We challenged GCN’s very own Naomi to take on her first-ever 100-mile (160km) century ride! Set against the stunning backdrop of the Saima Cycle Tour in Finland, Naomi faces gruelling heat, endless gravel, and the ultimate test of her “sisu.” Join her as she discovers what it really takes to go the distance and whether a “commuter-only” training plan is enough to conquer the Finnish wilderness.

In association with @VisitFinland & @gosaimaa
👉 https://gcn.eu/visitfinland
👉 https://gcn.eu/gosaimaa

Chapters: ⏱️
00:00 – The 100 Mile Challenge
01:40 – Arriving in Finland
03:57 – Meeting Anna-Lena & Finding “Sisu”
06:47 – Race Day: The Grand Start
09:08 – Naomi’s “Commuter” Training Strategy
14:31 – Gravel Bike Check: Naomi’s New Whip
16:59 – Reaching the Halfway Point
21:03 – Battling the 30°C Heat
24:36 – The Final 30km Push
28:09 – Crossing the Finish Line

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Naomi smashed it! 🇫🇮 We want to hear from you—what was your first-ever 100-mile ride like, and what’s the one piece of advice you’d give to someone attempting their first century? Let us know in the comments! 👇

Watch more on GCN…
📹 https://youtu.be/F5Pkx0P-dw4
📹 Watch our Editor’s Choice Playlist 👉 https://gcn.eu/editorschoice
📹 Or why not check out our Features Playlist 👉 ​​https://gcn.eu/gcnfeatures

🎵 Music – licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵
Zambara Groove – Ritchie Everett
Back in the Sun – Rocket Jr
Belief – Roots and Recognition
Cherry Blossom – Resonant Circuits
Dauntless – Hanna Ekstrom
Earth’s Orbit – Northside
Finger Pickin’ Good – Sunfish Grove
Foretold – Laura Platt
J. S. Bach_ Cello Suite
Mt. Fiji – Ryan James Carr
On My Way – Aiyo
Reasons – Ryan James Carr
Sanctum – Aiyo
Small Town Talk (Instrumental Version) – Northside
Storm is Brewing – Eva Hummingbird
As Bad as They Come – The New Fools

#gcn #cycling #roadcycling #roadbike #bike #bikes #bikelife

📸 Photos – © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Sirotti Images

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47 Comments

  1. Naomi smashed it! 🇫🇮 We want to hear from you—what was your first-ever 100-mile ride like, and what’s the one piece of advice you’d give to someone attempting their first century? Let us know in the comments! 👇

  2. Having seen how 'quickly' Conor got into the water, I'm not sure he'd have made that much of a difference in the GCN v GTN triathlon swimming leg against Heather.

  3. Naomi is an instant upvote every…single…time!!! More Naomi adventures!
    Not sure she'd be up for it, but would would be amazing to see her and Connor attempt a ride up Angliru or Alpe d'Huez.

  4. This might be one of the most fascinating arcs of anyone coming into cycling. I'm genuinely stoked to watch what Naomi does next having watched her tentative initial forays and now smashing out a gravel fondo. Lots of feels….GO Naomi <3

  5. 10 fists bumps = 10 out of 10 🤜💖🤛

    Congratulations Naomi on smashing 100 mile gravel ride! You, Conor, Analia, and the entire GCN team gave us the best reason why we love cycling from the beautiful sceneries, the camaraderie, the people supporting you and most importantly, putting the smile on our faces everytime we ride our bikes and even watching your videos here on YouTube! 💖

    What’s next for Naomi? I highly recommend you to cycle the 234km coastal bike path of Jeju Island here in South Korea! I can join and show you around the beautiful island and why locals and tourists love cycling there! 🏞️🌳🌊☀️🚵‍♂️

  6. Yay, Naomi!!! I love her energy! ❤ I always feel motivated to push myself a bit more after watching videos with Naomi! More Naomi, please! 🙏🏼

  7. 28:44 FYI, it's Imatrankoski, not Imantroski. The way you pronounced it sounds Russian.

    Also the hoods on Aliina's (?) bike look super uncomfortably setup the way they're rolled forward like that.

  8. Conor and Naomi might be the most effervescent duo I’ve ever seen on camera. She’s a great addition to GCN, and highly suggest you keep featuring her and possibly develop/incorporate her into the presenter team. You need some women. Our sport is already too male-dominated as it is.

  9. Great video! Naomi is totally awesome, and Connor is the perfect Shepard. Plus Alina as part of the amazing team. I was smiling the whole time I watched it. Respect!

  10. Next challenge, do a competitive race. You can show the common person can get in shape and be competitive if the right training and diet is implemented.

  11. Naomi is my inner-monologue when I’m embracing the suck on my own long journeys! Love the support you guys have for each other!

  12. I’m training to do the STP (Seattle to Portland) in 2027! It is 206 miles with the option of 1 or 2 days to complete it. I’m going to try and do it in 1 day and starting from very little!!! It would be soooooo coool if GCN could do it!!!

    Edit: congrats Naomi on completing your first 100!!!!

  13. Fantastic main presenter choice. Despite being clearly the best rider on GCN (at their respective peaks) – Connor is the right man for this task!

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