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Great North Ride 2011.
alas58 
| 24 Jul 12:12 |
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Joined: 21 Apr 2011 Posts: 85 Bike: My Profile | Has anybody entered the GNR this year? As there is only 5 weeks to go I was wondering how training is going. I can manage 30-40 miles at the weekend but as using a mountain bike speed not so good, can easily do 20 miles after work twice a week. Hope that by the start of the ride to be able to do the distance[60 miles], and increase speed. Any advice would be great. |
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gipa
| 24 Jul 13:35 |
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 Joined: 07 Jul 2011 Posts: 183 Bike: My Profile | i go out everyday did about 30 yesterday and about 12 the day wonder what i do the morra seeing im off 2 weeks :) if i was in the gnr i think id be doing 20 a day then doing 60 at the weekend make sure you take plenty of water . and dont push it just take your time theres no rush to get anywhere |
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john1961
| 24 Jul 16:43 |
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Joined: 06 Feb 2011 Posts: 47 Bike: My Profile | I've entered the GNBR, its only 57miles so if you can manage 30-40 miles now, plus its not a race, so speed is not a real issue, so I'm sure you will have no problem doing this ride! |
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john1961
| 24 Jul 16:47 |
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Joined: 06 Feb 2011 Posts: 47 Bike: My Profile | I ment to ask are you using full nobbly tyres on your bike, if you have it would be worth while getting some half and half or full slicks for on the road, makes a big difference! |
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gipa
| 24 Jul 17:11 |
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Joined: 07 Jul 2011 Posts: 183 Bike: My Profile | ive put my knobblies back on and for bike tracks i feel i go faster .ive used them on part roads and they do the buisness for me . but for doing 60 mile on road do what john says |
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alas58
| 25 Jul 14:59 |
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Joined: 21 Apr 2011 Posts: 85 Bike: My Profile | Thanks will see my local bike shop and change the tyres to something for the road. |
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txbnet
| 25 Jul 15:22 |
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 Joined: 29 Jun 2010 Posts: 149 Bike: My Profile | If you follow the designated route, you'll find that race tyres may not be entirely suitable. There is a secton between Alnmouth and Warkworth which is off road and is a small loose chippings track surface, and there's also an area approaching Whitley Bay Lighthouse where you travel past the bird sanctuary across large stone chippings, so if you like to do it properly following the official route, then I would think road tyres may be unadvisable. Having said this, despite the safety announcements before the ride begins, people still hurtle down the Spine Road A186 to save a few miles instead of following the cycle tracks around Ashington/Sleekburn etc. Madness and not a pleasant experience on a busy dual carriageway. But there's no problem with the length of the trip, you're never far away from a fellow GNBR rider and the atmosphere is good. You'll not feel the first 20 miles especially if you doing it in the company of friends. The route is quite flat, a little climb out of Beadnell, similar at Warkworth but thats about it. An enjoyable day out! Good luck to all entrants. See you there. |
| My Latest Route: Jan 2011 Whitley Bay to Bellingham | |
| macey | 06 Aug 11:34 |
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 Joined: 06 Aug 2011 Posts: 2 Bike: | hey guys i am new to cycling and up to about 80-85 miles a week and have entered the gnbr,and looking forward to it |
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alas58
| 06 Aug 14:20 |
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Joined: 21 Apr 2011 Posts: 85 Bike: My Profile | Have decided to swop my tyres to continentals as nobbly tyres slowing me down. glad to hear others are doing the GNBR. |
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txbnet
| 07 Aug 01:23 |
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Joined: 29 Jun 2010 Posts: 149 Bike: My Profile | Did the ride in reverse yesterday and carried on to Holy Island for lunch. There was a lot of smashed glass on the route around Bedlington and then further on, on the cycle tracks alongside the Spine Road, so hoping the organisers can get out and brush it up a bit before the end of this month or punctures will be a real possibility. Thankfully my Schwalbe Marathon Plus coped well! Wouldn't have fancied changing a wheel in that driving rain! |
| My Latest Route: Jan 2011 Whitley Bay to Bellingham | |
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alas58
| 07 Aug 13:42 |
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Joined: 21 Apr 2011 Posts: 85 Bike: My Profile | Hi txbnet, How long did it take you to get to seahouses? Going to put some continental tyres on as they have anti-puncture properties. Hope the weather will be more kind on the day. |
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txbnet
| 08 Aug 02:28 |
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Joined: 29 Jun 2010 Posts: 149 Bike: My Profile | Hi Alas58, I stopped for breakfast in Alnmouth (after 35 miles) and up to that point it was dry and sunny with modest headwinds... a very enjoyable way to spend Saturday morning..... however the next 16 miles to Seahouses were an ordeal in strong winds and torrential rain, also I followed the coastal paths at that stage, National Cycle Route 1, so you visit the beach quite a few times which slows you down! It took me 4.5 hours to reach Seahouses, just plodding along at 12 mph were possible. Good luck for the event, remember to stock up on the free bananas and water at the start, there's also a wagon load of Tunnocks teacakes for an extra energy boost. This years finishers top is a double of the Blackburn home strip - not sure I could wear that very often being a toon season ticket holder! There's news on the event (and a picture of the top and the Tunnocks lorry!) if you search facebook for Great North Bike Ride. I'm sure you'll have great day, especially if the weather is kinder than it was at the weekend. |
| My Latest Route: Jan 2011 Whitley Bay to Bellingham | |
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alas58
| 08 Aug 12:47 |
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Joined: 21 Apr 2011 Posts: 85 Bike: My Profile | Many thanks will top up with freebies, Have now put on some semi-slicks so going a little bit faster, at work for the next 4 days so will be out again at the weekend. Hope your next ride out is in better weather. |
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