Manchester Closed-Road Sportive

[TheSandwichMonster]

Dunno if this has been posted elsewhere... Apologies if it has, but I couldn't spot it.

Seems like Manchester is getting it's very own urban, closed-road sportive in June. They've created a 13-mile circuit with 13, 26 and 52 mile options. It's the same team as behind the Great Manchester Run and the Great North Run, amongst other things.

Part of me (the sportive-loving part) is quite looking forward to this, insofar as it's an interesting venue, and that they've suggested an average speed of 18mph over the 52 mile route that would, you would hope, deter a bunch of people. Part of me (the side that doesn't like the sportives so much), thinks it will just be full of the wannabe racer crowd and beyond the opportunity to ride on the Mancunian Way, I might as well just go out on the chain gang.

Entries are here.

 

[fossyant]

Boring. So, they want club cyclists tearing around at 18 or more mph mixing it with families doing the 13 mile circuit ? How's that going to work ?

Set the fast lads/lasses off first, you'll damn well end up with them entering the second and third laps with slower folks on the course.

Up and down the Mancunian Way, oh and riding round the picturesque Eastlands. Lovely !

Skyride is free - might as well do that - almost the same course.

 

[Edwards80]

I quite like the idea of this - not the prettiest of routes admittedly but it's not often you get to ride on closed roads in Manchester.

The timings seem to be set so that there are no fast folks clashing with men dressed as Bananas

TimeEvent​

08:00 52 miles start​

10:40 26 miles start​

11:15 52 miles final finisher​

12:20 13 miles start​

13:10 26 miles final finisher​

14:50 13 miles final finisher​

15:30 Event close​

The 18mph average they quote is mentioned elsewhere but it just says 18mph on the flat. The time they give you means you can finish within the time as long as you are above 16mph.

When is the sky ride this year?

 

[DCLane]

Looks like it'll only be the 13 and 26 milers together, with the 52 milers seperately.

As it's a Monday, rather than a Sunday I might be entering for the 52 mile one.

 

[dodgy]

Pretty good alternative to Etape du Tour

 

[potsy]

£28 to ride round Manchster City centre??
No thanks

 

[fossyant]

£28 to ride round Manchster City centre??
No thanks

Quite.

It will be like a big Criterium ! 2.5 hours riding round the City Centre and Dumpsville (Eastlands) ! Oh and if the route is round Quays where the roads are that block paving, and it's a bit wet - crashes galore.

 

[totallyfixed]

I am still, after all these years of cycling, struggling with the idea of paying to ride my bike, charities and racing excluded. The thought of riding around Manchester [nothing particular against Manchester] and lining some ones pocket to do it beggars belief.

 

[totallyfixed]

Speaking of which Fossy, when are you doing another ride up there?

 

[fossyant]

Speaking of which Fossy, when are you doing another ride up there?

It must be soon as I'm getting itchy. The Jodrell cafe is great, but need to think of a different route.

 

[400bhp]

Quite.

It will be like a big Criterium ! 2.5 hours riding round the City Centre and Dumpsville (Eastlands) ! Oh and if the route is round Quays where the roads are that block paving, and it's a bit wet - crashes galore.

This +1,000,000

An event with good intentions but may fall flat on its arse.

 

[400bhp]

It must be soon as I'm getting itchy. The Jodrell cafe is great, but need to think of a different route.

what did you do last time? I can have a peep and make some suggestions. I've never been to Jodrell cafe and would like to give it ago-know the lanes around there pretty well.

 

[Judderz]

It must be soon as I'm getting itchy. The Jodrell cafe is great, but need to think of a different route.

Give us a shout for the next one (Easter preferably as might have a new bike for then) and I'll probably tag along this time.

 

[fossyant]

what did you do last time? I can have a peep and make some suggestions. I've never been to Jodrell cafe and would like to give it ago-know the lanes around there pretty well.

I thinks I need a new thread.

The new cafe is great. We've been 3 out of 4 times to Jodrell Cafe. 2nd time they were really iffy about leaving the bikes as a 'child' at some point had pulled a load over. Anyway, we didn't go back the third time, but decided to try it in the autumn. Well I never, completely new Visitor Centre, outstanding cafe and good value (coffee, cake, sausage butties and full english were recommended) and, top this, they have a quality covered bike shed near the cafe. OMG !

 

[ColinJ]

£28 to ride round Manchster City centre??
No thanks

I am still, after all these years of cycling, struggling with the idea of paying to ride my bike, charities and racing excluded. The thought of riding around Manchester [nothing particular against Manchester] and lining some ones pocket to do it beggars belief.

Indeed!

I did once pay to ride round the Silverstone race track for two hours on my singlespeed bike but most of the entry money went to Macmillan's Cancer Support. Is the Manchester ride for charity? (I can't see any mention of it if it is!)

I have an alternative suggestion for Mancunian cyclists: Instead of paying £28 for one adult to ride round Manchester, how about 2 adults and 2 children paying a total of £29.70 to catch a train from Manchester Victoria to Whalley and go and ride round the Ribble Valley for a few hours on roads like this ...?

Llamas thrown in free!