Manchester to Blackpool bikeride
- Thread starter Gazlights
- Start date
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ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I'm not!
I did it once a few years back, but decided not to do it again.
Watch out for the traffic and vast numbers of inexperienced cyclists. I made the mistake of starting late and spent the next couple of hours trying to pick my way through thousands of riders who were doing some really stupid things such as stopping or swerving suddenly for no apparent reason, sailing through red lights without even looking, bumping into other cyclists...
The delays caused by the cyclists made some drivers really angry and I saw many of them jumping lights, overtaking where it wasn't safe to do so, shouting, waving fists...
I quite enjoyed the ride beyond Preston, but felt that too much of it was on busy roads. I'd suggest making an early start and getting ahead of most of the less experienced cyclists and not getting caught up in as much traffic.
One other thing to watch out for if it is still on the route - I think the place was called Haigh Hall. We ended up going down a steep little road in a country park. The organisers had put bales of straw down to make chicanes to try and slow the riders down, but it was obvious that there had been collisions with the bales. In fact, I nearly hit one myself. I came whizzing down the road, and without warning there was a bale in front of me. There was a lot of loose wet straw lying about which made bike control a bit tricky.
Keep your wits about you and you should have a good time. The big park in Blackpool was nice.
Oh yes, there was another road safety hazard - I caught up with three attractive young women who were doing the ride wearing nowt but thongs and tee-shirts. I was feeling tired, so I had to draft them for a mile or so, you understand. I found it ever so slightly distracting...
I did it once a few years back, but decided not to do it again.
Watch out for the traffic and vast numbers of inexperienced cyclists. I made the mistake of starting late and spent the next couple of hours trying to pick my way through thousands of riders who were doing some really stupid things such as stopping or swerving suddenly for no apparent reason, sailing through red lights without even looking, bumping into other cyclists...
The delays caused by the cyclists made some drivers really angry and I saw many of them jumping lights, overtaking where it wasn't safe to do so, shouting, waving fists...
I quite enjoyed the ride beyond Preston, but felt that too much of it was on busy roads. I'd suggest making an early start and getting ahead of most of the less experienced cyclists and not getting caught up in as much traffic.
One other thing to watch out for if it is still on the route - I think the place was called Haigh Hall. We ended up going down a steep little road in a country park. The organisers had put bales of straw down to make chicanes to try and slow the riders down, but it was obvious that there had been collisions with the bales. In fact, I nearly hit one myself. I came whizzing down the road, and without warning there was a bale in front of me. There was a lot of loose wet straw lying about which made bike control a bit tricky.
Keep your wits about you and you should have a good time. The big park in Blackpool was nice.
Oh yes, there was another road safety hazard - I caught up with three attractive young women who were doing the ride wearing nowt but thongs and tee-shirts. I was feeling tired, so I had to draft them for a mile or so, you understand. I found it ever so slightly distracting...
therams
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Manchester
I am, starting at 8am. Looking forward to it.
I did the first 25 miles of the 2008 route last weekend an I agree with Colin it was mostly main roads, on my way back it was busier than my commute! I rode to the top of the biggest hill on the route then back to Manchester. If the wind is behind, like it was last weekend then there should not be too many problems.
I don't really have any expectations, apart from finishing it! Only started cycling again at the back end of last year and the longest I have ridden so far is 50 miles.
Should be fun!
I did the first 25 miles of the 2008 route last weekend an I agree with Colin it was mostly main roads, on my way back it was busier than my commute! I rode to the top of the biggest hill on the route then back to Manchester. If the wind is behind, like it was last weekend then there should not be too many problems.
I don't really have any expectations, apart from finishing it! Only started cycling again at the back end of last year and the longest I have ridden so far is 50 miles.
Should be fun!
therams
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Manchester
therams said:
But I want to beat 4 hours
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Good luck..... weather's nice....
cheadle hulme
Guru
- Location
- Llandudno
ColinJ said:Oh yes, there was another road safety hazard - I caught up with three attractive young women who were doing the ride wearing nowt but thongs and tee-shirts. I was feeling tired, so I had to draft them for a mile or so, you understand. I found it ever so slightly distracting...
