18mph average for Great Manchester Cycle?
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Here's a thought, perhaps some of those doing it enjoy riding in quiet country lanes and do so on a regular basis? Maybe this is just something different and for a tenner they are giving it a go.
If some cyclists dont get that then i cant help but think theres a bit of cycling snobbery surfacing.
Not surprisingly given the above comment i'm doing it but must admit to having doubts, not because of the event but because there is another event (Polocini Cake ride) the next day I'd like to do also. I've signed up tho and am doing it with a colleague doing their first mass participation event, if it gets commuters like him hooked on getting more into the cycling scene then thats only a good thing right?0 -
Nothing to do with snobbery mate, not on my part anyway. I don't think I've exhibiited any snobbiness in my posts. My posts were much more positive than that, I'm supportive of getting novices into the sport, I think the Manchester ride is perfect for that.0
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Just a general feeling I got reading the thread that it was heading towards negativity. I'd much rather focus on positives and what it brings or offers!0
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To me, it just looks like a Sky Ride that you have to pay for. Sky Rides have been popular with beginners, I bet lots of them have now taken up the sport. That's why I think the Manchester ride is a good thing (especially once they dropped the price).
Hope I've cleared that up.
I'm just surprised that cyclists who have already discovered the joys of this fantastic sport, and have explored the lanes and hills of this great country, would want to pay to ride around the Mancunian way. That's all.
Like I started off saying, I hope everyone has a great time regardless.0 -
Well, I'm doing both. Le Terrier on the Sunday, Manchester on Monday. They're different, that's all. As an aside if you want something harder than either the Fred or Le Terrier, take a look at the Bowland Badass. Harder than either. I've ridden all three.Edward H wrote:Thanks Douglas. I was beginning to think I was the odd one out.
I am riding le terrier on the 3rd June. Others that have ridden it report virtually empty roads, no A roads, no traffic lights, stunning scenery but very tough. Rode The Fred and thought I had ridden the hardest, but maybe not.0 -
Yes Rick, I know about the Bowland Badass. I have previously posted on here about my findings about The Forest of Bowland and the Bowland Badass was mentioned.
Certainly The Forest of Bowland looks a great place to ride! The only problem that I have with the Bowland Badass is that it seems to just wander about taking in any hill it can find. Perhaps it could do with a flow.
I agree with you though it is probably the most difficult. I think I compared it to Englands Marmotte.
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It does! It flows from hill to hill! When it was conceived it was exactly as you describe. It's our back garden, so we put a ride together as a club run that joined most, if not all of our local climbs. Then we thought, why not share the pain!0
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Just another point to all those concerned about the 18mph... if you ride say 15mph on a commute, this is a closed road event where you wont be having to stop @ traffic lights. so should be manageble.0
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I would guess that the organisers of this event are NOT going to let the 52 miler turn into a road race and will escort the ride with instructions to riders not to overtake the lead car/motorcycle.
If they don't do something along those lines it is guaranteed that it WILL turn into a road race with all the inevitable carnage you would expect from such a huge mix of riders of different abilities and experience.0 -
Just looked at the event site. There are 3 events for different levels of cyclists - 13 miler (for kids and families), 26 miler (for leisure cyclists), and the 52 miler, which I quote is "suitable for club cyclists". The 52 miler (4 laps) sets off first at 8am and has a last finish time of 11:15am, so as not to clash with riders doing the shorter distances as they set-off later. It does seem to be a minimum 18mph average speed and as completely closed roads I doubt there will be a lead motorcycle that cannot be passed, so I am sure there will be serious club riders entering the 52 miler that will end up doing much faster times.kev77 wrote:dodgy, disagree with you there my friend!
when there was a sky cycling event last year in manchester the serious club cyclists were out in there hundreds if not thousands.
Me thinks a majority of people who have entered the event ( 52 mile ) will treat it very serious. I think it is wrong to state " maybe they'll take up cycling more seriously afterwards "
I have cycled all over the uk and climbed numerous big hills, but does that me a novice because i fancy a monday morning social bimble around manchester?
