2018 Sportives

Author
Discussion

Dannbodge

2,160 posts

120 months

Sunday 23rd September 2018
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I've got the refund coming too.

Luckily I'm local so it's only the entry fee for me so that will go towards some new kit.

Typically it's sunny and bright blue sky with no wind now. This morning is was miserable and I wouldn't have enjoyed it so cancelling was a good out for me.
Ended up on Zwift instead and as I had tomorrow off for a "rest" day, I'll go out tomorrow instead.

lauda

3,446 posts

206 months

Sunday 23rd September 2018
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I did a couple of hours from 5:30 this morning around Southampton and it was bloody miserable. Despite a rain jacket and overshoes, I was soaked by the time I got home. The thought of another 100km of that was not an attractive one.

I’ve used the refunded entry fees to treat myself to some new Ultegra pedals instead smile

Harpoon

1,860 posts

213 months

Monday 15th October 2018
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Rode my first Evans Ride It sportive (Cannock Chase) Sunday.

Yes, the weather was utterly miserable. Probably the wettest ride I've ever done - the first Tour de Yorkshire sportive was probably wetter to start with but the sun had the decency to come out of for the last couple of hours, so at least you dried off. Yesterday it was just rain from start to end. The feed stations were an exercise in eating lots of cake in the shortest possible time so you didn't get cold.

The puncture gods smiled on me yesterday, so got round untroubled despite lots of debris and some flooded sections you couldn't avoid.

I paid £20 on an offer, though the full price is only £25. Good value with the feed stations well stocked (I think one guy must have picked up a year's supply of High5 gels).

campionissimo

578 posts

123 months

Tuesday 16th October 2018
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I've just signed up for my first sportive - the Tour Of Worcester on 28th October. And also signed up for next years Dartmoor Classic.

Can't wait.

dojo

741 posts

134 months

Friday 2nd November 2018
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Did London Brighton in Sept, my first ride.. got my first Sportive tomorrow - The Devils Punchbowl sportive

A few questions if you don't mind.

1. Its going to be about 10degrees tomorrow and dry. Should I wear a windbreaker/waterproof jacket or just base layers & Jersey??
2. I've got padded shorts but now its gotten colder & I've got skins base layer bottom from footy days - should I wear these under or over my shorts??!?
3. I did London Brighton in 4 hours - Am I going to be horribly off the pace here??
4. Is there a longer food stop like London - Brighton or is it grab water an go?? Is it worth carrying a 2nd bottle??
5. I can keep up with my group on flat and descents but on longer climbs I often get dropped - will they wait or is it every man for himself??

Thanks guys

Your Dad

1,924 posts

182 months

Friday 2nd November 2018
quotequote all
dojo said:
Did London Brighton in Sept, my first ride.. got my first Sportive tomorrow - The Devils Punchbowl sportive

A few questions if you don't mind.

1. Its going to be about 10degrees tomorrow and dry. Should I wear a windbreaker/waterproof jacket or just base layers & Jersey??
2. I've got padded shorts but now its gotten colder & I've got skins base layer bottom from footy days - should I wear these under or over my shorts??!?
3. I did London Brighton in 4 hours - Am I going to be horribly off the pace here??
4. Is there a longer food stop like London - Brighton or is it grab water an go?? Is it worth carrying a 2nd bottle??
5. I can keep up with my group on flat and descents but on longer climbs I often get dropped - will they wait or is it every man for himself??

Thanks guys
1. Layer up. You can take layers off but if you haven't got them with you and it rains/turns cold then you're stuffed.
2 . Over, or get padded tights.
3 . It's a sportive, not a race. Ride a pace you are comfortable with.
4 . Take two bottles, if you lose one bottle you have a spare.
5 . Sportives are usually full of wanna-be racers so it'll be a free-for-all, hence why I don't enter them.

lauda

3,446 posts

206 months

Friday 2nd November 2018
quotequote all
dojo said:
Did London Brighton in Sept, my first ride.. got my first Sportive tomorrow - The Devils Punchbowl sportive

A few questions if you don't mind.

1. Its going to be about 10degrees tomorrow and dry. Should I wear a windbreaker/waterproof jacket or just base layers & Jersey??
2. I've got padded shorts but now its gotten colder & I've got skins base layer bottom from footy days - should I wear these under or over my shorts??!?
3. I did London Brighton in 4 hours - Am I going to be horribly off the pace here??
4. Is there a longer food stop like London - Brighton or is it grab water an go?? Is it worth carrying a 2nd bottle??
5. I can keep up with my group on flat and descents but on longer climbs I often get dropped - will they wait or is it every man for himself??

Thanks guys
I’m doing the same ride tomorrow. I’m planning on wearing a long sleeved base layer and windproof jacket. Personally I wouldn’t wear anything under padded shorts as they’re generally designed to minimise the number of seams which could rub or chafe.

Having seen the forecast for tomorrow, I’m not sure you’ll need anything else on your bottom half anyway. Although having said that, I generally cycle year-round in shorts (with some knee warmers for the very coldest days) so I might not be the best person to listen to about that!

In terms of pace, sportives tend to attract a pretty wide range of riders, so you should just go at your own pace and not worry about what anyone else is doing. If you did London to Brighton in four hours, you’ll be fine on this one. I think the ‘gold’ time cut off is 5:15 so if you can maintain your London to Brighton speed for another coupe of hours, you’ll probably be within the silver time.

And there a three feed stops on the route. Based on other sportives I’ve done, these will be stocked with water, energy drinks, gels, flapjacks, crisps, etc. I normally carry two bidons but never manage to empty them both between the stops.

In short, you’ll be fine. Just ride at a comfortable pace, take in the scenery (and some hopefully decent weather) and enjoy it.