Manchester 100

[DiddlyDodds]

Its that time of year again for the Manchester 100 , generally thought of as pan flat, but as ColinJ will confirm is quite lumpy in parts.
There are 5 of us doing it this year and after much thinning down over the past few months I will sporting my "CycleChat" jersey for the first time.

Anyone else talking on the never ending lanes that are Cheshire.

 

[Sith lard]

I did this event last year as my 1st 100 miler. At the time I set myself the goal of getting round in 6.5 hrs as it was me and my buddies got round some 40 min quicker than we had hoped.its not pan flat but considering its 100miles I would envisage you would have to live in the fens to get a flatter route. I am doing it again hoping to better my time but will the weather gods be on our side again?

 

[ColinJ]

The Manchester 100, generally thought of as pan flat, is actually quite lumpy in parts ...

 

[Mapster1989]

Looking to do this in under 5 hours. Given the elevation I believe this is achievable.

Those that have done this before would the route hand itself to a fast time like that?

 

[ColinJ]

Looking to do this in under 5 hours. Given the elevation I believe this is achievable.

Those that have done this before would the route hand itself to a fast time like that?

People do do it sub-5 hours. A mate of mine did it by shamelessly wheelsucking a fast group until the last few miles when he decided to let them go because they were taking crazy risks jumping red lights and sprinting through small gaps in heavy cross-traffic.

There are near enough 100 turns and junctions so you can lose a fair amount of time on some of them, but don't risk your life playing silly buggers just to gain a few extra minutes.

I did it in 5-45 the one year that I tackled it fit. I think I would have been close to 5 hours that year, but I was pacing a slower mate round. Even unfit, I did it in 6-00 - 6-15 most years, so that shows you what a fast route it is.

 

[DiddlyDodds]

If anyone is thinking of doing their first 100miler then routes do not come much easier than this, just be ready for the endless lanes that seem to go on forever (well 100 miles actually)

 

[Kbrook]

I am doing it but ou haven't half made it sound boring! Start time between 7 and 8, do think I will start round about 7.30am. Is he start definately Withenshaw park?

 

[DiddlyDodds]

I am doing it but ou haven't half made it sound boring! Start time between 7 and 8, do think I will start round about 7.30am. Is he start definately Withenshaw park?

Sorry if I made it sound so dull , its not really , I would not be doing it for the 4th time if was that bad.

The comment of endless lanes is something that after 80 or so miles when your thinking we must be nearly home soon, the lanes start to blend into each other and all look the same.

If your not going for a "time" stop at the Anderton boat lift for a quick look , its amazing what those Victorians made just to move barges about.

They give you a starting time just to spread the numbers out over the hours so everyone does not turn up at the same time, but its not set or checked so start when you want.

Also get there early as the queue off the motorway is usually quite long to get into the park off Wythenshawe Rd.

 

[fossyant]

You'd be doing very well to do it under 5 hours. Still lumpy in places. Done it in 5:15 a few times.

Not riding this year, not done any long rides. This time last year I rattled it off with a few folks from here and added 20 miles to and from Wythenshawe. Proxy little operation in October last year has stopped any long stuff now, until I get it fixed which should be soon.

 

[Rob3rt]

Looking to do this in under 5 hours. Given the elevation I believe this is achievable.

Those that have done this before would the route hand itself to a fast time like that?

Not really. Considering you would have to be going well over 20mph for large portions of the ride (easily possible on clear roads roads) the slowbies and wobbly wheelers will impede you considerably, you will also encounter traffic lights and junctions etc. Me and @fossyant @400bhp @Edwards80 and some others did it last year, we did it pretty sharpish, considering. Bit of advice, on the lumpier bits, especially the short dig at Styal, leave a nice gap between yourself and the rider in front, because lots of people suddenly slow to a crawl and you will ride right up their arse. When you get back towards the suburbs at the end you will be arriving at a time when traffic has picked up.

If you want to do a fast time for a hundred miles, sign up for a 100 mile TT not a sportive.

I am not doing it this year (training instead), I expect a few from my club will do though.

 

[Kbrook]

Can anyone confirm that the start is at Wythenshaw Pak, my documentation they sent says the National Cyling Centre. Should have checked before now and their offices are now shut.

 

[potsy]

Can anyone confirm that the start is at Wythenshaw Pak, my documentation they sent says the National Cyling Centre. Should have checked before now and their offices are now shut.

http://www.bike-events.com/Ride.aspx?id=374

 

[Kbrook]

Thanks seen that, lazy beggars should have changed the info sheet they sent out or at least put a note with it.

 

[ColinJ]

Looking at the forecast for tomorrow - it will be a hard outward leg into a strong cross/headwind but you should have a cross/tailwind to help you back!

 

[Pumpkin the robot]

The wind was hard work. I enjoyed the ride and did a respectable 5 hours 17 mins average speed of 18.9mph and got my first puncture on the new bike when a thorn went through the tyre. Cant complain though as I have done nearly 2000 miles on it.