Sportive newbie- never done one before (madness?)

Sportive newbie- never done one before (madness?)

Author
Discussion

S10GTA

12,645 posts

166 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
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£25!

GaryGlitter

1,924 posts

182 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
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Try riding that sort of route as a ride, rather than coughing up £25 for a number and a small goody bag.

If you must pay to ride with others then try an audax, they only cost about £5 so you can spend the leftovers at Rapha.

louiebaby

10,651 posts

190 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
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Some people like to do an organised event with their mates, and some people like to go out on their own. There are people in between.

If your mates are doing it, join them. You'll have a good couple of hours out. 51km is just over 30 miles, so the distance won't kill you. There's not that much climbing in it either. Crack on lad!

Simond S

4,514 posts

276 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
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Looks like a nice first sportive. Two climbs to consider but overall an easy ride if you can manage a 30 miler already.

gazza285

9,780 posts

207 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
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Man up, long route.

Then come and do the Ronde Van Calderdale next year.

tobinen

9,184 posts

144 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
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Do it man!

Celtic Dragon

3,161 posts

234 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
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Just do it man!

I've never done a sportive before and my first 1 I've entered is the Ride London 100 next year!

Steve vRS

4,836 posts

240 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
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Another do it.

Yes you can ride the roads for free but it is fun being 'part of something' and joining other like minded people.

It makes the ride an event too and if you are a little worried about the distance, it will drive you on to complete the course biggrin

Steve

GaryGlitter

1,924 posts

182 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
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If you do it then enjoy Sheldon, it's a cheeky beggar of a hill!

afrochicken

1,166 posts

208 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
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Definitely do it. You'll manage the distance easily* and the hills will be a new experience for you. Don't be shy about using a low gear, you'll get up them easily* and have a really enjoyable day out.

*definitions of 'easily' may differ

Black can man

31,816 posts

167 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
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http://www.wiggle.co.uk/wiggle-super-series-wiggle...


I've been talked into doing this one, i'm a bit worried about the climbs tbh.

I have done a couple of 70 milers so i'm sure i can manage if i pace myself

I shall be wearing with pride my new PH shirt ' if that Gruffy fellow " gets them in time.

scubadude

2,618 posts

196 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
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Ignore the price snobs and do it.

Having signage, catering and mechanical support is a great safety blanket to extend your riding- its far more relaxing and easy than doing it from home and having to taxi it back or sheepishly call your missus for a ride home when your sat in a layby with a minor mechanical.

richardxjr

7,561 posts

209 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
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Do the Billy 108km, same cost. Other one hardly worth it tbh unless you are actually a nanny.




WinstonWolf

72,857 posts

238 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
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The clue is in the word goat. Don't do it (coming from a fenlander...)

gazza285

9,780 posts

207 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
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hora said:
Me too. I bet it arrives Monday.

Hillswise I've ridden around Huddersfield (if you know it?)- up and over Castlehill from town, down Farnley Tyas etc. Thats the extent of my hills experience though.
You still have time to enter this one as well.

http://skylarksportive.com/

Jimbo.

3,941 posts

188 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
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Sportives are all-you-can eat buffets, just with the stands a bit further apart than yer' average restaurant. You'll be fine, Just avoid the wannabe-racers who treat it as such, get in a decent group and have fun. The miles will whizz by easily enough.

gazza285

9,780 posts

207 months

Friday 12th September 2014
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hora said:
Oh hello. Like the 80k option. I forgot to mention. I rode from Man U area to Ashton- Greenfields (?) Marsden hudds to watch the tour then halifax old road ainley top outlane and back.

(4 hour break inbetween)
All roads well travelled by myself, I'm from Outlane, now live a mile down the valley.

gazza285

9,780 posts

207 months

Friday 12th September 2014
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Do the long route, you'll wonder what you were worried about at the end.

TheLemming

4,319 posts

264 months

Friday 12th September 2014
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I did a similar thread about my first 100k last September, the verdict was "do it".

So I did.

seriously go do the longer route, you'd be gutted you didn't afterwards if you went for the little one :-)

Bbunter

122 posts

115 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
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hora said:
Right, I've spoken to the organiser of the skylark and I'm going to do the 80km. He seems to think I'll be fine on the 80km route (I want a challenge) as I ride both days at weekends off road in the Peaks.

Anything else I can do to 'prepare'? Its only a couple of weeks away though..

Anyone else fancy it?
Get your bike fettled by someone who knows what they are about ( checking the indexing, trueing the wheels etc.) Make sure you take a couple of spare tubes with you. Try to get a good nights kip the night before the event. Then go and enjoy yourself.