Author Topic: Mersey Roads 24hr TT 2018  (Read 25437 times)

Mersey Roads 24hr TT 2018
« on: 16 April, 2018, 09:46:27 am »
So I've been talked into entering this year. 

I've managed to find some details on the course but very little about how its organised.  Can anyone point me to any info on organisation, good places for supporters to park up / make camp etc?  Training is going ok but any general advice would be gratefully received!

Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT
« Reply #1 on: 16 April, 2018, 09:58:41 am »

Karla

  • car(e) free
    • Lost Byway - around the world by bike
Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT
« Reply #2 on: 16 April, 2018, 10:03:29 am »
There are various threads on here, have a look through the racing section and you should be able to dig out a few.

Here's My report from last time I did it.

The course has changed a bit in recent years, so don't set too much store by any maps or reports you read online. Here is the women's winner's Strava from last year, which is the most up to date course.

The current version of the course:
Start at Wrexham
Ride to Prees Heath
Do laps going Prees - Battlefield - Prees - Tern Hill - Prees
During the morning and evening you will be put on a circuit that does 13 mile laps of some lanes around Prees, instead of the main Battlefield / Tern Hill drag.
Ride back to Wrexham
Do laps of the finishing circuit around Wrexham until you run out of time.

The best place for supporters is Prees.  Go early to bag a good spot!  There's usually a cafe that is open 24 hours, but I was suporting a friend last year and the cafe shut at night - hopefully it will be open again this year as I got rather cold outside in the rain!  Lots of people bring a gazebo if they have one.

At Prees you will see your rider either every 20-30 miles or every 13 miles.  When they get directed to the finishing circuit, up sticks and drive to Wrexham where you will then see them every 8-10 miles.





Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT
« Reply #3 on: 16 April, 2018, 10:22:16 am »
A tented village forms on this area of grass next to the Prees Heath roundabout. This obscures the sightlines at the junction of the A49 and the A41, at the point where traffic is turning into the Raven Cafe. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.9370275,-2.6602492,3a,75y,247.56h,87.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1svdov7zGpeFIbPuWQXTD_bg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en
Sunday morning is the busy time there. With wagons arriving for breakfast, and motorcyclists congregating. I've never been entirely happy seeing riders picking up bottles close to the roundabout, and sorting them out as they cross the busiest part of the junction.

Handing up here gives the riders time to sort themselves out before the roundabout. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.9345745,-2.6607899,3a,75y,205.27h,63.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sF31xgD9u4mEj7PojmcFvAQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT
« Reply #4 on: 16 April, 2018, 11:15:32 am »
Thanks guys, all useful stuff!

Great write up from last year Karla, this will be my first time out on a 24 so really not sure what to expect.  Your training plan sounds much like mine, short fast sessions the turbo trainer with the occasional long Audax thrown in.

Karla

  • car(e) free
    • Lost Byway - around the world by bike
Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT
« Reply #5 on: 16 April, 2018, 11:15:56 am »
Exit Stage Left has done a series of films about the MR24, which you can find on Youtube and Vimeo.  Here's one of them here.  Watch as many as you can and you should get a good feel for the event.

Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT 2018
« Reply #6 on: 16 April, 2018, 02:14:02 pm »
I'd forgotten what a lot of effort we put into that film, mainly as a rehearsal for filming PBP 2015.

Sadly, Sam Williamson, Michael Broadwith's team leader, passed away in February, after a short battle with prostate cancer. I remember meeting him on a previous occasion, when he rode the 24.


Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT 2018
« Reply #7 on: 17 April, 2018, 11:02:31 am »
The course and HQ used in 2017:

REVISED COURSE DETAILS MERSEY ROADS 24 HOUR

Start from The Club House Wrexham, Wrexham Industrial Estate, Oak Rd, Wrexham LL13 9RG
SECTION 1 (to Prees Heath RAB) 25.93 miles
GPX Link:https://www.plotaroute.com/route/445163


SECTION 2 (2x Battlefield Church) (by the end of this you will have completed a total of 123.17 miles)
GPX link: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/445001

SECTION 3: Quina Brook Circuit (each circuit is 12.62 miles - you complete up to 7 laps, if you do all 7 you will have completed a total of 211.47 miles by the end)
GPX link: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/406312

SECTION 4: Prees Heath Espley Prees Heath (NIGHT CIRCUIT) each circuit is 20.65 miles - you complete up to 7 laps, if you do all 7 you will have completed a total of 356.02 miles by the end
GPX link: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/449078

SECTION 5: Quina Brook circuit (see section 3 above for GPX link), this time you will complete up to 6 laps (12.62 miles each), if you do all 6 you will have completed a total of 431.70 miles by the end

SECTION 6: finishing circuit (and transition to it)
Each lap of the finishing circuit is 8.56 miles long
The transition is 10.95 miles
GPX link: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/445166

On the Prees Heath - Espley - Prees Heath laps most people do hand ups at the Prees Heath RAB. I much prefer to do so at Espley. There is a nice section of grass on the left hand side just as you exit the RAB on the way back from Espley towards Prees Heath.

On the Quina Brook laps again most people do hand ups at Prees Heath RAB. I much prefer doing so on the back of the circuit in Tilstock. There is a section where the road inclines a little. Supporters can take Tilstock Lane to cut through from Prees Heath to Tilstock.

On the Battlefield Church Laps I guess again most people do hand ups at Prees Heath RAB, but is a very lap stretch to Battlefield Church. You may want supporters to do a hand up somewhere half way. There is a good layby on the left on the return from Battlefield Church RAB on the A49. Cars can parks up. Riders can even ride in and out of quite quickly if they prefer. Sorry cannot give exact details, but you will see it when you drive the route.

