Manchester to Blackpool Ride 2010 – A thought
I had a thought about the Manchester to Blackpool ride for this year. It’s on Sunday July 11th
Last year I did the ride and it initiated an interest in cycling and specifically riding longer distances. I signed up for the ride last year because I thought it would be an achievement. On completion, it felt like a great achievement, although I hadn’t done any prior training or planning. I was very under prepared and unfit.
The bike I rode was unsuitable. Too big for me. After forty miles, it hurt like hell. My knees were killing me and my feet and little fingers were completely numb. In particular my arse as I had not trained or developed cyclist’s bum. Then there was the last stretch along Lytham/St Anne’s front where it felt like I was inside some sort of hamster wheel and the scenery was moving, but I wasn’t. But despite no planning or training, I made it. I do not recommend this approach to others. Prepare and get a decent bike that isn’t meant for someone 6 inches taller than you.
I really look forward to this years ride. However, I was thinking about this last night. In July I will have cycled to Paris from Blackpool. I will also have completed a 100 miler, maybe more.
So how about doing Manchester to Blackpool…. and then back again? 120 miles in a day. And no need to get a family member to pick you up from Blackpool!
What do you think?
Go for it! Lots of people – I am led to believe – do that so you wouldn’t be on your own!
I think they probably do Trio. I remember a stream of cyclists on the opposite side of the road and me thinking “Grrrr overachievers!” And wondering how the hell they were doing it. That was before I thought 60 miles perfectly do-able.
The first time I rode Mcr-Bpool, I’d prepared by doing a load of 15 mile rides – the distance I could do after a day at work and still put my (then) 2 year old son to bed when I got home. I also prepared lots of sandwiches for the day because I was terrified of a bad hypo stopping me completing the event. Diabetes can be a pain in the arse when you’re muscles and joints are doing ok but your blood sugar crashes.
Anyway, I was soldiering on and pretty chuffed with myself as we stopped at an organised rest stop in Preston; until two fully kitted roadies had a chat with us. It turned out they’d ridden from the Wirral to Manchester for the start of the ride, and were on their way back home. At the time I thought they were Care In The Community escapees, but now I realise just how many people can do that sort of mileage regularly.
I’m not going anywhere with this monologue, other than to say: if you can do it – why not? It must be a cracking day out. I, for one, will be in a car on the way home after a wander around Stanley Park and some crappy Golden Mile takeaway food
Thanks for that comment Phill, it made me laugh out loud on a Monday.
I was way less prepared than you and I think it was around the same point that I noticed lycra people on the way back.
I thought the same as you, “Are these people insane?” Little did I realise, that some 12 months later I’d be trying to join their care in the community club.
I’ll be joining you for that.
Ace. Lost is going to do the return journey also. In fact, if we all just cycle from our houses it will be more like 160 miles I think.
Id better get some cycling miles in then :O
Ditto! I want to be like the lycra nutters who cycled from the wirral. They must be like butchers dogs.
I didn’t realise Care In The Community would be such a success. Please don’t move to The Wirral though. Ey, ey, calm down.
Course its doable lass. go for it. I’ve been cycling for about 5 months and managed 72 miles easily, you have plenty of time to prepare for this. Go for it, I’ll be rooting for you.
I was 50 in March and have been thinking of doing this ride for some time. Ive just bought a new bike and will be doing the Mcr – B pool in July. Im doing about 50 miles a week in training, and will increase this over the next few weeks so hopfully this will stand me in good stead for the ride.
Dont know about riding back yet!! matbe next year .
Hey MJ, what bike did you get?
You’ll do it easily with 50 miles a week. At the moment I’m doing very little due to travel and such. Keep it up, you’ll be an addict like the rest of us soon!
Hi EJ I got a specilzed Tricross, been of the road for 10 days as i had a problem with one of my cogs, happy to say all sorted now, just done 17 miles tonight but had been doing 90+ weekly so i hope it should be OK.
MJ
Oooh I’ve been dreaming about getting a tricross so I can do the trails around here, but I’ve just booked a holiday, so that’s right out.
You’ve been doing way more miles that me recently, I’ve been off the bike for ages as I’ve picked up various illnesses. Still doing some spinning and boot camp though.
Looking forward to the ride to Blackpool, I’m not doing the 120 miles though as I’ve decided to keep it more fun and less like punishment.
What time are you booked to start off?
hi guys and girls,
I will be doing the ride this sunday 4th july (my first time) and i am really looking forward to it…..
iv got a 6.30am start time so i am hoping for clear roads and a good pace…. i just hope im fit enough to do myself and my charity justice.
good luck to everyone taking part..
karl
Hi Karl,
I think Joby and Anna (aka lost) are leaving the same time as you as they are hard core and are riding there and back. I’m just riding there and making a nice family day out of it. Family meeting us there, might go on pleasure beach etc.
I think there will be about 6k riders on the roads
(my number was 5500 ish, so no idea what number they are up to now.) I think it will be a lot of fun.
Which charity are you riding for? We’ve managed to raise about 50 quid, but I don’t like to keep asking people as I’ve got another ride on the 11th and then a big big event coming up in September.
Good Luck!
Hi,
Well im really pleased to say i loved every minute of yesterdays ride, at 45years old i thought i was in for a torrid time but to be honest the last section down the st annes beach front was the hardest.
I rode for the Willow Brook cancer hospice as my brother-in-law lost his mum recently and they took care of her and the family during her finally few weeks, i raised 250.00 so i hope it helps and i have asked them to put me down for next year as well.
It took me 4hrs 30 mins which i was pleased with, the guys and girls on the slick road bikes where flying and i wouldn’t mind one of those next year, although my Trek 7300 served me well.
I hope everybody acheived their goal and had a great day.
Karl
Ps, EJ, what event are you doing in September?
The last bit was a bit of a mare!
Brilliant on the fund raising front!
I’m definitely doing the ride next year too.
I think you beat me on my slick road bike. I took it quite easy, especially through towns when the traffic was a bit heavy.
I was completely made up that it was so much easier than last year. Last year I really struggled, but this year was actually enjoyable!
There’s the Manchester to Chester ride next Sunday if you’re interested.
In september I’m riding from Blackpool tower to the Eiffel tower with 5 others. http://www.letower2tower.com/