AnneW
Über Member
- Location
- City Centre, Manchester
Hi, another new member (seem's to be a lot of us about 
).
I started cycling a couple of years ago when some friends suggested we cycle Manchester to Blackpool. I am in my 40s and very overweight but thought I'd give it a go. Took me 7 hours but I did it.
Same friends then suggested we cycle C2C. I was a year older and still overeight but hey.....We did it June 2011, over 4 days. Day 3 was tough, it took me 13 hours, climbed around 5000 feet but I still got back on the bike the next day. Cycling is addictive and the C2C is fantastic.
Now same friends have suggested London to Paris. We're looking at doing the Green Route in June, which is why I've joined CC. I will probably be asking too many questions and will look through the boards for help and advice.
As for my bike, if I said it has 2 wheels and 18 gears you'd be able to guess my level of expertise. I know that it's a Btwin hybrid and that I bought it at Decathlon for a little over a hundred pounds. We're not talking class here.
Our ultimate aim is to cycle JOGLE in 2014. I have a long way to go to be fit enough for that but I'll keep at it.
1st question:
My bike has wide tyres and my friend keeps telling me I should have sliks for the Manchester to Blackpool this year. Given that I am not exactly speedy Gonzales -will it make any difference?
).I started cycling a couple of years ago when some friends suggested we cycle Manchester to Blackpool. I am in my 40s and very overweight but thought I'd give it a go. Took me 7 hours but I did it.
Same friends then suggested we cycle C2C. I was a year older and still overeight but hey.....We did it June 2011, over 4 days. Day 3 was tough, it took me 13 hours, climbed around 5000 feet but I still got back on the bike the next day. Cycling is addictive and the C2C is fantastic.
Now same friends have suggested London to Paris. We're looking at doing the Green Route in June, which is why I've joined CC. I will probably be asking too many questions and will look through the boards for help and advice.
As for my bike, if I said it has 2 wheels and 18 gears you'd be able to guess my level of expertise. I know that it's a Btwin hybrid and that I bought it at Decathlon for a little over a hundred pounds. We're not talking class here.
Our ultimate aim is to cycle JOGLE in 2014. I have a long way to go to be fit enough for that but I'll keep at it.
1st question:
My bike has wide tyres and my friend keeps telling me I should have sliks for the Manchester to Blackpool this year. Given that I am not exactly speedy Gonzales -will it make any difference?
Don't be concerned by a lack of speed, some of the forum rides are done at a very leisurely pace but they're still good fun. Maybe see you on one or more, this year?
Various family commitments and crises meant I'd been off my bike for quite a while, but as I count down to my next charity challenge in central America (just over 6 weeks) I rejoined to get some reminders and tips as I train. I have a mtb but as I do mostly road cycling (I picked this as this is the type of bike they provide on these challenges) I switched to slicks and yes it makes a difference. Off road tyres can almost hold the road like little suckers meaning you have to work harder so if your like me you will probably notice your speed improving. Good luck in your challenge, having the bug means your half way there 