You have my sympathies Col - must have been terrible...
Sysagent
"The Most Annoying Man In The World."
- Location
- Great Harwood, Lancashire
ColinJ said:Oh yes, there was another road safety hazard - I caught up with three attractive young women who were doing the ride wearing nowt but thongs and tee-shirts. I was feeling tired, so I had to draft them for a mile or so, you understand. I found it ever so slightly distracting...
I can't wait!
I am having a bash on it, just currently trying to gain some fitness back by doing road routes over 20 miles or so (did 32 Sunday) on my Mountain Bike, 1st week in July fingers crossed my new Ribble road bike is arriving.
Kestevan
Last of the Summer Winos
- Location
- Holmfirth.
I'm doing it with a load of "almost non-cyclists" from work.
I'm guessing it's going to take considerably longer than last years 3 1/2 hours
Unless it's raining - in which case they're on their own, and I'll meet em in the pub later
I'm guessing it's going to take considerably longer than last years 3 1/2 hours
Unless it's raining - in which case they're on their own, and I'll meet em in the pub later
kaillum
Senior Member
- Location
- Thornton Cleveleys
yep.. about 5 of us are doing it through work.. i'm the non-rider amongst them - they'll be on road bikes, me on my old Hybrid (but with a comfy seat)! only been in the saddle for about 3 months, and longest ride yet is 24 miles!
hoping just to finish it!
should be fun!
hoping just to finish it!
should be fun!
Sh4rkyBloke
Jaffa Cake monster
- Location
- Manchester, UK
Not going to be able to make it this year as it clashes with the CC meetup in Derbyshireland.
Might do the Manchester 100km later in the year though.
Might do the Manchester 100km later in the year though.
PaulSB
Squire
- Location
- Chorley, Lancashire
I'm going for the first time in a few years. Colin's post does describe the hazards very well. There are usually around 5000 riders and for long, long stretches one is faced with a constant stream of riders ahead of you. I think the main problem is a lot of the riders have little real road experience and in someway feel "safe" (i.e can do as they please) because this is an organised ride. The main traffic problem tends to be around Penwortham / Preston - the roads get narrower, a lot of people start arriving in the area around 10.00 - 11.30am and other folk are now up and about in their cars. i've seen some disgraceful behaviour from car drivers and potentially very dangerous cycling.
Having said that it IS a fun day and the ride beyond Preston Docks is excellent. My advice is start early, get ahead of the bunches and keep your eyes open. Once in Preston shoot past the dock area, where lots of riders stop, as just beyond the next lights there is a huge park which is a much nicer spot to stop if you want a break.
It's also important to remember this is meant to be a fun day ride, thousands will be raising a lot of money for charity while testing themselves to the limit. That limit may only be a 50 miler in the eyes of more experienced cyclists. For many this will be a huge achievement and hopefully will encourage them to cycle more.
EDIT: I have heard Haigh Hall is no longer used but if it is do watch out. Apart from the straw bales you have a fast downhill followed by a dip and short, sharp climb which catches out less experienced riders - don't be surprised if someone just stops dead in front of you. I think it finishes on the promenade at Blackpool this year?
Having said that it IS a fun day and the ride beyond Preston Docks is excellent. My advice is start early, get ahead of the bunches and keep your eyes open. Once in Preston shoot past the dock area, where lots of riders stop, as just beyond the next lights there is a huge park which is a much nicer spot to stop if you want a break.
It's also important to remember this is meant to be a fun day ride, thousands will be raising a lot of money for charity while testing themselves to the limit. That limit may only be a 50 miler in the eyes of more experienced cyclists. For many this will be a huge achievement and hopefully will encourage them to cycle more.
EDIT: I have heard Haigh Hall is no longer used but if it is do watch out. Apart from the straw bales you have a fast downhill followed by a dip and short, sharp climb which catches out less experienced riders - don't be surprised if someone just stops dead in front of you. I think it finishes on the promenade at Blackpool this year?
zoglug
New Member
- Location
- Manchester, UK
Im doing it, 8.30am start time for me, not fantastic i know but is the earliest i can start! Im really looking forward to it, will be the furthest ive cycled so is a challenge for me considering i took up cycling in January.
