Questions

[Thelma]

I'm contemplating doing the Manchester 100km in September. I think I can get fit enough in time for it, especially over the summer holidays. I've been thinking about the practical side of things and have some questions...

1) Do you cycle non-stop for the entire thing, or stop for lunch/breaks?
2) What happens if you need a wee?

And then a non-body-function question: what sort of time is it realistic to expect to complete in, as a newbie?

 

[Baggy]

1) I stop for snack breaks, stretch breaks and short lunch breaks.
2) Onthe website (assuming I've got the right one), it says there will be refreshment stops along the way - these are usually at pubs. If you need to go inbetween times then hopefully there will be a garage/pub etc nearby. If all else fails, behind a hedge!

Time depends on how hilly the route is, but I'd say anything between 7-8 hours depending on how many stops you have.

 

[Fiona N]

My goodness Thelma, you seem to be envisaging sportives as some form of torture - no cafe stops, no comfort breaks

Some (daft buggers, in the venacular) do complete the thing never putting more than a single toe down at traffic lights while others stop at any (every) likely looking cafe. Most people find a middle way.

Usually on organised events there are food stops along the way which provide water and maybe energy drinks to fill up your water bottles and some sort of solid sustenance usually of the flapjack & bananas type. So people tend to stop at least to replenish at these stops although for some they're also useful rest & toilet stops too.

On the time question, it's quite dependent on the conditions, but under 4 hours would be good for a newbie IMO

 

[Baggy]

If it's the Christie ride, they say: "every route has regular, official Bike Events refreshment stops. You’re welcome to fill water bottles and use the facilities free of charge, but please note that other items must be paid for."

 

[david1701]

I'm hoping to hold 10mph on my first one as its what I tend to get as a proper average (counting stopping for a drink/food) on all my long rides so far (up to 40 but trying 50 next week) and 100km is like 65m or so?

 

[potsy]

Different ride but the Manc-Blackpool one has various official stops on route, we stopped 3 times last year for toilet breaks and to fill the water bottles up etc.
I would say 5 hours including a few stops would be realistic Thelma, but you'll have a better idea yourself once you get used to doing a few longer rides and get fitter.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I'm hoping to hold 10mph on my first one as its what I tend to get as a proper average (counting stopping for a drink/food) on all my long rides so far (up to 40 but trying 50 next week) and 100km is like 65m or so?

Correct.

You often end-up making slightly better pace when ypu ride with other cyclists as well (assuming you find a group with a similar pace).
100k is a nice distance, stretching enough for a beginner, but not killing.

 

[steveindenmark]

Thelma,

this may give you a bit of a guide.

I am 52 and started cycling in January....when it was -18 in Denmark. Believe me it is true.

To begin with 10km was the end of my cyling world at about 11kph.

I ride a road bike usually about 3 days a week. I am NOT a serious cyclist. I have extended my rides bit by bit since January making sure I also had plenty of days off inbetween, because the resting part is very important.

On Friday I went out in a howling wind and for 40kms rode into it. Eventually I did 90km in 4.57 hours. Still fresh and with lots of stops.

My tip is to buy a book called The Complete Book of Long Distance Cycling by Edmund R Burke. It is filled with all sorts of tips which have been invaluable to me. It tells you things and you think "Of course; why didn?t I think of that?

Steve

 

[Christopher]

Speed depends a lot on the profile i.e. how many climbs (if any), how steep they are & how close together. I wouldn't get too concerned about average speed but concentrate more on doing the distance

Just about stops: not advised to stop for more than 10-15 mins at the most else you'll find it very hard to get going again. Never pass up the opportunity of a toilet stop either.

 

[Telemark]

.... a 100k ride ... you are well and truly hooked

Most organised rides (unless they are races) have plenty of feeding/watering stops, which is all part of the fun of taking part in events. There will be people from all walks of life, from those for whom 100k is a mere warm-up ride to those who have never ridden more than 10 miles in one go, and anything in between. The latter may be struggling towards the end, but the time limits tend to be set quite generously - there may be information on the website, or you could e-mail the organisers if you are worried. At a 10 mph pace you would be on the road for 6.5 hours excluding breaks, 15 mph would be 4 and a bit hours ... which would be excellent for a newbie starting from scratch.

At this stage and given your current rapid progress, I wouldn't worry too much, 100k should be entirely do-able by the summer/autumn, just keep going out and try to add distance to one ride a week, gradually. Your speed will pick up naturally as you get fitter

T

 

[lukesdad]

Under 4 hrs for a newbie thats a bit optimistic.

 

[Polocini]

Thelma, you will easily be fit enough by sept. I think you should move your goal forward and aim for the manc-Blackpool in July. Sept is such a long way away you may skip rides and think 'I still have plenty of time to train'.
Check out the website www.easycycling.com it's full of good advice and is run by a real cycling enthusiast.
AL

 

[Thelma]

July!!! Good point about skipping things though - it has been known.

I'm really annoyed. I'm all dressed up and ready to go out but it's raining.

 

[fimm]

I'm really annoyed. I'm all dressed up and ready to go out but it's raining.

And? Skin is waterproof... ;-) If it isn't too cold, you keep moving, and can get changed reasonably quickly when you get back, rain isn't a problem.

Another lot of numbers for you - on Saturday I did 95 reasonably hilly kilometers on a road bike in 4 hours rolling time, 4h30ish door to door. The stops included looking at the map, taking a couple of photos, and having a quick trip behind a wall to water the field. I'm not a beginner cyclist, and would class myself as reasonably fit, but I'm relatively new to doing that sort of distance (I had a rather sore behind for the last hour, just because the muscles there were tired!). I'm not sure how much help that is, but it gives you another set of stats anyway!

 

[Fiona N]

Under 4 hrs for a newbie thats a bit optimistic.

Well I did say it was a good time.

And we (me and a triathlete friend) did get a newbie around a 300km ride (Vatternrundan in Sweden) in 12 hours, with the application of a gel every 20 minutes at the end , so it's not an impossible target for someone who's willing to make an effort