ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Thelma - you will get people telling you that the Manchester 100 (km or mile) routes are flat. They aren't!
True, they are flat compared to hilly routes but there a quite a few steepish little hills along the way. They aren't huge, but I rode them enough times when I was less fit to be able to tell you that you will certainly notice them. I've seen quite a few people walking up them and there is no shame in that.
The 100 km and 100 mile events share the same beginning and end but the shorter route cuts across to miss out part of the longer one.
The maps they hand out are not a lot of use so I'd recommend taking your own with the route marked on it. The marshaling is normally very good but I went off course twice in about 7 M100s due to missing marshals on junctions.
The roads are usually fairly quiet on the way out but you will be seeing quite a lot of traffic as you come back towards Manchester. There is always someone who objects to being delayed by a couple of minutes on their Sunday afternoon shopping trip. Most motorists are okay, but try not to let the odd pillock worry you.
I think it is also worth mentioning that a lot of inexperienced cyclists do the 100 km event and some do not behave very sensibly so keep your wits about you. (I'm sure you wouldn't be one of them!) I've had riders in front of me suddenly slam their brakes on and stop dead in the middle of the road for a drink, veer over to the right of the road without looking over their shoulders, collide with other cyclists etc.
I'd also like to add that some of the 100 mile riders are so intent on 'doing a time' that they ride like idiots. I watched in horror one time as a group of riders sprinted across a red light coming into Manchester through a very small gap in the cross-traffic. They will be catching up with 100 km riders who are on the shared return leg. Having a group hurtling up behind you and shouting "On yer right!" at the last second can be unnerving.
Honestly, I'm not trying to put you off, just expect the unexpected! It's a great route apart from the last 10 miles or so back into Manchester.
Oh, one last thing - watch out as you ride back into Wythenshawe Park! There is a PA system and as you approach the finish line with thousands of people watching you, someone will be shouting "Come on folks - give a big hand to rider 1234 who has done a splendid ride" and it is easy to get carried away by the adrenaline rush!
I felt like I was winning a stage of the Tour de France the first time I finished the M100. I got goose bumps on my arms and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I found myself sprinting for the finish line at over 30 mph oblivious to the fact that people were walking about 20 yards beyond. Only panic braking saved the day.
You've got plenty of time to build up to the event. Ride safely and have a great day!
True, they are flat compared to hilly routes but there a quite a few steepish little hills along the way. They aren't huge, but I rode them enough times when I was less fit to be able to tell you that you will certainly notice them. I've seen quite a few people walking up them and there is no shame in that.
The 100 km and 100 mile events share the same beginning and end but the shorter route cuts across to miss out part of the longer one.
The maps they hand out are not a lot of use so I'd recommend taking your own with the route marked on it. The marshaling is normally very good but I went off course twice in about 7 M100s due to missing marshals on junctions.
The roads are usually fairly quiet on the way out but you will be seeing quite a lot of traffic as you come back towards Manchester. There is always someone who objects to being delayed by a couple of minutes on their Sunday afternoon shopping trip. Most motorists are okay, but try not to let the odd pillock worry you.
I think it is also worth mentioning that a lot of inexperienced cyclists do the 100 km event and some do not behave very sensibly so keep your wits about you. (I'm sure you wouldn't be one of them!) I've had riders in front of me suddenly slam their brakes on and stop dead in the middle of the road for a drink, veer over to the right of the road without looking over their shoulders, collide with other cyclists etc.
I'd also like to add that some of the 100 mile riders are so intent on 'doing a time' that they ride like idiots. I watched in horror one time as a group of riders sprinted across a red light coming into Manchester through a very small gap in the cross-traffic. They will be catching up with 100 km riders who are on the shared return leg. Having a group hurtling up behind you and shouting "On yer right!" at the last second can be unnerving.
Honestly, I'm not trying to put you off, just expect the unexpected! It's a great route apart from the last 10 miles or so back into Manchester.
Oh, one last thing - watch out as you ride back into Wythenshawe Park! There is a PA system and as you approach the finish line with thousands of people watching you, someone will be shouting "Come on folks - give a big hand to rider 1234 who has done a splendid ride" and it is easy to get carried away by the adrenaline rush!
I felt like I was winning a stage of the Tour de France the first time I finished the M100. I got goose bumps on my arms and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I found myself sprinting for the finish line at over 30 mph oblivious to the fact that people were walking about 20 yards beyond. Only panic braking saved the day.
You've got plenty of time to build up to the event. Ride safely and have a great day!
