Great North bike ride 2017

mills2510

Is anyone doing it this year?
Or has anyone done it?

60 mile bike ride from Seahouses to Tynemouth.

I have done plenty running events but never a cycling one- I am tempted by this. There doesn't seem to be many bike rides locally to me that are like this type of event which is what appeals to me.

One thing it kind of expects you to raise money for charity which is kind of annoying but hey ho.

bigmul

Did it last year and doing again this year. You don't need to raise any money for charity if you don't want to....

Last year it absolutely chucked it down, fingers crossed it's a bit better this year! Also look at the Wooler Wheel which is a decent sportive, also the Cyclone too.

Cheers

mills2510

Thanks for that.

Yeah very true- the cost is quite high especially if you don't have a cheap way of getting to Seahouses as the cost including bus transfer is £60.
Hopefully it wont rain!
I will probably enter
Thanks for the info on Wooler Wheel will look that one up too.

bigmul

It is a bit much if you can't snag a lift with the bike to the start line I agree! It's a decent course though, mainly follows the coast (as you'd expect!) - and of course being by the coast means a 360 degree headwind...but other than that, it's good :-)

The Wooler Wheel I've done a couple of times, plus I think they still do it a couple of times a year - good course, very different to the GNBR though...lot's of hills, but awesome countryside.

bigmul

Found my strava from last year - shows you the course:

https://www.strava.com/activities/691857034

dinyull

£60!

What on earth do you get for £60? Apart from a taxi.

Never been a sportive man myself, especially being on the doorstep of Northumberland, but how the fark can organisers charge £60 to ride along the coast when the roads aren't even closed?

And why do so many people fall for it - is it because you get a medal and a t-shirt?

mills2510

Dinyull wrote:

£60!

What on earth do you get for £60? Apart from a taxi.

Never been a sportive man myself, especially being on the doorstep of Northumberland, but how the fark can organisers charge £60 to ride along the coast when the roads aren't even closed?

And why do so many people fall for it - is it because you get a medal and a t-shirt?

Its not a circular route so you do not return to the start. The cost is £35 for the entry and then extra if you require a bus to the start or from the finish. If you had a family member who could drop you off and you lived in Newcastle then you are sorted however I suspect not many could afford such luxury.

I just found the wiggle one which is 35 from kirkley hall has very similar costs associated but is circular.

dinyull

Fair enough, so what are you getting for that £35?

I'm in Wallsend and as lovely as the coast is I will try and avoid it if I can out on the bike as if it's a nice day you get loads of traffic. Add in 1000's of bikes and it's my idea of hell.

10 miles (for me) to the airport and then you have the choice of Rothbury/Netherwitton/Scots Gap etc all within a 60 mile loop from my front door. I know which I'd choose and it doesn't cost me £35 (or £60).

Different strokes I guess...

mills2510

Fully supported and yes a medal/ cycling jersey as a momento.

I usually go out to Ponteland then up into Northumberland. Capheaton is a great place for a coffee stop.

Don't get me wrong I appreciate not everyone wants to pay money to go cycling but it is nice to get out and cycle with people.

It's a bit like running- people either run to keep fit or like to train for events. I am the latter for sure.
I have one more local race at the end of August before the GNR- the price for that alone with probably make you cry... £54 i think.

bigmul

I know what you mean Dinyull, I like the coast (I'm in North Shields), but generally prefer to get up to Morpeth and then into the cuds, but I'm also narcissistic and like that I get to pay for photos of myself doing a bike ride :-D hahahaha!

mills2510

I am all signed up now! First ever mass bike ride!