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Great Manchester Cycle, distance longer (?)

by Leviathan
Sun, Jun 29, 2014 23:40
6

I did the Great Manchester Cycle 52 miles today in 2:31:16, a reasonable time but 5 minutes down on last year. I was disappointed at the finish but then I started to think about the course and the tweaks they have made since last year. We still go through the ManU car park but this time approach from the south on Sir Matt Busby way, there was an extra 'busstop' chicane at Salford Quays instead of a hairpin and this year we went all the way around the back of the City Stadium. All of these seem small changes but doing these extensions 3or4 times might have added a few extra kilometers.

Foolishly I wasn't thinking about the distance coming across the line and didn't stop my computer. The time might be comparable but I can't tell without an accurate distance.

2013
http://www.roycastle.org/fundraising-and-events/Events/Whats-On/Listing-...

2014
http://www.greatcycle.org/About/course-map

Both routes are listed as 52miles, but they're not. Did anyone else do the route today and get an accurate distance? Please, my spreadsheet needs to know.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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6 comments

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Leviathan | 10 years ago
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Welcome Tannwick. 52.4miles=84.3km. I actually found the shortest of a number of Strava segments was 84.2km. As there are plenty of other longer distances by up to an extra kilometre I am happy to take this as my conservative distance. 200m more would equal my speed from last year, so I'm satified I've justified the extra time 4 but it's not an improvement. We'll just have to see next year, glad it is on my doorstep.

Interestingly the timing stripes at Old Trafford meant your time in the 'pits' does not count towards you total time. Though my couple of minutes in the bushes does. How did you do?

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Tannwick | 10 years ago
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For what it's worth my Garmin measured 52.4 miles - not sure if the drink stop at Old Trafford would make that much difference.

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Leviathan | 10 years ago
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Thanks for the replies, no definitive distance yet so I may try using Google Earth to measure the differences. I did 82.1km last year and figure I was just taking the racing line on some corners (fair) but maybe it just wasn't 52m = 83.69km. The fastest time last year was by an Andy Gorton 2:03, this year he did 2:08, still fastest but also 5 minutes down. As the extra distance is in the slower 'in field' sections it seems to have had an equal effect on us both.

Lesson learned, always take your own measurements. But it also means no improvement from me. Though I am a year older and don't feel as fit anyway so perhaps its alright. I may just be technodoping by buying new wheels and gels and such, or sticking in fast moving groups.

NotFastEnough, your mate must be proper quick!

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jason.timothy.jones | 10 years ago
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I cant actually recall an event that was right on the distance, most are slightly longer, but I did a 10km x country run that was just shy of 9km, I thought I smashed my pb until I looked at my garmin

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notfastenough | 10 years ago
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I didn't do it this year, but it did irk my OCD that previously it was never 52 miles as stated. Perhaps it is now. I managed 2:20 last year, but want to go back and stay with my clubmates who did it (also last year) in 2:07(!).

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jason.timothy.jones | 10 years ago
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Mine was about 1/2 a mile longer, but last year it was about 1/2 mile shorter per lap

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