Sportive question.

[drivin_me_nuts]

I've got the bug for this cycling thing bigtime. I'm entered for the L2B in a few weeks and have been preparing accordingly. Surfing the net today I saw there is a wiggle sportive called the Haywards heath howler in august. Now, this would be my first attempt at such a thing and I'd be doing the easy route.

So why this post?

I would really like some feedback on required fitness levels etc. At the moment I cycle 25 miles every other day and my fitness is improving all the time. To do a 40 sportive and just finish... What should I be aiming for cfitness wise.

This is all new to me and any feedback would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

DMN

[z4chris99]

London to brighton pretty much any human can do..

[Disco You]

If you are cycling 25 miles every other day now, then 40 miles will be a walk in the park by August.

[anonymous-user]

the route looks like its bumpy so I'd say just vary your training routes, some hilly 10 milers, some flat 35 milers and you will be fine.

[numtumfutunch]

Id match all of the above sensible comments then raise them by suggesting a first sportive deserves a new bike

[ChrisMCoupe]

You have till August to train for this, I'd opt for the middle distance and have a challenge to work towards. I know a fair few guys who have done it, and rolling, hilly and bd tough are words i've heard mentioned

I live pretty local, so i'll be doing this, although it's a week before the london 100, so I might also do the middle distance.

[scubadude]

drivin_me_nuts said:

I would really like some feedback on required fitness levels etc. At the moment I cycle 25 miles every other day and my fitness is improving all the time. To do a 40 sportive and just finish... What should I be aiming for cfitness wise.

Hi DMN, based on your approx 75mile per week I would say the shortest option (46miles I think?) should be doable- how long does 25miles take you?

I do between 30 and 80 miles per week, weather and family dependent and have done Sportives out to 75miles on the back of that much (little) training, I am doing the Ride London 100 in the summer and am throwing in the odd longer ride.

45miles compared to 25miles is just go a little slower at the start, take a second bottle and eat something half way, otherwise feels pretty similar. Sportives have mountains of food and drink at the stops- no need to carry much yourself.

The Haywards Howler is reasonable hilly compared to some Sportives so might be worth focusing on climbing.

[PulsatingStar]

L2B is 50 miles isnt it? So youd have already done a longer distance ride well before the sportive.

[47p2]

If you are already doing 25 miles every other day it shouldn't be too difficult to up that to 30 miles then 35 miles and 40 miles.

[Birdthom]

You could always just go out and ride 40 miles this afternoon and see how you get on. You wouldn't even have to pay for the privilege.

[stongle]

I did the Haywards Heath Howler as my first ever Sportive in 2012, before that the longest ride I'd done was 30 miles so went for the "Fun" 46miler. From my experience, it should'nt be that difficult; if you can ride 30 miles, you can quite easily do the "fun" distance here. I'm not sure I'd call it bumpy, more undulating (at least if the fun distance / route is the same). None of the climbs are particularly long or steep; and what you go up you get free speed coming down the other side.

As a novice cyclist, you should consider (non alcholic) drink (its August so can be quite hot) and fueling (food). The hardman cyclists wil be along in a mo to tell you its only a warm up ride and should only be attempted on a double espresso; but you are (currently) a novice and you're body may not be fully prepared for 2.5-3hrs in the saddle.

Its an excellent event; and the other riders and generally great sports (although I found that fewer riders tackle the short distance so after the split you may be riding solo for the last 20 or so miles).

After the HHH, I took more of an interest in cycling, and its a slippery slope. If its you're first one, it looks quite a long way; but afterwards you're distance and time goals will increase / decrease in big leaps.

Its still quite a long way off, so plenty of time to prepare for the standard distance and make more of a challenge?

Oh, and its not a charity ride like L2B; the riding will be a lot more disciplined - no other cyclist will thank you if you approach it in the same way. 4 pints, pub lunches and weaving have no place on a sportive; even if its not a race.

