I did it a couple of years ago, and we were flying and managed it in 3:48 ish and we couldn't have done anything more.....the only way you could possibly make it is by being one of the first lot to set off....Not sure what time the first wave of cyclists go though?

riding there and back the same day is doable and shouldn't cause you too many problems...

CRAIGO5000

I'll add my chain tool too. Cheers.

From researching previous years it seems that well over 10,000 people do it and as most seem to be of the "fun run" school I can imagine things can get slow. Not that this is an issue as it's not a race, it's for charity, but I still want to run a respectable time.

I did book our group of 8 people to leave at 6.40am in the hope that most "fun runners" will be doing it as late as possible really. I think it starts from 6am so we are at least leaving with the first lot of waves. (waves are every 10 mins and apparently capped to 50 people?)

Pokerface

I did it a few years ago (both ways). Just don't overcook it on the way there, stop and have a break and some food at the turn and pace yourself home nicely.

I was really tired afterwards, but it was a good day out.

And make sure to top up your bottles and food at all the rest stops (both ways if they are still open!)

Hudster

It's fine doing it both ways. Just chill a bit on the way back (There is a very nice ice-cream stop I used to stop at on the way back). Just be careful at the start as there are so many people and so few of them actually have much group riding experience. That makes it all the more fun, but accidents do happen. Also be careful of the cars, as many get quite fed up with being stuck and lose their patience.

CRAIGO5000

Well it's decided. The group has gone from 10 to only 5 to do the actual 60 miles and there is myself and a mate who are going to do the return leg too.

The event starts at 6.30am and we're booked to leave at 6.40am. Has anyone ever left that early? What was the event like at this time - busy or quiet? I hoping there is enough atmosphere at this time but it'll probably be too early for the majority.

I really don't know what to expect so wish me luck! We've raised nearly £2000 for the children's meningitis trust so that'll get me through it.

Cleat Eastwood

The start times are only a guide, I'm down for 7.30 but i'll get there for 8 and prob leave at 8.30.

If you want bigger groups to go with just hang about in the carpark till it suits.

Best of luck dude. enjoy what should be a fabulous day. Looks like the weathers gonna hold off too.

Just remember the parcours suits the sprinter so don't organise your train till the last kilometre.

mr_poll

Good Luck - done this a cpl of times but giving it a miss this year. I did it last year and felt good at the end and thought about doing it there and back the next time I do it. I live around the half way point and the signs are out and have a pang of regret I didnt sign up.

As discussed the route is pretty flat - lots of fair weather charity cyclists do this so the course isnt that demanding hence why over 5000 sign up. Unless you are very early you will be waiting around for 30 mins or so but its very well organised and you are always moving. As already posted there is lots of cyclists and traffic but psychologically its great when you constantly over taking.

One word of advice - if the wind is up then prepare youself for the last 5 miles, St Annes to Blackpool - you hit the coast here, with no protection and everytime I have done it the head/side wind has been hideous and energy sapping - that coupled with the sand blasting you get can be a lot of fun!!!

lucan

I'm doing it, too and maybe riding back again after.

The last time I did it was about three years ago and it was a great day out.

Mr_Poll, have you got the kids tomorrow? If not, make a last minute decision and join us. I'm riding with a couple of the lads from work and I need a lead out man for the sprint along the prom

mr_poll

Thanks Lucan - I am guessing thats a cheeky nod to my blog! Dont have the kids but been unable to do a Sunday ride with HMCC for a few weeks and with Paris in 2 weeks and Italy in August feel I need to show my face - thanks for the invite though.

lucan

I hadn't seen your blog, but I have now. Seems like you're now qualified to be the club's version of Mark Renshaw.

At least you were still in sight of the leaders at the end of the sprint. I have been known to have to ask later who won :oops:

lucan

Well, that was fun. Set off from Manchester about 8.20am and it was very stop/start for the first section. Made it to Blackpool in a shade under three and a half hours having covered 62.6 miles. Then we rode home to bring the total up to 95 miles.

The weather was kind and we avoided the showers which had been forecast.

Longest ride of the year for me and my second longest ride ever, so I'm happy.

How did you get on CraigO5000?

gkerr4

Lucan wrote:

Well, that was fun. Set off from Manchester about 8.20am and it was very stop/start for the first section. Made it to Blackpool in a shade under three and a half hours having covered 62.6 miles. Then we rode home to bring the total up to 95 miles.

The weather was kind and we avoided the showers which had been forecast.

