Ready for 1st Sportive??

[DCLane]

My first sportive's in 3 weeks on the 26th (Evans Ride It! Leeds 50-miler), with my first Audax (mini-NWP 120k) a week before that. That's followed with one on the 25th March (Cheshire Cat 74-miler).

Training has involved the 3-4 times a week 20-30 mile round trip commute plus I'm trying to get in a once-a-week 30-50 miler. In early March I'll stretch the training to 50-70 miles once a week.

The weekend 50-mile run averages about 15mph not counting the cafe stop, so I'm hoping it'll be OK, just like you.

My biggest concern isn't the average speed. It's that I don't currently have an appropriate bike . At the moment it'll have to be the Carrera Virtuoso winter hack since no replacement for the Ridgeback's arrived yet. I'm able to get the 15mph average on the Carrera, even if a battered old Carrera might look a bit out of place amongst the carbon-fibred lot.

I've looked at a club, but they all do Sunday runs. As I'm not available on Sunday (church) they're out ...

 

[Marcus Di-Vincenzo]

The Exmoor Beauty is a great start to both new sportive riders and the season. I am the Beauty and the Beast organiser and if it helps, starting in the sportive world you should look for the following, achievable route,good signage, good parking, showers, good feeds two at least if 100miles and mechanical and safety cover close to hand.

This is what you pay for, its about the occasion and riding with others so if a ride doesn't have these you shouldn't be paying. I believe Audax rides are fantastic, but sportives are better supported simply because with entry fees they have budget to pay for that support.

Both rides however are Occasions, hope you get the right one buddy.

 

[cyberknight]

My first sportive's in 3 weeks on the 26th (Evans Ride It! Leeds 50-miler), with my first Audax (mini-NWP 120k) a week before that. That's followed with one on the 25th March (Cheshire Cat 74-miler).

Training has involved the 3-4 times a week 20-30 mile round trip commute plus I'm trying to get in a once-a-week 30-50 miler. In early March I'll stretch the training to 50-70 miles once a week.

The weekend 50-mile run averages about 15mph not counting the cafe stop, so I'm hoping it'll be OK, just like you.

My biggest concern isn't the average speed. It's that I don't currently have an appropriate bike . At the moment it'll have to be the Carrera Virtuoso winter hack since no replacement for the Ridgeback's arrived yet. I'm able to get the 15mph average on the Carrera, even if a battered old Carrera might look a bit out of place amongst the carbon-fibred lot.

I've looked at a club, but they all do Sunday runs. As I'm not available on Sunday (church) they're out ...

Did my 1st sportive on the virtuoso , i had a bum bag, sadle bag and a cross bar bag as i was still in " omfg i need food " mode and i did fine , as long as the bike is running well then do not worry about it as the most important thing is the engine .

Up till that ride the furthest i had ridden was 45 miles solo and i managed the 115 km route of the midland monster in 4 hours 19 mins on the road with 1 stop for drinks , cakes etc .
Chat to your club as they probably do other runs , mine has runs in the week and saturdays as well.

 

[Ady138]

I ride alone just for exercise and enjoyment after taking up cycling as an alternative to running 2 or 3 years back. Last year I managed to get up to 100+km (70 miles). This year I'd like to target 2 or 3 events just to see if I enjoy them and, if so, as a means of stretching myself to do a 100 miler by the end of the year.

I am a bit of a plodder, judging by other's quoted ave speed (and those who overtake me on a Sun morning!!). I tend to average around 15 mph, a bit slower over some of the hilly routes I have locally. My time is pretty limited - just some short gym sessions in the week and whatever time/distance I can squeeze in at the weekends.

I suppose my main concern is a Sportive or similar being a little too serious/fast for me. I assume it's each to their own and it can be as serious/fast as you like within reason?

 

[Ady138]

Willo,
I was going to ask exactly the same question and I am at about the same level as you so its reassuring to hear I'm not the only one out there anxious about keeping up with the pack.
Thanks to everyone that replied to Willo I'm going to look for a suitable Sportive and get involved.

Ady

 

[TheSandwichMonster]

With the best will in the world, 15mph is not a plod! I was incredibly anxious about my first event - a simple 60-miler - and despite the fact that I was doing 200+ miles a week in the run up (commuting), I still thought that I would struggle to get around.

You will get all sorts of folks on a sportive, from people who genuinely think that it is a race and go out to "win", to people who turn up on mountain bikes in baggies and do it for a fun day out. Inbetween you'll have just about every other conceivable cycling stereotype going from lean, rangey whippets in team kit, to bearded & sandal'd veteran cyclists with panniers and cake.

There is no "pack" as such. Aside from the fact that the start is usually staggered to prevent too much disruption to car users, people having different cruising speeds and so smaller groups form naturally and it's easy (even if you're not riding with anyone that you know) to find a group of people going at a pace that you find "comfortable" and to drop in with them. If it's your first sportive, or moreso, your first time riding in any kind of a group then you'll be surprised at how much easier group riding is, and also how much more motivating it is. The act of riding and chatting with others also means that you don't notice yourself flagging quite as much as would ordinarily.

Turn up, enjoy, soak up the atmosphere. If you can remember that it's not a race, then you'll fare even better! Further to Marcus' comments above: I've ridden one of his rides before and can heartily recommend them. The Beauty looks to be a great ride this year and I'd be there myself if I didn't already have family commitments.

 

[Ady138]

Thanks for your post SandwichMonster

I'm now entering the Burgess Hill event on 18th march and will go for the 53 miler route.

http://www.srs-events.cc/event1/event-details.htm

If you pass me say Hi lol

Ady