My first Sportive this weekend
Discussion
As the title I have my first 52 mile sportive in Eastbourne this Sunday. My bike has been cleaned, de greased and lubricated the necessary parts.
I have also started prepping myself by keeping my liquids up this week and carbohydrate intake at an increased level then usual. Stuff to take is accumulating too, ie track pump, wet weather gear etc.
Anything else I should be doing, thinking about or planning?
I have also started prepping myself by keeping my liquids up this week and carbohydrate intake at an increased level then usual. Stuff to take is accumulating too, ie track pump, wet weather gear etc.
Anything else I should be doing, thinking about or planning?
Great post. I did my first sportive in April last year. Similar distance. Nervous for about 3 days beforehand as I wanted to do it in around 3 hours 15 mins. Worried about liquids, foods, gels, spare tubes. On the day it was fine. Realised that 50 miles is no distance at all. Regularly do 50+ miles an outing with just a bottle of water and without giving it any thought. No special food certainly don't bother with gels now. Wish I could do longer rides but time is the constraint I find. Enjoy the day and just hope it doesn't rain!
RRS_Staffs said:
Its a sportive, so just relax, settle down and enjoy it then tell us how it went
Good luck
what he said + chamois cream.Good luck
seriously, dont panic, just break it down as it suits your ability, eg ride 10/20/30 miles, stop, stretch, eat something, get back on for another 10,20/30 30 mile ride and repeat as necessary.
Thanks for all your comments, I have been training every weekend for what seems like months and can now comfortably ride 60 miles with a short wee and snack break at about 40 miles.
The event is being run by SRS Events with what seems like good organisation as there are feed stops, timing chips for the all important ride times and full support during the day.
I am really looking forward to Sunday and hope I get a gold certificate (52 miles in under 3hrs 30 mins)
Will post my time and comments once I get home
The event is being run by SRS Events with what seems like good organisation as there are feed stops, timing chips for the all important ride times and full support during the day.
I am really looking forward to Sunday and hope I get a gold certificate (52 miles in under 3hrs 30 mins)
Will post my time and comments once I get home
It's not a put down. It's a bit of a farce that a gold time is so easily attainable isn't it?
Good luck to the op, I'm not putting you down I'm sure you understand, and it sounds like you're more than up to hitting your target. Just thought that it would be a bit higher for the best standard.
Good luck to the op, I'm not putting you down I'm sure you understand, and it sounds like you're more than up to hitting your target. Just thought that it would be a bit higher for the best standard.
Get Karter said:
Isn't a sportive the cycling world's equivalent of a fun run?
Isn't it for those who maybe go out once or twice a week for a spin, purely for the enjoyment of cycling?
If so then 15mph average over 50 miles for a hobby cylist seems pretty reasonable to me.
Then why even bother with the gold,silver etc. They need to decide what they want to be, fun rides which shouldn't need the competitive element or competitive rides that are a proper challenge against the clock. Isn't it for those who maybe go out once or twice a week for a spin, purely for the enjoyment of cycling?
If so then 15mph average over 50 miles for a hobby cylist seems pretty reasonable to me.
okgo said:
Get Karter said:
Isn't a sportive the cycling world's equivalent of a fun run?
Isn't it for those who maybe go out once or twice a week for a spin, purely for the enjoyment of cycling?
If so then 15mph average over 50 miles for a hobby cylist seems pretty reasonable to me.
Then why even bother with the gold,silver etc. They need to decide what they want to be, fun rides which shouldn't need the competitive element or competitive rides that are a proper challenge against the clock. Isn't it for those who maybe go out once or twice a week for a spin, purely for the enjoyment of cycling?
If so then 15mph average over 50 miles for a hobby cylist seems pretty reasonable to me.
(I do agree the grading thing is a bit strange for a non-race event though
)Get Karter said:
Isn't a sportive the cycling world's equivalent of a fun run?
Isn't it for those who maybe go out once or twice a week for a spin, purely for the enjoyment of cycling?
If so then 15mph average over 50 miles for a hobby cylist seems pretty reasonable to me.
If your idea of a fun run is a 50 mile multi-terrain race, then yes, a sportive is the equivilent....Isn't it for those who maybe go out once or twice a week for a spin, purely for the enjoyment of cycling?
If so then 15mph average over 50 miles for a hobby cylist seems pretty reasonable to me.
Fred Whitton profile
Deeside Cyclefest profile
t, it's only a number and it NEVER reflects the whole story. The fact is you're enjoying your riding that you've trained hard for and that's the main thing.Gizmoish said:
Get Karter said:
If so then 15mph average over 50 miles for a hobby cylist seems pretty reasonable to me.
I'm fat and out of shape and only just started riding properly. And last week I did 40 mi at 15mph...So 15 mph over 50 miles... Sounds a bit too easy.
pablo said:
If your idea of a fun run is a 50 mile multi-terrain race, then yes, a sportive is the equivilent....
Fred Whitton profile
Deeside Cyclefest profile
Read my post again, I was supporting the OP not attacking him.Fred Whitton profile
Deeside Cyclefest profile
Love these vertically exaggerated profiles. They never feel quite so tough to ride though!
I never knew sprotives were races. What race license do you need to compete?
Get Karter said:
Gizmoish said:
Get Karter said:
If so then 15mph average over 50 miles for a hobby cylist seems pretty reasonable to me.
I'm fat and out of shape and only just started riding properly. And last week I did 40 mi at 15mph...So 15 mph over 50 miles... Sounds a bit too easy.
15 miles up and over Galibier is a bit different to Essex.
LOL looks like this thread has stirred up something...
I know its not a race but in my mind it is, the only competitor is me and I aim to get the best time I can.
Over the last 4 months I have trained hard to get my distance up from an average of 20 miles at an average speed of 12mph to over 60 miles with an average of nearly 16mph. This is going out every Sunday morning come rain or shine. I know this is still slow compared to most people but to me its an improvement, however small, and when I think back that this time last year I didnt even own a bike and hadnt ridden for over 20 years I am quite pleased with myself.
The Gold time of 3.5hrs is for us middle aged blokes aged 40 to 49 yrs, men 18 to 39 is 3 hrs 10 mins. If I can get close to this then I will be well happy.
I know its not a race but in my mind it is, the only competitor is me and I aim to get the best time I can.
Over the last 4 months I have trained hard to get my distance up from an average of 20 miles at an average speed of 12mph to over 60 miles with an average of nearly 16mph. This is going out every Sunday morning come rain or shine. I know this is still slow compared to most people but to me its an improvement, however small, and when I think back that this time last year I didnt even own a bike and hadnt ridden for over 20 years I am quite pleased with myself.
The Gold time of 3.5hrs is for us middle aged blokes aged 40 to 49 yrs, men 18 to 39 is 3 hrs 10 mins. If I can get close to this then I will be well happy.
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