Longest ride of the year for me and my second longest ride ever, so I'm happy.

How did you get on CraigO5000?

really? you avoided the rain? - you did well then!

we set off about 8:40 - torrential downpour at wigan! - lasted a good few miles!

did it in 3hrs 38 which is a PB for me on that route! - well pleased!

was busy this year - but much less kids on BMX's swerving across the road - i really enjoyed it this time.

rode home too - but only a further 7 miles for me to do that!

Cleat Eastwood

I left at 8.25, stopped at the golf club to make phone calls etc, got caught in the showers just after standish which was great, tough luck on the manshester wheelers guy who puncd within about 500 metres of starting and wasnearly left behind by hi smates. Great day though even with the manc accents, it was like riding in the Tour de Marc Riley.

Hope christies bagged a stack load of money today they deserve it. 3.40 my time. Brilliant day.

monkeysm8

A good ride. I clocked up 123 miles for my round trip.
I couldnt get over the amount of RLJers there were! WTF is the point? If you want to race enter a race!!!
I also got sick of a bunch of heroes overtaking me at mach 3 to then slow down???? I would overtake and then repeat lol. Overall i enjoyed it and hope the cash i raised helps!!!

CRAIGO5000

What a great day, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I was up at 5am and then met a mate along the 5 mile ride to the start where we met the other 3 team mates.

I took 3 small bananas, 3 Elevensies oat bars and my 2 800ml bottles with Torq energy powder mixed to a 6% carb level. (this was my first ride trying energy powders so I didn't know what to expect - I mixed them quite weak)

We started the ride at around 6:50am so only 10mins later than planned and it was pretty quiet really - certainly not enough people to get in the way so to speak.

As the team was on a variety of bikes and different riding levels we stayed as a group taking it easy at around 18mph for the first 20 miles. It was at this point that the heavens opened and I got completely soaked. My feet were not feeling too good for the rest of the ride because of this. I'd get some over-shoes for the next big ride if any rain is forecast in the future.

I did get a little frustrated by 30 miles as I couldn't get into a decent rhythm due to looking over my shoulder checking on my mates. It was at this point myself and a faster friend broke away for a while and then I really gunned it at the 45 mile point and found myself as part of a chain gang of 3 which absorbed into a gang of 5 for the final 5 miles. It was hard at the front of that with people you don't know especially against the Lytham winds. We cruised those last 10 miles in turn at 20-22 mph which was much more suited to me as my cadence was much more natural at this pace. I thought we were unstoppable until a different chain gang flew by us a good 4mph faster! haha.

In the end I crossed the line without any of my mates I went there with and was part of a group of much more serious cyclists. I was pleased with my 3hr 34m time (clocked at 62.04 miles for the route) I just wish I had gone at my own pace from the start, but perhaps if I did, I wouldn't have had the stamina reserves for the last 20 miles? Who knows.

Favourite part of the route was around 20 miles in going through some of the most crazy downhill sections I've ever rode! I clocked 38mph and stopped pedalling at this point as the chicanes were slippy from all the rain previous.

Seeing Granadas News shows the start absolutely crammed! I guess that was at around 9am. I'd do it again, next year for sure!

It was a good learning curve to see what my body required from me in terms of food/water. I was surprised at only using 1 of my 800ml bottles. I did eat all 3 bananas and had 2 Elevensies though.

I'm really gutted for not doing the ride home. My mate crossed the line about 15 mins after I had and he was absolutely shagged. This is the guy who was supposed to come back with me and I didn't fancy going it alone. I probably should have plucked up the courage to go around asking if anyone was going back and minded if I tagged along. :oops:

I really want to try and join a club now and do some group riding on weekends. I really enjoyed that aspect of this event - everyone was really friendly.

Oh and one of my mates took the puncture fairy by the throat and wouldn't let her go. Good for us but not for him as he took all 3 punctures for the team. It took him over 5hrs to complete the route because of this. I was gutted for him.

Cleat Eastwood

If you liked that craig why not have a go at bike-events manchester 100 in september. It's a similar vibe and really well organised with a 100k or 100 mile option. And well done.

CRAIGO5000

I think I will go for that. It means I'll have something to train for and getting out and doing more distance can only be a good thing in terms of upping my long distance pace and stamina. I'll book it nearer the date though as I'm starting a new job soon which may require the odd bit of weekend work.