I don't think it would be that easy for some of us not used to doing so fast averages, to keep up an average of 18mph over that distance, even on a flat course, especially if you fall off the back of a group. I would only enter the 52 miler if I was very confident of doing the 18mph average over that distance.0 -
i am in the 52 mile, but i can assure people that i will NOT be treating this as a race but as an excuse to have a few pints monday afternoon! and of course a good socialising.
ha ha0 -
I just got my pack and chip through this morning. The 52 mile 4th lap cut off time is 1125 - this is when you should have finished your third lap. If you haven't finished it by this time then you get directed to the finish and get your freebies etc. The 26 miler then starts at 1140. So maybe not a race, but should be pretty quick.Commute: Chadderton - Sportcity0
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Interesting, as the 52 miler starts in waves at 8am which means if you set-off anytime between say 8am and 8:25am, you will have at least 3 hours to do the first 3 laps (39 miles) which would be an average of only 13 mph rather than the 18 mph average you are supposed to maintain.msmancunia wrote:I just got my pack and chip through this morning. The 52 mile 4th lap cut off time is 1125 - this is when you should have finished your third lap. If you haven't finished it by this time then you get directed to the finish and get your freebies etc. The 26 miler then starts at 1140. So maybe not a race, but should be pretty quick.0 -
ForumNewbie wrote:Interesting, as the 52 miler starts in waves at 8am which means if you set-off anytime between say 8am and 8:25am, you will have at least 3 hours to do the first 3 laps (39 miles) which would be an average of only 13 mph rather than the 18 mph average you are supposed to maintain.
So should not be a problem then (unless you have a puncture or two).
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I'm doing it on my Brompton, so only went for the 26 miler. Slacker, I know. The 52 has that early start too, and I CBA travelling the Manchester that early on a bank holiday. I'd probably have to catch a 7am train or something to get to the start on time. Feck that, I do that every day for work.0
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Just entered the 52 mile event with the aim of a 20 mph+ time, however reading the instructions there appears to be a pinch points with the potential for queues at the Manchester Ship Canal turn.0
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Hopefully, all forumites are aware of the following extract from the event terms and conditions:
3.11 You are not permitted to use the following items in the Event:-
3.11.1 fixed wheel bikes;
3.11.2 triathlon bars;
3.11.3 Aero bars;
3.11.4 Clip-on bars;
3.11.5 Prayer bars;
3.11.6 Spinaci bars;
3.11.7 Cow Bars or;
3.11.8 any other item that could potentially inhibit the flow or safety of other participants or which we, in our reasonable opinion, deem may cause danger or risk of danger to you or other participants
Be interested to see if this is enforced.0 -
Fixed gear are allowed now.
Can't understand the general negativity to the event.
I am looking forward to it.0 -
It's a lot of money for riding thro' ugly parts of Manchester is my response. The Mancunian Way is a grim flyover not the Millau Viaduct. I'm glad the event is full and hope everyone has a good time but I commute to Mcr every day and don't need to pay to see it.M.Rushton0
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It's a fair point if you cycle through Manchester everyday.
As somebody who is lucky enough to live in Shropshire it makes a change for me to cycle in urban areas and particularly on closed roads.
Country Mouse/City Mouse 0 -
mrushton wrote:It's a lot of money for riding thro' ugly parts of Manchester is my response. The Mancunian Way is a grim flyover not the Millau Viaduct. I'm glad the event is full and hope everyone has a good time but I commute to Mcr every day and don't need to pay to see it.
It's not that grim. I commute into Salford/Media City from Oldham; now that's grim.
I don't have a car as I'm trying to avoid getting one since moving back home from London, so it's not easy for me to get to many sportives. There's a women's one at Tatton Park later in the year but I can't get there in time for the start, so this is perfect for me.Commute: Chadderton - Sportcity0 -
I'm really looking forward to it - something totally different to 'normal' (for me anyway). I'm fortunate to live in Macc, so have arguably some of the best riding I could ever want from my front door - be it on the road or mountain bike. Head east for hills, west for quiet lanes. Perfect. My commute is 22+ miles each way through the lanes. It was greeat fun today - hardly a car for miles on end.
I did the Tour of the Peak last Sunday, have got this coming on BH Monday then the Polocini / Patisserie Cyclisme event on Tuesday - a great, diverse way to spend some time on a bike. Might get out on the mountain bike on Saturday too
|> Save money on purchases from CycleStore, Wiggle, Merlin, Evans, Chain Reaction, Halfords and more - click here (or PM me with questions)0 -
Yawn... A very big yawn. Amazing what a bit of marketing can do. Is this a joke? Has the world gone mad or is it just me? :?0
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Again I find myself disappointed in the attitude of people.
