New to Sportives :)

[Heather]

Hi everyone

Up until recently I was a runner that owned a bike. Due to injury (plantar fasciitis) etc I'm going to spending at least the rest of 2011 on a bike

I had a high level of running fitness, I was a long distance type, running marathons most weekends. I'd like to translate this to the bike, so will be doing sportives most weekends instead as I like events

I've started ok with an 86 mile one 2 weeks ago, a 100k last weekend, and this weekend I will be trying the Chiltern Big Dipper which is 103 miles. Now I've not done much cycling before, and although my endurance is fine from running, the shock to the system is the hills!! And the Big Dipper will have lots I expect. My bike is ok, not the best in the world, just an entry level road one, I think it was about £500 so hoping I will be ok on this for a while.

Basically, any tips are welcome. I'm a complete girl in terms of mechanichy stuff, i've learnt to change an inner tube (go me lol) but thats about as good as it gets. I know pretty much nothing about cycling, and am too scared to try a club as although I was ok at running (3.24 marathon if anyones a runner) I'm slowwww on the bike. Both the sportives I did I averaged 14-15mph for the day, (the first wasn't very hilly) and I wasn't stopped for that long.

I am commuting to work every day which is 36m round trip at about 16-17 mph but its not that hilly so I'm not getting much hill practice apart from the actual sportives.

I'm basically just feeling all new and a bit daunted and all my friends are runners so I'm a bit lost and lonely lol and scared about my terribleness. Will I just get faster the more I do, or do I need to do/get anything specific?

Blimey what a lot of waffle!!!!

 

[asterix]

Practice is almost everything IMO. Unfortunately next weekend is a bit soon for that!

If you aren't used to lots of hills the best bet is not to overdo it just select a good low gear quite early on and expect the considerable drop in speed that is inevitable. It's very likely you will be overtaken by lots of people, just don't let it get you down. By the sound of it you'll make it up on the flatter bits quite easily!

 

[DaveC]

There's instructional videos on the Internet for just about every mechanical situation you can encounter. There's some good ones on climbing on YouTube. My advice on climbing -- stay loose and relaxed especially on the long climbs. Good luck on you century ride.

 

[ColinJ]

Hi again Heather.

It's best practice to just post in one thread about each topic. This is really a duplicate of the one that we are already responding to in General Cycling.

I suggest that you choose which one you want to remain and ask a moderator to merge the two threads into one.

PS I hope your injury heals well. You never know, you might be reluctant to stop cycling at the end of the year!

 

[Heather]

Yepyep, I realised I hate put it in the wrong place at first really!! I will try and get this one taken away

Sorryyyyyy everyone (just trying to learn where things are on here!!)

 

[ColinJ]

Yepyep, I realised I hate put it in the wrong place at first really!! I will try and get this one taken away

Sorryyyyyy everyone (just trying to learn where things are on here!!)

They could just as easily merge the other thread into this one here if you prefer this one.

 

[Fiona N]

Hi Heather - I think you should get yourself to a club. You might think you're slow but blimey your speeds are absolutely great for a beginner cyclist especially over the distances
Things will only get better as your get your cycling muscles. So don't hide your light under a bushel, woman

Don't be shy either - even racing-oriented club are getting quite friendly these days, even if you're not (at the moment) interested in racing, and if you've got a CTC group or similar in the area, I'm sure they'll be very welcoming to a strong but inexperienced rider (although you may find that you soon get too fast for them ).

Try asking around at sportives - if they're organised by local clubs (rather than commercial organisations /
charities) I'm sure they'd be able to point you in the direction of a suitable club.

 

[Halfmanhalfbike]

Both the sportives I did I averaged 14-15mph for the day, (the first wasn't very hilly) and I wasn't stopped for that long.

Bloody hell girl. They're great averages!. You've obviously got some good fitness level. I would kill for a 15mph average. Best 've had so far is 13.66. You'll be 'right

 

[aberal]

You are not slow. You must be comparing yourself to the elite 25mph+ types. Bear in mind that you are achieving those speeds on your own. Cycling with a group can easily add 2-3mph onto your average speed. And your distances for a beginner are phenomenal. Join a club. You'll fit right in.

 

[Heather]

My one today in the Chilterns was much hillier. I found it really tough, I'm ok on the long gradual climbs but the steep stuff is near impossible.

First 100 done but it took me 7.29 which is a much slower average. That was much more down to the extra hills rather than extra distance.

Maybe I should try find a club, just so scared of getting completely left behind

 

[mcshroom]

With your ave. speeds you won't get left behind.

If you aren't sure about a club or a ride, see if you can contact the ride leader beforehand and talk about what sort of ride they are doing. Most clubs are friendly and I'd be very surprised if they left you behind on your first ride even if you couldn't keep up.

 

[aberal]

My one today in the Chilterns was much hillier. I found it really tough, I'm ok on the long gradual climbs but the steep stuff is near impossible.

First 100 done but it took me 7.29 which is a much slower average. That was much more down to the extra hills rather than extra distance.

Maybe I should try find a club, just so scared of getting completely left behind

For a beginner your stats are amazing. You sound to me like a natural cyclist, with the potential to be a good one at that. Stop being such a wuss

- join a club. Certainly search out one with a good number of female members. The guys will be supportive, but the girls will help your confidence.

 

[Halfmanhalfbike]

My one today in the Chilterns was much hillier. I found it really tough, I'm ok on the long gradual climbs but the steep stuff is near impossible.

First 100 done but it took me 7.29 which is a much slower average. That was much more down to the extra hills rather than extra distance.

Maybe I should try find a club, just so scared of getting completely left behind

Are you trying to make us all look like wimps? 3 events in 3 weeks and you're still able to average 13.33. That's fantastic. You will have nothing at all to worry about on just about any club ride.

 

[Heather]

Did a lovely one today. 79m in Northants in 5.05. My favourite so far. 1st half not too hard but 2nd half really quite lumpy.

I have another one tomorrow!! I'm hooked!!!