I can't see many friends being up for it so it could be a solo effort. I really don't mind that though after seeing how many solo riders did Sundays event and I found it quite comfortable and enjoyable on my own for the latter of the event.

Give me a shout if you do it, we got pretty similar times on Sunday so it'd be interesting riding with someone who I'm not hugely faster than or hopefully become a hindrance to!

lucan

I did the 100Km option on the Manchester 100 a couple of years ago and it was a good day. Perhaps we could make it a BR event like the ride that NapD and others organised earlier in the year.

CRAIGO5000

I'd be up for some sort of BR event if anyone else is? I can start another thread where you can add your name to a list if you fancy doing it.

We could also pool sponsorships via JustGiving and if we get enough people, maybe join as a team and get the cheaper ride rate.

Sound like a goer?

gb155

I didnt ride both ways

I put everything into getting there in under 3 hours, I failed, finishing in 3hrs 10 mins.

was a great ride tho, my 3rd time, looking forward to number 4

gkerr4

^ well done on the 3hrs 10 - thats a great pace to keep up through al the traffic.

i'm also doing the Manc100 - going for the 100k option too - might be nice to see some BR forlks there! or after the ride? - is there a BBQ / food thing after the ride like manc-b'pool?

Cleat Eastwood

gkerr4 wrote:

^ well done on the 3hrs 10 - thats a great pace to keep up through al the traffic.

i'm also doing the Manc100 - going for the 100k option too - might be nice to see some BR forlks there! or after the ride? - is there a BBQ / food thing after the ride like manc-b'pool?

I did the 100miler last year and you start and finish at wythenshawe park, it was a bit of a hassle getting in, really long traffic queues. At the end there was a massage tent thing and a van selling indian/english food.

The best place to stop is at the feedstop in middlewich, about 20miles from the end, it was chocker, it was pub next to the canal the atmosphere was brilliant.

A swift half there will set you up nicely for the naughty little climb in styal too.

It's really well marshalled and signed though with loads of foodstops, you should have fun. Hoping to do the 100 miler again family commitments withstanding.

gkerr4

Cleat Eastwood wrote:

gkerr4 wrote:

^ well done on the 3hrs 10 - thats a great pace to keep up through al the traffic.

i'm also doing the Manc100 - going for the 100k option too - might be nice to see some BR forlks there! or after the ride? - is there a BBQ / food thing after the ride like manc-b'pool?

I did the 100miler last year and you start and finish at wythenshawe park, it was a bit of a hassle getting in, really long traffic queues. At the end there was a massage tent thing and a van selling indian/english food.

The best place to stop is at the feedstop in middlewich, about 20miles from the end, it was chocker, it was pub next to the canal the atmosphere was brilliant.

A swift half there will set you up nicely for the naughty little climb in styal too.

It's really well marshalled and signed though with loads of foodstops, you should have fun. Hoping to do the 100 miler again family commitments withstanding.

cool - thanks for this - i've booked up and paid up now! - for the 100k option though.

tell me more about the traffic? - is there parking in the park itself? - I've paid thr £1.50 for parking but is it adviseable to get there 'real' early to get parked etc?

Cleat Eastwood

gkerr4 wrote:

Cleat Eastwood wrote:

gkerr4 wrote:

^ well done on the 3hrs 10 - thats a great pace to keep up through al the traffic.

i'm also doing the Manc100 - going for the 100k option too - might be nice to see some BR forlks there! or after the ride? - is there a BBQ / food thing after the ride like manc-b'pool?

I did the 100miler last year and you start and finish at wythenshawe park, it was a bit of a hassle getting in, really long traffic queues. At the end there was a massage tent thing and a van selling indian/english food.

The best place to stop is at the feedstop in middlewich, about 20miles from the end, it was chocker, it was pub next to the canal the atmosphere was brilliant.

A swift half there will set you up nicely for the naughty little climb in styal too.

It's really well marshalled and signed though with loads of foodstops, you should have fun. Hoping to do the 100 miler again family commitments withstanding.

cool - thanks for this - i've booked up and paid up now! - for the 100k option though.

tell me more about the traffic? - is there parking in the park itself? - I've paid thr £1.50 for parking but is it adviseable to get there 'real' early to get parked etc?

Yeah the parking is in the park itself, costs a pound.

I think thats where the problem was, trying to filter in two lanes into the park, cars were coming off the a5103 and merging with traffic off palatine rd.

Theres plenty of parking and its all marshalled so no need to get there real early, oh and there ar also toilet facilities too.