Manchester 100 Miles

Just over two years ago, I finished my first century - the Manchester 100 miles. Those were the pre-Garmin days, where I didn't record my mileages, heart rates and times, but I distinctly remember my ride time being 6hours 35 mins. I stopped at every food stop and made other stops to add and remove layers of clothing - I think my total time was around the 8 hour mark. When we got home, I had a bath and then just collapsed on the sofa, absolutely knackered and barely able to function.

I had hoped to enter last year but the heart problem put an end to that idea. So, two years and one etape later, I thought I'd have another crack at it and hoping to go under 6 hours total time. The start line is about 3 miles from my house so I got up early and cycled over to Wythenshaw Park. Cars loaded with bikes were flooding in and the car park was already packed. I hadn't pre-registered so it was straight over to tent to pay and pick up a number. Cyclists were already lining up to start and many were milling around. It was all very well organised, lots helping out & it wasn't long before I had my number pinned on and was on my way.

I saw a guy in a Seamons jersey and decided he was going to be the wheel I'd try to hang on to. A group soon formed and the pace was great - 20mph and above. I found myself struggling on the inclines (not that there are many or anything very severe on this route through the Cheshire countryside) probably due to my increase in weight since our holiday in France. The flats were easy though and we were motoring along through roads that are very familiar to me. When we got to the Weaverham/Northwich area, we came across a red traffic light and unfortunately, the group went through - I waited. I completely lost touch with them, couldn't even see them. I pushed on with a couple of other riders, tried to get somewhere near and hoped that another group might come from behind and sweep us up. I was in no mans land for a while but eventually caught some up and then jumped onto a faster group that went speeding by. I went along like this until I reached the 55mile feed stop in around 3 hours.

I remembered from 2007 that the food stop was loaded with stunningly good cakes, not that I saw them this time around. For me, it was just a bottle fill up and a peanut powerbar - these are actually really good and feel like you're actually having a bit of a treat. I saw a handy looking guy moving out of the feedstop so I got myself together and followed him out. I soon found that my legs were so heavy and really quite painful to keep going. Waves of cramp-onset were passing over my quads and calves. I had to back off and found myself riding alone again for a long stretch. A huge boost came when I joined back up with the 100km riders - most of them were riding mountain bikes and despite the sore legs, they were just so easy to pick off. I love that - I don't care who it is, even old grannies on shopping bikes, I love punishing them with my speed! ha! Towards the end of the ride, other faster 100 mile groups started flowing past again - I recognised the Seamons rider amongst others. I tried to jump on but my legs were still very heavy and sluggish and so I continued alone, pretty much until the end.

In 2007, the final stages were really hairy - loads of slow riders on busy residential roads. This time around, it was much quieter, probably because I was finishing so much earlier. I finally crossed the line in a total time, including stops, of 5 hours 36 minutes. My average speed was 17.9mph - just dropped below 18mph on a very congested section in Wilmslow where I was forced to stop. I'm over the moon with that time and I hope to be back next year to perhaps get closer to the 5 hour mark.

I hung around at the end for a while, chatting to a friend and fellow cyclist - Chris - before cycling back with some neighbours. A quick bath and I was up and taking kids to a party where I managed an okey-Kokey! A great day on the bike with a good result.

Here's the details:

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Manchester 100 Miles