On the finish circuit, there are various options for handups. All just depends on what you find most comfortable. I would avoid the grassy area near the HQ as there are a lot of supporters on there and visibility may not be as good.




rob

Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT 2018
« Reply #8 on: 17 April, 2018, 11:09:57 am »
I’m too nice to my helpers, stationing them near food, drink and toilets.   

The unmentioned benefit of being at Prees for approx 21hrs is that the marshalls will let you know when each section closes and when you are being moved on.

Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT
« Reply #9 on: 17 April, 2018, 11:26:03 am »
There are various threads on here, have a look through the racing section and you should be able to dig out a few.

Here's My report from last time I did it.

That's a great write up, I really enjoyed reading it  :thumbsup:

Karla

  • car(e) free
    • Lost Byway - around the world by bike
Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT 2018
« Reply #10 on: 17 April, 2018, 11:32:18 am »
Wow, high praise indeed! 

Hey Scrantaj, you've now got not one but two winners of this event on the thread, they must like you :thumbsup:

Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT
« Reply #11 on: 17 April, 2018, 11:40:41 am »
Here[/url] is the women's winner's Strava from last year, which is the most up to date course.


And here is my write up: https://duracellbunnyonabike.com/2017/08/03/national-24hr-tt-win/ WHich incorporates images of the various course sections.

Have fun. Mersey 24hr is the best TT of the year. I have been there as a rider and as a supporter, I very much enjoyed the atmosphere each time.

Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT 2018
« Reply #12 on: 17 April, 2018, 03:19:35 pm »
I would appear to have entered this 🙄
I’m not shaving my legs or buying a skin suit just so we understand each other 😉
It can’t be as bad(Hurt as much)as LEL did last year...... Can it 😳

Pedal Castro

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Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT 2018
« Reply #13 on: 17 April, 2018, 03:37:57 pm »

Sadly, Sam Williamson, Michael Broadwith's team leader, passed away in February, after a short battle with prostate cancer. I remember meeting him on a previous occasion, when he rode the 24.

That is very sad, my daughter who was supporting me found herself spending quite a lot of time positioned next to Sam and got very excited as Sam explained that the comp record was possible!!

Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT 2018
« Reply #14 on: 17 April, 2018, 03:55:43 pm »

Sadly, Sam Williamson, Michael Broadwith's team leader, passed away in February, after a short battle with prostate cancer. I remember meeting him on a previous occasion, when he rode the 24.

That is very sad, my daughter who was supporting me found herself spending quite a lot of time positioned next to Sam and got very excited as Sam explained that the comp record was possible!!

I did a fairly long interview with Sam in 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl-1HEL8ieY

He did 444.643 miles, coming 9th. The 24 Hour fellowship have results, including 100 mile times and 12 hour distances.
http://www.24hourfellowship.org.uk/result.php?event=Mersey%20Roads%20Club&eventyear=2012

Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT 2018
« Reply #15 on: 18 April, 2018, 09:20:03 am »
Only 3 months until this comes round again, I should really think about getting a long ride in first  ;)

Feanor

  • It's mostly downhill from here.
Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT 2018
« Reply #16 on: 18 April, 2018, 11:45:10 am »
Hmm yes. Well.
I seem to have entered this shenannigans too.

My entry is paid but awaiting aceptance.
Is that nomal?

sib

Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT 2018
« Reply #17 on: 18 April, 2018, 11:51:26 am »
Yes...your place is only confirmed when the start sheet is issued.

cygnet

  • I'm part of the association
Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT 2018
« Reply #18 on: 18 April, 2018, 12:22:00 pm »
Only 3 months until this comes round again, I should really think about getting a long ride in first  ;)
Have you set a date or still weather watching?
I Said, I've Got A Big Stick

mattc

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Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT 2018
« Reply #19 on: 18 April, 2018, 12:34:33 pm »
Yes...your place is only confirmed when the start sheet is issued.
History suggests it won't be oversubscribed - so basically, you're in  :thumbsup:
Has never ridden RAAM
---------
No.11  Because of the great host of those who dislike the least appearance of "swank " when they travel the roads and lanes. - From Kuklos' 39 Articles

Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT 2018
« Reply #20 on: 18 April, 2018, 04:01:25 pm »
Only 3 months until this comes round again, I should really think about getting a long ride in first  ;)
Have you set a date or still weather watching?

Any time from April 29th, looking for 2 days of strong southerlies. Fingers crossed that happens in time to get ready for the 24  :thumbsup:

Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT 2018
« Reply #21 on: 08 May, 2018, 10:20:24 pm »
Wow, high praise indeed! 

Hey Scrantaj, you've now got not one but two winners of this event on the thread, they must like you :thumbsup:

I knew I should have come back here sooner!

Thanks again to all who replied.  Hopefully see some of you on the course as you go past me :)

rob

Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT 2018
« Reply #22 on: 09 May, 2018, 03:15:37 pm »
Still in denial.   I'll wait to see how my 100 & 12hr go.


Re: Mersey Roads 24hr TT 2018
« Reply #24 on: 29 May, 2018, 07:44:17 am »
Did the Anfield 100 yesterday in preparation for the Mersey roads 24 , great event and was a bit of a eye opener as to how hard it was to sustain power over 20mph (road bike with tri bars) I’m now looking longingly at a cheap cannondale slice 🙄and I’m sure I won’t look that bad in a skin suit😳