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! 👇
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47 Comments
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! 👇
Be as happy as Naomi.
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.
One word Naomi…. Inspirational!
The patience of Conor and Anelina are to be commended. Props to Naomi for entering and finishing.
👍👍🚴♂️🚴♂️💥💥 brilliant well done 😊😊
The Conor Naomi vids are objectively the best vids on GCN…more of this please!
Brilliant ride Naomi. Chapeau 🙌👏
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.
What a beautiful event to accomplish your first century ride.🎉
That looked like so much fun!
Love her enthusiasm! Everyone needs a Naomi to remind us of how great riding a bike is!
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
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! 🏞️🌳🌊☀️🚵♂️
Why only two pins on Naomi's number? That flapping around would be a bit distracting.
Well done Naomi
Yay, Naomi!!! I love her energy! ❤ I always feel motivated to push myself a bit more after watching videos with Naomi! More Naomi, please! 🙏🏼
I think you can do thus Ride in a road bike.
Naomi, your enthusiasm and zest for life and adventure is so inspiring. Wonderful.
Naomi is an absolute legend!
Toll !!
I. Have never done more than 125 kms in my life. And i am near 50. When i was younger i race. And i have pro equioment
She did better then me lol I tap out at 40 miles
👊 awesome job Naomi you crushed it .
Well done and great respect! 👏
Well done Naomi!
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.
Well done! I was there and the heat was no joke.
Great video. Nice to see some slightly different content. Hope all is well in GCN towers!!
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.
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!
She definitely had a lot of SISU in her.
Her attitude is so contagious! Good luck🎉!
too damn hot for her first 100!!!!
Is Naomi maybe the true spirit of gravel? Well done 😊
The Finns (and all scandis and Nordiks) are just better than us, aren’t they…
glad you found a new average presenter regular people can relate to
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.
Bravo Naomi!
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!
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!!!!
Chapeau Naomi 🎉🎉🎉🎉
I am loving Naomi’s enthusiasm!
Fantastic main presenter choice. Despite being clearly the best rider on GCN (at their respective peaks) – Connor is the right man for this task!
Great ”episode”. No numbers, aerodynamics, rolling resistance. Only humans and friends. Great! Well done!
just as well there isn't any drug testing, she's mad. 😂
More Naomi, she's so great!