50 or 75 mile sportive ?

[jamma]

I don't know which one to enter i would want a challenge. I have done the second part of the 50 mile after the feed stop but the 75 is more challenging.

 

[ianrauk]

Well if the 75 is more challenging and you want a challenge.. then there you go.

 

[DCLane]

Simple - the 75 mile one if you're young, fit and looking for a challenge.

But then I thought you were looking at racing. A sportive isn't the best approach to this.

 

[NorthernDave]

Enter the 75, it sounds the more challenging ride and if the worst happens you can always bug out and do the 50.

 

[bikingdad90]

Is this the Stockton/endeavour sportive? If so do you like climbing? The longer the distance the more hills they throw in.

Personally I will be doing the 30 miler but riding too and from adding another 10 miles on. I can't justify the extra time away from the children and wife.

 

[vickster]

75, might as well get your money's worth if paying to ride on open roads

As said, a sportive isn't a race. Don't you already ride biggish distances with your club?

 

[SWSteve]

75 miler, you may as well have a challenge

 

[jamma]

75, might as well get your money's worth if paying to ride on open roads

As said, a sportive isn't a race. Don't you already ride biggish distances with your club?

Club usally bunches tovether and does 30 miles give a take with the odd one or two long rides thrown in

 

[jamma]

Is this the Stockton/endeavour sportive? If so do you like climbing? The longer the distance the more hills they throw in.

Personally I will be doing the 30 miler but riding too and from adding another 10 miles on. I can't justify the extra time away from the children and wife.

Yes it is i done the hiller part of the 50 route and its not to really hilly just one or two but nothing really bad and i would ride so i looking at a extra 10 miles ontop of it

 

[jamma]

Simple - the 75 mile one if you're young, fit and looking for a challenge.

But then I thought you were looking at racing. A sportive isn't the best approach to this.

I know it isn't the best approach but it also gives time in the saddle, confidence on sitting in tight groups at similar speed

 

[BrynCP]

I know it isn't the best approach but it also gives time in the saddle, confidence on sitting in tight groups at similar speed

Not sure you'll get that from a sportive? Never ridden one, but I have ridden past them, and that's not what I've witnessed.

 

[briantrumpet]

Not sure you'll get that from a sportive? Never ridden one, but I have ridden past them, and that's not what I've witnessed.

You might, but you probably won't.

The only place you'll get proper experience and advice in group riding and all that entails is by joining a club. A year's membership is less than half the price of one sportive, and you should get a weekly club run or two, and once you know how to ride in a group, a chain gang.

Sportives are fine for a jolly ride round with lots of other people, but 75% won't have experienced group riding before. Some will think it's a race (it isn't), some will be there for the cake (no harm in that), and others will be doing it as their first long ride. Don't expect a well-drilled peloton, and it might be fun.

 

[DCLane]

I know it isn't the best approach but it also gives time in the saddle, confidence on sitting in tight groups at similar speed

Honestly a club run or chain gang would be better. Sportives are frequently about poor riding skills, or at least my experience of them has shown. I've done little ones of 50 miles up to the longest Dragon Ride/Etape's.

Groups do form in sportives; I've been involved in a big group on the Etape du Dales. However this is quite rare.

Get involved in club rides and their chain gang. These are more geared to group riding.

If you want to enjoy scenery a sportive is OK. As is an audax, which usually has better riding behaviour.

 

[tallliman]

My ride yesterday meant I passed by parts of a sportive (generally groups of 1-3 riders) and a couple of club chain gangs. The latter were much better drilled and much quicker and I struggled to keep up!

To answer the op's question; 75 miles!

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Race training?