Manchester 100K 4th September

jimbo0023
jimbo0023 Posts: 96
edited September 2011 in Road beginners
hi all,

is anybody else taking part in the Manchester 100K/100 Mile on 4th September?
this will be the first time ive rode over 30 miles and was wondering on equipment, rest stops etc..

any advice for a newbie much appreciated!

jim

Comments

  • morstar
    morstar Posts: 6,190
    Well you haven't got much time until the event but I'd try and do at least one 30 mile ride between now and then.

    Other than that, eat well, drink well and take it steady.
  • KulaBen
    KulaBen Posts: 220
    I did it last year, and it's a great day out. Lots of stops possible along the way- at least 2 designated but loads more as it passes through towns/villages. Mostly flat with 2 or 3 hills, but nothing too strenuous. As long as you have a pump, spare tube, waterproof, food and water you'll be right.
  • KulaBen
    KulaBen Posts: 220
    Also when I did it last year i was in the same boat as you- as long as you pace yourself you'll get round. There are loads of people there who you wouldn't presume to be cyclists but who make it round. What shamed me was getting across the line to hear over the tannoy that a guy in his seventies had done the 100mil in the time i'd done 100km. I'll get him this time though!
  • kamil1891
    kamil1891 Posts: 658
    just out off topic, but can you buy the entry on the day? ;)
  • rdt
    rdt Posts: 869
    kamil1891 wrote:
    just out off topic, but can you buy the entry on the day? ;)

    As I understand this event... none of the fee that you pay to the organisers goes to anyone but the organisers themselves. In particular, the associated charity doesn't get a penny from the entry fee - they only get money from any sponsorship raised. Also, in this event, it's my understanding that all feed-stops en route require you to pay for the food at the feedstop. Please advise if I've got this wrong...

    I wouldn't mind riding on the flat for a change, so if on the night before the weather forecast looks promising, I might also be interested in this route.

    Previously, I've "bought" an entry on the day for other rides structured a bit like this by making a direct donation (online) to the charity involved. That way, I get to ride on the lovely public roads as I'm rightfully entitled, in half-decent weather as I wish I was rightly entitled, the charity involved gets a boost, and none of my friends/family are pestered for cash - we're all happy.

    On that note, is there somewhere nearby that's good to park? I'm guessing the proper car park is chokka...

    And are there enough people riding the 100 miler to make finding a group to ride with pretty straightforward?
  • kamil1891
    kamil1891 Posts: 658
    rdt wrote:
    kamil1891 wrote:
    just out off topic, but can you buy the entry on the day? ;)

    As I understand this event... none of the fee that you pay to the organisers goes to anyone but the organisers themselves. In particular, the associated charity doesn't get a penny from the entry fee - they only get money from any sponsorship raised. Also, in this event, it's my understanding that all feed-stops en route require you to pay for the food at the feedstop. Please advise if I've got this wrong...

    I wouldn't mind riding on the flat for a change, so if on the night before the weather forecast looks promising, I might also be interested in this route.

    Previously, I've "bought" an entry on the day for other rides structured a bit like this by making a direct donation (online) to the charity involved. That way, I get to ride on the lovely public roads as I'm rightfully entitled, in half-decent weather as I wish I was rightly entitled, the charity involved gets a boost, and none of my friends/family are pestered for cash - we're all happy.

    On that note, is there somewhere nearby that's good to park? I'm guessing the proper car park is chokka...

    And are there enough people riding the 100 miler to make finding a group to ride with pretty straightforward?


    Can you do this that way? I have never done any sportives, so don't know how they are organised, but I thought the roads are closed for that event. If so, then it would make a sense to pay the entry fee even for the organisers themselves.