Edited by stongle on Tuesday 15th April 10:02

[WinstonWolf]

25 to 40 will be easy, just make sure you drink and eat 60g of carbs per hour and you'll fly through it

[scubadude]

stongle said:

Oh, and its not a charity ride like L2B; the riding will be a lot more disciplined - no other cyclist will thank you if you approach it in the same way. 4 pints, pub lunches and weaving have no place on a sportive; even if its not a race.

The stories about the L2B are enough to put anyone off IMO, certainly put me off ever entering when I lived in London, I cycle to ride not stand in a queue while people push shopping bikes are 1% gradients :-)

That said I've had some really great experiences on Sportives- last years Wiggle Isle of Wright Ferry one was superb, wonderful atmosphere, baking hot but good fun, shame they are so expensive!

Whatever you think about Sportives they are a great way for people to start riding longer distances safely.

[HereBeMonsters]

There's a free IOW one called the Randonnee (sp?) which is basically a Sportive, if you time yourself...

[Batfink]

I cycle 10 miles a day and managed the Evans Cycle MK Sportive this weekend. Did 60 miles. 50 miles was a doddle, but one killer hill and the last 10 were painful. Mostly due to my neck aching like hell.
Did it in just under 4 hours.

[bakerstreet]

drivin_me_nuts said:

I've got the bug for this cycling thing bigtime. I'm entered for the L2B in a few weeks and have been preparing accordingly. Surfing the net today I saw there is a wiggle sportive called the Haywards heath howler in august. Now, this would be my first attempt at such a thing and I'd be doing the easy route.

So why this post?

I would really like some feedback on required fitness levels etc. At the moment I cycle 25 miles every other day and my fitness is improving all the time. To do a 40 sportive and just finish... What should I be aiming for cfitness wise.

This is all new to me and any feedback would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

DMN

Quite confused by this. L2B is in June and its 55 miles or there abouts, so why are you worrying about if you can complete a 40 mile sportive in August?

The UK Cycling events Sportives are very good. I have done a few of them.

Your turn up with your bike and helmet. They put a timing chip sticker on your helmet and you then cycle off and follow the signs. The UK Cycling events can be very large and in my experience very well organised. The signage is very clear and there are nearly always riders around you.

The majority of people use road bikes, but you still see people on hybrids and MTBs.

It will certainly be a bit quieter than the L2B. I've signed up for the L2B this year and I'm not bothered by the cycling, its the logistics of it that bother me and the thousands of other cyclists

[drivin_me_nuts]

Thanaks for all your replies. The reason for my concern when compared to the L2B was more to do with the fact that the L2B is pretty much a nags day out in comparrison. having never done a sportive and planning to turn up on nothing more than a hybrid, I was a smidge nervous of being able to finish. Glad to read it's not too hilly - very much a novice and learning slowly what i'm good at and what needs work (answer: not a lot, pretty much everything!)

I shall pay my sovs and enter.

Thanks all

[stongle]

drivin_me_nuts said:

Thanaks for all your replies. The reason for my concern when compared to the L2B was more to do with the fact that the L2B is pretty much a nags day out in comparrison. having never done a sportive and planning to turn up on nothing more than a hybrid, I was a smidge nervous of being able to finish. Glad to read it's not too hilly - very much a novice and learning slowly what i'm good at and what needs work (answer: not a lot, pretty much everything!)

I shall pay my sovs and enter.

Thanks all

Plenty of people riding this on hybrids the other year, don't worry about it.

[MadDad]

I did the New Forest Sportive last weekend, the majority of people took part on road bikes but there were quite a few hybrids and MTB's who took part in the standard route.

You will be fine, go for an early start if you are worried about completing the course in time, but given your current efforts I think you will be A-OK....

L2B is a day out for anyone who has a BSO and may or may not have ridden it in the last 5 years, even if it was only once to ride to the shops and back. It is a great event if you soak up the atmosphere and 'high five' kids stood along the side of the road, but it is as far from a well organised sportive as you could wish to get! Don't use it as a benchmark, although it is well organised and has a 'nice' atmosphere from start to finish, it is not representative of a sportive.

[anonymous-user]

a hybrid? you'll be fine... this guy does the Bristol to London AMR event each year...