It's almost as if some want cycling to remain the preserve of an elite and don't want the rest of us enjoying it.
7000 people will be taking part in this event including plenty of children.
In 10 or 15 years time one of those could be riding across France wearing the Yellow Jersey or maybe even the rainbow jersey. Even if that isn't the case I would hope that they are cycling recreationally or commuting.
Not got a problem with anyone who wants to ride a bike sensibly. I think it's great that people commit time to doing Audaxes, Sportives and Road Races.
The only chip you should be wearing should be on your helmet to record your time and not on your shoulder 0 -
gonetothehills wrote:the Polocini / Patisserie Cyclisme event on Tuesday
I know the lady behind Pâtisserie Cyclisme. \o/ I wasn't paying attention though, so I missed hearing about this ride. Bummer.
I'm doing the Manchester ride though. Why not, eh? I ride Manchester to Salford each work day, but I thought that 26 miles on my Brompton sounded like a challenge. 0 -
I'm doing the 52 miler tomoz, getting there for 7:15.
I've got an extra 50 miles to do Monday afternoon tho but will be using the GMC as a tempo training ride so I expect to complete it by 10:21:50, that's around 22mph but since there is no traffic lights I rekon 23mph would be doable, I think because it's closed roads, and if I can get to the front, it'd be rude not to take advantage, good training for a 50 mile TT.
Thing is, I think due to the amount of people, on the 52miler there may be some groups averaging over 25mph so if so I'll just sit with them.
I'm one of the few that actually enjoys cycling in the city, I like it.0 -
Just back home from completing the 52 mile route in 2h30m. By a heck of a long way, we were by no means the fastest there, but I'm delighted with that time and can't foresee riding that distance at that speed ever again!
Those who didn't take part really missed out on a cracking ride. The opportunity to have ridden in a group with Rebecca Romero, Lizzie Armitstead and Geoff Thomas, around some great landmarks in a beautiful city, on closed roads I think will be very memorable. The organisation was superb, a nice atmosphere, expertly marshalled and supported - a very, very professional operation. I was aware of only a couple of crashes, where it looked like one person had overcooked it (though I didn't witness the actual incidents; just the aftermath) - none of the carnage predicted. Considering the majority of riders probably weren't used to riding at speed in big groups it went very well, with a great attitude all round.
There was, predictably, a broad mix of cyclists - even on the longer route - and I suspect / hope that everyone enjoyed their time for their own reasons. Again - if they run this next year, I'd really recommend it to anyone, whatever your expecations and assumptions were beforehand. Plus: for the princely sum of a tenner, we not only had the closed roads and marshalling, but a medal, tshirt, drinks / bars and other bits and bobs at the end too. Impressive stuff.
Time to eat some cakes, in prep for tomorrow's Polocini / Patisserie Cyclisme jaunt on the other side of the county. Looking forward to that too |> Save money on purchases from CycleStore, Wiggle, Merlin, Evans, Chain Reaction, Halfords and more - click here (or PM me with questions)0 -
I'm back too :-) I thought it was great - I did the 52 in 3:12:52 which I'm pretty pleased with. Even rode in and then home, so 68 miles in total, which is the longest I've ever done. Thought the organisation was pretty good - feed stop near OT could have been a bit more obvious, and I'd leave out that bottleneck before the bridge at the Quays because it does slow you down. The first lap was at a standstill when I got there but the field spread out after that a bit.
Other than those two tiny little gripes, I had a great day. Definitely one to do again.Commute: Chadderton - Sportcity0 -
Just got back, did the 52 in 2:52 which is way quicker than my usual pace. Agree with the other posters who rode, it was a really enjoyable event and very well organised superb value for a tenner.0
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I'm back too. Did the "26" (seems to be about 25 miles) on my Brompton. Didn't see any other folders, but I spotted a few tandems, a recumbent, and a guy on an ElliptiGO!
The 25 miles took me 1h 30m at an average of about 16.8 - the GreatCycle web site has me down as 17.33, but I think they have their route measurements wrong. Or my GPS gadget is awry.
http://app.strava.com/activities/100805380