    I want to do 100miler, but I live 20 miles from the start point, so I would prefer not to spend all day in the rain...checking weather forecast would be not bad idea and they deciding whether to go or not.
  • David100
    David100 Posts: 24
    I did it last year and I'm sure you can pay on the day but it is an extra £1 over the online fee. Plenty of people doing the ride so easy enough to slot into a group. It's a pretty flat route with only a few hills to attend to. All the roads remain open to the public so you still have car's going by.
  • kamil1891
    kamil1891 Posts: 658
    To be honest, I'm very disappointed to hear that the charity isn't getting any money at all from this. What is the point then of paying the entry fee if anyone can really come there and ride ? Do you get any extras with entry pack ?
  • Cleat Eastwood
    Cleat Eastwood Posts: 7,508
    kamil1891 wrote:
    To be honest, I'm very disappointed to hear that the charity isn't getting any money at all from this. What is the point then of paying the entry fee if anyone can really come there and ride ? Do you get any extras with entry pack ?

    You get a number and a card you use to swap for map.....and thats it.

    There are loads of foodstops and unfortunately you do have to pay for the grub. The small ones offer cakes/bananas/orange/coffee tea etc.

    The halfway feedstop last year was quite full; with a guy with water vat to fill your bottles. But there are loads of unofficial stops too.

    The only bit you could call steep is near the end near Styal I think it is, but its only about 7 % and the biggest danger was people getting off to walk as the road was quite narrow IIRC.

    There are loads of groups to latch onto but be wary of a few of them splitting off to do the 50 route.

    With the right weather it's a cracking day as has been said overall very flat and really well marshalled.

    Parking facilities are in Wythenshawe park, last year it cost pound, we got there late and there were loads of spaces.
    The dissenter is every human being at those moments of his life when he resigns
    momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself.
  • jimbo0023
    jimbo0023 Posts: 96
    Thanks for all the feedback guys,

    in answer to some Q's:

    parking is 1.50 if paid in advance (when entering) and is in Wythenshaw park.
    roads arent closed so technically you could just turn up and ride the route (minus an official number).

    i am only doing the 100K not the 100 Mile, its my first swarey into anything like a decent distance and certainly wont be killing myself to do it :D

    i wasnt aware none of the entry cash goes to the charity either..

    see you on the day if any one going!
  • Corporate Camper
    Corporate Camper Posts: 293
    I'm doing this ride tomorrow, I did it last year too and really enjoyed it!

    Last year I registered in advance, but this year I haven't and I'll take care of that on the day. As someone else suggested, I'm going to make a donation to the charity (Christies) separately.

    Although none of the entry fee goes to the charity I still think it's a good deal; the ride is very well organised and it gives people (especially those new to cycling) the chance to do a "big" ride in safety and raise some cash in sponsorship.
    '12 CAAD 8 Tiagra
  • vroomvroom
    vroomvroom Posts: 72
    Weather forcast looking good.

    Very tempted by the 100k ....am I right in thinking you can pay at the start ??
  • kamil1891
    kamil1891 Posts: 658
    You have to be right :D I want to do 100m but I have to set off at around 5.30 from home to be there at 7, when it starts. So, hope we can still buy entry pack at that time, otherwise I'll be mad ;D
  • rdt
    rdt Posts: 869
    Enjoyed the 100 mile route. Chapeau to the small Seamons CC group for the return leg.
  • potters1863
    potters1863 Posts: 111
    Did the 100 mile route, very enjoyable day, weather good and plenty of groups to tag onto to push the pace a bit more than originally thought possible.

    Pleased with a time of 5 hours 35 mins, was aiming for about 6 hours before the event.

    Good support at Wythenshawe Park, speaking to a fellow cyclist with a Trek bike, who had been involved in a crash earlier, he was wearing a bandage on his left arm and complaining that his hip was hurting a bit and commenting on how pleased he was that he had been wearing his helmet as he had hit it on the road. Hope he managed to finish as he was showing a lot of guts to carry on, good show mate!

    Well done to everyone that competed especially the ones who were on mountain bikes, don't think I could have done 100 miles on a mountain bike. :D
  • heatonrider
    heatonrider Posts: 109
    102 "Glow Team" women from a wide range of experience and cycling backgrounds took part .. if you wanted to find out more see ... www.glynisfrancis.co.uk/the-100100-glow.html or see Facebook 100/100 Glow

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