First Sportive - HELP !

[sazzysoo]

Hi. New to cyclechat and new to cycling. Feel nervous about an upcoming sportive this weekend and am looking for guidance on how to get the most out of it without killing myself! Hate hills but want to learn to love them. I have a query and would be really grateful if someone out there could help. I know absolutely nothing about bikes and recently won a women's specific Raleigh Airlite Aura. I'm getting my kit together for the 75 miler and even the basics are beyond me. Inner tubes - I believe my wheels are 700 x 25 but there's all sorts of other numbers written on them so my head exploded as I tried to make sense of it (25-622, 28x1.00) so I'm thinking of getting Continental Presta 42mm 700 x 20-25 Race 28 spares but really, I am terrified that they aren't the ones I should be getting. Perhaps you know?

Also, I live in Sussex where the hills are bountiful and long and have been told that I should change my cassette sprocket to make the hills a little easier. It currently has a 12-25T 9 speed cassette and I just can't get my head around all of the different types - HG50, HG80 Ultegra 6500? It all means nothing to me. The question that I hope someone can help me with is, what do I change it to that will allow me to ascend hills more easily without wanting to die?

I know you're all experts so please me gentle with me, no mocking of the bike retard!

Thanking you in advance.

 

[StuAff]

Tubes: You've got the right size there, and they should have a long enough valve stem for your wheel rims (too short and you'd have bother inflating them).
Any 9 speed cassette with Shimano freehub fitting should fit OK, as long as your rear derailleur has the capacity to handle it. Shimano, SRAM, AN Other supplier, no problem, and no difference whether it's from a road group (eg an Ultegra 6500 one) or a mountain bike group (eg HG50). Your derailleur will either be short cage (in which case you'd have a maximum of 27t on your cassette), or long cage (32t). Part numbers should tell you which you have. Bigger sprockets=lower gearing. If in doubt, go to your friendly local bike shop. And if your LBS isn't friendly, find another one!
Unfortunately, the only way to learn to climb hills is to climb hills. As Eddy Merckx put it, 'Don't buy upgrades, ride up grades'.......

 

[MartinQ]

Its a decent enough bike and the main thing is to get some miles/hills in and learn how to change/mend punctures etc. Don't bother upgrading, just get some summer miles in.

 

[MikeG]

Hi Sazzysoo.

Go slow, and eat plenty of carbohydrate both beforehand and on the ride. Take lots of stops. Drink loads. Hills? ......don't EVER attempt to power up hills: sit, spin a low gear, and relax your body/ arms as much as possible. You should be puffing when you get to the top, but your legs shouldn't feel finished.

It's this weekend, so no amount of training is going to help now. Get at least a couple of days of rest from your bike before the ride. It is absolutely critical to go at your own pace, and not be dragged along by others on the ride who may want to go faster. If this has to take you 6 hours, then take 6 hours.

You'll be fine.......but you'll be knackered afterwards!!! Enjoy it, because you'll rightly feel very proud of yourself when you've finished.

Mike

 

[StuAff]

Hi Sazzysoo.

Go slow, and eat plenty of carbohydrate both beforehand and on the ride. Take lots of stops. Drink loads. Hills? ......don't EVER attempt to power up hills: sit, spin a low gear, and relax your body/ arms as much as possible. You should be puffing when you get to the top, but your legs shouldn't feel finished.

It's this weekend, so no amount of training is going to help now. Get at least a couple of days of rest from your bike before the ride. It is absolutely critical to go at your own pace, and not be dragged along by others on the ride who may want to go faster. If this has to take you 6 hours, then take 6 hours.

You'll be fine.......but you'll be knackered afterwards!!! Enjoy it, because you'll rightly feel very proud of yourself when you've finished.

Mike

Nail hit on the head there.

 

[Markymark]

Agree to the above, wouldn't bother changing anything, the biggest difference will come from fitness.

Get on the bike as often as you can. Don;t see it as 'going for a bike ride', jump on it next time you're popping to the shops, visiting a friend, going to work etc etc. The odd 2 miles here and there makes a big difference.

As for hills, don't worry about them too much. I've done lots of cycling and I don't really enjoy them! Just get into a gear you're comfortable with a ride up it. It's fine to find it tiring and be out of puff at the top - that's why Mother Nature puts a downhill after the top!

 

[raleighnut]

for the 75 miler my advice is to start off gently and not burn out then end up struggling also previous to this get as many miles in as you feel able to. Make sure you keep well hydrated and eat quite often as well Flapjacks seem popular but I'm a cheese butty man meself, with the odd pint or 2 of beer thrown in (isotonic) but all my distance rides are touring with no fixed destination in mind, just a general idea of that way-ish.
Good luck on the ride
Edit- Speedy bloody Typists, 3 replies in while I'm still pecking away

 

[PatrickPending]

Good luck it will be fun. I'd just advise a few practice rides - short rides as there's only a week to go, to get used to things. Indeed your wheels are 700C - the tyres are 25 - probably a good choice. I'd ride the bike on the sportive as is and see how you go. As said earlier fitness will improve and hopefully make things easier, but above all feel free to ask questions here! Have fun.

 

[sazzysoo]

Thank you so much guys for all of your responses. I'm going to leave the bike as it is. I like the idea of me getting better rather than making the bike easier. And I shall have peace knowing that my inner tubes are the right ones. Now I'll just pray that I avoid a puncture as, despite YouTube watching, I've never actually changed one.

Thanks again and here's to a glorious ride with spectacular views.

 

[MikeG]

........ Now I'll just pray that I avoid a puncture as, despite YouTube watching, I've never actually changed one.......

Just carry the kit with you (spare tube, tyre levers, puncture repair kit, pump), and if you stop because of a puncture you'll get lots of offers of help. Accept one of them, and watch and learn.

Enjoy your ride.

 

[Elybazza61]

And just to help out there's always the Greg LeMond quote;

"It never gets easier you just get faster"

And just relax and enjoy it

 

[PpPete]

And when it all gets tough recall what Jens has written on his top-tube:
"Shut up legs"

Oh yes, and in the first half, spin an easier gear than you can manage - the legs won't answer back quite so much in the second half.

 

[Big Nick]

To throw a spanner in the mix I would change the cassette from a 12-25 to something like a 12-30, one will only cost you a few quid and your legs will thank you for it and its more novice friendly

As others have said the key is not to burn your leg muscles out but you will be breathing hard and will need to stay in easier gears a while after the climb so you can recover your breathing. Don't be afraid to get off and walk up any really steep gradients, you probably won't be alone !

I'm sure a public spirited fellow participant will give you a hand on the puncture front if you need it

A 75 miler is no mean feat for a novice so best of luck , dig deep and you'll get round

 

[DefBref]

Now I'll just pray that I avoid a puncture as, despite YouTube watching, I've never actually changed one.

Probably best to have a practice now. Its not really difficult and at least you won't feel under pressure at the moment.

 

[PatrickPending]

Oh and make sure your tyres are pumped up to the correct pressure - helps to avoid punctures if they are. Indeed practicing is good - if you've a cheap bike that's not being ridden try it on that then you don't run the risk of damaging the tubes on your sportive bike...it this makes sense....