50 or 75 mile sportive ?

[Pier]

I was also thinking joining a sportive and I'm not sure whether 50 or 75 miles.
I do regularly 50+ miles during the weekend but never over the 70 miles.
So I was thinking...should I join the 50 miles one and try to keep a better pace or the 75 miles one (and have probably a slower pace)?

 

[vickster]

75, otherwise where's the challenge, if always doing 50? If paying to ride on open roads, might as well make it worthwhile!

They aren't races so complete at a pace that challenges but doesn't kill you!

 

[T4tomo]

75, you want it to be a challenge and make you up your game.

@Jabba, going from your other posts I'd have thought you'd be riding both the 75 and the 50.

 

[vickster]

75, you want it to be a challenge and make you up your game.

@Jabba, going from your other posts I'd have thought you'd be riding both the 75 and the 50.

I think you'll find it's @jamma

 

[oldroadman]

If not already a club member, look at BC website, find a local one that suits you, and enjoy learning to ride properly with them. The standard of riding in almost every sportive I've seen is 90% rubbish. Only the fast clubmen (not the pseudo racers) are technically capable and safe. As for the rest, it's variable to say the least.

 

[Pier]

Thanks, I'll probably go for the 75 one. Quite curious they estimate 4 hours for it, which is an avg speed of over 18mp/h...which is way above my capabilities

 

[Banjo]

Thanks, I'll probably go for the 75 one. Quite curious they estimate 4 hours for it, which is an avg speed of over 18mp/h...which is way above my capabilities

Have a look and see what the cut off time is .Provided you can complete inside the time limit nothing else matters.

 

[jamma]

Thanks, I'll probably go for the 75 one. Quite curious they estimate 4 hours for it, which is an avg speed of over 18mp/h...which is way above my capabilities

I know the sportive organisers who did the one i entered gave us till 6:00pm to get back which was enough time for the longest route

 

[Pier]

UHm...I don't see any cut off time...The event is this one

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/150459/Farnborough-Flyer

 

[jefmcg]

Have a look and see what the cut off time is .

Do sportives on open roads have a cutoff time? I guess they must remove the timing mats at some point and go home, but you still can finish it, and know what you have achieved, even if there is no one waiting at the finish line.

 

[rugby bloke]

Do sportives on open roads have a cutoff time? I guess they must remove the timing mats at some point and go home, but you still can finish it, and know what you have achieved, even if there is no one waiting at the finish line.

That was the case for the last Sportive I rode - there was a nominal cut off , which is when they started to tidy everything away, but there is nothing to stop you riding the course.

 

[outlash]

I think you'll find it's @jamma

Might not be...

 

[outlash]

Thanks, I'll probably go for the 75 one. Quite curious they estimate 4 hours for it, which is an avg speed of over 18mp/h...which is way above my capabilities

If you think that this event might be a little on the quick side for you, why not look at doing a 100k Audax instead? Be warned, you may need sandals.

 

[rideswithmoobs]

Comments regarding sportive sate interesting, I was thinking of entering one later this year or next, then began looking at Audax. I don't want to race, I'm 41 and done enough competitive sport to last me the rest of my days, but want a good pace and to push myself and achieve something, (I'm still competitive) but don't want a jolly scenery appreciation ride that doesn't require something extra to finish. Ultimately I would like to do a ride like the Fred Whitton. Not sure what route to go after reading comments regarding sportive a/Audax

 

[jefmcg]

There's a truism, "sportive riders pretend they are racing, audaxers pretend they are not" I think it's a pretty good description. Audax doesn't publish times, you just finish or you don't, but the riders who care know when they arrived, and who was there before them. But no one is pushing anyone out of the way, and it's all pretty friendly - I've helped and been helped by other riders on the road - strangers - once at the cost of them finishing

As challenges go, Audax is bigger. The "proper" Audaxes start at 200km, longer than almost any sportive. You do get 13 hours to finish, but it's still a pretty big challenge for most riders. Add AAA if you like climbing. Audaxes are much cheaper than sportives, and if they supply food it's mostly "food" and not gels or sports bars. Audaxing is much more independent, you have to navigate yourself, and there's no broom wagon. You probably won't end up riding in a group unless you joined in a group.

(yeah, I prefer audaxes. I've never done a sportive, but I'm not really tempted.)